How to send a contact via SMS to Xiaomi: all working methods

Why the Standard Way Doesn't Work and What to Do

Sending contacts via SMS on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi and POCO) has often raised questions among users, because since MIUI 12, the company has removed the direct “Send Contact” button from the messaging menu, which is due to security policy and interface optimization, but the functionality remains, it just needs to be activated differently.

The main problem is that many users try to find this option in the standard Message application, but do not find it in the usual place. Meanwhile, there are at least 5 alternative ways to send a contact via SMS, including the use of third-party applications and hidden MIUI features. In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, including bypassing possible operator restrictions.

It is important to note that some methods may not work on custom firmware devices or on models for the Chinese market (with the CN prefix in the title).If you are using the Xiaomi Mi 11, Redmi Note 12 Pro+ or POCO F5 – all of the methods described below should work without additional settings.

Method 1: Through the Contacts app (the easiest one)

The most reliable and versatile method is sending directly from the Contacts app, which works on all versions of MIUI (12 to 15) and does not require additional programs to be installed.

Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Find the right contact and click on it to open the card.
3. Tap it on three points (⋮) In the upper right corner and select Share.
4. In the list of options, select Messages (or SMS).
5. Please provide the recipient’s number and confirm the shipment.

The contact will be sent as a vCard (a file with the.vcf extension) that the recipient can save to their address book, which works even if your mobile Internet is disabled - it's enough to have a carrier network.

Contact saved in the phone book|Recipient number entered without errors|There is enough money on the phone to SMS|Mobile network enabled (not just Wi-Fi)-->

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T) The message item may not be in the Sharing menu, in which case use Method 3 (via Google Contacts).

Method 2: Use Google Contacts (for synchronized accounts)

If your contacts are synced to your Google account, you can send them via a web version of the service or a mobile app, which is convenient because it allows you to send multiple contacts at once.

How to do this:

1. Open the Google Contacts app (if not, install it from the Play Market).
2. Find the right contact and click on his avatar.
3. Slip on the icon Share (arrow up).
4. Select Messages or Other Applications → Messages.
5. Enter the recipient number and send an SMS.

The advantage of this method is that you can send multiple contacts at the same time.

• 📌 Hold your finger on the first contact, then mark the rest.
• 📤 Click on the Sharing icon in the top panel.
• 📱 Select Messages and specify the recipient.

If you don’t have your contacts synced with Google, go to Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync and turn it on before using this method.

Through standard contacts|Through Google Contacts|Third-party annexes|Manual input SMS|Don't send contacts.-->

Method 3: Third-party applications for sending contacts

If standard methods do not work (for example, due to operator restrictions or custom firmware), you can use third-party applications.

Example of Share Contact:

1. Install and open the application.
2. Select a contact from the list or search through a search.
3. Press Share via SMS.
4. Confirm the recipient's number and send it.

⚠️ Note: Some apps (such as Truecaller) require access to your address book and call history. → Annexes → Permits.

💡

If the recipient has an iPhone, send the contact via iMessage or WhatsApp – SMS may not display the vCard file correctly.

Method 4: Manual data entry into SMS (if nothing works)

If all of the above methods are not available for some reason, you can send a contact manually by entering data into the text SMS. This method is universal, but requires more time.

Format of communication:

Name: Ivan Ivanov




Telephone: +79123456789




Email: ivanov@example.com




Address: Moscow, Lenin St., 1

Recommendations:

• 📞 Use the international number format (c) + and country code).
• 📧 Separate fields by moving lines for easy reading.
• 🔤 If there are special symbols in the name (for example, an apostrophe), specify this in the message.

The downside of this method is that the recipient will have to manually add the contact to their address book, but this is the only way that is guaranteed to work even if the operator blocks the sending of attachments.

Method 5: Send via messengers (alternative to SMS)

If SMS is not available for some reason (for example, blocked by the operator or ran out of funds in the account), you can send a contact through messengers, most of which support the transfer of vCard files.

Supported messengers:

• 💬 WhatsApp: Open the chat → Attach the contact through the paper clip.
• 📱 Telegram: Click on the paperclip → Contact.
• 🤖 Viber: Button + → Contact.

Advantages of this method:

• 🌍 It works over Wi-Fi (no mobile network required).
• 📎 Supports sending multiple contacts at the same time.
• 🔒 It retains the history of the transfer (unlike the SMS).

The disadvantage is that the recipient must also use this messenger, if you need to send a contact to a number that only has a standard number. SMS-Customer, use Method 1 or 2.

💡

Sending via instant messengers is the most reliable way if you have roaming enabled or limited SMS traffic.

Solving common problems

If there are errors when sending a contact via SMS, check the following points:

If the problem persists, try:

1. Reboot the phone.
2. Clear the Messages app cache (Settings → Applications → Application Management → Messages → Clear the cache).
3. Check the APN (Access Point) settings with your carrier.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI for Russia (firmwareware) RU) The function of sending vCard through SMS In this case, use Google Contacts or messengers.

FAQ: Frequent questions about sending contacts to Xiaomi