How to check the amount of memory SIM-Maps on Xiaomi smartphones: the full guide

Have you ever come across a situation where the Xiaomi phone suddenly ceases to maintain contacts on the phone? SIM-The reason for this is often the limited amount of memory that the card itself has, a parameter that many users don't even know about. Unlike the internal memory of a smartphone, memory is often the only memory that is available. SIM-The card (also called the โ€œphone bookโ€) has strict limits: from 50 to 500 contacts depending on the model and operator.

In this article, we will discuss all available methods of memory verification. SIM-From basic methods through settings to hidden engineering commands, you will learn how to determine not only free space, but also the maximum contact limit, and why modern smartphones are gradually abandoning this feature. Instructions are relevant for all models: from the budget Redmi Note to the flagship Xiaomi 14.

Why it is important to know the amount of memory SIM-map

Many users mistakenly believe that the contact and SMS They are stored somewhere on the phone, unaware of the role. SIM-In fact, before the smartphone era, it was the primary storage of the phone book, and today this function is a thing of the past, but it remains relevant for the mobile phone:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Budget models (e.g. Redmi) A2 POCO C50), where the device memory is limited.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Transfer contacts between phones without cloud services (for example, when switching from a button phone to Xiaomi).
  • ๐ŸŒ Travel abroad when using a local SIM-memory-card.
  • ๐Ÿ“ก Corporate SIM, where the operator artificially limits the scope of the security.

If you've never cleaned. SIM-The card is at high risk of being clogged with old contacts or messages. on some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A) memory-flow SIM The card automatically blocks the recording of new contacts, but does not not notify the user, which leads to the fact that new numbers are stored only in the memory of the phone, creating confusion.

โš ๏ธ Attention: Starting with MIUI 13, Xiaomi has hidden direct access to memory information SIM-This is due to the transition to cloud-based contact storage (via Mi Account or Google Contacts), but verification is still possible with alternative methods.

Method 1: Check through standard settings Xiaomi

The easiest way is to use built-in tools. MIUI. Despite the simplification of the interface in new versions, the way to information about the SIM-left-left:

  1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a personโ€™s silhouette).
  2. Tap it on three points (โ‹ฎ) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management.
  3. Go to the section Import / Export โ†’ From the SIM-card.
  4. At the top of the screen, a line will appear with information: for example, Contacts on SIM: 45/250.

If this path doesnโ€™t work (e.g., on Xiaomi 12T with MIUI 14), try an alternative route:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ SIM-cards and mobile networks.
  2. Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
  3. Tap on Additional Settings (or Settings) SIM-map).
  4. Find the Memory item. SIM-map or contact store.

โ˜‘๏ธ What to do if the item "Memory" SIM-maps missing

Done: 0 / 4

On some models (e.g. Poco F4), SIM memory information is only displayed when you try to add a new contact, the system automatically prompts you to select a save location (phone or SIM) and shows the available space.

Method 2: USSD-memory-checker SIM

The universal method that works on any Xiaomi โ€“ use USSD-These commands are sent to the operator and return information about the code. SIM-Unfortunately, not all operators support such requests, but it's worth a try:

Operator.USSD-codeWhat shows
MTS*111*5*3#SIM memory and occupied space
Beeline*110*10#Number of contacts saved
MegaFon*105*500#SIM information, including memory
Tele2.*155*1#Data on the SIM phone book
Anybody.*#100#Basic SIM information (not always memory included)

How to use:

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Go to the keyboard tab.
  3. Enter. USSD-code, *111*5*3# for MTS) and press the call button.
  4. Wait. SMS-response from the operator (usually within 10 seconds).

โš ๏ธ Attention: Some USSD-codes may be paid (for example, on the Beeline the cost of the request is ~Please check the rates on your operatorโ€™s website before using them, and avoid entering codes from third-party sites, which can lead to fraudulent write-offs.

๐Ÿ“Š What kind of operator is yours? SIM-map?
MTS
Beeline
MegaFon
Tele2.
Other
I don't know.

Method 3: Applications for analysis SIM-map

If standard methods don't work, third-party utilities will come to the rescue. Google Play has several reliable apps that read data from the data. SIM-maps, including memory space:

  • ๐Ÿ“Š SIM Card (from Sim Card Tools) โ€“ shows the number of contacts, SMS It supports dual-SIM and free space.
  • ๐Ÿ” SIM Info โ€“ displays the technical details of the map, including the maximum contact limit.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ My SIM Info โ€“ a simple tool with visualization of occupied / free space.

How to use (for example, SIM Card):

  1. Install the app from Google Play.
  2. Run it and give access to contacts and SMS (required!).
  3. Choose yours. SIM-card (if there are several).
  4. The main screen will show you the following information: Used: 67/250 contacts and Free: 183.

The advantage of this method is data visualization. For example, in SIM Info, memory is displayed as a diagram, which is convenient for quick evaluation. However, be careful: some applications request unnecessary permissions (for example, access to geolocation).

