Changing a mobile device or switching to a new Xiaomi smartphone often poses a challenge to the user to migrate data. The most critical part of this procedure is to save the phone book, because losing numbers can lead to serious communication failures. Owners of MIUI and HyperOS devices have several effective tools for managing the contact list, but the choice of the specific method depends on your goals.
Historically, the storage of numbers directly on SIM-The most reliable way to transfer data between devices is the most reliable method, which is universal and does not require an Internet connection or cloud service accounts, but it is worth considering the technical limitations of the storage format, which can affect the display of names and additional fields.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithms for copying information from the internal memory of a smartphone to the operator’s chip, you will learn about the nuances of working with contacts in the Xiaomi shell, and why modern methods of synchronization through Google Account are often preferable to the classic transfer to the SIM.
Features of storing contacts on SIM and in memory Xiaomi
Before you start copying, you need to understand the architectural differences between storage, and smartphone memory and cloud services allow you to save full-fledged cards with photos, multiple numbers, email addresses and links to social networks, SIM-The map has a very limited amount of data and an outdated structure.
The main problem is the encoding and length of the name field. When transferred to a SIM card, long names can be cropped, and Cyrillic characters (Russian letters) can in some cases be displayed incorrectly or turn into question marks if the chip is old.
💡
Use the transfer to SIM-Card only as a temporary solution or for very old phones without cloud support.
Xiaomi devices tend to keep all new entries in Google Contacts or local phone memory by default, which provides automatic synchronization and data recovery even when the device is completely lost.
💡
Memory. SIM-The card is limited to about 250 contacts and does not support complex fields such as photo or second number.
Preparation of the device and compatibility check
The copying procedure requires prior preparation to avoid data loss or write errors. SIM-The card is correctly defined by the system. For this, go to the Settings menu. → The phone. → All specs → SIM-maps or just look at the screen status bar where the network signal should be displayed.
It's important to check if the chip's memory is full, and if you've used this SIM card in another device before, there may be old records that prevent you from copying new ones, and you should also make sure that the contacts on the phone are sorted and do not contain duplicates, which will make it easier to selectively copy.
- 📱 Make sure that the phone is inserted in the right one. SIM-The card to which the recording is planned (if there are two of them).
- 🔋 Charge the device to minimum 30-40%, So that the process is not interrupted due to battery discharge.
- ☁️ Back up your current contacts to your Google account in case the procedure fails.
The MIUI shell has built-in data protection mechanisms, so when you try to mass record, the system can request confirmation of actions. This is a normal reaction of the Android operating system, aimed at preventing third-party applications from accidentally changing user information.
Step-by-step: copying contacts to SIM-card
The main method of transfer is through the standard application “Contacts”, which is preinstalled on all Xiaomi smartphones. the interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic of actions remains the same for the entire ecosystem.
Open the Contacts app and find the menu icon (three dots or three horizontal bars) in the top or bottom corner of the screen. In the list that opens, select Import and Export Contacts. This is where all the phone book management tools are concentrated.
☑️ Transfer algorithm
Then the system will suggest you select a data source, you need to specify "Device Memory" or "Google", depending on where your numbers are stored now, after selecting the source, you will see a list of available contacts, you can tick specific numbers or select "Select all" if you plan to move the entire phone book.
Once the selection is confirmed, the copying process will begin. A warning may appear on the screen that some data (photos, additional numbers) will be lost during the transfer. Accept this, as this is a technical limitation of the SIM format. Wait until the process is completed without turning off the smartphone screen.
What to do if the Export button is inactive?
Working with two SIM-maps: nuances of choice
Most Xiaomi models support two SIM cards at the same time, which creates additional complexity when transferring data, since the user needs to clearly indicate to the system which chip to write information to.
When selecting the item “Export to” SIM-The map" in the menu, the system automatically prompts you to select the target media if two active cards are found in the slots. SIM 1 and SIM 2, or the names of the operators, if they are defined.
| Parameter | SIM 1 (Slot 1) | SIM 2 (Slot 2) |
|---|---|---|
| Type of network | 5G/4G (Priority) | 4G / 3G |
| Principal appointment | Internet and calls | Standby communications |
| Contact capacity | 250 records | 250 records |
| Copying speed | Standard. | Standard. |
If you need to move contacts to both cards, you'll have to repeat the procedure twice, choosing different cards each time, especially when preparing devices for older people or employees who use simple button phones.
Alternative methods of synchronization and transfer
Xiaomi’s modern smartphones offer more flexible ways to save numbers that are devoid of drawbacks SIM-The most popular and reliable method is synchronization with a Google account, which allows you to save an unlimited number of contacts, photos, addresses and even notes.
To activate this feature, just log into your Google account through Settings → Accounts and Sync. Once you enable contact sync, all numbers will automatically be saved to the cloud. When you change your phone, just enter your username and password, and the entire phone book will recover in a few seconds.
- ☁️ Google Contacts: Full sync, recover when you lose your phone, smart take-up combination.
- 📲 Mi Cloud: Xiaomi’s branded cloud, user-friendly ecosystem, but requires separate setup.
- 📂 VCF File: Ability to save all contacts into one file and transfer it via Bluetooth or messenger.
Using a.vcf file is a great alternative for those who don’t want to be dependent on the Internet, and you can create one through the Import and Export menu and send it to your email or save it to your computer, and then you can open it on any device, and the contacts will automatically be stored in memory.
Solving problems when copying numbers
Users may encounter various technical difficulties during the transfer process. One of the most common problems is the message that memory is not available. SIM-This is a hardware limitation, and you can only get around it by removing some of the old entries directly from the SIM card through the control menu.
Another common situation is that contacts are copied, but instead of names, empty fields or numbers are displayed, which happens if you try to copy contacts that have already been transferred to the SIM card and are not associated with the internal name base, in which case cleaning the card and re-exporting from the source with full data will help.
⚠️ Note: When copying contacts with Android 10 and above to old ones SIM-The card may have lost the formatting of names (e.g., missing spaces or special characters).
If the phone is stuck during the copying process, don’t panic. Most often, after 1-2 minutes, the system will force the operation to end, however, if the process lasts longer than 5 minutes, it is recommended to perform a gentle reboot of the device by holding the power button.
⚠️ Attention: Never take out SIM-card during the contact recording process, this can cause damage to the file system of the chip and complete loss of data on it.