How to transfer numbers from one SIM card to another on Xiaomi

Change of mobile operator or transition to a new tariff plan with the issuance of a new SIM-Maps are a standard procedure that every smartphone owner faces, but for Xiaomi users, this process can be a real test if they do not know where the right settings are hidden. MIUI The new HyperOS has its own unique logic of working with contacts and address book, which often confuses beginners.

The main problem that users face when changing their SIM card is the risk of losing important phone numbers, and many people habitually keep contacts directly on the physical chip of an old one. SIM-When it comes time to remove the old plastic and insert a new one, the question is: how do you keep all the records and not lose contact with business partners or friends? Fortunately, on Xiaomi, Redmi and other smartphones. POCO A powerful built-in tool for data migration.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways to transfer numbers, and we will look not only at the classic method of copying through the phone menu, but also at more modern cloud solutions that make the process almost invisible to the user. You will learn how to avoid common errors and why storing numbers on your computer SIM-The 2026 map is no longer the best solution.

Preparing the device for data migration

Before you start taking active copying actions, you need to make sure your device is ready to work with two. SIM-If you plan to transfer numbers "directly" from card to card, your smartphone must support two SIM cards, or you will need a second phone for temporary storage of contacts. In modern Xiaomi models such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13, slots are usually combined, allowing you to use two physical slots. SIM One physical and one eSIM.

It is important to check the battery power before starting the procedure. Although the process of copying contacts is not energy intensive, suddenly turning off the phone at the time of writing data to the chip can damage the address book file system. Make sure that the charge level is at least 30-40%. It is also worth checking whether the memory itself is full. SIM-cards, as older cards often have a limit on the 250 Contacts and new records may not be saved.

Another critical point is knowing where your numbers are being saved right now: Xiaomi defaults to saving to a Google or Mi Account, which is the most reliable option. However, if you're used to saving numbers to your phone or SIM, the algorithm will be different. Determine the current location of your contact base to choose the right transfer strategy.

Classic Method: Copying through the Contact Menu

The most direct way that works on all versions of Android and shells MIUI, — This is using a built-in import and export function, and this is ideal if you don't have access to the Internet or want to make a local copy. SIM-cards to your smartphone: the old one with numbers and the new one to transfer data to. If there is only one slot, export to your phone first, then replace the card and import it.

Open the standard Contacts app (yellow icon with human silhouette). In the upper right corner, click three dots or the settings menu button. You need to find an item called Import/Export Contacts or Contact Management. Depending on the firmware version, the interface may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same for all devices of the brand.

In the menu that opens, select the action "Copy contacts." The system will ask you where to copy the data. Select your old one. SIM-map, SIM 1) After that, the phone will prompt you to choose the destination, where to save the numbers. SIM-map (SIM The process will take a few seconds, after which you will receive a notification of the successful completion of the operation.

⚠️ Note: When copying the SIM-Long names (over 20 characters) can be cropped, and special symbols and emojis in contact names are often replaced with empty squares or disappear.

If the direct card-to-card transfer doesn’t work for some reason (e.g., the phone only sees one card at a time), use intermediate storage. SIM-"cards" and specify the location of the save "Phone" or "Internal drive." Once all the numbers are in the memory of the smartphone, you can safely remove the old SIM, insert a new one and select the option "Copy on" SIM-card.

Use of Google Cloud Sync and Mi Account

The modern and most reliable way to save a phone book is to abandon storage on physical media in favor of cloud services. Xiaomi ecosystem is closely integrated with Google services, which allows you to transfer contacts automatically when you log in, which eliminates the need to perform manual operations every time you change your device or SIM card.

To implement this method, make sure your Google account is added to your smartphone. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Make sure the switch opposite Contacts is active and blue. If your numbers are stored in your phone's memory, the system will prompt you to move them to the Google cloud. This is the best way to protect data from loss when your device breaks or is stolen.

Similarly, Mi Cloud, which is a branded service, goes to your Mi Account settings, selects the Cloud section, and activates contact sync, and the advantage of this method is that even if you switch from Android to iOS or another brand, you can restore numbers through the i.mi.com web interface.

Once the contacts are synchronized with the cloud, the replacement SIM-You just put in a new plastic, and if the numbers were written on the old card, you import them once into Google contacts, and then all the new numbers will be stored immediately in the cloud, and there will be no more binding to a particular plastic chip. This is especially useful when changing operators frequently.

Transfer through the Mi Mover app

If you change not only the SIM card, but also the Xiaomi smartphone itself to a new one, or you want to transfer data to another Xiaomi phone temporarily, the Mi Mover application will be an indispensable tool. It is preinstalled in the system and allows you to transfer contacts, messages, call history and applications over a Wi-Fi channel at high speed.

Run the app on both devices. On the old phone, select the status "I send" and on the new one (or where to transfer the data) "I receive." The devices will find each other, and you will need to scan. QR-In the data transfer list, make sure to tick the "Contacts" box. You can choose to transfer all contacts or only selected ones.

This method is good because it does not depend on the amount of memory. SIM-Mi Mover carries contacts along with photos, posts, email addresses and all the additional fields that a physical SIM simply can’t accommodate. After the transfer is completed on a new device or new SIM card (if exported there), a full copy of your address book will be provided.

It is worth noting that when using Mi Mover to transfer to a new one. SIM-It can be redundant, it can be easier to use the built-in import/export, but if you're preparing for a full migration to a new Xiaomi device, this is a priority, since it preserves the entire structure of connections between people.

Comparison of Number Preservation Methods

To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have prepared a comparison table that will help you understand the pros and cons of each way of storing and transferring data in the context of using Xiaomi smartphones.

As you can see from the table, the storage SIM-But given that modern smartphones are always at hand and the Internet is available almost everywhere, the transition to cloud technology (Google or Mi Cloud) seems the only sensible solution for 2026.

If you are still forced to use SIM-A storage card (for example, on a button phone without the Internet), regularly back up in.vcf format. This is a file containing your entire address book that can be saved to your phone memory or sent to your messenger. In case of loss of the card, you can recover all the numbers from this file in a few seconds.

Solution and troubleshooting

Users may encounter various technical difficulties during the transfer process. One of the most common problems is the error "Memory" SIM-It happens when you try to copy contacts from your phone to a SIM, but it's out of cells. Old cards can hold about 250 numbers, new cards can hold up to 500, but it's still not enough compared to the memory of a smartphone.

To solve this problem, it is necessary to clean up beforehand. SIM-- A map of old, unnecessary records"SIM-map, highlight all the old numbers and delete them. Only after the space is cleared will the copying procedure of new contacts be successful. Also make sure that the map does not contact names that are not supported by the SIM card encoding.

⚠️ Note: If the numbers are displayed as numbers without names after transfer, it is possible that the copying was incorrect format or there was an encoding error. Try exporting the contacts to a.vcf file to a computer and then importing them back through the Google Contacts web interface.

Another situation – contacts disappeared after the update MIUI. This often happens if the sync has been disabled and the system resets the local display settings when it updates. Check if the contacts are hidden. In the Contacts app, click three dots, select Settings" →"Contacts” displayed and make sure that you check the box against all sources, including SIM-card.

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Save a backup of your contacts in.vcf once a month and send the file to your Telegram or email. This is a lifeline if cloud sync fails.

Don't ignore the possibility of duplicate contacts. When importing and exporting frequently, the same entries may appear. Xiaomi has a built-in unification function. In the contact app, select Contact Organization (or Management) → Combine duplicates. The system will automatically find the repeating numbers and offer to combine them into one card, clearing the address book of garbage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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The optimal strategy for the Xiaomi user is to store a master copy of contacts in a Google Account, and SIM-use the card exclusively to access the operator's network, periodically making local backups.