How to transfer numbers from SIM to the phone Xiaomi 8 A

Switching to a new smartphone or replacing it SIM-The cards always involve the need to carry important information, especially the phone book. For owners of the Xiaomi Mi 8 A, a device that combines accessibility and functionality, this process may not seem obvious due to the nature of the shell. MIUI. Unlike many other devices, there is no single “copy everything” button on the home screen, which often confuses users.

Modern smartphones store data in several places at the same time: in the device memory, in the cloud account and directly on the chip. SIM-SIM contacts have limited memory and often lack additional fields such as email or photo, but this medium is a universal key that allows you to quickly restore communication when you change your gadget. Understanding the Storage Structure of Android Systems Helps You Avoid Losing Valuable Numbers.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the ways to import records, focusing on the regular system tools that do not require the installation of third-party software. You will learn how to correctly migrate data to avoid duplicates, and how to set up automatic saving in the future.

Features of the storage of contacts in MIUI

The MIUI shell installed on the Xiaomi Mi 8 A has its own address book logic, which is different from pure Android. All records can be physically stored in three different storages, and the system clearly distinguishes them. Understanding this difference is critical before you start copying, since the availability of export functions depends on the source chosen.

If your numbers are saved in a Google or Mi Account, they sync to the cloud, which is the most modern and secure method to recover data even when you lose your phone completely, but if you use an old SIM card that has been accumulating numbers for years, they may not be available for cloud sync without first importing it into your phone’s memory.

⚠️ Note: When copying data from SIM-If you see question marks or characters instead of Russian letters, it means that the old SIM used a different encoding table and you will need manual editing when importing.

It is important to note that memory SIM-It's very limited, and it's usually only a number and a name that's long. 10-15 All the extra fields, like the second number, address or birthday, will be lost when you transfer them to the SIM, so the reverse process of keeping new contacts on the map is not recommended.

The Xiaomi Mi 8 A uses the standard Contacts app, which is integrated with the system, and allows you to manage data sources flexibly, so you can filter the display by showing numbers only from the SIM card or only from the cloud, making it easier to navigate a large database.

Preparation of the device and SIM card for transfer

Before you start actively copying, you need to make sure the hardware is ready to go. Xiaomi Mi 8 A supports two SIM cards, and it is important to understand which one you plan to work with. If you just inserted a new SIM, wait for the network to fully load and the operator icons appear in the status bar.

Make sure your device has enough internal memory. Although contacts take up a bit of space, a crowded drive can cause errors in system applications, including Contacts and Phone. Clear the cache or delete unnecessary files if the storage is more than 90% full.

It's also worth checking the battery. The import process, especially if there are hundreds of records, can take time. Although it's not an energy-intensive operation, suddenly turning off the smartphone at the time of writing data to the database can damage the address book file. It's recommended to have a charge of at least 20-30%.

If you use two-sim Xiaomi, the system can request the choice of the default card for calls and the Internet. For the copying procedure, this is not critical, but for further comfortable work, it is better to immediately set priorities in the Settings menu. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.

Step-by-step instructions for import through the standard menu

The most reliable and quickest way to roll over numbers is to use the built-in functionality of the system, which does not require an Internet connection or third-party programs, and the algorithm of actions is the same for most versions of MIUI installed on the Xiaomi Mi 8 A.

Open the Contacts app first. At the bottom of the screen, find and click the menu button, which usually looks like three horizontal bars or dots. In the list that opens, select Import and Export Contacts. This is where all the database management tools are concentrated.

In the menu that opens, you'll see a few options. We're interested in the item "Import with the Internet". SIM-The system can tell you which SIM card to look at if you have two. Choose the one you want, and the scanning process will begin.

Path to function: Contacts → Menu (three strips) → Import / Export → Import from SIM-card

Then the system will ask where to save the copied data, and it's critical to choose the right one, and there are options for saving it to your Google account, your Mi Account, or your phone's memory, and for maximum security and recovery, because it's cloud storage.

Once you select a save location, the system will show you a list of all the numbers found, you can select individual records, or you can click "Select All" in the top corner, and once confirmed, copying will begin, and after the process, a successful import notification will appear.

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If you have two. SIM-Repeat the import procedure separately for each card so as not to lose any number.

Alternative methods and work with vCard files

Sometimes, standard import may not work properly, or you need to transfer contacts from another phone that has already been exported, instead of from a SIM, in which case the vCard file format (extension.vcf) is used. This is a universal format that any smartphone, including the Xiaomi Mi 8 A, understands.

If you have a contact file, save it to your phone or upload it to cloud storage. Then open the Explorer or Files app, find that file and click on it. The system automatically prompts you to open it with the Contacts app and import the data.

This method is convenient because it allows you to back up the entire phone book at once. You can save the file to your computer or send yourself an email. In case of loss or breakdown of the Xiaomi Mi 8 A, just download the file and run it to restore all the numbers in a couple of minutes.

There are also third-party data applications, such as MI Mover or Copy My Data, that allow you to transfer your Wi-Fi contacts from another smartphone, but for a SIM-to-phone task, they are redundant, requiring you to install them on both devices and create an access point.

Removing duplicates and sorting records

Once you have switched numbers from the SIM to the Xiaomi Mi 8 A, you may find yourself in a situation where the same people are displayed twice, which happens if the number has already been saved in the phone’s memory or came from the cloud and you have duplicated it with an import from the card.

Fortunately, MIUI has a built-in tool to address this problem: Go to Contacts, click on the menu, and select Contact Organization (or Contact Management) and it will have a "Combine Repeated Contacts" option.

The process of combining is secure: the system will prompt you to confirm the merger or do it automatically in the background, which will leave you with one contact card, which will be combined with all available data from both the SIM card and the cloud, including photos and additional numbers.

⚠️ Warning: Before mass contact pooling, make sure you choose the right source to save the final record.It is better to keep a joint contact in your Google account so you don't lose the change when you reset your phone settings.

Besides duplicates, you should check the sorting. You can choose the order in the display settings: by name or by last name. For Russian-speaking users, it is often more convenient to sort by name, whereas in international standards, you can set this up in the Settings menu inside the contacts app.

Set up automatic synchronization with Google

In order not to wonder how to roll over numbers in the future, it is recommended to set up automatic synchronization.This will save you from the risk of data loss if the Xiaomi Mi 8 A breaks or is stolen.

To do this, go to General Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Make sure the switch opposite the Contacts item is active. If you see the update icon, click on it to force sync right now.

It's important to choose where new numbers are saved by default. Go to Contacts, click on three dots (menu) → Settings. Find the default account for new contacts and select your Google account. Now, when you create a new contact, it will be immediately protected.

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Regular sync with Google is the only way to guarantee 100% security of your contact database in any device loss scenario.

You can check the results through your browser on your computer. Go to contacts.google.com and log in with the same account. If you see your numbers there, everything is set up correctly. It also allows you to edit contacts from your PC, which is much more convenient when you enter large amounts of information.

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