How to transfer contacts from phone to phone SIM-Xiaomi Redmi card: 3 proven ways

Transferring contacts from phone to phone SIM-The map in Xiaomi Redmi devices may seem like a trivial task, but in practice users face a number of nuances: modern smartphones store contacts in cloud services or internal memory, and the export function is on the Internet. SIM It's often hidden in the depths of the menu. SIM-maps (e.g., name and number support only, without additional fields) require prior data preparation.

In this article, we will discuss three working methods for transferring contacts, from standard export through settings to workarounds for models where the function is disabled by the manufacturer. You will also learn how to avoid data loss in unsuccessful cloning and why some contacts may not be transferred. The instructions are relevant for all Redmi devices (including Redmi Note 12/13, Redmi 10/11 and older models) based on MIUI 12-14.

Why Contacts Are Not Transferred to SIM-map?

The main reason is the architecture of the storage of contacts in modern Android devices, manufacturers, including Xiaomi, by default save contacts in:

• 📱 Internal memory of the phone (.vcf format)
• ☁️ Cloud Services (Mi Account, Google Contacts)
• 📞 SIM-map (limited format only name) + number)

SIM-The cards maintain an outdated storage standard where each contact occupies a separate slot (usually up to a point in time). 250-500 - I'm talking about the map:

• ❌ No photos, email, addresses or additional numbers are saved.
• ❌ Names are limited. 14-20 Symbols (depending on the operator).
• ❌ There is no support for Cyrillic on some old SIM (The problem is solved by replacing the map with a modern one. USIM).

In addition, in MIUI, the export function on the SIM can be hidden or disabled in regional firmware, for example, in European versions of Redmi, the option is available, and in global versions it requires activation through the engineering menu.

Method 1: Standard export through "Contacts" (for MIUI 12-14)

This is the easiest method, but it doesn't work on all models.

Backup your contacts in Settings → Google → Backup

Check the vacant space on SIM (Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Warehouse SIM)

Remove duplicate contacts (use the “Unite” option in the Contacts app)

Connect your phone to charge (for long-term operations)-->

Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app** (Icon) 📇 mainscreen).
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Select Contact Management.
3. Go to Import/Export Contacts → Exports to SIM-map.
4. Select the contacts to transfer (or click Select All) → Confirm the export.
5. Wait until it is completed (it can take up to 5 minutes with 500+ contacts).

If the export items SIM-map:

• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes the option appears after a restart.
• 📲 Check if it's active. SIM in settings: Settings → SIM-map → [Yours. SIM] → Included.
• 🛠️ Update the Contacts app via Google Play (sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions).

💡

If contacts are not portable due to Cyrillic, try temporarily switching the system language to English (Settings → Additional → Language and input).

Method 2: Transfer through the engineering menu (for hidden function)

On some MIUI firmware (especially the global versions for the Redmi Note 10/11), the export option on the SIM is hidden.

Step 1: Open the engineering menu:

Call the phone app: ##4636###

Step 2: Go to Phone Information → scroll down to Debugging.

Step 3: Find the sim.contact.export setting and set the value 1 (if the setting is not, skip this step).

Step 4: Return to the Contacts app – the export option on SIM should appear.

If the engineering menu does not open:

• 🔐 Make sure that SIM-Original (non-cloned) card).
• 📶 Check that the phone is not in flight mode.
• 🔄 Switch the slot. SIM (If you have a Redmi with two slots).

Method 3: Manual export via VCF file (if SIM is not supported)

If the first two methods do not work, use the following method:

Step 1: Export your contacts to the.vcf file:

1. Open the "Contact» → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
2. Select Export to File → Specify the location of the save (e.g., Downloads).
3. Confirm the export – the contact.vcf file will be created.

Step 2: Transfer the file to your computer and edit it (if necessary):

• 🖥️ Open contacts.vcf in Notepad or Excel (via import).
• ✂️ Remove the extra fields (email, addresses), leave only FN: (name TEL: (number).
• 💾 Save the file in encoding UTF-8.

Step 3: Import the edited file back to your phone and export to SIM:

1. Copy the file back into the phone’s memory.
2. In Contacts, select Import from the file → specify contacts.vcf.
3. Now try the standard export on SIM (Method 1).

💡

VCF is a universal backup format, and store it in the cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) in case your phone is lost.

Table: Comparison of contact transfer methods

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

SIM-Mini-SIM card format (2FF) And older people may not have Cyrillic symbols in their contact names. If they're switching from the Cracosabras to the names, replace them. SIM on the modern Nano-SIM (4FF) eSIM.

Other typical problems:

• ❌ There's not enough room for SIM: Remove old contacts through Settings → SIM-map → Contact management SIM.
• ❌ Contacts are duplicated: Before export combine duplicates in the Contacts app» (⋮ → Unite).
• ❌ Not all numbers are transferred: SIM It only stores one number per contact, and the extra numbers will be lost.

⚠️ Attention: Don't pull out SIM-This can damage the data on the map. If the process is stalled, wait for the timeout (10-15 minutes or restart the phone.

If the contacts are displayed incorrectly after transfer:

1. Check the SIM encoding (replace the card with a new one from the operator).
2. Import contacts back to your phone and repeat the export.
3. Use third-party apps (such as Sim Contacts Backup) but only from trusted sources.

Alternative solutions: when the SIM is not suitable

If SIM portability is not possible or convenient, consider alternatives:

Cloud services:

• ☁️ Google Contacts: syncs automatically, supports all fields.
• 📱 Mi Cloud: Integrated into MIUI, day-by-day backup.

Local storage:

• 📁 Export to.vcf file (as in Method 3) and save to a flash drive.
• 📧 Sending contacts to yourself by email (attach contacts.vcf).

Third-party applications (with caution!):

• 🔄 Copy My Data (transfer between devices over Wi-Fi).
• 📱 Super Backup & Restore (Cloud Backup).

⚠️ Note: When using third-party applications to work with contacts, disable autosynchronization with Google/Mi Account to avoid version conflicts. After transfer, check the data on the target device!

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions