How to transfer data from SIM-Xiaomi Redmi 8: 5 Proven Ways

Data transfer from SIM-Smartphone cards are a challenge that every user faces when buying a new device or changing operator. Xiaomi Redmi 8, despite its budget price tag, offers several built-in tools for migrating contacts, messages and even multimedia files. However, many owners miss the key nuances: from the differences between vCard formats and the other two. CSV memory limitations SIM-map.

In this article, we’ll look at not only the standard methods through the phone menu, but also alternative solutions for cases where data is not copied or lost after transfer. Particular attention will be paid to the hidden MIUI function, which allows you to export SMS directly to the cloud without third-party applications — an opportunity that few people know about. If you switch from Android to Xiaomi or just want to make room on SIM, these instructions will save you hours of searching the Internet.

Preparation for transfer: what you need to know before starting

Before you start migrating data, check two key points: your type of data. SIM-maps and versions MIUI Redmi 8. SIM (Mini-SIM or Micro-SIM formats often have a limit of 250 pins, and their file system does not support multimedia messaging. MIUI 12+ Automatically offers cloud backup, which is not available in earlier versions.

Also consider:

• 📱 Volume of data: if SIM You have over 500 contacts, and the standard import can end up in error, and you have to break the transfer apart.
• 🔒 Operator lock: some mobile networks (for example, MTS or Beeline) encrypt data on the Internet SIM. This can prevent you from reading files.
• ⚡ Battery Charging: The process of copying large volumes (especially SMS) It drains the battery by 15-20%. Connect the Redmi 8 to charge.

⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-cards in Redmi 8, the default system will offer to transfer data only from Slot 1. To work with the second slot, go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Management SIM-maps and change priority.

To check the version of MIUI, go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version. If your firmware is older than MIUI 11, update it through Settings → System Update, otherwise the SMS cloud backup function will not be available.

Method 1: Standard import via contact menu

The simplest method, which does not require the installation of additional applications, is suitable for transferring contacts and SMS, It does not support multimedia files (photos, videos from the MMS). The instructions are relevant to MIUI 10–14.

Steps:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner → select Contact Management.
3. Go to Import/Export Contacts → Import from SIM-card.
4. Select SIM 1 or SIM 2 (if you use two cards).
5. Tick the necessary contacts or click Allocate.
6. Press Import and wait until it is completed (can take up to 2 minutes with 500+ contacts).

For SMS transfer:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Tap it on three points. → Settings → Import with SIM-map.
3. Select the messages to copy (Date filter is available in MIUI 12+).

⚠️ Note: If after importing contacts are displayed without names (numbers only), check the encoding SIM-Old Beeline and Tele2 cards sometimes keep names in format. UCS-2, The solution is to use method 3 (via PC).

Method 2: Export to vCard and transfer to phone

The method is suitable for users who want to back up contacts before transferring or plan to sync data with other devices (such as an iPhone or tablet). vCard (.vcf) format is supported by all modern OSes, including MIUI.

Instructions:

1. On the old phone (or via the menu) SIM In Redmi 8, export your contacts to.vcf: 📱 Android: Contacts → Settings → Exports. 🍎 iPhone: Settings → Contacts → Exports SIM-Contacts (ITunes required).

.vcf

Redmi 8

• 📎 Bluetooth (slowly but without internet).
• ☁️ Google Drive (Mi Cloud) and Mi Drive (Google Drive).
• 💻 Through cable. USB (quickest).
• On Redmi 8, open the.vcf file (the system will prompt you to import contacts automatically).

Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Ability to edit contacts before import (e.g., delete duplicates).
• 📱 Compatible with any device, including Windows Phone.
• 🔒 Data is not lost when resetting the phone.

💡

If the.vcf file doesn't open on Redmi 8, check its encoding. Use Notepad++ (Windows) or TextWrangler (Mac) to save the file to UTF-8 format.

Method 3: Transfer over a computer (for complex cases)

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., the phone doesn’t see contacts on SIM or gives an error “Insufficient memory”), connecting to a PC will help, which is also relevant for carrying multimedia messages (MMS) that are not copied through the MIUI menu.

Tools required:

• 💻 Computer with Windows 7+ macOS.
• 📱 Cable USB Type-C (included in the Redmi 8 trim).
• 🛠️ Moborobo or MyPhoneExplorer (free).

Step-by-step:

1. Install one of the programs on your PC and connect Redmi 8 over USB. Enable File Transfer Mode (MTP) in the phone's notification curtain.
2. In the program, select Contacts or Messages.
3. Click Import with SIM (In MyPhoneExplorer, this option is in File → Import/Export).
4. Once you copy the data to your PC, export it back to your phone in.vcf format or directly to your device memory.

For MMS transfer:

• In Moborobo, go to Multimedia → Messages.
• Select the MMS you need and click Save on PC.
• Copy the files back to the DCIM → MMS folder on Redmi 8.

⚠️ Note: When connecting to a PC, Redmi 8 may request debugging permission USB. If you do not plan to use ADB, Select Only File Transfer to avoid unnecessary requests.

Method 4: Synchronize with Mi Cloud (cloud transfer)

Xiaomi offers its own cloud storage, the Mi Cloud, which allows not only data backup, but also synchronizes it between devices, a method ideal if you plan to use contacts on multiple gadgets (for example, Redmi 8 and Mi Band).

How to set up:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Cloud.
2. Sign up with your Xiaomi account (if not, sign up).
3. Activate Contacts and Messages slider.
4. Click Sync (the data will be uploaded to the cloud).
5. On the new device, repeat steps 1-3 – the contacts will be automatically tightened.

Features of Mi Cloud:

• ☁️ Free: 5GB of storage (enough for 10,000 contacts and 5,000) SMS).
• 🔄 Autosynchronization: data is updated every 6 hours (you can manually configure it).
• 📱 Cross-platform: runs on Android, iOS and even Windows Phone via the web version.

⚠️ Warning: If you use two-factor authentication in Mi Cloud, turn it off in your account settings before resetting your phone. → Security. Otherwise, it's going to be hard to restore access to the cloud.

💡

Mi Cloud is the only way to migrate your SIM call history to Redmi 8, as standard MIUI tools don’t support this.

Method 5: Use of third-party applications (for advanced features)

If the built-in MIUI tools fail (for example, contact groups are not copied or profile photos are lost), third-party software will help. We tested 3 applications optimized for Xiaomi Redmi 8:

Recommendations for use:

• 📲 For full backup (including app settings), choose Super Backup.
• 💬 If you need it. SMS with pictures, use SMS Backup & Restore.
• 🔄 To switch from iPhone to Redmi 8 is suitable Copy My Data.

Example of transfer via Super Backup:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Select Backup → Contacts.
3. Specify a save path (e.g., Internal Memory → Backup).
4. After creating a backup, transfer the file to a new phone and restore the data through Recovery.

💡

Before using third-party apps, check their permissions in Settings → Apps → Permissions. Disable access to Location and Microphone if it is not needed for the program to work.

Problem Solving: What to Do If Data Is Not Transferred

Even when following the instructions, Redmi 8 users are faced with common errors, and consider the most common cases and ways to fix them:

Problem 1: Contacts were imported but displayed without names (numbers only).

• 🔍 Reason: Incompatibility of encoding SIM-cards (often with Yota or Tinkoff Mobile operators).
• ⚡ Solution: Export contacts to.vcf via old device, then import the file to Redmi 8.

Problem 2: When importing SMS, there is an error “Insufficient memory”.

• 🔍 Reason: On the system section /data less 100 MB of free space.
• ⚡ Solution: Remove the app cache in Settings → Warehouse → Clean or transfer some applications to a microSD.

Problem 3: After the transfer, photos of contacts were lost.

• 🔍 Reason: Photos linked to Google or Mi Cloud account, not to SIM-map.
• ⚡ Solution: Sync your Google account in Settings → Accounts or recover photos from the cloud.

Problem 4: The phone can't see SIM-map.

• 🔍 Cause: MediaTek module malfunction (typical for Redmi 8 with firmware below) MIUI 12).
• ⚡ Solution: Restart your phone or reset your network settings in Settings → SIM-map → Resetting network settings.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data portability to Xiaomi Redmi 8