Changing your smartphone is always associated with the desire to start using a new device as quickly as possible, and the primary task for any user is to save the phone book. Owners of Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro often face the need to transfer the accumulated numbers from the old one. SIM-So you can use the data to keep you connected to important people. MIUI It has its own nuances that differ from standard Android smartphones, and requires a careful approach.
Modern gadgets offer several import scenarios, but the most classic and reliable is direct transfer from the carrier chip, which is especially true if you are switching from a button phone or an old Android device where the numbers were stored locally, and if you do all the steps correctly, you will avoid duplicates and loss of information at the most inopportune time.
In this guide, we will take a closer look at all the stages of import, explore potential name encoding issues, and explain why cloud storage is preferable to on-premises storage, and learn how to properly configure synchronization and protect your database from accidental deletion when you reset your settings.
Preparation of SIM-card and compatibility check
Before you start taking action, you need to make sure that your SIM-The card is technically ready to transfer data. Older Mini-SIM or Micro-SIM cards cropped off as Nano sometimes have damaged contacts, which can lead to read errors.Put the SIM into the Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro slot and wait for the network icons to appear in the status bar.
It is worth considering that the amount of memory itself SIM-It's very limited. It usually doesn't hold more than that. 250 The length of the contact name is often limited. 15-20 If you've used a smartphone before, some of the numbers may not have been mapped because of these limitations, so checking the contents before importing will help you understand the scope of the work that's coming.
⚠️ Attention: Some carriers use specific encoding for Cyrillic names. When you migrate to Xiaomi, you may find that Russian letters have turned into question marks or cracosyabras. This is not a phone breakdown, but a limitation on the format of data storage on the chip.
To start, make sure the device is charged at least on 20-30%, So, while the import operation does not require much energy, the stability of the system at this point is critical to the correct writing of data into internal memory.
Import contacts through the standard “Contacts” application
The main tool for managing the phone book in Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro is a regular application that is preinstalled in the system. It takes all the technical work of reading data from the chip and transcoding it into the Android database format, which can be launched through a shortcut on the desktop or by searching the application menu.
The interface may seem overloaded due to advertising blocks and recommendations, but the import functionality is hidden in a logical place. You will need access to the settings menu, which can be arranged differently in different versions of MIUI, but most often located at the top of the screen or in the side curtain.
The algorithm for starting the transfer procedure is as follows:
- 📱 Open the Contacts app and find the menu button (three dots or three bars).
- ⚙️ Select Settings or Import/Export Contacts in the drop-down list.
- 💾 Click on Import Contacts to start the scan.
- 📲 Please indicate as a source SIM-Map and choose your phone or Google Account as the recipient.
Once you select the source, the system will request confirmation of the action, which is a security mechanism that prevents the process from accidentally starting. Press OK or Import, and the phone will start reading the records sequentially. The speed depends on the number of numbers, but usually the process takes no more than a minute.
Setup of the source and recipient of data
The key to the procedure is choosing the right destination for your numbers. Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro offers to save data to the internal memory of the device or synchronize it with the cloud service.
If you choose to save your phone, the contacts will be tied exclusively to that physical device, and if you break, lose, or sell your smartphone, it will be difficult to restore them without first creating a backup. Local storage only makes sense if you plan to use one. SIM-map on one device constantly.
☑️ Pre-import checks
Save to a Google account provides instant sync, and even if your phone crashes, you can log in from any other device and instantly restore your entire phone book, and it makes it easy to edit numbers from your computer through the Google Contacts web interface.
| Parameter | Phone memory | Google account | SIM-map |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security | Low. | Tall. | Medium |
| Access to PC | No. | Yes. | No. |
| Limit of names | No. | No. | 15-20 characters |
| Supplementary fields | All fields. | All fields. | Only a number. |
When choosing a recipient, the system may suggest creating a new contact or updating an existing one. Carefully monitor this process to avoid creating duplicates. The best solution for Redmi 8 Pro is to choose a Google account, as this ensures the safety of data in any situation.
Resolving problems with coding and duplicates
Frequent problems with transferring SIM-The maps are incorrectly displayed in Russian letters, which is due to the fact that the standard is not a good one. GSM, The one used to store contacts on the SIMKA was not originally designed to support the full Unicode, so instead of Andrey, you might see a???????????? or a set of strange characters.
Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to fix already imported Krakozyabr automatically, since the encoding information is lost when reading. However, if a problem occurs, you can try changing the input language or settings of the region in the system, although this rarely helps with the data already written, in which case it is best to rewrite the names manually, using the quick editing option in MIUI.
Why are names cut off?
Duplicates are the second common problem. If you've synced your phone with Google before, and now you're importing numbers with SIM, the system can create copies. Xiaomi's unification function works quite efficiently. Go to the contacts settings and select "Joint Repetitive Contacts" option. The system will analyze the database and suggest that you merge the records with the same numbers.
⚠️ Warning: Before mass contact combinations, make sure you have a backup.Automatic merger can sometimes mistakenly combine different people with the same names if numbers are recorded in different formats (e.g., multiple names, +7 and 8).
Alternative methods of data transfer
If the standard method doesn’t work for some reason or seems inconvenient to you, Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro supports other migration methods. VCF (This method is convenient because it allows you to transfer contacts from one phone to another without using the same device. SIM-card-intermediary.
To do this, you need to export contacts to a file on an old device, transfer it to Redmi 8 Pro (via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or USB) and open it. The system automatically recognizes the format and prompts you to import data, which often solves encoding problems, since VCF supports UTF-8.
- 📤 Use the Mi Mover app to wirelessly transfer data from old Android or iOS.
- 📂 You can send a.vcf file to yourself in the messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp) and open it on a new phone.
- ☁️ Syncing through a Google account on an old phone will automatically pull up numbers to the new Redmi after entering the login.
Cloud services are also possible, but less convenient: Many operators offer contact management applications or sites from where they can be unloaded in CSV or VCF format. However, this requires Internet access and registration with the operator, which is not always advisable.
Synchronization and backup in MIUI
After successfully migrating contacts, it is critical to set up regular backups, with Mi Cloud and Google’s standard synchronization in Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro, which jeopardizes all the work done to restore the phone book.
To enable Google sync, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync. Make sure the switch opposite Contacts is activated. In the same menu, you can trigger forced sync by clicking on three dots in the corner of the screen and select Sync.
💡
Enable auto-synchronization of contacts in Google settings so that any changes (new numbers, edits) are instantly saved to the cloud.
Mi Cloud offers similar functionality, but requires a separate Xiaomi account, and the advantage is that recovery from Mi Cloud on Xiaomi devices is native and very fast, and you can set up automatic backups once a week or once a month.
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Double synchronization (Google + Mi Cloud) is redundant for the average user, but guarantees 100% data security in critical situations.