How to keep in touch with SIM-Map in Xiaomi smartphones: the full guide

Maintaining contacts SIM-The map in Xiaomi smartphones often raises questions among users — especially after switching from devices of other brands, where this feature is implemented differently. SIM, Modern Android devices (including the Redmi line, POCO and Mi) store them in your phone or Google account, but the ability to export them to the Internet SIM It's still there, it's just hidden deeper in the settings.

In this article you will find step-by-step instructions for different versions. MIUI (12 to 14), understand the format limitations (e.g. why you should use the SIM You don't save photos of your contacts, and you also learn how to avoid data loss when you move them. SIM with alternative backup methods – because in 2026 this method is not the most reliable, but sometimes the only possible one (for example, when changing a device without access to the Internet).

Why is it that we keep SIM-The map became less popular?

10 years ago. SIM-The card was the primary contact store: you could insert it into any phone, and all the numbers were automatically loaded:

• 📱 Limited memory capacity: modern SIM-A card (even a nano-SIM) can store no more than 250-500 contacts, whereas a phone can have thousands of them.
• 🔍 Lack of synchronization: contacts on SIM They are not automatically updated (unlike Google Contacts or Mi Account).
• 🖼️ No multimedia support: SIM You cannot save photos, postal addresses or additional fields (for example, birthday).
• ⚡ Slow access: Reading contacts with SIM It takes longer than the internal memory of the phone.

However, there are situations where the preservation of SIM remains useful:

• 🔄 Fast transfer of contacts to another phone without the Internet (for example, in roaming).
• 📵 Backup for devices without access to the cloud (for example, on enterprise networks with restrictions).
• 🛠️ Restore contacts after resetting the phone to factory settings (if there was no link to the account).

Preparation: What to know before maintaining contacts SIM

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

⚠️ Note: Not all Xiaomi models support the record SIM-For example, in devices with eSIM (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Redmi Note 12 Pro)+) This feature can be disabled at the software level. SIM-The card is not blocked by the operator (sometimes this restriction is imposed on corporate tariffs).

List of requirements:

• 📶 SIM-The card must be active (inserted into the slot and recognized by the phone).
• 🔧 The phone's on mode. 2G/3G/4G (only" 5G" Some functions may not work).
• 📱 Version. MIUI at least 10 (in older versions, the menu interface may differ).
• 🔒 Nana SIM-The card is free (one contact takes up a lot of space). ~100-150 bytes).

If you plan to transfer all contacts from your phone to your phone SIM, consider:

• 📇 Only the name and phone number will be saved (extra fields like email or address will not be saved).
• 🔢 Numbers will be kept in international format (e.g, +79123456789 instead of 89123456789).
• 📎 Contacts with multiple numbers will be broken into separate records (one number per contact).

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Before mass perenosom, back up your contacts in Google Account or through the Contacts app. → Settings → Imports/Exports → Export to file.This will protect you from data loss in a crash.

Step-by-step: how to keep in touch with SIM-map

The process differs depending on the version MIUI, But the general logic is maintained. Below is the universal algorithm for most models. 11/12, POCO X5, Mi 11 etc.).

Method 1: Through the "Contact" appendix" (MIUI 12–14)

This is the simplest method that works on most modern devices:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Find the contact you want to keep on SIM, and open it.
3. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Edit.
4. Scroll down to the Save in (or Account in older versions) field.
5. In the drop-down menu, select SIM-map (may be called the map) SIM1 or SIM2, if you have two cards).
6. Press Save or Ready.

If you're optional SIM-The card is not on the menu, so:

• 🔌 Yours. SIM-The card does not support the recording of contacts (check with the operator).
• 📵 Phone doesn't recognize. SIM (Restart the device or reinstall the card).
• 🔧 In the settings, access to SIM (see next method).

Method 2: Through phone settings (for older versions) MIUI)

V MIUI 10–11 or on some budget models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) path may differ:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Contacts → Contact Store.
2. Select Import/Export Contacts.
3. Click Export on SIM-map.
4. Check the contacts you want to transfer (or click Select All).
5. Confirm the export and wait until the completion (can take up to 1-2 minutes with a large number of contacts).

⚠️ Note: All existing contacts for export SIM If you already have important numbers on the map, copy them to your phone first!

Method 3: Mass transfer of all contacts to SIM

If you need to move all contacts immediately (for example, before selling your phone), use the export function:

1. Open Contacts. → Settings (⋮) → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
2. Select Export on Export SIM-map.
3. Confirm the action (the system will warn you about the replacement of existing contacts with the SIM).
4. Wait until the phone is finished, and the notification of successful export will be displayed.

After the transfer, check the contacts:

1. Go to Contacts. → Settings → Display contacts.
2. Choose. SIM-map - all the transferred numbers should be displayed.

Limitations and problems while maintaining contacts SIM

Even if you've successfully reassigned contacts, there may be some unexpected complications.

Critical Feature: Contacts to SIM-The card is not encrypted and can be easily copied when you lose your phone. SIM important numbers (such as bank or business contacts) be sure to delete them after use.

Alternative ways to back up contacts in Xiaomi

If the preservation SIM Seems uncomfortable or unreliable, consider alternatives:

• ☁️ Sync with Google Account: Automatically reserves all contacts (including photos and additional fields) from any device after you log in. How to enable: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.
• 📱 Export to file VCF: Creates a backup in.vcf format that can be saved to a computer or flash drive, supports all contact fields (including photos). How to do: Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports → Export to file.
• 🔗 Mi Cloud (Xiaomi cloud): Similar to Google Contacts, but with integration into the Xiaomi ecosystem. Allows you to restore contacts even after a phone reset. → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Contacts.

Comparison of methods:

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For most users, the best option is synchronization with Google Account. + periodic SIM for critical contacts (e.g. before travelling abroad).

How to transfer contacts with SIM-card back to phone

If you have previously maintained contact with SIM And now you want to put them back in your phone memory, do the following:

1. Open Contacts. → Settings (⋮) → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
2. Select Import with SIM-map.
3. Mark the contacts you want to move (or click Select All).
4. Choose where to save: Device - contacts will only be available on this phone. Google or Mi Account - for sync with the cloud.

Confirm the import and wait until it is completed.

If the contacts are not imported:

• 🔄 Restart your phone and try again.
• 📶 Make sure that SIM-The card is recognized (check the network availability).
• 🔧 Try to pull and insert SIM-map.

⚠️ Note: When importing contacts with the same names may be combined or duplicated. Before mass import, check the list for repeats.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes face problems when working with contacts on the Internet. SIM. Here are the most common mistakes and ways to prevent them:

• 🚫 Ignoring backup: Many users start moving contacts without a backup. If the process is interrupted (for example, due to battery drain), data may be lost.Solution: Always export contacts to a.vcf file before mass operations.
• 🔢 Incorrect number format: SIM-The card may not save the numbers in 89123456789 (without the country code) and the contact will appear without a name or not at all.Solution: Before saving, edit the numbers by adding them. +7 (for Russia) or other international prefix.
• 📵 Attempt to keep inactive SIM: If SIM-The card is not recognized by the phone (for example, due to lack of network), the option of saving will not be available. SIM inserted into the correct slot (in dual-symbol phones, slot 2 sometimes does not support recording).
• 🔒 Operator restrictions: Some operators (for example, corporate tariffs of MegaFon Business or Beeline for legal entities) block the entry to the Internet. SIM. Solution: Check with the operator whether your support is SIM-map this feature, or use alternative backup methods.

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If you often move contacts between phones, consider buying a Bluetooth contact transmitter (such as a device from Xiaomi or Baseus). SIM cloudy.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions