How to find and transfer contacts from SIM-card to Xiaomi: all ways

You just put a new one in. SIM-card in your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, But you don't know how to see the contacts that are saved on it, or you want to move the numbers from the phone. SIM So you can use your phone to make sure they don't get lost when you change your card? SIM-map โ€“ from simple viewing to import/export, including hidden features MIUI.

Xiaomiโ€™s current MIUI 12-14 and Android 11-14 smartphones donโ€™t always show SIM contacts automatically, because the default system hides them to avoid duplication with cloud or local records, but there are several proven methods to access this data, both through standard settings and through third-party apps.

Important: If yours SIM-The card was released before 2010, it can only support 128-256 contacts with limited characters in the name (up to 14 characters.

1. Standard method: through the "Contacts" application

The easiest method is to use the built-in Contacts app (or Contacts in global firmware), which is available on all Xiaomi smartphones, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 And Mi 11, here's how to get in touch with you. SIM:

  1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a personโ€™s silhouette).
  2. Tap it on three points (โ‹ฎ) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management.
  3. In the Import/Export section, click Import with SIM-map.
  4. The system will show you a list of all the contacts stored on SIM, and you can view the numbers here, or import them into the phone's memory.

โš ๏ธ Note: If the item Import with SIM-The card is missing, so yours is missing. SIM Does not support the storage of contacts (for example, some virtual carriers) or inserted incorrectly. SIM In another slot (if you have Xiaomi with two SIM cards).

Check if it is inserted correctly SIM-map|Reboot your smartphone|Update the Contacts app on Google Play|Try inserting. SIM In a different slot (for dual-SIM models)

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On some MIUI firmware, SIM contacts can be displayed in a separate tab.

  1. Open Contacts โ†’ click on the profile icon (or avatar) at the top.
  2. Select the Contacts with โ†’ SIM-map.
  3. If the tab is missing, then there are no contacts on the SIM or they are hidden by the operatorโ€™s settings.

2. Import of contacts with SIM on Xiaomi: step-by-step instructions

If you need to not just look at the contact, but move the contact with the SIM In memory of the phone, follow this instruction. This is true for Xiaomi models. 13T, Redmi A2 and others MIUI 13/14:

  1. Launch the Contacts app.
  2. Tap it on three points (โ‹ฎ) โ†’ Settings โ†’ Import/Export of contacts.
  3. Select Import with SIM-map.
  4. Tick the required contacts (or click Select All).
  5. Click Import and choose where to save: to Google Account, Device or Mi Account.

โš ๏ธ Note: When importing into Mi Account, contacts sync with Xiaomi's cloud, but may be duplicated if you've already saved them before.To avoid this, check the list for repeat numbers before importing.

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If you have a two-sim Xiaomi, select the desired SIM before importing from the settings "Mobile Network" โ†’ "SIM-card names" This will help to avoid confusion if the contacts are saved on different cards.

After importation, it is recommended:

  • ๐Ÿ” Check duplicates in the Contact Management section โ†’ Connecting contacts.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Make a backup of contacts in Settings โ†’ Google โ†’ Backup.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ If contacts are not imported, try updating the Contacts app via Google Play.

3. Export of contacts to SIM-Map: How to save numbers back

If you need to transfer contacts from the phone to the SIM (For example, to transfer to another machine, use the export function: SIM-The cards only support names and phone numbers, without email, addresses or photos.

Instructions for Xiaomi:

  1. Open Contacts. โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Settings โ†’ Imports/Exports.
  2. Select Export on Export SIM-map.
  3. Mark the contacts for export (maximum depends on the SIM model, usually 200-500).
  4. Click Export and wait until it is completed (it can take up to 1-2 minutes).

โš ๏ธ Note: When exporting to SIM Contact names are trimmed to 14 characters, and special characters (emojis, for example) are replaced with accents. If the name is longer, save the shortened version in advance.

Action.Limitations SIM-mapRecommendation
Import with SIM256 contacts (on old SIMs)Use the cloud for large bases
Exports on SIMNames up to 14 characters, numbers onlySave the full data in Google Contacts
Editing on SIMIt is impossible to change directlyImport, edit, then export back

4. Viewing contacts through the engineering menu (for advanced)

If the standard methods donโ€™t work, you can try accessing contacts through an engineering menu, which is suitable for Xiaomi models based on Qualcomm (for example, Redmi Note 11, POCO F4).

Instructions:

  1. Open the phone app and enter the code: ##4636##
  2. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information.
  3. Scroll down to the section. SIM-map and click on it.
  4. Contact information can be displayed here (not on all firmware).

โš ๏ธ Note: Do not change other options in the engineering menu - this can lead to network failures. SIM-The card is missing, so your model does not support this method.

What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
Some MIUI firmware has blocked code ##4636##, and the alternative is to use the MTK Engineering Mode app (for devices on Mediatek) or the Shortcut Master to find hidden menus.

5. Use of third-party applications to work with SIM-contact

If Xiaomi's built-in tools don't work, you can use third-party apps.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ SIM Card Contacts โ€“ Shows Contacts with SIM, It allows you to edit and export them to VCF.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Copy My Data โ€“ Transfers contacts between devices, including SIM.
  • ๐Ÿ“‡ Contacts Backup & Restore โ€“ Creates backups of contacts in the format XML/VCF.

How to use SIM Card Contacts:

  1. Install the app from Google Play.
  2. Open it and give access to your contacts.
  3. Select SIM 1 or SIM 2 (if you have dual-SIM).
  4. Press Refresh โ€“ the app will show all contacts from the card.
  5. To export, tap Export and select the format (VCF for Android or CSV for Excel).

โš ๏ธ Note: Some applications require a fee for advanced features (for example, batch export). Before installing, check reviews - there is a risk of running into advertising software.

In the memory of the phone | On the SIM-card | In Google Account | In Mi Cloud | Another way-->

6. Problem Solving: Contacts are not displayed or imported

If you are infollowing all the instructions but contacts with the SIM are still not visible, try these methods:

  • ๐Ÿ”Œ Phone reboot: Sometimes the system doesn't recognize SIM Just after inserting. Turn off Xiaomi, pull it out and paste it in. SIM Re-energize.
  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Reset Network Settings: Go to Settings โ†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks โ†’ Resetting the network settings. It won't delete contacts, but it can restore access to the network. SIM.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Update: Outdated firmware may not support the work with SIM-Check the updates in the settings โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Updating the system.
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Cache Clearing: Go to Settings โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Application management โ†’ Contacts โ†’ Clear the cache.

If the problem persists, it may be yours. SIM-If the card is damaged, try inserting it into another phone (not Xiaomi) and check if the contacts are displayed there.

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Before resetting or updating your firmware, always back up your contacts via Google Account or Mi Cloud.

7. Features of working with contacts on eSIM in Xiaomi

Xiaomi smartphones of the latest generations (Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi) 12T, POCO F5) Support eSIM โ€“ Virtual SIM-But it has limitations:

  • ๐Ÿšซ No Storage of Contacts: eSIM does not support the preservation of numbers as physical SIM. All contacts are stored only in the phone memory or cloud.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Transfer from the physical SIM: To move the contact with the physical SIM On eSIM, import them into your phoneโ€™s memory first (as described above), then activate the eSIM.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Dual-SIM + eSIM: Some models can be used with a single physical SIM Contacts will be available from both cards, but they can only be managed via the phone.

If you are switching from a physical SIM to an eSIM, we recommend:

  1. Export contacts with SIM into VCF-File (via Contacts) โ†’ Imports/Exports).
  2. Save the file to the cloud (Google Drive or Mi Cloud).
  3. After activating eSIM, import contacts back from the file.

FAQ: Frequent questions about SIM contacts in Xiaomi

Can I edit the contacts directly to SIM-map?
No, Xiaomi doesn't allow you to edit contacts directly to SIM. You need to: Import them to your phone's memory, edit them in the Contacts app, export back to SIM (if necessary).
Why are the contacts duplicated after import?
This happens if the numbers are already saved in Google Contacts or Mi Account.To remove duplicates: Open Contacts โ†’ โ‹ฎ โ†’ Contact management โ†’ Connect contacts. The system automatically finds the duplicate records and suggests that they be combined.
How to transfer contacts with SIM to the new Xiaomi?
There are two ways: Through Export/Import: On an old phone, export your SIM contacts to a VCF file, copy it to a new Xiaomi and import. Through the cloud: Import your SIM contacts to a Google Account on an old phone, then sync them to a new one.
How many contacts can I keep on SIM?
It depends on the type. SIM-maps: Old SIM (Until 2010: 128-256 contacts. Modern nano-SIM: up to 500 contacts (check with the operator). eSIM: does not support the storage of contacts.
Can I restore remote contacts with SIM?
Not if the contacts were removed directly from the SIM-If you imported them into your phone or cloud before you deleted them, restore them from there. VCF. Enable automatic sync with Google Contacts.