The transition to a new smartphone, such as a popular one Xiaomi Redmi 9, inevitably entails the need to migrate personal data. The most valuable asset for many users remains the phone book, which contains the numbers of colleagues, friends and delivery services. In the era of cloud synchronization, we often forget about the classic saving methods, which can be the only salvation if there is no Internet or a change of account.
Owners of devices based on the operating system Android often encounter the nuances of the shell interface MIUI, which differs from the stock version of the system. Moving records from the device's internal memory directly to the chip SIM cards seems like a simple task, but hidden menus and specific settings can be misleading. This article will analyze in detail each step of this process, eliminating possible errors.
Why do you even need to copy numbers to a SIM card in 2026, when you have a Google Account? The answer is simple: versatility. The SIM card remains the only media that is guaranteed to be read by any push-button or smartphone without setting up the Internet and entering passwords. This is an ideal option for quickly exchanging contacts or temporarily using a device out of the box.
Preparing the phone book for migration
Before proceeding with direct export, you need to make sure that your contacts are generally available for transfer. It often happens that numbers are saved in instant messengers or hidden profiles that are not displayed in the standard manager. Open the application Contact and check the presence of all the necessary entries in the general list.
Pay attention to the source of saving the number. If the entry is linked exclusively to an account WhatsApp or Viber without duplication in the phone book, it will not be possible to transfer it to a SIM card using standard means. You will need to first create a copy of the contact in your phone's local storage or in your device profile.
It is also worth considering the technical limitations of the media itself. Older SIM cards have a limit on the number of characters in a contact name (usually up to 10-14 characters) and only support one number per entry. Long names will be truncated, and additional numbers (work, home) may be lost during transfer.
- 📱 Check that all the necessary numbers are displayed in the Contacts application.
- 💾 Make sure that the contacts are saved in the phone memory, and not just in the messenger cloud.
- ✂️ Be prepared for the fact that long contact names will be shortened after recording on the SIM card.
Before mass transfer, create a backup copy of your contacts in your Google Account. This will take a couple of seconds, but will save the data if something goes wrong during the process.
Searching for the import and export function in MIUI
The shell interface MIUIinstalled on Redmi 9slightly hides the contact management functions. Unlike some other launchers, there is no "Transfer" button on the main screen. All data management tools are hidden inside the settings of the phone book application itself.
To access the desired menu, launch the application Contact. At the bottom of the screen or in the top corner (depending on the firmware version), look for an icon with three dots or a gear. Clicking on this element will open a drop-down menu where you should select the item Settings.
In the settings window that opens, you are interested in the section related to data management. It can be called Import/Export contacts or simply Manage contacts. This is where all the tools for copying, deleting and moving records between different device storages are concentrated.
⚠️ Attention: In some regions of the MIUI firmware, the menu item may be called “Organize contacts”. If you don't find an exact match, look for a section with an icon depicting two arrows or a phone with a SIM card.
Step-by-step guide for porting numbers
After entering the data management menu, the algorithm of actions becomes linear and understandable. The system will prompt you to select the transfer direction. Since our goal is to write data to the chip, we select the option Export to SIM card. In some versions of the interface, this item may be called Copy to SIM card.
The system will ask for confirmation of the data source. Make sure that storage Phone or Deviceis selected. If you have several SIM cards installed in Redmi 9, the smartphone will prompt you to select a specific slot (SIM 1 or SIM 2) for recording. Select the card that you plan to use in the new device.
Next, a list of all contacts available for transfer will open. You can check individual numbers or use the function Select all in the upper corner of the screen. After generating the list, click the button Export or OK to start the recording process.
☑️ Transfer algorithm
The copying process may take from a few seconds to a couple of minutes depending on the number of entries. At this time, it is not recommended to minimize the application or lock the screen to avoid malfunctioning of the phone book software.
SIM card format limitations
It is important for users to understand the fundamental differences between the modern digital memory of a smartphone and the outdated data structure of a SIM card. The phone stores contacts in a vCardformat that supports long names, photos, email addresses, and multiple phone numbers for one person.
The SIM card uses a file system developed decades ago for voice communications. It does not fully support UTF-8 encoding, which may lead to incorrect display of Cyrillic characters on some older devices. Instead of the name "Ekaterina" you may see a set of question marks or hieroglyphs when you install a card in a phone from another manufacturer.
| Characteristics | Phone memory / Google | SIM card |
|---|---|---|
| Name limit | Up to 100+ characters | ~10-14 characters |
| Contact photo | Supported | Not supported |
| Additional. numbers | Unlimited | Only one number |
| Email / Address | Supported | Not supported |
Why names are they circumcised?
The GSM standard, by which SIM cards operate, initially limited the length of the name field to 14 bytes. Modern cards may have a little more space, but compatibility with older phones forces manufacturers to adhere to these strict limits.
If saving full names and additional data is critical to you, consider the alternative option of saving to a file format .vcf. This file can be transferred via Bluetooth or instant messenger and imported on any device without loss of data quality.
Solving common problems when exporting
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the export button is inactive or the system gives an error when trying to record. The most common reason is the lack of free space on the SIM card itself. Telecom operators allocate a limited memory sector for contacts, which can be completely filled with old entries.
In this case, you must first clear the SIM card. Go to contacts settings, select Import from a SIM cardto save old numbers to your phone, and then delete them directly from the chip. Only after freeing up space will the procedure for recording new contacts become possible.
Another problem may be incompatibility of the name format. If you see that after the transfer the names are displayed as gibberish, try renaming the contacts using only Latin letters before exporting. This is a temporary solution, but it guarantees the readability of the number on any device.
⚠️ Attention: Do not remove the SIM card during the recording process! This can lead to damage to the file system of the chip and the complete loss of all data recorded on it, including operator information.
If the SIM card runs out of space, first import old contacts into the phone memory, clear the SIM card, and only then export new data.
Alternative synchronization methods
Although transfer to SIM card is a reliable "old-fashioned" method, owners Xiaomi Redmi 9 More modern migration methods are also available. Google services allow you to synchronize your phone book in real time. Just enter your login and password on the new device, and all the numbers will appear automatically.
For users switching from other Android smartphones, the application MI Moverpre-installed on Redmi is perfect. It allows you to transfer contacts, photos, applications and settings via Wi-Fi Direct in a few minutes. This method is free of all SIM card restrictions and preserves the data structure in its original form.
If there is no Internet and the SIM card is full, use export to a file. In the menu Import/Export select the option Export to storage. The created file contacts.vcf can be copied to a computer or flash drive and then imported on any other phone through the standard contacts menu.
- 🌐 Google synchronization: automatic update and access from any devices.
- 📲 MI Mover: fast transfer of all data between Xiaomi smartphones without the Internet.
- 💾 .vcf file: universal backup format, independent of SIM card capacity.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to transfer contacts from a photo to a SIM card?
Unfortunately, no. The technical standard of SIM cards does not support the storage of graphic images. When you transfer a contact from a photo, it will be permanently deleted, only text information (name and number) will be saved.
How many contacts can one SIM card hold in Redmi 9?
Capacity depends on the operator and type of card, but usually it is from 250 to 500 entries. Modern cards may have a larger volume, but the phone interface often shows the average value.
What to do if Russian letters in names disappear after transfer?
This is an encoding problem. The SIM card has written the name in a format that is not read correctly by your current phone. Try inserting this SIM card into another device - perhaps the names will be displayed correctly there, or rename the contacts in Latin.
Will the contact be deleted from the phone after copying it to the SIM card?
No, the standard "Export" operation creates a copy of the entry. The original remains in your memory Redmi 9. If you want to move a contact rather than copy it, you will have to manually delete it from your phone's memory after successful export.
Is it possible to merge duplicate contacts after transfer?
Yes, there is a merge feature in the Contacts app on MIUI. Go to the settings and select "Merge duplicate contacts", the system will automatically find matches by numbers and offer to merge them into one entry.