How to Save My Contacts to My SIM Card

By Kammy Pow

SIM cards can act as storage for contact names and phone numbers.
i George Doyle & Ciaran Griffin/Stockbyte/Getty Images

The subscriber identity module card is a 128-kilobyte microchip used to store the service books and mobile service authentication information for GSM, or global systems mobile communications, phones sold by cellular carriers such as AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. SIM cards are also capable of storing text messages, contact names and phone numbers for backup or to transfer between phones. In order to use the SIM card for these purposes, you will need to get an activated card from your cellular carrier, insert it into your cell phone and copy your contacts to the card.

Insert an Activated SIM Card Into the Phone

Step 1

Power off the phone.

Step 2

Flip the phone over and remove the back cover and then remove the battery.

Step 3

Gently slip the SIM card into the SIM card slot, straight edge first and with the label side facing up, until the card clicks into place.

Step 4

Replace the battery and the cover.

Export Contacts to a SIM Card on Android with an App

Step 1

Launch the Android's Play Store.

Step 2

Enter the keywords "copy SIM" in the search tool and tap on the magnifying glass to begin the search. Three apps that export contacts to the SIM card are Copy to Sim, Copy Contacts and Contact2Sim Pro.

Step 3

Download and install the SIM contact app.

Step 4

Launch the SIM contact app.

Step 5

Select the contacts on the phone to export. Then press the "Menu" key and choose "Copy selected to SIM," "Copy to SIM" or "Export to SIM."

Export Contacts on Select Android Phones to a SIM Card

Step 1

Go to home screen and touch the "Contacts" icon.

Step 2

Touch the "Menu" key and select the "Import/Export" option.

Step 3

Select "Export to SIM card" and then choose the contacts to copy. Touch "Export" and then touch "Yes" to begin copying your contacts to the SIM card. This exports the contacts as a group vCard -- .vcf file -- to the SIM.

Step 4

Exit the contacts application.

Export Contacts on a BlackBerry to a SIM Card

Step 1

Open the "Contacts" app.

Step 2

Open the contact's information. Place the cursor on the contact's telephone number and press the "Menu" button.

Step 3

Select the option "Copy to SIM Phone Book."

Step 4

Click on the "Menu" button and select "Save." Close the contacts app.

Export Contacts on Other Phones to a SIM Card

Step 1

Open the phone's address book or contacts app.

Step 2

Select and view the contact's information.

Step 3

Open the address book's menu function and select "Copy Contacts From Phone to SIM." Save the new uploaded information and continue with another contact or exit the address book.

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