How to keep contacts on SIM-Map in Xiaomi phones: all ways + fixing

Retention of numbers on SIM-Map in Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO) This is a common question that users often ask, even though modern devices sync contacts with Google Accounts or MI Cloud, many still prefer to store important numbers on physical media — especially when changing phones or traveling abroad. MIUI exportation SIM It can be hidden or can work with restrictions.

In this article, you will find 5 proven ways to transfer contacts to the SIM-card, including bypassing typical errors (e.g., "Customers failed to export contacts" or "SIM-We'll also look at why some numbers aren't saved, how to check for space on the phone. SIM and what are the storage formats on the cards of different operators (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2).

If you are using Xiaomi 12/13/14, Redmi Note 11/12 or POCO F/X, the instructions will be suitable for all models on MIUI 12-14 and Android 11-14. For older devices (for example, Redmi 4X or Mi A2), separate recommendations are given.

1. Standard export of contacts to SIM via phone menu

The most obvious way is to use the built-in MIUI feature, but in the latest firmware versions, it can be hidden or disabled for some regions.

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Tap it on three points (⋮) top-right → Select Contact Management.
3. Scroll down to the Import/Export section and click Export on SIM-map.
4. Tick the necessary contacts (or select All) → click Export.

If there is no export point on SIM:

• 🔍 Check if it's inserted. SIM-slot-card SIM1 (Some Xiaomi models support export only for the main slot).
• 📱 Update Contacts via Google Play – older versions may not have the feature.
• 🔧 Enable the display of hidden functions: go to Settings → About the phone, tap 7 times on the version MIUI, Then go back to contact – the item should appear.

⚠️ Attention: SIM-The card can only be saved by name and number (no photos, email, addresses or notes) and the maximum number of contacts depends on the operator - usually 250-500.

Insert SIM into SIM1 slot (main)

Check the free space on SIM (see Section 3)

Update the Contacts app to the latest version

Disable VPN (can block access to system functions)

Reboot your phone before exporting-->

2.Export via Google Contacts (if the standard method does not work)

If there is no SIM export option in the Contacts menu, you can first upload the numbers to a.vcf file and then import them to the card through a third-party app.This method works on all Xiaomi models, including the POCO X5 and Redmi 10C.

Step 1. Export contacts to file:

1. Open Google Contacts in your browser (on your phone or PC).
2. In the side menu, select Export → tick All contacts (or the desired group).
3. Select the format Google CSV or vCard (vcf) → click Export.
4. The file will be uploaded to the device. Move it to the Downloads folder on your phone.

Step 2. Import to SIM via the app:

Install one of the apps from Google Play:

• 📱 SIM Card Contacts (from Simple Mobile Tools) – supports package import.
• 🔄 Copy to SIM Card – works with.vcf and.csv.
• 📞 Contacts Backup & Restore – allows you to selectively transfer numbers.

After installation:

1. Open the application and select Import from the file.
2. Please indicate the path to downloaded.vcf.
3. Select your target. SIM-card (if two of them).
4. Confirm the transfer.

⚠️ Attention: Applications for working with SIM They can request access to contacts, storage and phone calls, and install only trusted programs with a rating above 4.5.

Nana SIM-map

Google Account

In MI Cloud

In the file on the phone.

Another way.-->

3. Checking the vacant space on SIM-pre-export

One of the common reasons for export failures is the lack of space on the SIM. Despite the fact that modern cards support up to 500 contacts, some of the memory can be occupied by the operator's service data.

Method 1. Through the engineering menu (for advanced users):

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In the menu that opens, select Phone Information → scroll to the SIM Status block. The number of free contact slots (Free EF field) will be indicated here.

Method 2. USSD-operator:

If there are fewer free slots than the contacts you want to export, remove unnecessary numbers directly from the SIM:

1. Open Contacts → go to the SIM tab.
2. Press your finger on unnecessary contact → select Remove.

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If SIM-The card is old (issued before 2015), its memory can be limited to 100-150 contacts, in which case, replace the card with a new one in the operator's cabin - this is free, while saving the number.

4. Solve errors when saving contacts on the SIM

When exporting to SIM, Xiaomi users often encounter mistakes, and consider the most common ways to eliminate them:

Mistake 1: "Failure to export contacts. Repeat at a later time"

Causes and solutions:

• 🔌 SIM-The card is not recognized – restart the phone or move the card to another slot.
• 📵 No network – turn on Flight Mode for 30 seconds, then turn off.
• 🔒 Operator lock – some cards (e.g. corporate cards) prohibit recording of contacts.
• 📲 Outdated firmware - update MIUI through settings → Updating the system.

Mistake 2: “Contacts are not supported by this SIM-card"

This error occurs if:

• 🆔 SIM-eSIM – physical cards do not support eSIM export.
• 📱 Map from another region (e.g. Turkish) SIM In the Russian Xiaomi – try using a local map.
• 🔧 The phone has limited developer mode enabled – turn it off in Settings → Additionally.

Mistake 3: Not all contacts are exported

SIM-The cards only support numbers in the format +7xxxxxxxxxxxx or 8xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, +1 for the US), it won't hold.

Decision:

1. Open the contact in Google Contacts.
2. Edit the number by adding the country code (+7 for Russia).
3. Repeat the export.

5. Transfer of contacts with MI cloud SIM-map

If you use MI Cloud for sync, you can first download contacts from the cloud and then export them to SIM. This method is relevant for Xiaomi owners who previously saved numbers to the company’s cloud.

Step 1 Download contacts from MI Cloud:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Contacts section, click Export → select the vCard format.
3. The file will be uploaded to the Download folder.

Step 2. Import to SIM:

Use one of the applications in Section 2 (e.g. SIM Card Contacts) or a standard import:

1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
2. Select Import from the file and specify the path to the downloaded.vcf.
3. As a target, indicate SIM-map.

⚠️ Note: When importing from.vcf to SIM Contact groups (e.g., "Work", "Friends") are lost.

6. Alternative methods: backup without SIM

If you can’t save contacts on SIM, consider alternative backup options:

• 🖥️ Export to Google Account: Contacts → ⋮ → Settings → Export to Google.Available from any device via contacts.google.com.
• ☁️ MI Cloud: Settings → Xiaomi Account → MI Cloud → Contacts → Sync. Free up to 5GB, tied to Xiaomi account.
• 📄.vcf file to memory card: Export contacts to a file and save it to a microSD or cloud (e.g. Yandex.Disk).
• 📱 Backup apps: Super Backup or My Contacts Backup let you back up in one click.

Advantages of alternative methods:

• 🔄 All data is stored (photo, email, addresses).
• 🌍 Access from any device (not even Xiaomi).
• 🔒 Protection against loss in case of phone theft or breakdown.

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SIM-The card is suitable for storing only basic contacts (name) + For a full backup, use Google Contacts or MI Cloud.

7. Frequent Questions About Keeping Contacts on SIM in Xiaomi