How to set up contacts on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: a complete guide from A to Z

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro

MIUI 14

MIUI 11-12

Android 9/10

Many users get lost when you need to move contacts from an old phone, sync them with Google Account or fix duplicates. In this article, we will analyze all the nuances from the basic addition of a number to hidden functions like grouping or exporting to a.vcf file. Particular attention will be paid to typical errors, for example, when contacts disappear after a reset or do not appear in instant messengers.

If you have just bought the Redmi Note 8 Pro or have problems after the upgrade, this guide will help you to understand without going to the service center.

1. Basic ways to add contacts

So, to start with, the simplest way to put a new number in your phone book is to put it in your phone book, and MIUI has three basic methods for doing that, and each one is suitable for different situations.

The most obvious way is through the Contacts app (the icon with the silhouette of a person on the home screen). Open it, click on the + button in the lower right corner and fill in the fields: name, phone number, email (optional). Note that the default contact is saved to the Xiaomi account, but this can be changed — we will talk about this in the next section.

The second method is to add it right when you call, and if you have an unknown number, after you call, click on the i icon next to the call log number and select "Create Contact," so it's convenient to save the delivery numbers or the work colleagues.

The third way is to import from a.vcf file, which is true if you're transferring contacts from another phone, and you can get the file by exporting data from your old device or downloading a backup from the cloud, to import:

1. Open "Contacts" → ⋮ (three-point) → "Contact management".
2. Select "Import/Export" → "Import from the device".
3. Specify the path to the.vcf file in the phone’s memory.

If the file is large (more than 500 contacts), the process can take several minutes.

2.Selecting an account to save: Xiaomi vs Google

One of the key features of the Redmi Note 8 Pro is the ability to link to two types of accounts: Xiaomi and Google, depending on where your contacts will be stored and how they can be restored when you reset them.

By default, the smartphone offers to save numbers to the Xiaomi account. This is convenient if you actively use the brand ecosystem (for example, synchronize data with the Mi Band or Mi Home).

• 🔄 Contacts are not synced with Gmail and other Google services.
• 📱 When changing the phone to a non--Xiaomi data transfer is difficult.
• 🔒 There is no backup in Google Drive.

To change your account to save:

1. Open "Contacts" → ⋮ → "Settings".
2. Select "Default Saving Account".
3. Please enter Google (pre-authenticate in your account).

If you have already saved contacts to your Xiaomi account, you can transfer them:

1. Export all contacts to the.vcf file (as described in the previous section).
2. Import them back by selecting them as your Google account.

💡

Before transferring contacts between accounts, make a backup! To do this, export the data to a file and send it to an email or to the cloud.

3. Synchronization of contacts with the cloud

Sync allows you to automatically update contacts on all devices associated with the same account. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, this works for both Xiaomi Cloud and Google, but it is customized in different ways.

To sync with Google:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Select your account and turn on the switch opposite the Contacts.
3. Click "Sync" in the upper right corner.

For Xiaomi Cloud:

1. Open the Settings. → Mi Account.
2. Go to Xiaomi Cloud" → "Synchronization".
3. Activate the Contacts option.

If the synchronization is not working, check:

• 📶 Internet connection (better to use Wi-Fi).
• 🔄 Updates to the “Contacts” app in Google Play.
• 📅 Date and time on the phone (incorrect settings can block sync).

4. Backup and restoration

Contact loss is one of the most frustrating issues. There are several ways to back up the Redmi Note 8 Pro, and it's best to use them all for reliability.

Method 1: Export to.vcf file

1. Open "Contacts" → ⋮ → "Contact management" → "Imports/Exports".
2. Select "Export to Device".
3. Specify which contacts to export (all or only from a particular account).
4. Save the file in the phone memory or on SD-map.

Method 2: Sync with Google

If you choose Google as your account to save, all contacts are automatically backed up in the cloud to check the backup:

1. Go to contacts.google.com.
2. Sign in with the same account as on your phone.
3. Make sure all contacts are displayed.

Method 3: Reservations through MIUI

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Select "Contacts" and click "Backup".
3. The file is saved in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder.

⚠️ Note: Local backup through MIUI If you do a hard reset, the file can be erased. Always duplicate the backup to your computer or cloud.

5. Grouping and management of contacts

If you have hundreds of numbers in your phone book, grouping can help you find the numbers you want quickly. On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, you can create groups manually or use automatic categories (like Favorites or Family).

To form a group:

1. Open "Contacts" → ⋮ → "Contact management" → "Groups".
2. Click + and enter the title (e.g., "Work" or "Friends").
3. Add the right contacts to the group by holding your finger on the avatar.

Automatic groups are formed on the basis of:

• 🌟 Favorites - contacts marked with an asterisk.
• 📞 Frequent Numbers You Contact Often.
• 🏠 Family – Contacts tagged as family members on Google profile.

To add a contact to your Favorites, open the card and click on the asterisk in the upper right corner, and these numbers will appear on a separate tab in the Phone app.

Make a backup of contacts in.vcf

Check sync with Google/Xiaomi Cloud

Export important SMS (if necessary)

Record passwords from accounts

-->

6. Removing common problems

Even after you set up the contacts correctly, the Redmi Note 8 Pro can malfunction, and let’s look at common errors and their solutions.

Problem 1: Contacts are not displayed in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).

🔹 Decision:

• Check that the messenger has access to contacts: Settings → Applications → Application Management → [Messenger Name] → Permissions → Contacts.
• Update the messenger to the latest version.
• Reboot the phone.

Problem 2: Contacts disappear after MIUI update.

🔹 Decision:

1. Check if your account settings are reset: Settings → Accounts and synchronization.
2. If your contacts were linked to Xiaomi Cloud, log in again to your Mi Account.
3. Restore data from the backup (see Section 4).

Problem 3: Contacts cannot be edited (buttons are inactive).

🔹 Decision:

• Delete the cache of the Contacts app: Settings → Apps → Application Management → Contacts → Clear the cache.
• Check if restrictions are set through Settings → Special Opportunities → Simplified Mode.

⚠️ Note: If your contacts are not restored from your Google Account after a phone reset, check if two-factor authentication is enabled. SMS backup email.

7. Transfer contacts from other devices

If you are switching to the Redmi Note 8 Pro from another phone, you can do the relocation in a number of ways.

With Android (Samsung, Huawei, etc.):

• 📲 Use Google Account: Check your contacts sync with Google on your old phone. On Redmi Note 8 Pro, log in to the same account and enable sync.

.vcf

1. On an old phone, create a.vcf file.
2. Transfer it to the Redmi Note 8 Pro via Bluetooth, email or SD-map.
3. Import the file (see Section 1).

From the iPhone:

• 🍎 Use iCloud: On iPhone, export contacts to.vcf via iCloud.com. Send the file to email and open it on the Redmi Note 8 Pro.

Google Account

1. On iPhone, add Google Account in your settings and sync your contacts.
2. On Redmi Note 8 Pro, log in to the same account.

From the button phone (Nokia, Samsung of the old sample):

• 📞 Through Bluetooth: Turn on Bluetooth on both devices. On a button phone, send contacts as a business card (.vcf). Accept a file on the Redmi Note 8 Pro and import.

SIM-map

1. Copy contacts to SIM on an old phone.
2. Insert the SIM into the Redmi Note 8 Pro.
3. Import: “Contacts" → ⋮ → "Contact management" → "Imports/Exports" → "Import with SIM-map".