Switching to a new smartphone or replacing it SIM-The cards often challenge the owner of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 T to quickly transfer all saved numbers. Unlike older push-button phones, modern Android devices offer flexible tools to manage the phone book, avoiding manually entering hundreds of records. The process of copying data from the operator’s chip into the device’s internal memory takes only a few minutes and does not require the presence of the Internet or special cables.
Many users mistakenly believe that numbers are stored solely on SIM plastic, but SIM capacity is limited and often does not allow you to store additional data, such as photos or contact email addresses.Transferring records directly to the device memory or to a Google cloud account ensures that they are safe even if you lose or damage a physical card. For owners of the Redmi Note 8 T, this procedure is a standard part of the initial configuration of the device after purchase.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the algorithm that will help you safely import all records, we will look at the standard features of the MIUI operating system, and also pay attention to the possible nuances that arise when working with dual-sim devices.
Preparation of the device and data verification on SIM
Before you start actively copying, you need to make sure that the SIM card is correctly installed in the slot and is determined by the system. Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 T is equipped with a hybrid tray, so it is important to correctly position the chip relative to the gold contacts. After turning on the device, check the presence of the network signal at the top of the screen, which will confirm the performance of the communication module.
Note that the format of storing numbers on old SIM cards may differ from the modern standard: the limit of characters in the contact name on SIM is usually 10-15 characters, and the format of the number can be written without the country code. When imported into the smartphone, this data will be transferred “as is”, so after the procedure, you may need to manually edit some entries to add a prefix of +7 or +380.
⚠️ Note: If the SIM card is stored more 500-1000 Do not remove the card or reboot the phone while copying to avoid corruption of the contact database.
It is also recommended to free up space in the phone’s memory in advance, although the contacts themselves occupy a negligible amount. However, if you plan to sync them with your Google account immediately after importing, make sure that the network connection is stable, which will instantly back up the data you just transferred.
Import contacts through MIUI system settings
The MIUI operating system installed on the Redmi Note 8 T provides direct access to the import function through the main settings menu.This method is the most reliable, as it works at the system level and minimizes the risk of contact application errors. First, open the Settings menu and scroll down to the System Applications section or immediately find Contacts through the search at the top row.
Inside the contact management menu, you need to find the section responsible for importing and exporting data. The interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic remains the same. SIM-map, and specify the target storage – usually a Google account or phone memory.
Once you select the source, the system will scan the chip and display a list of all the records found, at which point you can tick only the numbers you want or select "Select All" and the final step is to click the Import button, and then the transfer process begins.
☑️ Pre-import checks
Use of the “Contacts” application for transfer
An alternative and often faster way is to use the standard Contacts app, which is preinstalled on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 T. This method is convenient because it allows you to visually control the process and see the result immediately. Open the application, tap the three dots in the upper right corner or find the menu button to expand the list of available actions.
In the drop-down list, select Import Contacts. The system will suggest selecting a source where you should specify your SIM card (for example, SIM 1 or SIM 2). Next, you will need to specify your destination: it is recommended to choose a Google account to ensure automatic synchronization in the future, or device memory for local storage.
An important advantage of this method is that it can preview, and you can see exactly how names will be displayed after the transfer. If the SIM card has international numbers and the phone has a local one, the application can offer to unify the format, which will prevent duplicates in the future.
⚠️ Note: When importing via the Contacts app, make sure you don't mix up directions.Export works the opposite way - it copies the phone's IP data to the SIM card, which can lead to overwriting or deleting old entries on the chip.
Once the operation is confirmed, you will see a notification of successful completion of the process, the number of contacts imported will be indicated in the message, and if the numbers do not match the expected numbers, check if some records are hidden by the display filter in the application itself.
Working with two SIM-maps and storage choices
The Redmi Note 8 T supports two SIM cards at the same time, which creates additional logic when importing data. If the device has two chips of different carriers, the system will suggest choosing a specific card to scan, which is especially true if you use one card for calls and the second card, for example, for mobile Internet, and the contacts are distributed between them.
When choosing your target storage, you have three main options: phone memory, Google account or Mi Cloud account. Phone memory is local storage only available on that device. Google account provides cross-platform and data security when changing gadgets. Mi Cloud account is convenient for users who are deeply integrated into the Xiaomi ecosystem.
| Type of storage | Availability of data | Risk of loss | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIM-map | Only if you have a card. | High (if card breaks) | Not recommended for permanent storage |
| Phone memory | Only on this device. | Medium (when resetting settings) | For temporary use |
| Google Account | From any device and PC | Minimum | The Best Choice for Most People |
| Mi Cloud | Xiaomi devices | Low. | For users of the MIUI ecosystem |
Choosing the right storage is critical to future use, and if you choose the phone memory, if you accidentally reset to factory settings, all numbers will be lost without recovery unless a separate backup was made.
Solving Common Problems When Copying
While transferring data, users of Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 T may encounter a number of technical difficulties. One of the common problems is the message of an import error or the process freeze. This can be caused by damage to the file structure on the SIM card itself or the presence of incorrect characters in the contact names that are not supported by the Android file system.
Another common situation is the emergence of duplicates: If you have previously synced some numbers through Google, and now import them from a SIM card, the phone book can appear double entries. MIUI has a built-in tool for connecting contacts, which allows you to automatically find and merge duplicates into one card with full information.
What happens if the importation does not start?
If the contacts are not displayed correctly (krakozyabr or empty fields) when importing, this indicates that the encoding is incompatible, in which case manual editing or the use of third-party contact management applications that are able to convert the encoding of text fields will be required after the transfer.
Synchronization and backup creation
After successfully completing the SIM card import on the Redmi Note 8 T, it is essential to back up immediately.This action will keep your work safe from any future failures.The easiest way is to activate sync with Google. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync, select your Google account and make sure the switch opposite Contacts is activated.
Syncing is done in the background and doesn’t require user intervention. You can check status by accessing Google Contacts from a computer — all your numbers must be displayed there within minutes — which confirms that the data is stored in the cloud and tied to your email address, not to a specific piece of plastic.
💡
Tip: Export contacts to a.vcf file periodically (once a month) and save them to your computer or cloud storage, which will create an independent restore point in case you block your Google account.
For users who frequently change devices or roll back a system, it’s helpful to know about the local backup feature. MIUI. It allows you to create a full backup system, including the phone book, in the memory of the phone or on the phone. SD-Path to function: Settings → The phone. → Reservation and rehabilitation.
💡
The main purpose of the transfer is not just to copy the numbers, but to move them to the cloud storage so that they are accessible from any device when entering the login and password.