How to transfer contacts with SIM-Maps on the phone Xiaomi Redmi 8: all ways

Why to Move Contacts with SIM to Redmi 8

SIM cards with limited memory are a thing of the past, but many Xiaomi Redmi 8 users still keep their contacts there, ranging from the inability to add a photo to a subscriber to the risk of losing data when changing a card, and moving contacts to the phone’s internal memory solves these problems once and for all.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to transfer contacts from SIM to Redmi 8, from standard MIUI tools to third-party applications, and pay special attention to the nuances that are often missed in brief instructions: what to do if contacts are duplicated, how to save the formatting of names, and why some numbers may not be transferred.

Preparation: What to do before transfer

Before you start the transfer, follow a few simple steps to avoid common mistakes:

• 📱 Check the free space on the phone: 500 contact ~1-2 MB in the Contact section.
• 🔄 Make a backup copy. SIM-Contacts through settings → Google → Reservations (in case of failure).
• 🔍 Make sure you're on SIM No "empty" contacts (no numbers) - they can cause errors when importing.
• 📶 Activate mobile internet or Wi-Fi if you plan to sync your contacts with your Google Account.

On Redmi 8 with MIUI 10-12 firmware, the porting process may be slightly different, but the general logic is maintained. If you have a newer version of MIUI (13+), some menu items may be renamed, we will warn you about this separately.

Method 1: Standard import via MIUI settings

The most reliable method, which does not require additional applications, is suitable for Redmi 8 on any version of MIUI:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner → select Contact Management.
3. Go to Import/Export Contacts → Import from SIM-card.
4. Tick the necessary contacts (or click Select All) → Import.
5. Specify your target account: Device (for local storage) or Google (for sync).

One important thing is that if you choose Google, your contacts automatically sync to the cloud, but you have to add a Google account to do that, and you have to add a Google account to do that, and when you choose the device, you only save your phone data, you have to manually reserve it.

Method 2: Transfer through Google Contacts (for synchronization)

This is a good method if you want to not only transfer contacts to your phone, but also automatically back them up in the Google cloud, the advantage of which is that when you change your phone or reset your settings, all numbers will be automatically restored.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Select your Google account (or add it if not already done).
3. Activate the slider opposite Contact.
4. Return to the Contacts app → Management → Imports/Exports.
5. Select Import with SIM → Google and confirm the action.

Sync can take anywhere from seconds to minutes, depending on the number of contacts you have, and after you complete the sync, check that the numbers have appeared on contacts.google.com (login is the same account).

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If some contacts don’t show up in Google after importing, check the filter in the Contacts app: click on the three lines in the top left corner and select “All Contacts” instead of “Phone” or “SIM.”

Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications

If standard methods fail (for example, due to a SIM malfunction or MIUI errors), third-party utilities can be used. We tested 3 applications that are guaranteed to work on Redmi 8:

For Redmi 8, we recommend SIM Contacts Backup, which is as simple and stable as possible on MIUI.

1. Launch the application and give access to contacts.
2. Select Backup SIM to Phone.
3. Specify the folder to save (it is better to choose internal memory).
4. Click Start Backup and wait until it is completed.

Transfer problems and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, Redmi 8 users sometimes encounter errors.

⚠️ Note: If after importing contacts are displayed without names (numbers only), probably on the SIM They were saved in an incorrect encoding. Solution: export the contacts to a.vcf file via SIM Contacts Backup, then edit it manually on your computer (open with a notebook and correct the encoding on the computer). UTF-8).

Typical errors and fixes:

• 🔄 Contacts are duplicated: This happens if you previously imported part of them.Solution: before a new import, delete all contacts from your phone's memory (Contacts) → Management → Remove everything, then repeat the procedure.
• 🚫 Mistake "SIM-The card is not supported": Meet on firmware MIUI 13+ with some operators (e.g. Tele2) Solution: Use a third-party application SIM Card from SimWorks Studio.
• 📵 Not all contacts have been moved: SIM-The cards have a limit on the length of the name (usually 14 characters). Long name contacts can be cut.Solution: edit such contacts manually after importing.
• 🔒 Contacts requested, but importation does not begin: Open Settings → Annexes → Permits → Contact and manually grant all rights to the Contacts app.

If neither method worked, try an alternative method: export your SIM contacts to another phone (even the oldest), then transfer them to Redmi 8 via Bluetooth or a.vcf file.

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On Xiaomi Redmi 8 with MIUI 12.5+ firmware, standard import through settings is more stable than on MIUI 10-11. If you have old firmware, update it before you move contacts.

How to avoid losing contacts in the future

Transferring your SIM contacts to your phone is only half the battle, so you don't lose data when your device breaks down, resets, or changes, set up automatic backups:

1. Google Sync: Open Settings → Accounts → Google → Account Sync. Enable Contacts slider. Click on three dots in the top right corner → Sync now.
2. Local reservation: In the Contacts app, select Management → Import/Export → Export to your device. Save the.vcf file to the Backups folder on internal memory. Copy this file to your computer or cloud (e.g. Google Drive).
3. Third-party services: Install My Contacts Backup – it sends backup to email. Use Mi Cloud (if you have a Xiaomi account): Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Contacts.

Periodically (every 1-2 months) check that backups are created.

Settings → System → Backup → View backups

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions