Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the need to migrate data when switching from an old device or after buying a new device. The Redmi Note 8 remains popular for its optimal value for money, but for many users, the initial setup process is difficult, especially for the phone book, which is traditionally stored on the phone. SIM-map.
The current Android operating system, which runs the MIUI shell, provides flexible tools for managing contacts. However, a standard interface may hide some features or require switching between viewing modes. It is important to understand that storing numbers directly on a carrier’s plastic card is considered outdated due to limited memory capacity and the risk of data loss when a SIM breaks.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all available ways to import records into the memory of your Redmi Note 8.We will consider the regular system tools, Google account capabilities and specific features of the MIUI shell. Properly performing these actions ensures the safety of your address book and its usability in the future.
Device preparation and verification SIM-map
Before you start the copying procedure, you need to make sure that the hardware is ready to go. SIM-The card is installed in the appropriate slot and correctly identified by the system. If you just inserted the card, wait a few seconds before the network icons appear at the top of the screen.
The interface of the Redmi Note 8 may vary depending on the version of the MIUI firmware. Before you start manipulating, it is recommended to check whether the phone book memory card is blocked or restricted, and you should also make sure that there is free space in the memory of the smartphone, although the contacts occupy a minimum amount.
⚠️ Attention: If yours SIM-The card is very old and has a non-standard chip size, make sure it sits tight in the tray. Poor contact can lead to errors when reading data.
Successful importation also requires a stable Internet connection if you plan to sync with cloud services, but the process of transferring a SIM card to a device can also take place offline, without using traffic.
☑️ Pre-import checks
Import contacts through the standard application "Contacts"
Xiaomi's primary call management tool is the built-in Contacts app, which is the most common way to do the transfer procedure, open a list of all the apps, and find an icon with a human silhouette or phone handset.
Inside the app, you need to find a menu of additional settings, which is usually hidden behind three dots in the upper right corner or behind the "More" button. In the drop-down list, you should look for an item related to import or contact management. In different versions of MIUI, the names may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same.
Select the Import Contacts option, and the system will tell you to select the source of the data. SIM-Once the source is selected, the phone will suggest a destination. For the Redmi Note 8, the best choice is a Google account or device memory, but not the device itself. SIM-map.
The copying process takes from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, depending on the number of records. During the operation, the screen may flash or show the progress bar.
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If you have two. SIM-The system will ask you which card to count the data from. Choose the slot carefully so that you do not miss the numbers.
Configure list display and filtering
Sometimes users don't see the import button because the app has a display filter on. By default, Redmi Note 8 can only show contacts stored in the phone's memory, hiding those on the SIM card. To fix this, you need to go to the display settings.
In the app menu, find "Make contacts" or something similar. You need to activate the tick opposite yours. SIM-After that, all the numbers stored on the operator's chip will appear in the general list, which is the intermediate step necessary for visual verification before transferring.
Once you make sure that the numbers are visible, you can start to mass-select them, and you usually have to press one of the contacts for a long time, then you activate the selection mode, and then you can select the "Select all" option from the top menu to cover the entire phone book at once.
Once all the records are highlighted, an action button will appear, often indicated by three dots or a travel icon. Choose Copy or Move. The system will specify the target storage. Google Account is preferred because it provides automatic synchronization.
| Type of storage | Advantages | Deficiencies | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memory of the device | Fast access without internet | Risk of loss when resetting settings | Not recommended |
| SIM-map | Universality for old phones | Small volume, no photo or email | Only as a temporary vault. |
| Google Account | Autosave, Restore on any Android | Requires the Internet for synchronization | Best choice. |
| MI Account | Integration with Xiaomi ecosystem | Less convenient when changing your phone brand | Good alternative. |
Use of the application "Import and export"
Some versions of MIUI firmware for the Redmi Note 8 feature a separate system application or an extended menu called Import and Export Contacts, which is designed specifically for data migration between different media.
When you run this tool, you'll see a clear separation between sources and destinations. SIM-The system will automatically scan the chip and give you a list of the records found, and you can also mark specific numbers here, unless you want them all at once.
A key advantage of this method is that it can be batched, you can copy the contacts and then immediately delete them from the SIM card to make room if necessary, but it is best to delete only after you have carefully checked the result in the main phone book.
What to do if the contacts are duplicated?
Once the operation is complete, the system will issue a notification of success, and it is recommended that you open the phone book immediately and selectively check several numbers to make sure they are read correctly and tied to the right names.
Synchronization with Google account
The most reliable way to save contacts on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 is to use Google’s cloud service, so even if you imported data into the device’s memory, it can be instantly moved to the cloud through sync settings, ensuring that when you lose your phone, the numbers don’t go missing.
Go to Settings on your smartphone, then look for Accounts and Sync. Select your Google account from the list. Make sure the switch opposite Contacts is activated. If sync has been disabled, turn it on.
Once you've enabled synchronization, the system can suggest that you combine local contacts with cloud contacts. Confirm this action. Now all the numbers you previously moved from the network to the network. SIM-Maps in the memory of the phone, will be downloaded to the servers of Google and will be available from any device where you log in to this account.
⚠️ Attention: Synchronization requires an active Wi-Fi or mobile Internet connection. Without a network, the process will remain in the status "Waiting".
You can check the results through your computer browser by going to contacts.google.com, which will display a full copy of your phone book, and it also allows you to edit contacts from your PC, and the changes will automatically fit into the Redmi Note 8.
Solving and eliminating errors
During the data transfer process, Redmi Note 8 users may encounter a number of typical problems, such as the system may give an error "Can not import contacts" often associated with overcrowded memory. SIM-card or damage to the file structure of the chip.
If contacts are copied but empty fields or incomprehensible characters are displayed instead of names, the problem may be in the encoding. In this case, manual restart of the contact service or clearing the cache of the Contacts app through the application settings menu helps. To do this, go to Settings → Apps → All Apps → Contacts → Clear the cache.
Another common situation is the absence of an import button. SIM-Check this out by inserting the card into another, older phone, and try to save a couple of test numbers there, and then insert it back into Xiaomi.
In rare cases, rebooting the device helps.A simple system reboot can eliminate temporary software failures that block access to the reader. SIM-Do not ignore system updates, as in new versions MIUI Phone book bugs are often fixed.
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Exporting contacts to a.vcf file regularly and saving them to your computer or the cloud is the best protection against data loss, regardless of the phone model.