Transfer of contacts with Xiaomi to SIM-The map seems like a simple task, but many users face unexpected challenges. MIUI (12-14) Android (10-14) This feature is often hidden or incorrect due to Google’s opt-out policy. SIM-However, there are several proven ways, from standard settings to workarounds through the engineering menu.
In this article, we will discuss all the current methods of copying contacts on the SIM-Smartphone card Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO, including models 2020-2026 Particular attention will be paid to typical errors (for example, when the export button is inactive) and alternative options for devices without a slot for the second. SIM.
Let’s just say: if your Xiaomi is running on Android 12+ shelled MIUI 13/14, The standard way to contact you might not work, not a bug, but a feature of new versions of the OS where Google has restricted access to the system. SIM-But there are workarounds, read on.
1. Standard method: through the "Contacts" appendix
On most Xiaomi smartphones up to MIUI 12.5, the SIM-card transfer is done through the built-in Contacts app.
Open the Contacts app → Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Select Contact Management → Import/Export of contacts → Exports to SIM-Here you can choose which contacts to copy: all or only selected ones.
However, newer versions of MIUI 13/14 may not have this menu item, so if you have one, move on to the next section with alternative methods.
Make sure that SIM-card inserted SIM1 (Not all models support the recording of SIM2)
Check the vacant space on SIM-map (usually containing) 200-250 contact)
Close all background applications that work with contacts (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.)
Make a backup of your contacts in Google Account in case of a crash-->
Important nuance: SIM-The cards only store basic information, such as your name and phone number, and data like your email, address, or birthday will be lost irretrievably when you export it. If it's critical, you'll first save the full version of your contacts in your home. VCF-file or Google Contacts.
2. Alternative method: via the "Settings" of the phone
If the export button is not in the Contacts app, try to find it in the system settings, which works on many Redmi and POCO models, even with the latest updates:
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Click on the three dots in the upper right corner → Show system processes.
- Find Contacts (or Contacts Storage) in the list and open it.
- Select Warehouse → Space Management → Export to SIM-card.
If there is no point, then the manufacturer has completely removed support. SIM-In this case, one of the following methods will help.
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi firmware for the European region (EEA) exportation SIM-The card is locked at firmware level. Try changing the region in the settings (Settings) → Additionally. → Region) to India or Russia and reboot the phone.
3.Use of the engineering menu (for advanced users)
Xiaomi’s hidden engineering menu allows you to access features not available in the standard interface.This method is suitable for Redmi Note 10/11/12, POCO X3/X4 and others with Qualcomm processors:
Enter the phone code in the appendix:
##4636##The test menu will open. Go to the Phone Information tab and scroll down to the block. SIM-You can find the option of Copy Contacts to SIM (on some firmware it is hidden behind an additional tap on the screen).
If the code doesn’t work, try an alternative for MediaTek devices:
##36446337##What to do if the engineering menu does not open?
4.Contact Transfer via Computer (ADB)
If the software methods don’t work, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), which requires a computer and basic command line skills, but it works on all Xiaomi models.
Instructions:
- Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
- Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
- Download ADB Tools and open the command line in the file folder.
- Enter a command to export contacts to SIM: adb shell content query --uri content://com.android.contacts/contacts --where "display_name!= ''" > contacts.txt adb shell "echo 'AT+CPBW=' > /sdcard/simcontacts.txt; for i in {1..250}; do echo 'AT+CPBW=$i,\"$(sed -n ${i}p contacts.txt | cut -d'|' -f1)\",129,\"$(sed -n ${i}p contacts.txt | cut -d'|' -f2)\"' >> /sdcard/simcontacts.txt; done" adb shell am start -a android.intent.action.CALL_BUTTON -d tel:##4636## adb shell input text "copycontacts" && input keyevent 66
This sequence of commands creates a file with contacts and simulates writing them to SIM through an engineering menu. Attention: the method requires superuser (root) rights on some firmware.
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If ADB-You can use MyPhoneExplorer, which allows you to manage contacts through your PC without manually entering commands.
5. Bypass solutions: if nothing works
If all of the above methods have failed, consider alternative ways to store contacts:
1.Exports to VCF-file:
Open Contacts → Contact Management → Import/Export → Export to File..vcf file can be saved to a memory card or to the cloud and then imported to another phone.
2. sync with Google Account:
The most reliable way to link contacts to Google:
- Go to Settings → Accounts → Google.
- Turn on contact sync.
- On the new phone, just log in to the same account – contacts will be downloaded automatically.
3. Use of third-party applications:
Apps like Super Backup & Restore or Copy to SIM Card (available in the Play Market) often work where standard Xiaomi tools fail.
| Method | Difficulty | Works on MIUI 14? | Saving all the data? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard exports | ⭐ | ❌ No. | ❌ Name/phone only |
| Through Settings. | ⭐⭐ | ⚠️ Partially. | ❌ Name/phone only |
| Engineering menu | ⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes. | ❌ Name/phone only |
| ADB | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ✅ Yes. | ❌ Name/phone only |
| Google Synchronization | ⭐ | ✅ Yes. | ✅ All fields. |
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) K50 or Xiaomi 13, entry on SIM-The card is locked hardware due to the use of eSIM, in which case the transfer is possible only through the cloud or VCF-file.
6. Frequent errors and their solutions
Problem 1: The SIM Export button is inactive.
Solution: Check that SIM-card inserted SIM1 (In some models, recording is only possible on the first SIM). Also make sure there is free space on the map (usually 250 contacts maximum).
Problem 2: When exporting, it is a mistake: “It was not possible to copy contacts.”
Solution: Reset your phone and try again. If it doesn't work, pull it out. SIM-map, clear contacts from it (in settings) SIM) And put it back in.
Problem 3: On the new SIM-Map contacts are displayed in hieroglyphics.
Solution: This is an encoding problem: Try exporting contacts one at a time or use the SIM Card Manager app to display correctly.
Problem 4: After transferring to SIM, additional fields (email, address) have disappeared.
Solution: As mentioned earlier, SIM-Maps do not support extended fields.Restore full data from.vcf backup or Google Contacts.
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If your Xiaomi is running Android 12+, The most reliable way to keep contacts is synchronization with Google Account or export to the Internet. VCF-- File transfer to SIM-The map in new OS versions is often blocked at the software level.