Owners of smartphones running on the operating system Android 6.0 Marshmalloware often faced with the need to transfer the phone book to a new SIM card or simply save data in a more secure place. This version of the OS, despite its age, is still actively used on budget devices and tablets, where the procedures may differ from modern analogues. The copying process seems simple, but has its own nuances, especially when it comes to memory limitations the card itself.
The main difficulty is that the menu interface is in different shells (for example, MIUI, TouchWiz or clean Android One) may look different, although the logic of the actions remains similar. You will need to choose your data source and destination storage carefully to avoid losing important numbers. In this article, we will look at all the available methods, including hidden functions and workarounds if the standard menu does not work.
Before you begin, make sure that the SIM card is correctly installed in the device and is recognized by the system. If you plan to transfer data to a new SIM card, it is better to first make a backup copy of your current entries to avoid accidental loss of information if the process fails.
Preparing the device and checking the SIM card
The first step before starting any data operation is to check the physical condition of the storage medium. Devices on Android 6 often use combo slots, so make sure the card is inserted into the correct slot, marked with a phone icon or word SIM 1. The system should display the signal strength and operator name at the top of the screen.
Next you need to check whether the telephone sees the contacts themselves. Go to the Contacts or Phone app and make sure the numbers are displayed. If the list is empty, the display may be hidden in the filtering settings. Click on the menu (three dots or bars) and select the “Contacts to display” option, making sure that “All contacts” or “Phone” is checked.
⚠️ Attention: If your SIM card is very old (Mini-SIM format with cut edges) or has damaged contacts, the recording process may be interrupted. In this case, it is better to first copy the data to a computer or to the cloud, and then transfer it to a new card.
It is also worth checking the free space on the SIM card, although in Android 6.0 this is done automatically when you try to record. However, if the card is full of old entries from a push-button telephone, new numbers may not be saved. It is recommended to clear the SIM of unnecessary duplicates in advance through the contact management menu.
Standard copy method through the contacts menu
The most common method of transferring data is built directly into the phone book application. In Android Marshmallow the logic of the interface is built around managing the call list. Open the Contacts app and look for the menu button, which is usually represented by three vertical dots in the top right corner or a physical Menu button on older devices.
From the list that opens, select Import/Export (or Manage Contacts). The system will offer several options for action. You need to select the option “Export to SIM card” or “Copy contacts”. If there is no such item directly, look for the “Copy contacts” option, where you will be asked to select the direction: “From phone to SIM.”
After selecting a direction, the system will ask you to mark specific numbers. You can select Select All or manually mark the entries you want. Please note that Save format the SIM card is limited: usually only a name and one phone number are stored. Additional fields such as email, address or second number will be lost.
☑️ Check before export
Press the confirmation button (usually a check mark or the word “Copy”). The process may take from a few seconds to a minute, depending on the number of entries. Upon completion, you will see a notification that the copy was successful.
Working with the limited SIM data format
It is important to understand the technical limitations of SIM card technology, which are relevant for both Android 6and newer versions. The communication card was not originally intended to store large amounts of data, so the recording format there is extremely primitive. When copying, you may encounter truncating names or merging numbers.
If the contact name is longer than 15-20 characters, the system will automatically trim it or shorten it to a understandable minimum. In addition, if a contact has several numbers stored in their phone (mobile, work, home), only the first in the list or mobile number will most likely be recorded on the SIM card. The rest of the data will be ignored.
Why are contact names displayed in caps?
When exporting to a SIM card, many phones automatically convert names to UPPER CASE. This is a feature of the GSM standard, which initially did not support mixed case letters. You can return to normal view only by importing it back into your phone or editing it manually.
To minimize the loss of information, before copying, it is recommended to edit important contacts: combine the numbers into one, separated by a comma (if the phone supports it) or make sure that the main number is first in the list. This will allow you to maintain at least some connection with the person even in a stripped-down format.
