Changing a mobile device or the need to transfer data to an old phone often confronts the user with the task of copying the phone book. In an ecosystem Xiaomi with a shell MIUI or new HyperOS this process has its own characteristics that differ from pure Android. Many users are accustomed to storing numbers in the device’s memory or in the cloud, but physical SIM card remains a universal medium compatible with any gadget.
Before starting the procedure, it is important to understand that moving records to the operator’s card has limitations on the volume and format of data. Typically, only a name and one phone number are recorded on the chip, and additional fields such as addresses, email or photos will be lost during export. Backup In this case, it serves more as a way to quickly migrate to a feature phone or device of another platform than as a full-fledged archive.
In this article we will detail We will analyze the algorithm of actions for different firmware versions, consider possible errors and offer alternative, more modern ways to save important data. You will learn how to properly prepare your contact list and avoid common problems when synchronizing with a SIM card.
Preparing the phone book for transfer
Before initiating the copying process, it is necessary to audit the existing records. Often duplicates, old numbers and entries without names accumulate in your contacts list, which can lead to confusion after the transfer. Smartphones Xiaomi have a built-in powerful tool for combining duplicates, which automatically finds duplicate numbers and offers to combine them into one card.
It is also worth paying attention to the source of storing contacts. If your numbers are scattered across different accounts (for example, part in Google, part in Mi Account, and part is saved locally on the device), the transfer process may not proceed correctly. It is recommended to first combine all entries into a single list or select a specific source for export. Local storage phone is often the most convenient intermediate point before recording to a SIM card.
⚠️ Attention: the SIM card has limited memory capacity and (does not support) long names in Unicode encoding. When transferring long names or names with special characters, they may be cut off or display incorrectly on other devices.
Check that the fields in your contacts are complete. Make sure that main phone numbers are written in international format, starting with a plus and country code. This ensures that after transferring to a new SIM card and installing it in another phone, you will be able to seamlessly make calls and send SMS messages without manually editing each number.
Step-by-step guide: export via the Contacts application
Basic method data transfer is implemented through the standard “Contacts” application, which is part of the system package MIUI. The interface may differ slightly depending on the version of the operating system, but the logic of actions remains the same. First, open the phone book application and go to the control menu.
To access the necessary functions, click on the three dots or the menu icon located in the upper corner of the screen. In the list that opens, select “Import and export contacts.” This is where all the tools for working with the phone book are concentrated, including copying to SIM, phone memory or cloud services.
☑️ Preparing for export
In the import and export menu you will need to select the “Export to SIM card” option. The system will automatically prompt you to select contacts to transfer. You can select individual entries manually or use the Select All feature if you plan to transfer your entire phonebook. After confirming the selection, the copying process will begin.
During the procedure, a progress bar may be displayed on the screen. It is not recommended to interrupt the process, switch to other heavy applications or remove the SIM card until the operation is completed. After successful completion, you will receive a notification about the number of copied contacts.
Using the Copy contacts function in settings
An alternative way to managing contacts is through the general system settings. This method is especially useful if the default contacts application is unstable or the interface has been modified by a third-party theme. To use this method, go to the main menu of the smartphone settings Xiaomi.
In the list of parameters, find the “Applications” section or immediately “Contacts”. Inside this section there is also a menu “Import and export contacts”. Here the functionality completely duplicates the capabilities of the application, but it is accessed through the system menu, which sometimes helps to bypass software glitches (glitches) of the interface.
Select the “Copy contacts” item. The system will prompt you to select a source (usually “Phone” or account Google) and destination (target) - in our case, “SIM card”. It is important to correctly specify the source so as not to copy empty entries or contacts from unnecessary profiles.
If you have several SIM cards in your phone, the system will definitely ask which one you want to record contacts on. Carefully select the desired slot so as not to confuse the operators.
After selecting the parameters, confirm the action. The process will take from a few seconds to a minute, depending on the number of entries. Upon completion, it is recommended to remove the SIM card and test it on another device or return it to the current phone and check the display through the SIM contacts settings.
Working with duplicates and format restrictions
One of the main problems when transferring to a SIM is the loss of detail. While a smartphone stores dozens of parameters for one subscriber, a SIM card is limited to a basic set: name and number. All other data, including the second number, address, position and photo, will be ignored during export.
In addition, there are restrictions on the length of the name. The GSM standard often limits the number of characters in a contact name (usually up to 14-16 characters, depending on the encoding). If the name on the phone is longer, it will be truncated when recording on the SIM. This may lead to the fact that the contacts “Alexander” and “Alexandrina” on the SIM card may become the same if the system does not add unique identifiers.
| Parameter | Phone memory / Cloud | SIM card |
|---|---|---|
| Number of fields | No restrictions | Only name and number |
| Name length | Up to 255 characters | Limited (approx. 14 char.) |
| Contact photo | Supported | Not supported |
| Multiple numbers | Yes | No (one number) |
To avoid loss of information, before exporting to a SIM card, it is strongly recommended to create a backup copy in the format .vcf. This file can be saved to the cloud or to your computer. Unlike a SIM card, the vCard file saves the entire contact structure, including photos and additional fields.
Solution: contacts are not copied or displayed
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where, after export, contacts do not appear on the SIM card or are displayed incorrectly. One of the common reasons is the full memory of the SIM card itself. Old cards can only hold 250 entries. If your list is larger, some contacts simply will not be recorded.
Another common problem is name encoding. Cyrillic names, when transferred to some models of SIM cards or when read on phones of other brands, can turn into a set of incomprehensible characters. This is due to differences in text encoding standards used by different equipment manufacturers.
Why are contacts displayed as "SIM Contact 1", "SIM Contact 2"?
This happens if the contact name was not recorded when copying or was truncated to zero characters due to an encoding error or length limitation. In this case, the system assigns a standard name by default.-->
To solve the display problem, try changing the system language to English before exporting, performing a copy operation, and then returning the Russian language. Clearing the cache of the Contacts and Phone applications through application settings before starting the procedure also helps.
Alternative methods of synchronization and recovery
Given the limitations of SIM cards, it is much more effective for owners to use cloud technologies. The service Xiaomi It is much more efficient to use cloud technologies. Service Google Contacts allows you to instantly synchronize your phone book between any devices based on Android and even iPhone. Just enter your Gmail login and password on your new device, and all numbers will appear automatically.
The second powerful tool is Mi Cloud. Account owners Mi Account can synchronize contacts with the Xiaomi cloud. This is especially convenient when switching between smartphones of the same brand. The function allows you not only to save numbers, but also to restore deleted entries from the trash within 30 days.
- 🔄 Google Sync
Automatic update in real time if the Internet is available.
If you still need to use a SIM card (for example, to transfer data to a push-button phone), use it as a temporary transport medium, and not as the main storage. After transferring to a new device, immediately copy the contacts back to the smartphone’s memory or the cloud.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How many contacts can a SIM card hold maximum?
The standard capacity of modern SIM cards varies from 250 to 500 entries. However, the actual limit depends on the length of the names: the longer the contact names, the fewer entries will fit on the card.
Will the contact photo be saved when transferred to the SIM?
No, the SIM card does not technically support storing image files. When exporting to a SIM card, contact photos will be deleted. To save photos, use synchronization with Google or Mi Cloud.
Is it possible to copy contacts from a SIM to Xiaomi without the Internet?
Yes, you do not need the Internet to copy contacts from a SIM card to the phone's memory. This is a local operation that is performed directly between the card chip and the device memory through the Contacts application.
What to do if, when exporting, it says “SIM card error”?
Try to restart the phone. If the error persists, remove the SIM card, clean the contacts, and reinsert. Also make sure that the card is not full or physically damaged.
The most reliable way to save contacts is regular synchronization with a Google account, since the SIM card has serious limitations on the volume and format of data.