How to transfer contacts from Xiaomi Redmi phone to SIM-map: all working methods

Introduction: Why SIM-card contact transfer is relevant in 2026

Despite cloud services like Google Contacts or Mi Cloud, many Xiaomi Redmi users still prefer to store numbers on the Internet. SIM-The reasons range from wanting to have a backup without the internet to having to quickly transfer contacts to another phone (for example, when selling an old Redmi Note 12 or buying a used one). POCO X5). However, with the release of new versions MIUI (especially 13 and 14) standard export function SIM It's not that the feature is lost forever, it's just that the manufacturer has hidden it deeper.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to transfer contacts to the SIM-Xiaomi Redmi smartphone card, including models 2020–2026 years 10/11/12/13, Note 10 Pro/11 Pro/12 Pro+ We will focus on the detours for MIUI 14, where the function is hidden particularly carefully, and you'll also learn how to avoid common mistakes, such as why you're not doing it. SIM-The card does not carry photos of contacts or why some numbers are "cut offΒ».

Method 1: Standard export through Contacts (for MIUI 12 and older)

If your Xiaomi Redmi has MIUI 12 or earlier installed, the easiest way is to use the built-in export function. It is available directly in the Contacts app (not to be confused with Phone!).

  1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on a yellow background).
  2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Contact Management.
  3. Scroll down and click Import/Export contacts.
  4. Select Export on Export SIM-map and confirm the action.

The system will offer you to choose which contacts to export: all or only from a particular account (for example, Google or Mi Account). SIM-The card will only carry numbers and names – photos, mail and additional fields (for example, date of birth) will be lost.

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If there are duplicates in the contact list, use the Combine and Correct function in the same Contact Management menu before exporting. SIM-The card (usually supports no more than 250 records).

Method 2: A bypass for MIUI 13/14 (via Settings)

In the firmware MIUI 13 and 14 Xiaomi developers removed the direct button for export SIM-But the function is still there, it's just moved to another place. Here's how to find it:

  1. Open the phone settings.
  2. Go to the Appendix section β†’ Application management.
  3. In the search bar, enter Contacts and select the application.
  4. Slip on the Memory (or Storage in some versions).
  5. At the bottom of the screen will appear the button Export contacts – press it.
  6. Choose On. SIM-Map and wait for the process to be completed.

Important: This method doesn’t work on all Redmi models with MIUI 14.If there’s no Export Contact button, try Method 3 or 4.

Backup your contacts to Mi Cloud or Google

Check that SIM-card inserted into slot 1 (on some models, export works only with the main card). SIM)

Make sure you're on SIM-The card is free enough (1 contact) β‰ˆ 0.5-1 KB)

Close all background applications to avoid crashes-->

Method 3: Use third-party applications (if standard methods don't work)

If none of the previous methods worked, third-party utilities will come to the rescue, and we tested several apps from Google Play and selected the most reliable ones:

  • πŸ“± Copy to SIM Card is a simple application that supports Russian, allows you to selectively transfer contacts and shows how much space is left on the Internet. SIM.
  • πŸ”„ Contacts Backup & Restore – Exports contacts to a.vcf file, which can then be imported into the.vcf file. SIM through another application (e.g, SIM Contact Manager).
  • πŸ“‡ SIM Contacts – specializes in working with SIM-maps, supports mass transfer and editing of records directly on the map.

Warning: Before using third-party apps, turn off autosynchronization of contacts in your account settings Google/Mi. Otherwise, duplicates may appear after export.

Through the standard phone menu

I use cloud services (Google, Mi Cloud)

With third-party applications

Manual input on a new phone

Another option-->

Method 4: Manual transfer via VCF file (for advanced users)

This is a method for those who want to have full control of the process or who have experienced errors in direct export, the idea is to first save the contacts to a.vcf file and then import them to the.vcf file. SIM-map through a special application. Step-by-step instructions:

  1. Export contacts to file: Open Contacts β†’ Contact Management β†’ Import/Export. Select Export to file and save contacts.vcf to internal memory.

SIM Contact Manager

Import with VCF on SIM

Specify the path to the saved file and confirm the transfer.

The advantage of this method is that you can edit a VCF file before importing (for example, delete unnecessary contacts or correct numbers). Any text editor or specialized utilities like VCF Editor can be used to edit.

Why some contacts are not transferred to SIM-map?
Nana SIM-The map is limited to the number of characters in a single field (for example, the name should not exceed 20 characters, the number - 20 digits. SIM-The cards do not support special symbols (e.g, +, (), -) Replace them with a standard format (e.g. 79991234567) Contacts with multiple numbers or mailing addresses are partially transferred - only the first field of each type.

Table: Comparison of methods of transferring contacts to SIM-map

MethodDifficultySupported versions of MIUILimitationsDo you need root rights?
Standard export (through the β€œContacts”)⭐MIUI 12 and belowNo transfer of photos and additional fieldsNo.
Through "Settings" β†’ "Memory"⭐⭐MIUI 13/14 (not on all models)It may not work on some firmware.No.
Third-party annexes⭐⭐All versions of MIUIThe risk of duplicates requires the installation of softwareNo.
Manual transfer via VCF⭐⭐⭐All versions of MIUINeeds additional actionNo.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When transferring contacts to SIM-Xiaomi Redmi users often face the same problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

⚠️ Note: If, after export, SIM-The map shows only names without numbers, check the format of the records. SIM-The cards do not support the international format +7 - Replace it with 8 or 7 without a sign +.

  • 🚫 The error is β€œInsufficient memory for the SIM-Map: Remove old contacts from the SIM Or use a larger map (for example, USIM 128 KB instead of the standard 64 KB).
  • πŸ”„ Contacts are duplicated: Before export, turn off synchronization with Google/Mi Cloud in account settings.
  • πŸ“΅ Not all contacts have been moved: SIM-The cards support no more than 250-500 records (depending on the model.

Another common problem is the disappearance of the export button after the MIUI update, in which case resetting the Contacts app will help:

  1. Go to Settings β†’ Applications β†’ Application Management.
  2. Find Contacts, open Warehouse and press Reset.
  3. Restart your phone and check for an export button.

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Before any contacts transfer, make sure to back up via Mi Cloud or Google Contacts.This will protect you from data loss if you crash.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the transfer of contacts to SIM-map

Can I transfer contacts to SIM-cards back to the phone Xiaomi Redmi?
Yes, open the Contacts for that. β†’ Contact management β†’ Import/Export and select Import with SIM-You can also use third-party applications, such as SIM Contact Manager.
Why my Redmi Note 11 doesn't have an export button SIM-map?
You probably have MIUI 13/14 installed, where the function is hidden. Try method 2 (via Settings β†’ Memory) or use third-party apps. If nothing works, upgrade to the latest version of the firmware - sometimes the button returns after an update.
How many contacts can be saved on SIM-map?
Depends on the type. SIM-maps: Standard SIM (64 KB): ~200–250 contacts. USIM (128 KB): ~500 contacts. Note: One contact with multiple numbers can take up the space of multiple records.
Can I transfer photos of my contacts to SIM-map?
No, SIM-The cards do not support image storage. You can only save photos in the cloud (Google Photos, Mi Cloud) or in the internal memory of the phone.
What if the contacts are displayed in hieroglyphics after transfer?
This is a coding problem. Try: Use another export application (e.g. Copy to) SIM Cards, formatting contacts in UTF-8 before transfer (can be done through the editor) VCF-Insert files. SIM-card to another phone and check the display - sometimes a problem in the firmware Redmi.