Switching to a new smartphone is always associated with a desire to start using the device faster, but often this process is hampered by the need to transfer the old phone book. For owners of Xiaomi Redmi 8, who move from button phones or simpler smartphones, the question of saving numbers recorded directly on the phone remains relevant. SIM-Modern Android operating systems, including the shell MIUI, Provides convenient tools for data migration, but they are not always obvious to beginners.
In this article, we will discuss how to copy the SIM contacts to the Xiaomi redmi 8 phone using the usual system tools. You do not need to install third-party applications or have programming skills. The whole process takes literally a few minutes if you know where to look for the desired function in the menu section. Importing data is the first step to fully work with the device.
Keeping records exclusively on a carrier’s plastic card carries risks: if the SIM card is broken or lost, the entire phone book will be lost; transferring to your phone’s memory or, better yet, to your Google account ensures that your connections remain with you even when you change devices. Below we will look at an algorithm that will avoid losing valuable information.
Preparation for data portability and verification SIM-map
Before proceeding with active copying actions, you need to make sure that SIM-The card is correctly installed in the slot of the device. Xiaomi Redmi 8 supports dual SIM cards, so it is important to understand which slot (1 or 2) the media with the desired numbers is inserted into. If you just inserted the card, wait for the network icons to appear at the top of the screen.
It is also recommended to check whether the SIM card itself is full. Older cards may have a limit on the number of characters in the contact name or the total number of records. When importing, errors may occur if the format of the card record does not meet the standards supported by Android. In most cases, the system automatically recognizes the entries available for copying.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that SIM-The card is unlocked and you know it. PIN-Without unlocking the card, the contacts on the card will not be available, and the system will issue an error when trying to import.
Make sure your phone has enough free space. Although text data is negligible, system processes may require buffer memory to perform the operation correctly. If your Redmi 8 is heavily loaded with background processes, it is best to restart the device before starting the procedure.
☑️ Ready for transfer
Use of the built-in application Contacts
The main tool for working with the phone book in the MIUI shell is the standard Contacts app, which is where most records management operations are performed. Open the app menu and find an icon with a human silhouette or phone handset. Launch the app.
When you open the app, look at the interface. At the top of the screen or in the side menu (depending on the MIUI version), there are usually additional features. We need to find the configuration or contact management section. Often it is hidden under a three-dot button or a gear icon. In some versions of the firmware, the desired option is directly on the home screen of the contact list.
The function you're looking for is called Import Contacts, and the system will tell you to choose the source of the data. SIM-If you have two SIMs, the phone will tell you to choose which card to read the data from.
Once you have selected the source, the system will scan, which can take anywhere from a few seconds to a minute, depending on the number of records, and when you have finished the scan, you will see a list of the numbers that you have found ready to move, and you can select individual records here, or you can use the Select All function.
Step-by-step instructions for import through settings
There is an alternative but more reliable way that is guaranteed to work on all versions of MIUI, including those installed on the Xiaomi Redmi 8.This method goes through the contact management menu. Open the Contacts app and click on the menu button (three horizontal bars or dots).
In the drop-down list, select Settings or Contact Management. Next, look for Import/Export Contacts. Click on it. You will see an option menu. Select Import with SIM-map.
The system will request confirmation of action and ask where exactly to save data. Options are available: phone memory, Google account or other synchronized services. It is recommended to choose a Google account for automatic synchronization, but for simple transfer, device memory will also work.
Path to menu: Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Import from SIM-cardOnce you have selected your destination, confirm the operation with the OK button or Import. The copying process will go automatically. Once you have completed the operation, you will receive a notification that you have successfully completed the operation. All numbers are now available in the main phone book.
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Save your contacts to your Google account, not your phone’s memory, and it will instantly restore your entire phone book if you lose or break your smartphone by simply logging in to your account on your new device.
Working with duplicates and formatting names
Often after the transfer of contact with SIM On Xiaomi Redmi 8, users face the problem of duplication of records. This happens if the numbers have already been saved in the phone's memory before. MIUI It has a built-in tool to solve this problem, but it needs to be activated manually.
To combine the duplicates, go to the contact settings and select Combine Repeated Contacts, the system will analyze the phone book, find the entries with the same numbers or names, and suggest combining them into one card, which will make it listable and easy to search.
Another common problem is the format of names. SIM-map names are often limited 10-15 and written in capital letters (for example, IVAN IVANOV). When you migrate to your smartphone, these restrictions are removed, but the formatting can be maintained.You will have to manually edit key contacts, adding full names, addresses and emails.
| Parameter | SIM-map | Phone Memory / Google |
|---|---|---|
| Limit of name symbols | 10-15 characters | No restrictions. |
| Register of letters | Often only the CHAPTERS | Any register |
| Supplementary fields | Only a number. | Email, address, photos, notes |
| Risk of loss | High (physical wear and tear) | Low (cloud storage) |
Don't ignore the option to add photos to your contacts. On Redmi 8, with its screen, it looks aesthetically pleasing and helps you identify the caller faster. After importing, take time to "review" the phone book.
Export contacts to VCF file for backup
After successful importation of the SIM-card is highly recommended to back up an already updated phone book. VCF (vCard is a universal standard for contact exchange and is supported by all smartphones, email services and operating systems.
To create such a file, go back to the Import/Export Contacts menu in the settings. Select Export to Memory of the device or Export to file.vcf. The system will prompt you to select contacts for export (usually everyone chooses) and a folder for saving the file. By default, this is the root directory or folder MIUI/Contacts.
⚠️ Note: The backup file (.vcf) contains all your personal contact information. Do not pass this file to unauthorized persons or upload it to suspicious sites.
You can send the resulting file to yourself by email, save it to cloud storage (such as Google Drive or Yandex.Disk), or transfer it to your computer. In the event of a system failure or data loss, you can recover the phone book from this file in a couple of minutes just by opening it on your smartphone.
What to do if the file is not opened?
Syncing with a Google account as an alternative
Although direct transfer of SIM-The most modern and reliable method is synchronization with Google Contacts. owners of Xiaomi Redmi 8 are strongly advised to link the device to a Google account.
When you first turn on, the phone prompts you to log in to your Google account. If you missed this step, do it through Settings → Accounts and Sync. After you log in, make sure that the slider opposite Contact is activated. All new numbers created on the phone will automatically fly to the cloud.
The advantage of this approach is that you can edit contacts from your computer through your browser, add complex tags, groups and addresses, and if you change your phone to a new one, just type in your Google login and password, and the entire phone book will automatically recover. SIM-In this scenario, the map becomes only a means of accessing the network, not a data store.
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Google Cloud Sync completely eliminates the risk of contact loss in the event of a physical breakdown. SIM-the card or the smartphone itself, providing eternal data storage.
Possible mistakes and ways to solve them
Users may encounter technical difficulties in copying, and one of the common problems is to report that no contacts have been found. SIM-The card does not have any records, or they are written in a format that the phone does not recognize as contacts (for example, only the phone can be used to record the data). SMS-message).
Another mistake is not enough memory. Although text takes up little space, a crowded contact app cache can block the operation, in which case cleaning the cache through Settings → Apps → All Apps → Contacts → Memory → Clear the cache. Not to be confused with cleaning the data, which will remove the application settings.
If the process is hanging in the middle, don't panic. Wait a few minutes. If the progress is not moving any further. 5-10 In the minutes, maybe one of the contacts is damaged. Try importing contacts in small groups or using a third-party management app. SIM-card from the Play Market, if the standard means MIUI glitch.