Switching to a new smartphone is always accompanied by a desire to get started quickly with the device, but often this process is overshadowed by the lack of important phone numbers in the address book. For owners of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, the data recovery procedure can seem confusing due to the features of the MIUI shell, which is significantly different from standard Android. However, knowing the right algorithms of actions, you can transfer the entire phone book in minutes without losing information.
There are several proven ways to do this, each with its own advantages depending on the source of the data. You can use Google's cloud services, you can use the physical. SIM-map or backup files VCF. The choice of the specific method depends on which device your data is stored on at the moment and how stable the Internet connection is in your location.
In this article, we will discuss all the available import options in detail, paying special attention to the nuances of working with the Redmi Note 8 Pro. We will consider not only standard paths, but also hidden system functions that are often overlooked even by experienced users. Proper synchronization settings in the future will save you from losing important data when changing your gadget.
Preparation for data transfer and verification of sources
Before you start taking active import action, you need to make sure that the source data is intact and the device is ready. If you are switching from another Android smartphone, make sure that the old device is fully synchronized with your Google account. This is the most reliable way, since it eliminates human factors and technical errors when manually copying.
Owners of iPhones or knot phones will need pre-file preparation or the use of special adapters. Redmi Note 8 Pro is equipped with a powerful processor and sufficient amount of RAM, which allows you to process large amounts of data without hanging, but the stability of the connection plays a key role.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure your Google account is synced for the Contacts section, otherwise the data may not show up on the new device even after you log in.
It is also worth checking whether there is free space in the internal memory of the smartphone. Although the contacts themselves take up a minimum of space, temporary files and cache of applications during the import process may require an additional buffer.
Synchronization through Google account
The most modern and convenient way is to use Google Contacts cloud storage, which allows you not only to transfer numbers, but also to keep them secure at all times by linking them to your inbox. To get started, you need to add your account to the system, if you have not already done so when you first set up the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
Go to your device settings and find Accounts and Sync. You can select the addition of a new Google account and enter your credentials. Once you have successfully logged in, the system will prompt you to select the sync items. Make sure the switch opposite the Contacts button is activated.
- 📱 Open the Contacts app on the home screen or in the Tools folder".
- 🔄 Click on the menu icon (three bars or dots) and select Settings".
- ☁️ Go to “Sync Account” and select your Google account.
- ✅ Click the "Sync Now" button for forced updates.
The process can take anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes depending on the number of entries in your phone book.At this time, it is not recommended to close the application or switch to flight mode.The Internet connection should be stable, preferably over Wi-Fi, to avoid interruption of data transmission.
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Use Wi-Fi to synchronize a large number of contacts, so as not to waste mobile traffic and speed up the process of communicating with the server.
Once the procedure is complete, all the numbers will appear on the subscriber list. If you see duplicates, MIUI often suggests automatically combining them, a useful feature that allows you to clear the address book of repetitive entries, leaving only up-to-date information with photos and additional numbers.
Import of contacts from SIM-card
Many users still keep numbers on the SIM-card, especially if the transition is from a notebook phone or a device with an outdated operating system. Redmi Note 8 Pro supports two SIM-So it's important to choose the one that's the data stored on. Put the card in the appropriate slot and wait for the network to be determined.
To start importing, open the standard Contacts app and go to the settings menu. In the list of options, you need to find the Import/Export Contacts item. The system will prompt you to select the data source, in this case it will be SIM-card 1 SIM-map.
Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Import from SIM-cardOnce you have selected the source, the system will scan the map and show you the list of records found, so you can select individual numbers or mark them all at once for mass transfer.
| Parameter | SIM-map | Google Account | Phone memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Limit of symbols in a name | Limited (10-15) | No restrictions. | No restrictions. |
| Photo preservation | No. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Additional numbers | Usually one. | Unlimitedly. | Unlimitedly. |
| Risk of data loss | High-pitched | Low. | Medium. |
After completing the copying, it is recommended to remove SIM-If the names are not displayed correctly or contain strange characters, you may need to manually edit the most important contacts. This is a common problem when switching from old devices.
☑️ Import verification with SIM
Recovery from VCF file
VCF (vCard) is a universal standard for sharing contact information between different platforms. If you have a backup file from another smartphone or computer, the recovery process will take only a few clicks.
Copy the contacts.vcf file (or name may differ) to the root folder or any convenient directory on Redmi Note 8 Pro. Then open the Contacts app, go to the settings and select the Import option from the file.vcf. The system will automatically find the available files and suggest you choose the desired one.
Once you select the file, you will be asked to specify the location of the save, and the best option is to select your Google account, which will ensure automatic synchronization in the future. If you choose "Phone", the contacts will only be stored in the local memory of the device.
⚠️ Note: When importing large VCF-Do not interrupt the process or block the smartphone screen, as this may damage the contact database file.
In some cases, the system may request permission to access the file system. Confirm the request so that the application can read the data. Once the import is complete, it is recommended to open several random contacts and make sure that the numbers and names are loaded fully and without encoding errors.
What to do if the file is not readable?
Use of the Mi Mover app
For users switching from another Xiaomi or Android smartphone, the company has developed a special Mi Mover app, which allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, applications and system settings wirelessly. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, the app is usually preinstalled in the Tools folder.
Run the app on both devices. On the new phone, select Receiver and on the old phone, Sender. Devices will connect via a temporary Wi-Fi network. In the data transfer list, make sure to tick Contacts.
- 📲 Run Mi Mover on both smartphones.
- 🔗 Scan it. QR-device-coupling.
- 📂 Select the category "Contacts" in the list of transmitted data.
- 🚀 Click "Send" and wait for the process to be completed.
The speed of transmission depends on the volume of data and the distance between devices, and the advantage of this method is that the contact structure is preserved completely, including the grouping and the assigned ringtones, and this is the most complete way to migrate data between devices in the same ecosystem.
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Mi Mover is the perfect choice for a full cloning phone, as it not only preserves numbers, but also group structure and call history.
Solving and eliminating errors
Users may encounter various technical problems during the import process, and one of the common mistakes is to report a lack of space even if the phone's memory is free, which may be due to overflowing cache of the Contacts app or system restrictions.
If contacts are not displayed after synchronization, check the display filter in the application settings. SIM-maps as new data is uploaded to your Google account.Switch the filter to All Contacts to see the full list.
If you have sync errors, try to delete and add your account again. Sometimes it helps to clean the Contacts app itself through the application management menu. Don't be afraid to reset the app settings, as the numbers themselves are not deleted if they are saved in the cloud or on SIM.
⚠️ Note: Do not delete your Google account completely from the system unless you are sure that your contacts are saved elsewhere, otherwise your local copy may be erased when you sync an empty cloud.
It is also worth considering that some third-party calling apps may conflict with the standard MIUI caller. If contact issues started after installing such software, try uninstalling it or installing it as the default app again.