How to transfer contacts Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T: full instructions

Changing a mobile device is always stressful, especially when it comes to saving important data. Owners of the popular Redmi Note 8T often face the need to move the phone book when buying a new smartphone or after resetting the system to factory settings. The process of migrating data can seem difficult only at first glance, but modern MIUI tools allow you to accomplish this task in just a few touches.

In this article, we will take a look at all the current number saving and recovery methods available for Xiaomi devices, learn how to use Google cloud services, local backup and specialized utilities for fast information transfer, and understand these mechanisms will save you from losing important connections in the future.

Before you start taking action, you need to decide on the source of the data and the target device. The methodology will vary depending on whether you transfer contacts from another Android smartphone, from an iPhone or restore them from a backup. A competent approach to choosing a method guarantees 100% safety of the entire structure of the phone book.

Device preparation and verification of data sources

The first step before any data manipulation is to carefully prepare the original device, make sure that the phone book is not empty and the data is correctly displayed in the interface, and if you plan to transfer from another device, make sure that both devices are charged battery, preferably at least 50-60%.

Special attention should be paid to where exactly your numbers are stored at the moment. MIUI, Contacts can be stored in three main locations: SIM-It is important to understand this difference in a successful transfer, as export methods will depend on the location of the files.

Check the stability of the Internet connection if you plan to use cloud technologies. Google Contacts or Mi Cloud services require an active Wi-Fi connection or mobile Internet with a good signal. An unstable connection can lead to synchronization interruptions and partial data loss.

⚠️ Note: Before starting a mass transfer or database merger, it is strongly recommended to make a separate backup to an external medium or computer to have a rollback point.

Syncing with a Google account: the most reliable method

Using the Google ecosystem is the de facto standard for Android users, a method that allows not only to transfer contacts to the Redmi Note 8T, but also to ensure that they are automatically updated on all devices associated with your inbox, eliminating the risk of data loss when the gadget breaks.

To start the process, you need to log into the settings of the old device and make sure that sync is enabled. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Here you need to find Contacts and activate the switch.

On the new Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T, the process looks similar. When you first set up your phone, you type in the same Gmail address. The system automatically prompts you to restore data from the cloud. If the device is already configured, follow these steps:

• 📲 Open the Settings app on the main screen.
• 📲 Go to the section "Accounts and synchronization».
• 📲 Select your Google account from the list.
• 📲 Make sure that the counter to the item "Contacts" is a tick or active slider.

Once sync is enabled, open the standard Contacts or Phone app, and within minutes, depending on the number of records and the speed of the Internet, the subscriber list will be updated, a method that is particularly convenient because it does not require cables or additional software.

💡

If there are many contacts (more than 500), the initial synchronization can take up to 15-20 minutes.

Import and export via VCF file

Local data transfer through file format VCF (vCard is a universal method that works even without access to the Internet. VCF It is a digital business card that contains a name, number, address and other contact fields, and can be transmitted via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, instant messengers or other means of communication. USB-cable.

To back up your old device, open the Contacts app. Click on the three dots in the corner of the screen or the menu button, then select Import/Export Contacts. From the menu that appears, select Export to Device Memory or Export to.vcf.

The system will offer to select an account for export (if there are several) and will indicate the path of saving the file, usually it is the root folder or directory /Contacts/. After creating the file, it must be transferred to Redmi Note 8T.

• 📁 Through Bluetooth: Find the file in File Manager, click “Send” and select the recipient device.
• 📁 Through instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp): send the file to yourself or to chat with a new phone.
• 📁 Through USB-cable: connect your phone to your PC, copy the file and transfer to a new smartphone.

The receiver must open the file. Android automatically recognizes the format. VCF And you can import the records, and you can choose where to store the numbers: in memory, in memory. SIM-Google card or account: Choose a Google account for further security.

Using the Mi Mover app for migration

Xiaomi has developed its own utility Mi Mover, which is ideal for transferring data between Xiaomi devices, but also is able to work with other Android smartphones. This is one of the fastest ways, since data transfers occur over a local Wi-Fi channel, which provides high speed.

Install the Mi Mover app on both devices. On the Redmi Note 8T, it can be pre-installed in the Tools folder. If it doesn't, download it from the official GetApps store or Play Market. Run it on both phones.

On the new device, select Recipient, and on the old device, Sender, and the application will create a Wi-Fi hotspot, connect the old phone to the network the new one created, and when the devices are connected, you will see the data selection interface.

In the list of available categories, find Contacts and check the box. You can also select other data: messages, photos, apps and system settings. Click Send and wait until the process is complete. The progress bar will show the status of the transfer.

⚠️ Warning: While Mi Mover is running, phone screens may go out, but don't lock the devices completely, otherwise the connection may break.

Transfer of contacts from SIM-card

The most archaic, but still relevant method is the use of physical SIM-This method is convenient if you do not have access to the Internet or computer, and also if you need to transfer only basic numbers without additional fields (addresses, email, photos).

The main limitation SIM-The card is the storage space and the storage format. You can usually write 200 to 500 contacts on a chip, and the length of the name is limited by the number of characters. Also, the second number or additional fields are often cropped.

The process of importing the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8T is as follows:

1. Put it in. SIM-smartphone-card.
2. Open the Contacts app.
3. Click on the menu (three dots) and select "Import/Export".
4. Select "Import with" SIM-map».
5. Specify the location of the save (Google account or phone memory is recommended).
6. Confirm the action by selecting all the contacts to copy if necessary.

After the operation, the contacts will appear in the general database. SIM-The card can be removed or left in the device.

💡

Import with SIM-Cards are the fastest way to get basic numbers, but it doesn’t save photos or additional contact fields.

Recovery from local MIUI backup

The MIUI shell has a powerful built-in tool for creating full system backups. If you upgrade from the old Xiaomi to the Redmi Note 8T, you could have previously made a backup that includes not only contacts, but also call history, SMS and settings.

Backup files are stored in the hidden folder /MIUI/backup/AllBackup/ in internal memory. If you have done backup before, it can be restored. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Restore.

Here you will see a list of available backups with their dates of creation. Select the desired date, tick the item "Contacts" and click the button "Restore". The system will request the password to unlock the screen (if installed) to confirm the operation.

This method is especially useful when resetting to factory settings, when you want to return the phone to the “as it was” state, it ensures that the structure of the phone book and the binding to the accounts remain unchanged.

Comparison of methods and problem solving

The choice of the method depends on your current conditions: the availability of the Internet, the type of old phone and the amount of data. For clarity, we will compare the main characteristics of the methods considered in the table below.

Sometimes users encounter problems, such as duplicate records. If you have the same contacts after transferring, use the "Combine duplicates" function. In the "Contacts" app, go to the settings and find the corresponding item. The system will automatically find and.merge-it repeating entries.

⚠️ Note: When merging duplicates, the system can choose the main photo or name arbitrarily. After automatic merging, it is recommended to selectively check important contacts.

It is also possible that contacts have been restored but no profile photos, which is often the case when you transfer them over SIM or old VCF formats. To return a photo, you need to turn on sync with Google again if the images were saved there, or add them manually.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)