Transfer contacts from Xiaomi Redmi phone to SIM-You can use a card in a variety of situations: when you buy a new device, reset your settings, or if you want to save important numbers offline, even though modern smartphones sync contacts with the Mi Account cloud or Google, SIM-The card remains a reliable backup option – especially when you do not have access to the Internet or account.
However, this process has nuances: not all Redmi models support export of the product. SIM the same, and the limitation in 250–500 Contacts (depending on the operator) can be a problem. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to copy contacts on the Internet. SIM-Xiaomi Redmi smartphone card on MIUI 12/13/14, including avoidance of typical errors and alternative solutions for devices without a full-size slot SIM.
Why are contacts not copied to SIM-map: main causes
Before you start a transfer, it's important to understand why a function might not work, and most of the problems are:
- 🔹 Like, SIM-Nano-SIM (used in most Redmi after 2018) has no memory to store contacts – this feature is supported only on the old mini-SIM and micro-SIM standards.
- 🔹 Restrictions MIUI: In some versions of the firmware, the option of exporting to SIM Hidden or disabled by default (for example, in Redmi Note 10 Pro on the MIUI 13).
- 🔹 Contact format: If the numbers are saved to Google or Mi Account, the system can block them from being copied to the user. SIM due to synchronization conflict.
- 🔹 Damage to SIM: A card with expired expiration date or physical defects will not allow you to record data.
If your Redmi doesn’t see the export option, check the type first. SIM-For this, it's a map:
- Remove the tray for the SIM (use a clip or a special key from the kit).
- Look at the labeling: nano-SIM (12.3×8.8 mm) does not support the storage of contacts, and micro-SIM (15×12 mm) supports.
⚠️ Warning: If you have a Redmi 9/10/11 In this case, transfer contacts to the map is impossible - you will have to use alternative methods (see section). 5).
Method 1: Standard export through Contacts (for MIUI 12–14)
This is the simplest method that works on most Xiaomi Redmi devices with micro-SIM or hybrid slot. MIUI 12, 13 and 14:
- Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
- Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management.
- Go to the section Import / Export of contacts → Export to SIM-card.
- Check the necessary contacts (or click Select All) and confirm the export.
The process can take anywhere from 10 seconds to a minute, depending on the number of records, and when completed, a notification will appear.
☑️ Preparation for export of contacts
Method 2: Transfer through the “Settings of the phone”
If there is no export option in the Contacts app, try an alternative route through system settings.This method works on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi 9T and other models with MIUI 11-14:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Contacts.
- Press Import/Export Contacts.
- Select Export on Export SIM-Map and specify which contacts to copy (from your phone, Google or Mi Account).
- Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
If there is no export option in this menu, it means:
- 📵 Yours. SIM-The card does not support the storage of contacts (probably nano-SIM).
- 🔧 Firmware MIUI modified (e.g. global version without this feature).
⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) K40, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) export option SIM This may be blocked due to Xiaomi's security policy, in which case use method 3 or 4.
Method 3: Use of third-party applications (for nano-SIM)
If your Redmi is equipped with only nano-SIM, the standard methods will not work, so the solution is to use third-party utilities that emulate the recording of contacts to a virtual SIM.
| Annex | Support for MIUI | Features | Link (Google Play) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIM Card Contacts | 12–14 | Allows you to export contacts to a.vcf file and then import them to another SIM | Download |
| Copy to SIM Card | 11–13 | Works with nano-SIM through bypass algorithms, but requires root rights | Download |
| Contacts Backup | All versions. | Creates a backup to the cloud or memory card, which can then be transferred to the SIM | Download |
Instructions for SIM Card Contacts:
- Install the app and give access to contacts.
- Select Export to SIM (even if you have a nano-SIM).
- The program will create a contact.vcf file – save it to the memory card.
- Insert the card into another phone with SIM supported and import contacts.
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If the app asks for root rights but you don’t want to risk it, use the backup method (method 4).
Method 4: Backup and manual transfer
If none of the previous methods worked, the universal solution is to back up contacts in.vcf (vCard) format and then import them to another SIM via another phone.
- Open Contacts. → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
- Select Export to Device (or Export to File).
- Specify a save path (e.g., Internal Memory → Download) and confirm.
- Copy the contacts.vcf file to a memory card or send it by email.
- Insert the memory card into another phone with SIM supported, import contacts from the file, and then export them to SIM.
This method is suitable for any Redmi model, including the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ and Redmi K50, where standard export is blocked, and the main advantage is that you get full control of the data and can edit contacts before transferring.
What happens if the.vcf file is not opened?
Mistakes in copying contacts to SIM and their solutions
Even if you do everything right, you can make mistakes, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| We were unable to export contacts. | SIM-card overflowed or damaged | Remove old SIM contacts or replace the card |
| Operation unsupported | Nano-SIM or MIUI Limitation | Use third-party applications (mode 3) |
| Contacts are not displayed after export | Incompatibility of formats (for example, Cyrillic) | Check the encoding in the export settings (select UTF-8) |
| The process is 99% frozen. | Synchronization conflict Google/Mi Account | Turn off sync in Settings → Accounts before export |
If after export, SIM contacts are displayed with characters or question marks, the problem is encoding.
- Before export, go to Settings → Additional → Language and input.
- Install the main language English (USA).
- Repeat exporting – this often solves the coding problem.
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If SIM contacts are not displayed on another phone, check if it supports the contact storage format on the card. Some carriers (such as Tele2) use their own standards that are incompatible with MIUI.
Alternative methods of backup contacts
If SIM transfer is not possible or convenient, consider alternative methods of maintaining contacts:
- ☁️ Sync with Google: Automatically reserves contacts in the cloud. Activates in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.
- 📱 Mi Account: Similar to Google, but linked to Xiaomi account. → Xiaomi account → Synchronization.
- 💾 Local backup: Save contacts to a file on your phone. → The phone. → Backup.
- 📧 Export to Excel: Apps like Contacts+ allow you to save contacts in the table for editing.
Cloud services have the advantage of accessing contacts from any device and automatically updating, but they require a stable Internet, while the Internet is stable. SIM-The card works autonomously.
⚠️ Note: If you are using duality SIM In Redmi, make sure you export your contacts to the card that supports data storage. SIM 1.