Alternative method: Export to a vCard file
If the standard method does not work or you are afraid of losing data, it is better to use the universal format vCard (.vcf). This method allows you to create a complete backup of your phone book, which can be transferred to any device, including a computer or a new smartphone. Android 6 this function is also found in the “Import/Export” menu.
Select the option “Export to internal memory” or “Export to SD card”. The system will create a file, usually called 00001.vcf or contacts.vcf, in the root memory or folder Contacts. This file contains all the information: photos, addresses, several numbers and emails.
After creating the file, you can copy it to your computer via a USB cable or send it to yourself by email. This is the most reliable way saving data before flashing or replacing the device. To restore to a new SIM or phone, just select “Import from file.vcf” in the same menu.
Save the vCard file not only on your phone, but also send it to yourself by email or messenger. If the phone breaks down, access to the internal memory will be lost, and a copy in the cloud or in the mail will save the situation.
Using synchronization with Google Account
Owners of devices on Android 6.0 are strongly recommended to use cloud synchronization with Google Contacts. This is a modern analogue of a SIM card, but without restrictions on data volume and format. Your contacts are saved on the server and are accessible from any device where you are logged into your account.
To enable this feature, go to Settings → Accounts → Google. Select your mailbox and make sure the switch next to Contacts is active (green or blue). After turning on, the phone will automatically upload all numbers to the cloud.
| Option | SIM card | Google Account | Internal memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory capacity | Limited (250-500 numbers) | Unlimited (depending on the account) | Depends on free memory |
| Saving photo | No | Yes | Yes |
| Add. fields (Email, address) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Risk of loss when changing phone | High (transfer needed) | Absent (automatic) | High (copy required) |
Using the cloud eliminates the need to physically copy contacts to the SIM card. When buying a new phone, you just need to enter your username and password, and the entire phone book will be restored in a couple of minutes. This is especially true for Android 6where the synchronization process already works stably.
Synchronization with Google is a “digital SIM card” that is never lost, scratched and holds thousands of contacts with full information about them.
Solving problems and errors when copying
Users Android 6 may encounter the error message “Failed to copy contacts” or “SIM card memory is full.” The first reason is a real lack of space. Old SIM cards can hold few records. In this case, copy the contacts in parts or delete old unnecessary numbers directly from the card.
The second reason is a software failure of the Contacts application. Try clearing this app's cache. To do this, go to Settings → Applications → Contacts → Memory → Clear cache. Don't be afraid, the numbers themselves will not be deleted, only the temporary cache of operations will be cleared.
⚠️ Attention: Do not remove the SIM card during the copying process! This may damage the phone book file on the card, and the phone will no longer see contacts at all, requiring the SIM card to be formatted.
If the problem persists, try rebooting the device before starting the operation. Sometimes background processes block access to the contacts storage, and a simple reboot solves the access problem. Marshmallow block access to the contacts storage, and a simple reboot solves the access problem.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How many contacts can a SIM card hold maximum?
Usually a standard SIM card can hold from 250 to 500 contacts. The exact number depends on the operator and card type, as well as the length of the names, since long names take up more memory cells.
Is it possible to copy contacts from a broken screen?
If the screen responds to touches, you can try connecting a USB mouse via an OTG cable. If the screen does not work completely, but the phone turns on, the only thing that will help is logging into your Google account from your computer (if there was synchronization) or using ADB commands to retrieve the contact database.
Will the contacts be lost if you remove the SIM card?
If the contacts are saved in the phone memory or Google account, they will not be lost. If they are stored exactly “On the SIM card” (which can be seen in the display settings), then when you remove the card they will disappear from the call list until you insert the card back.
How to transfer contacts to an iPhone with Android 6?
The best way is to import contacts into your Google account on Android, and then on iPhone go to Settings → Mail. contacts, calendars → Add account → Google and enable contact synchronization. All numbers will appear automatically.