How to transfer contacts to SIM-Map on Xiaomi smartphones: all ways

Why SIM is important for Xiaomi

Modern Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi line, POCO and Mi) store the default contacts in a Google account or local memory of the device, but many users still prefer to duplicate important numbers on the device. SIM-card, especially if you're backing up, changing your phone, or using a second device without syncing, SIM-The card remains available even without the Internet and does not depend on malfunctions. MIUI.

The main problem is the interface MIUI It's not always intuitive for this operation. In older versions of Android (up to 9.0), the function of copying contacts to the Internet is not always intuitive. SIM It was available directly, but in the new firmware Xiaomi has hidden it deeper or replaced by alternative methods, SIM-cards support only a limited number of fields (usually only name and number, without email, addresses or photos), which creates additional difficulties when transferring the data.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to copy contacts to SIM for Xiaomi smartphones (including models with dual SIM), and also tell you how to get around typical errors – from the lack of an option in the menu to problems with the data format.

Preparation: What to Know Before Copying

Before you start the transfer, check out a few key points:

• 📱 Version. MIUI: In the firmware MIUI 12/13/14 The path to contact settings may be different. MIUI 14 For the Redmi Note 12 The option is hidden in a different menu than in the MIUI 12 for POCO X3.
• 🔄 Type SIM-Cards: Make sure your SIM Supports contact recording (some virtual operators, for example, Tele2 Yota can block this function).
• 📇 Format limitations: SIM-The card only keeps the name. + Number (maximum 255 characters per contact) All additional data (photo, address, mail) will be lost.
• 🔒 Double. SIM: If you have two. SIM, The system can request a card to be copied. SIM 1.

Also note that not all contacts can be migrated, for example, numbers saved to WhatsApp or Viber will not appear in the standard Contacts app and, accordingly, will not be available for copying to SIM.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the standard instructions may not work.

Method 1: Standard Transfer through Contacts (MIUI 12/13/14)

This is the most reliable method for most Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 11/12, POCO F4/X5 and Mi 11/12.

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management.
3. Go to the Import/Export Contacts section.
4. Select Export on Export SIM-map.
5. Tick the contacts you want to copy (or click Select All).
6. Click Ready or Export and wait for the process to be completed.

If the export items SIM-No map, then no map:

• 🔍 Yours. SIM-The card does not support the recording of contacts (check in the settings). SIM-maps and mobile networks).
• 📱 You have a lightweight version installed. MIUI (for example, MIUI Lite where the function is removed.
• 🔄 Contacts are synced only to Google and not stored locally (see method 3).

After successful export, we recommend restarting the phone and checking if contacts are displayed in the Contacts menu. → SIM. If the numbers are duplicated, remove the extra ones through Contact Management. → Delete duplicates.

Method 2: Transfer through Settings (alternative path)

On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi 9A/10A or POCO M3), the export option is hidden in the system settings, which works even if the Contact app doesn’t have the right item.

1. Open the settings (cog on the desktop).
2. Go to the Apps → Contacts → Storage.
3. Put it on Contact Management.
4. Select Import/Export → Export to SIM-card.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen.

If there is no export option on this menu, try another way:

Settings → Memory → Contacts → Exports

On some MIUI firmware (especially global versions), the item may be called Copy contacts to SIM or Save to SIM. If you do not find a Russian counterpart, try switching the interface language to English temporarily.

⚠️ Attention: On Android devices 11+ and MIUI 13/14 Google has restricted access to apps SIM-If the standard methods don't work, use the method 3 or 4.

Method 3: Export through Google Account (if contacts are in the cloud)

If your contacts are synced to Google, they cannot be directly transferred to SIM via standard MIUI tools, in which case export them to a.vcf file first, and then import them to SIM.

1. Open Google Contacts in your browser.
2. Select the contacts you want (or press Ctrl+A to select all of them).
3. Press three points (⋮) and select Export → Exports in vCard format.
4. Download the contacts.vcf file to your phone.
5. Open the file through the Contacts app on Xiaomi and select Import in the phone book.
6. Now repeat Method 1 to transfer contacts from the phone’s memory to SIM.

This method is also useful if you want to filter contacts before transferring (e.g., leave only work numbers), and Google Contacts allows you to create a separate group, export it, and then import selectively.

Method 4: Third-party applications for complex cases

If standard methods didn’t work, use specialized utilities. We tested several applications on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro and POCO F3 – the best options:

Instructions for Sim Contacts Backup:

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

If the application produces a Failed to copy contacts error, try:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone.
• 📶 Temporarily disable mobile data (sometimes conflicting with the data) SIM).
• 🔒 Remove the password/fingerprint from the lock screen (on some firmware, this prevents access to the lock screen) SIM).

💡

Before using third-party applications, back up your contacts in.vcf format via Settings → System → Backup. This will protect your data when you crash.

Problem Solving: Frequent Errors and Corrections

Even if you follow the instructions, Xiaomi users face typical problems, and we'll look at the most common ones.

1. Error "Can't copy contacts to SIM"

Causes and solutions:

• 📶 No network: Some operators (for example, MTS or Beeline) block the entry to the Internet SIM No active connection. SIM to another phone and check it out.

2 Contacts have been moved but not displayed

This is most often related to:

• 🔍 Incorrect Storage: In the Contacts app, check that the filter has selected All contacts or SIM.
• 🔄 App cache: Clear the Contact cache in Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Memory. → Clear the cache.
• 📱 Double. SIM: Make sure you look at the contacts on the SIM, Where you have copied (switch in settings) SIM call-in).

3. There's not enough space for the SIM.

Standard. SIM-The card can hold 250-500 contacts (depending on the operator:

• 🗑️ Remove old numbers directly from SIM via Contact → SIM → Edit.
• 🔄 Break contacts into pieces and copy 100-150 pieces at a time.
• 📇 Use shortened names (for example, instead of Ivan Ivanov Petrovich, specify Ivan I.»).

💡

If none of these works, check if the SIM write function is disabled in the engineering menu. Type ##36446337## and find SIM Management (caution required!).

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring contacts to SIM