๐Ÿ’ก

If the app does not see SIM-Try restarting your phone or temporarily disabling the second card SIM (Sometimes the conflict between slots interferes with the reading of data.

Method 4: Engineering menu (for advanced users)

For those who arenโ€™t afraid to dig deeper, thereโ€™s an Engineering Mode that works on most Xiaomi, but requires caution โ€“ wrong actions can disrupt the network.

Instructions:

  1. Open the Phone app.
  2. Enter the code ##4636## (Testing menu opens).
  3. Go to the Phone Information tab.
  4. Scroll down to the SIM Status or USIM Status block.
  5. Find the SIM Contacts Capacity (maximum limit) and SIM Contacts Used (used) lines.

On some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global), the engineering menu may be blocked.

  • Install the MTK Engineering Mode app (for MediaTek processors).
  • Or use the Shortcut Master to find hidden menus.

โš ๏ธ Note: Do not change the settings in the engineering menu if you do not understand their meaning! For example, resetting the network settings (Reset Network) can lead to loss of connection with the operator. Also avoid Modem tabs - the wrong commands here can "brick" the modem.

What to do if the engineering menu is not opened?
On some Xiaomi models (such as the Snapdragon processor), the engineering menu is blocked by the manufacturer. ADB-Adb shell am start start -n com.android.settings/.TestingSettings To do this, you need to turn on the debugging USB developer-setting.

Method 5: Checking through a computer (for old ones) SIM-map)

If you SIM-The 2010 issue map (so-called) SIM 2G), Its memory can be checked through a card reader and specialized software, this method is relevant for owners of Xiaomi, who use old corporate or foreign devices. SIM.

What you need:

  • ๐Ÿ’ป Computer with Windows/macOS.
  • ๐Ÿ“‡ Card reader for SIM-card (worth) ~300 rubles).
  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ PySIM program or SIM Card Reader.

Step-by-step:

  1. Extract. SIM-Map from Xiaomi (use a paper clip for the tray).
  2. Put it in the card reader and connect it to the computer.
  3. Install and run PySIM.
  4. In the main window of the program, select your SIM-map.
  5. Go to the Memory tab and all data will be displayed here, including Free Space and Used Space.

This method is the most time-consuming, but gives the most accurate information, including hidden system files on the computer. SIM-For example, you can see not only contacts, but also old ones. SMS, which are not displayed on the phone.

๐Ÿ’ก

Modern nano-SIMs (4FF) are often not supported by older card readers. If your SIM is released after 2015, use other methods.

Frequent problems and their solutions

Memory checks SIM-Xiaomi cards are common mistakes that users encounter:

Problem.Reason.Decision
The phone can't see. SIM-mapBad contact, damage to a card or slotClean the contacts with a SIM eraser, check the slot for the presence of garbage
USSD-code is not workingThe operator does not support the request or blocks itTry another code or contact operator support
The app does not show SIM memoryNo access to contacts or incompatibility with MIUICheck the permissions of the application or use an alternative program
Engineering menu not openBlocking on custom firmware or new versions of MIUIUse ADB or third-party applications (such as MTK Engineering)

Especially often problems arise with dual-SIM models (for example, Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro).+). If the phone doesn't recognize the second SIM-map:

  1. Check if your model supports two cards at once (some devices are hybrid: SIM + microSD).
  2. Reboot your phone with both cards inserted.
  3. Update the firmware โ€“ new versions of MIUI have improved dual-SIM support.

If none of these methods worked, maybe yours. SIM-The card is damaged or has hardware limitations, in which case contact the operator for a replacement.

Can I increase my memory? SIM-map?
No, the memory is strictly set by the manufacturer SIM-The only way out is to transfer contacts to the memory of the phone or the cloud (for example, Google Contacts), and then replace them. SIM on a model with a high limit (for example, from 250 to 500 contacts). SIM free of charge when replaced.
Why Xiaomi doesnโ€™t show up with memory SIM-card?
Since MIUI 12, Xiaomi has simplified the interface by removing the โ€œextraโ€ technical details, which is due to the trend of migrating contacts to the cloud, and to bring back the old functionality, you can install custom firmware (such as xiaomi.eu), where these settings are stored.
How to transfer contacts from SIM-card to the memory of the phone?
Open Contacts. โ†’ Contact management โ†’ Imports/Exports โ†’ Import with SIM-Select the contacts to transfer and specify the location of the save (e.g. Device or Google). X5) This section is called Copy Contacts.
What happens if memory SIM-swell?
The phone will no longer save new contacts on SIM, but you can add them to the deviceโ€™s memory. On older models (before MIUI 10), this may have led to errors when calling (No network), but in newer versions the problem is solved automatically โ€“ the system will prompt you to save the contact elsewhere.
How to find out the maximum contact limit on my SIM-map?
This depends on the type of SIM: Standard SIM (2G): 250-500 contacts. USIM (3G/4G): 500-1000 contacts. eSIM: no restrictions (contacts are stored in the cloud). The exact value can be found through the engineering menu (see Method 4) or from the operator.