You are trying to keep an important connection to SIM-A map in a Xiaomi smartphone, but the phone stubbornly ignores the command?This problem is familiar to many owners of Redmi, Poco and Mi devices - regardless of the version MIUI. Unlike the old phone, the phone is SIM It was a standard option, and modern smartphones often hide or block this feature?
The reasons are as in software constraints. MIUI, and in the hardware features SIM-In this article, we will discuss 7 key reasons why Xiaomi may not keep contacts on the maps. SIM, And we'll also give you step-by-step solutions, from changing your settings to circumventing system constraints, and you'll learn how to check your compatibility. SIM-maps, which Xiaomi models support recording contacts on the chip, and what to do if the option disappeared after the update.
Particular attention will be paid to the hidden mode of the developer, which allows you to unlock the preservation of contacts on the Internet. SIM Even on devices where this feature is not officially available — FAQ Answering the most common questions, including double-digit questions SIM-maps and the transfer of contacts between them.
Hardware restrictions SIM-Why not all chips support contacts
The first and most common reason is your type. SIM-Modern nano-SIMs (4FF) eSIMs are often devoid of memory for storing contacts, unlike older mini-SIMs (2FF) or micro-SIM (3FF). This is not a whim of Xiaomi, but a standard. 3GPP, Since 2015, the company has been recommending that manufacturers refuse to store contacts on the SIM cloud-based.
How to check your compatibility SIM-map:
- 🔍 Appearance: nano-SIM (the smallest) almost always does not support contacts. Micro-SIM and mini-SIM can have memory, but not always.
- 📱 Testing on another phone: Try to keep contact on your phone SIM via an old button phone or Samsung/Nokia supportive.
- 📊 Check through USSD: Send the #100# or #06# command if there is no memory information in the answer. SIM, She's probably not.
If you SIM-The card does not support the storage of contacts, no smartphone (including Xiaomi) will not be able to write data to it. The solution is one – use cloud services (Google Contacts, Mi Cloud) or export contacts to a.vcf file.
MIUI Settings: Where is the SIM Saving Option Hidden
Even if you SIM-The card supports the storage of contacts, in MIUI This feature can be hidden or disabled by default. Depending on the firmware version, the path to settings is different:
| MIUI version | The path to settings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12–14 | Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Save it on. SIM | The option may not be available if the SIM does not support the recording. |
| MIUI 11 and below | Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Copy on SIM | Some models require prior contact selection |
| Global ROM | Contacts → Menu → Manage contacts → Copy to SIM | The name of the menu items depends on the language of the system. |
If the option is not on the menu, try the following trick:
- Open Contacts and select the contact you want.
- Click Edit → ⋮ (three-point) → Exports.
- In the list of options, Save on SIM may appear (if the card supports the function).
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If the SIM save option is gone after the MIUI update, try resetting the Contacts app settings to Settings → Apps → App management → Contacts → Storage → Clear data. This will return the standard settings without losing contacts (they are stored in a Google/Mi Account).
3. Developer Mode: How to Unlock Hidden Functions
On some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro or Poco X3 Pro), the SIM save option is locked at the system level, and to unlock it, you need to activate the developer mode and change the hidden settings.
Instructions:
- Go to Settings → About Phone and click on the MIUI version 7 times until the notification “You became a developer” appears.
- Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
- Find the USB debugging option and turn it on.
- Connect your phone to your PC, install it. ADB Tools and execute command: adb shell settings put global sim_contact_capability 1
- Reset the device.
After that, the option of saving on the contact menu should appear. SIM. Note: This method does not work on all models and may reset after the update. MIUI.
What if the ADB does not recognize the device?
4. Double SIM: conflicts between slots
If your Xiaomi supports two of your SIM-The problem may be a conflict between slots. MIUI Default assigns the main slot (usually) SIM 1) to keep contacts and uses the second card only for calls and internet.
How to check and change the settings:
- 📶 Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
- 🔄 Check which one. SIM assigned as the Main Contacts option (the option may be called the Slot by default).
- 🔧 If you don’t have an option, try to physically change it. SIM-cards in places (move from slot 2 to slot 1).
On some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A POCO M3) Maintaining contacts only works SIM 1, even if the second card technically supports this feature, it's a firmware restriction, and you can only circumvent it through ADB (see section 3).
Make sure both of you SIM Keeping in touch|Check the settings of the main slot|Change. SIM occasionally|Update the firmware to the latest version-->
5 MIUI Updates: Why the feature disappears after the upgrade
Many users are faced with the fact that after the MIUI update, the option of saving contacts on SIM disappears, this is due to the policy of Xiaomi, which gradually abandons support for outdated features in favor of cloud services, for example, in MIUI 13 and later, the function can be removed even on models where it used to work.
How to return the function after the update:
- 🔄 Firmware rollback: If the update was recent, try rolling back to the previous version via Settings → The phone. → Updating the system → ⋮ → Select a Service Package.
- 📥 Manual firmware: download the old version MIUI From the official Xiaomi website and install it through Recovery.
- 🛠️ Modified firmware: Some custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu) returns the save function to the user. SIM.
⚠️ Attention: rolling back firmware or installing custom versions can lead to loss of warranty and unstable phone operation. → Additionally. → Backup and reset.
6. Alternative ways: how to keep contacts without SIM
If none of these methods worked, don’t despair – there are several reliable alternatives to SIM-based contact storage:
- ☁️ Google Contacts: synced automatically, available on any device. Included in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.
- 📱 Mi Cloud: Cloud storage from Xiaomi (requires Mi Account). → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud → Synchronization of contacts.
- 📄 Export to file: Contacts can be saved in.vcf format via Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to device.
- 🔗 Third-party applications: Sim Card Contacts or Copy to SIM Google Play Cards sometimes bypass restrictions MIUI.
Cloud services have the advantage of automatic backup and access from any device, such as Google Contacts, which allows you to recover all numbers even after you reset your phone to factory settings.
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If your goal is to transfer contacts to a new phone, the most reliable way is to sync through Google or Mi Cloud. SIM-The map is not needed for this, and the data will be relevant on all devices.