How to copy contacts with Xiaomi 8 to SIM-card: all the ways and nuances

Transfer contacts with Xiaomi Mi 8 to SIM-A card is a task that you might need to change your device, back up, or if you prefer to store important numbers on a physical medium, even though modern smartphones sync your contacts to the cloud (Google Contacts, Mi Account), SIM-The card remains a reliable offline reserve. MIUI This feature is hidden deeper than in Android stock, and some users face errors when exporting.

In this article, we will discuss all the working ways to copy contacts to SIM for Xiaomi Mi 8 (relevant to MIUI 10-14 firmware), including bypassing typical problems: no menu item, limit on the number of records or format incompatibility, and learn how to prepare contacts for portability to avoid data loss, and how to export nano-SIM from micro-SIM.

Why you may not be able to copy your contacts SIM-map

Before moving forward, it is important to understand the limitations of technology. SIM-The cards store the contacts in an outdated format that supports the:

• 📞 Phone numbers only (without email, addresses, birthdays).
• 🔤 Limited number of characters in a name (usually up to 20-30 characters).
• 📱 Limit on the number of records: from 200 to 500 depending on the operator (MTS and Beeline - up to 250, Tele2 - up to 300).
• 🚫 There is no Cyrillic support in names on some old ones SIM (The problem is solved by transliteration).

On Xiaomi Mi 8, additional difficulties are created by MIUI firmware:

• 🔍 In the new versions (MIUI 12+) item “Exports by SIM" It may not be in the contact menu.
• 📵 If SIM-The card is not recognized as a contact store, manual activation is required in the settings.
• 🔄 When you transfer from a Google Account, some numbers may be duplicated or lose formatting.

⚠️ Attention: If yours SIM-The card was released before 2015, and it may not support any contact storage at all. Check this by inserting it into another phone (e.g. Nokia 105 or Samsung). E1200).

Preparation of contacts for transfer to SIM-card

To avoid copying errors, follow the following steps:

1. Clear duplicates. Go to Contacts → Control → Combine duplicates. This will prevent the same numbers from being written to SIM.
2. Check the format of the names. Delete emojis, special characters (#, *, %) and long descriptions. SIM-The card retains only the name. + Surname. + Number.
3. Export backup. Create a.vcf file through Contacts → Settings → Export/Import → Export to Memory.

If there are numbers with additional fields (work, home, mobile), leave only one main one - the rest will be lost during transfer.

1. Open contact.
2. Press Edit.
3. Delete all numbers except one (priority).

Remove duplicate contacts|Check the length of names (max. 20 characters)|Leave 1 number for contact.|Create a backup copy of.vcf|Compatibility check SIM contacted-->

Method 1: Standard export through the Contact Menu

This is the easiest method, but it doesn't work on all versions of MIUI.

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Contact management.
3. Choose Import/Export Contacts → Exports to SIM-map.
4. Tick the required contacts (or click Select All).
5. Confirm the export with the button Ready or OK.

If the item "Export to SIM" is not:

• 🔄 Change the language of the system to English (Settings) → Additional settings → Language & input: Sometimes it brings back hidden options.
• 📱 Put it in. SIM The second slot (if any) - some versions MIUI Blocking exports for main card.
• 🔧 Update the Contacts app via Google Play (if it is updated separately from the firmware).

⚠️ Attention: MIUI 13/14 with the updated "Contacts" application (version) 12.+), export SIM It can be disabled at the Google level. 3.

MIUI 10/11|MIUI 12|MIUI 13|MIUI 14|I Don't know-->

Method 2: Transfer through settings SIM-map

If standard export is not available, try activating the function via the menu. SIM-map:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-map, SIM 1 (MTS)).
3. Click on Additional Settings or Settings SIM-map.
4. Find the contact point SIM-maps or contact management.
5. Select Import/Export → Export from phone to SIM.

If it doesn't, your firmware doesn't support it.

• 🔧 Install older versions of the Contacts app (e.g. 11.0.4.6) via APK. You can download it here.
• 📲 Use third-party applications (see Method 4).

Method 3: Export via Google Contacts (if SIM is not supported)

If you SIM-The card does not allow you to save contacts, but you need backup storage, use an intermediate export to Google Account and then transfer to another account. SIM:

1. Export contacts from your phone to Google Contacts: Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Export to Google
2. Insert the SIM into another phone (such as Samsung or Nokia) where there is an export feature.
3. Sync Google Contacts on the second phone.
4. Export your Google contacts to SIM via the second device menu.

This method is suitable if:

• 📵 Yours. SIM It is not recognized as a contact store on Xiaomi.
• 🔄 You need to transfer contacts to another phone without the cloud.
• 📱 You two. SIM-Maps and you want to copy the contacts between them.

⚠️ Note: When synced with Google, some numbers may change format (e.g, +7 (999) 123-45-67 transmuted +79991234567). Before exporting to SIM check the correctness of the numbers!

💡

If you don’t have a second phone to carry, use it. USB-Modem or Bluetooth to transfer a.vcf file to your computer, and then import it through the web version of Google Contacts.

Method 4: Applications for SIM-based contact transfer

If the built-in methods don’t work, install third-party software. The best options for Xiaomi Mi 8:

• 📲 Sim Contacts Manager – allows you to edit contacts directly to the SIM, It supports Cyrillic: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simcontacts
• 🔄 Copy to SIM Card is a simple tool with support for package exports: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.copy2sim
• 📵 SIM Card (from Samsung) – works on most Xiaomi, despite the name.

Instructions for Sim Contacts Manager:

1. Install the app and give access to contacts and storage.
2. Choose Export to SIM.
3. Check the contacts you want (or click Select All).
4. Press Export and wait until it is completed.

Important: Some apps require root permissions to work with SIM on newer versions of Android (10+). On Xiaomi Mi 8, this is unlikely, but if the export fails, check the permission settings in Settings → Apps → Permissions.

Method 5: Manually enter contacts on SIM (if nothing helps)

If the automatic methods don't work, you have to manually type.

1. Open Contacts → Settings → Show contacts with SIM (if there is a point).
2. Click Add Contact on SIM (or New Contact → SIM as a save location).
3. Type your name and number manually. Repeat for all the contacts you need.

Speed up the process:

• 📋 Copy numbers from the main contacts into a notebook, and then paste them when manually entered.
• 🔤 Use voice input (in some firmwares available via Gboard keyboard).
• 📵 If SIM not displayed as a save option, reboot the phone with the card inserted.

⚠️ Attention: Some of them SIM-In the cards (Tele2, Iota) manual input can be blocked after 50-100 contacts.

💡

Manual input is the only method that works on 100% versions of MIUI, but takes a long time. Use it if other methods have failed or you have few contacts (up to 50 pieces).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When transferring contacts to SIM, Xiaomi Mi 8 users face typical problems:

If the contacts are not displayed on SIM after export:

• 🔄 Restart your phone – sometimes contacts only become visible after a reboot.
• 📵 Check it out. SIM in another device (for example, in a button phone).
• 🔧 Reset network settings: Settings → SIM-map → Resetting mobile network settings.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions