Switching to a new smartphone or a simple replacement SIM-For owners of budget but functional devices like the Xiaomi Redmi 8, this process may seem obscure due to the nature of the shell. MIUI. Many users are used to the standard Android algorithm, but Chinese manufacturers often change the location of menus and item names.
Modern smartphones allow you to store data not only on physical media, but also in cloud services, which makes life much easier. However, older SIM cards still contain important numbers that need to be integrated into the system. In this article, we will discuss in detail how to correctly and safely transfer records, avoiding duplicates and loss of information.
It is worth noting that the import procedure takes only a few minutes, but requires careful consideration when choosing a data source. Incorrect actions can lead to the fact that the numbers will remain on the map and will be unavailable after it is extracted.
Preparation of the device and checking the SIM card
Before you start the action, you need to make sure that the SIM card is correctly installed and read by the system. In the Redmi 8 model, the card tray is combined, so it is important not to confuse the slots. If the phone is already on, check for the network signal in the status bar.
Make sure that the device runs a standard contact manager from Xiaomi. In some cases, users install third-party applications that may conflict with the system functions of the import.
It is also recommended to check if the phone is full of memory, although it is rare for text data. However, if the storage is full, the system can run slowly or give errors when writing new files.
💡
Before you start importing, back up your current contacts via Mi Cloud so that you can roll back changes in case of an error.
Import contacts through the standard menu
The main way to transfer data is built into the Contacts interface, which is the most reliable and doesn't require an internet connection, so you have to open the app and find the settings menu, which is usually hidden under three dots or stripes.
In the list that opens, select the data management item. MIUI It's often called "Import/Export Contacts," and if you click on it, you'll see a list of sources that are available, including your own. SIM-map.
The system will tell you where to save the numbers, and it's critical to make no mistake, because it's critical to keep the data available, and choose whether to import from your SIM card to your phone or your Google account.
☑️ Import algorithm
Once confirmed, the copying process will begin. The speed depends on the number of records, but it usually takes no more than 10-15 seconds. Upon completion, you will see a notification of successful completion of the operation.
⚠️ Note: If the SIM card has numbers with very long names or special characters, they may be cropped or displayed incorrectly when transferred due to storage format limitations GSM.
Working with duplicates and combining records
A common problem with data transfer is the appearance of duplicates. This happens if you previously saved some numbers in your phone’s memory and now decided to copy them again from your SIM card. Xiaomi Redmi 8 has a built-in tool to solve this problem.
To clear the list, open the contact menu and find the "Combine Repeats" feature. The system will automatically analyze the database and suggest merger options. You can agree to automatic selection or manually check each pair.
This is important for the convenience of using the phone in the future: having two identical "Mom" or "Work" entries can lead to confusion when calling, and cleaning contacts regularly improves search and synchronization performance.
Why do duplicates appear?
Note that once combined, the information is taken from the most complete record, and if one contact only had a number and another had an email and an address added, the final record will contain all of that data.
Synchronization with Google account
The most modern and secure way to store contacts is by linking to a Google account. Unlike SIM card storage, a cloud profile won't be lost when your phone breaks or plastic is lost. On Redmi 8, this process is set up by default, but requires verification.
To make sure contacts are saved to the cloud, go to your phone's settings and find the Accounts and Sync section. Select your Google account and make sure the slider opposite Contacts is activated, which ensures that all new records will fly to the network.
If you just imported numbers from a SIM card to your phone's memory, you can easily move them to the cloud, so use the export function, selecting your phone's memory, and destination, Google contacts, and this will create a full backup of your phone book.
The advantage of this approach is that when you buy a new smartphone, just enter your username and password from Google, and all the numbers will appear automatically. You no longer have to mess with the SIM card.
| Storage area | Risk of loss | Memory capacity | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIM-map | High (physical wear and tear) | Restricted (250 contacts) | Only on the card phone. |
| Phone memory | Medium (when broken) | Depends on free memory. | Only on this device. |
| Google Account | Minimum | Almost unlimited. | From any device in the world |
| Mi Account. | Low. | Unlimited. | On Xiaomi devices |
Using Mi Cloud for reservation
Xiaomi owners have access to their own cloud service, Mi Cloud, which is an alternative to Google, which is deeply integrated into the system, and you will need to create or log into an existing Mi Account through the settings menu.
It allows you to automatically synchronize contacts in the background, and unlike manual import, it's a constant process, and any change in the phone book is instantly reflected in the cloud.
To activate, go to Settings → Mi Account → Sync and turn on contacts. You can also manually start sync by clicking the corresponding button in this menu, which is especially useful after mass importing data from the SIM card.
⚠️ Warning: Free space in the Mi Cloud is limited to 5 GB. Although contacts take up little space, keep an eye out for storage if you plan to backup photos and videos.
A unique feature is the ability to restore contacts from the Recycle Bin to the cloud, and if you accidentally delete an important number, it can be returned via the i.mi.com web interface within 30 days.
Addressing common problems
Sometimes the transfer process can run into technical difficulties, such as the phone may not see the contacts on the SIM card, in which case try to remove the card, wipe the contacts with an alcohol napkin and paste back. Make sure it is installed before clicking.
Another common problem is name encoding, and if you're looking at "cracka cherry" instead of letters, that means that the encoding of the SIM card and the phone is incompatible, and you can solve this by copying the numbers to your computer through a Bluetooth manager or specialized software, and then returning them to your phone in the correct format.
If the import button is inactive (gray), check if the phone is in Do Not Disturb or Fly mode. PIN-code, if it's installed. PIN-Access to the card data may be restricted.
💡
The most common cause of import errors is damaged or dirty. SIM-card, so the physical condition of the carrier plays a key role.
In rare cases, rebooting the device before the procedure can help, clearing the cache of system services and can eliminate software failures that block access to the phone book.