How to quickly transfer contacts from SIM-card to Xiaomi Redmi 8: all the ways of 2026

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Smartphone cards are one of the first tasks after buying a new Xiaomi Redmi 8 or changing operators. Despite the apparent simplicity, the process can be difficult: the phone does not see contacts on the phone. SIM, Duplicate records or lose photos of subscribers, and in this article we will analyze all the current methods of import (including hidden functions). MIUI), We will tell you how to avoid data loss, and give tips on optimizing the phone book after the transfer.

Feature of Redmi 8 (codename Oliveté – working on the base MIUI 12-14 (Depending on the firmware version, where the contact import menu is hidden deeper than in the Android stock, SIM-Nano-SIM cards in this device support the storage of a limited number of contacts (usually up to the end of the current period). 250), So, what makes it so that they can be transferred to internal memory or to the cloud, not just as convenient, but as a necessity. SIM» or the phone displays an empty list – do not rush to blame the card: the problem often lies in the settings of the system.

Preparation for transfer: what to check before the start

Before you start importing, follow 3 critical steps, and ignoring them can lead to the loss of some contacts or duplication of records:

• 🔋 Battery charge – make sure the charge level is above 30%. The transfer process through a Google account or apps can take up to 10 minutes, and an interruption due to the discharge will cause sync failure.
• 📶 Network operator – check that SIM-The card is active and the phone catches the network (even if you transfer contacts over Wi-Fi). SIM-storage.
• 📱 Version. MIUI — Go to Settings. → The phone. → Version. MIUI. If the version is older than 12.5, update the firmware: in older builds there is no option of direct import from the new version. SIM Google-contact.

Also be sure to check the space available on the internal drive (Settings → Memory). To transfer 200+ contacts with photos, you will need at least 50 MB of free space. If there is not enough memory, delete the app cache or transfer files to the microSD.

⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-Redmi 8 cards, the default system tries to import contacts with the one installed in the slot SIM 1. To select another card, go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Name. SIM-maps and change priority.

Method 1: Standard import via MIUI settings

The most reliable method, which does not require the Internet or third-party applications, is suitable for transferring contacts to the internal memory of the phone or directly to the Google account.

Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on the home screen).
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner and select Contact Management.
3. Go to the section Import / Export contacts → Import from SIM-card.
4. Select SIM 1 or SIM 2 (if you use two cards).
5. Check the contacts for import (or click Select All).
6. In the Import to: Specify Device (for storage in your phone’s memory) or Google (for sync with the cloud).
7. Confirm the action with the Import button.

After the process is complete, check the contacts in the appropriate repository:

• For local storage: Contacts → Device.
• For Google: Contacts → Google (account login required).

⚠️ If after importing photos of subscribers are missing in Google contacts, this is normal — MIUI It's not a good way to get images back, so use method 3 to reconstruct avatars. VCF-file).

Method 2: Export to VCF and import to Google Contacts

This method is suitable if you want to back up your contacts or transfer them to another phone..vcf (vCard) file contains not only numbers, but also photos, notes and additional fields.

Steps to export with SIM:

1. Open Contacts → Contact Management → Import / Export → Export to SIM-card.
2. Select your export contacts (or all) and confirm.
3. Connect Redmi 8 to your computer via USB-cable (in file transfer mode).
4. Copy the contacts.vcf file from the Internal Storage → MIUI → Backup → AllBackup folder on your PC.

For import to Google:

1. Open contacts.google.com and log in to your account.
2. Click Import in the left menu and select the copied.vcf file.
3. Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 5 minutes for 500+ contacts).
4. Turn on sync on your phone: Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync.

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If, on importation, VCF-Google file shows error "Inappropriate format", open file in text editor (for example, Notepad)++) and remove the first ones 2-3 Save the changes and repeat the import.

Method 3: Transfer through the Google Contacts app

Google’s official app offers more flexible import settings than the standard one MIUI-It automatically combines duplicates and supports recognition of international number formats.

How to move:

1. Install the Google Contacts app from the Play Market.
2. Open the app and tap on your avatar in the upper right corner → Import.
3. Choose. SIM-map and mark the necessary contacts.
4. In the Account field, enter your Google profile.
5. Click Import and wait until it is completed.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔍 Automatically correct incorrect numbers (e.g. adds a number to the number). +7 for Russian contacts).
• 📊 Visualization of duplicates with a proposal to combine them.
• ☁️ Instant sync with other Android devices.

⚠️ Note: If after importing, fewer entries are displayed in the Google Contacts app than on the SIM, Check the filter on the top menu, and it may be "Phone Only" mode that hides contacts without phone numbers (e.g., email only).

Method 4: Use of third-party applications (for complex cases)

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., the phone doesn’t see contacts on SIM or), use specialized utilities. We tested 3 Redmi 8 compatible apps:

• 📱 Sim Contacts Backup – Exporting Contacts to the Internet CSV/VCF, Supports package imports.
• 🔄 Copy My Data - transfers Wi-Fi contacts between devices (useful when changing phones.
• 📎 Super Backup & Restore – Creates backups of contacts, SMS and call logs.

Instructions for Sim Contacts Backup:

1. Install and open the application.
2. Select Import from SIM.
3. Mark your contacts and press Export.
4. Select the VCF format and save the file to your phone’s memory.
5. Import the file to Google Contacts (see Method 2).

Method 5: Manual input (for a small number of contacts)

If there are fewer than 20 contacts on SIM, it is sometimes faster to manually type them, and this is also the only way to keep photos linked to numbers without using VCF.

How to optimize the process:

• 📋 Use copy mode: open contact on SIM, Copy the number (hold your finger on the number) → Copy it, then insert it into a new contact in Google.
• 🖼️ For photos: take a screenshot of the avatar on SIM (if displayed, then add it manually through contact editing.
• 🔠 To speed up, use voice input: in the name or phone field, click on the microphone and dictate the data.

To avoid errors in manual input:

1. Check the format of the room: for Russia should be +7XXXXXXXXXX (8).
2. Use the Personal/Worker fields to categorize.
3. For international numbers, enter the country code (e.g. +1 for the United States).

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Manual input is suitable for contacts with unique data (for example, multiple numbers or addresses for a single subscriber) that a standard import may incorrectly combine.

What to do if contacts are not transferred or duplicated

After-import problems occur in 30 percent of cases, and here are the exact solutions to the errors:

If after all manipulations contacts are still not displayed:

1. Check if sync is enabled: Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync.
2. Clear the cache of Contacts and Contact Warehouse applications in Settings → Apps.
3. Restart your phone and wait until the background sync is complete (it can take up to 15 minutes).

FAQ: Frequent questions about moving contacts to Xiaomi Redmi 8