Transfer of contacts to SIM-The map in Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro may seem like a trivial task, but in practice users face nuances: from the lack of an option in the menu to errors when writing. SIM Redmi Note 8 Pro, including versions with MIUI 12, 13 and 14), and explain why some contacts may not be transferred and how to fix it.
A SIM card is not the most reliable storage for contacts (limited volume, no backups), but it remains the only way to quickly move numbers to another phone without the Internet. If you are planning to change your device or just want to have a backup on a physical medium, this is the guide for you.
Note: Not all contacts can be transferred to SIM. The card supports only the basic fields of name and number (maximum 2-3 numbers per contact), and additional data (email, addresses, birthdays) will be lost. SIM-Old-style cards (mini-SIM) can store no more than 250 contacts, and nano-SIM can store up to 500.
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1.Preparation: What to check before transfer
Before you start exporting, make sure your SIM-The map is ready to record data. Here are the key points:
🔹 Type SIM-Redmi Note 8 Pro supports nano-SIM (4FF). If you have a different format card (micro-SIM or mini-SIM), you have to trim or replace it. Note that some carriers block the recording of contacts to virtual eSIMs, in which case it will not work.
🔹 Free space: one entry per SIM borrower ~140 bytes. To check for free space, go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → [yours SIM] → Memory. SIM-If your memory is less than 10%, delete the unwanted contacts directly from the card.
🔹 Contact format: the phone must "see" numbers in an international format (e.g., the phone must "see" the numbers in the international format, +79123456789, not 89123456789) Otherwise, there may be errors when transferring. You can check the format in the Contacts app - open any contact and look at the number field.
⚠️ Note: If you use two of these SIM-If you want to make a map, the system can suggest you pick a target card to export, make sure you pick the one you want to make your contacts with. SIM This will cause the loss of old records.
It’s also worth syncing contacts with your Mi Account (if you haven’t done so).This will create a backup in case of a crash. To do this, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Cloud → Sync → Contacts and turn on the option.
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2. Method 1: Export via the Contacts app (fastest)
This is the standard method that works on all versions of MIUI. The instructions are relevant for the Redmi Note 8 Pro with MIUI 12 firmware and later:
1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on the home screen or in the app menu).
2.Push three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select “Contact Management».
3. Go to "Import / Export of contacts" → "Export to SIM-card".
4. Select contacts for export:
"All Contacts" will carry the entire phone book.
Selectively - will allow you to mark the necessary contacts manually (convenient if you need to save only part of the numbers).
5. Click Export and wait until the process is complete. The system will show a notification of a successful entry.
If the option “Export to” SIM-The card is missing, so yours is missing. SIM-The card does not support writing (e.g., eSIM or limited operator card). In this case, try method 3.
Check the format of the numbers (should be +7 or +375...)
Make sure that SIM-The card is inserted into slot 1 (main card)
Close all background apps (especially messengers)
Connect your phone to charge (in case of a long process)-->
The export rate depends on the number of contacts, for example, transferring 300 records takes ~2-3 minutes. Do not interrupt the process, this can damage the data on the SIM.
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3. Method 2: Transfer through the “Settings of the phone”
An alternative method is to use system settings, which is useful if the Contacts app is not working properly or there is no option.
1. Go to Settings → Applications → Contacts → Storage.
2.Click on Export Contacts (or Backup if no export option is available).
3. Select "On" SIM-map and confirm the action.
4. Wait until the process is complete. The phone will show you the number of contacts successfully transferred.
It's less intuitive, but it sometimes works where the standard method fails, like if you have custom firmware installed or a modified Contacts app installed.
⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI The option to export via Settings can redirect you back to the Contact app. If that happens, use the first method or the third method.
If none of the methods worked, the problem may lie in the settings. SIM-Try to temporarily turn off the second one. SIM (If you have one, or restart your phone before you try again.
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Method 3: Backup and Restore (for complex cases)
If standard methods don’t work (for example, due to operator restrictions or a corrupted SIM), you can use a workaround: back up contacts to a file, and then import them to another SIM via another phone.
🔹 Step 1: Export contacts to file VCF
- Open Contacts → Contact Management → Import/Export → Export to File.
- Save the file (usually called contacts.vcf) to internal memory or to the computer. SD-map.
🔹 Step 2: Transfer the file to another phone
Copy the contacts.vcf file to another smartphone (for example, via Bluetooth, email or cloud storage).
- Put the target in. SIM-map.
🔹 Step 3: Import contacts to SIM
On the second phone, open Contacts → Import/Export → Import from File (select contacts.vcf).
- Then export the contacts to SIM-map through the standard menu.
This method is universal, but requires a second phone, and if you don't have one, you can use online services (like Google Contacts), but that will require an internet connection.
What happens if the VCF file is not opened?
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5. Mistakes in transferring contacts to SIM and their solutions
Even with the right actions, Redmi Note 8 Pro users may encounter errors, and consider the most common and ways to fix them:
| Mistake. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| “We were unable to export contacts.” | SIM-The card is overflowing or blocked by the operator | Remove old SIM contacts or contact the operator to unlock |
| There is no option “Export to SIM” | Custom firmware installed or SIM does not support recording | Use method 3 or check the type SIM-map |
| Not all contacts have been moved. | SIM limit on the number of records (usually 250-500) | Break up exports into parts or use cloud storage |
| Contact names are displayed in hieroglyphics | Incompatibility of SIM and phone encoding | Try transferring contacts over another phone or editing them after exporting |
If none of the solutions worked, try resetting your network settings (not to be confused with a full phone reset!). → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Reset the network settings. This can restore the correct operation of the SIM-card.
Important: After resetting your network settings, you will have to re-enter your Wi-Fi passwords and APN settings.
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6. Alternative methods of backup contacts
If the transfer is SIM-The card is impossible or inconvenient, consider alternative options for maintaining contacts:
🔹 Synchronization with Google/Account Mi:
Go to Settings → Accounts → Google/Mi and enable Contact Sync.
Advantage: Data is automatically backed up in the cloud and available on any device.
Disadvantage: requires the Internet for initial synchronization.
🔹 Exports to CSV/Excel:
Use apps like “My Contacts Backup” (available on Google Play) to save contacts to an Excel file.
- Convenient for editing or printing a phone book.
🔹 Bluetooth transmission:
Send your Bluetooth contacts to another phone and then export them to SIM.
- Suitable for transferring a small number of records.
🔹 SD-map USB-accumulator:
Save the contacts.vcf file to an external medium and transfer it to another phone.
Each of these methods has its pros and cons, for example, synchronization with Google is the most reliable way, but requires constant access to the Internet, and Bluetooth is convenient for a single transfer, but slower and limited in scope.
Synchronization with Google/Mi Cloud|Exports to SIM-map|File. VCF/Excel|Bluetooth or other wireless technologies|I don't make backups.-->
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7. Frequent Questions About SIM Connections Transfer in Redmi Note 8 Pro
Let’s analyze the typical questions users have when working with contacts on the Redmi Note 8 Pro:
Can I transfer my SIM contacts back to my phone?
Why did the photos of the contacts disappear after the transfer to SIM?
How to transfer contacts to SIM if the phone is not turned on?
How many contacts can be saved on SIM-Map in Redmi Note 8 Pro?
Can I transfer contacts to SIM from iPhone to Xiaomi?
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8 Conclusion: Which way to choose?
Selection of the method of transferring contacts to SIM-The map in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro depends on your situation:
✅ For quick transfer (for example, when changing the phone), the method through the Contacts app is suitable - it is the simplest and does not require additional devices.
✅ If standard export does not work, use backup in VCF Importing through another phone is a universal method that bypasses restrictions. SIM.
✅ For long-term storage of contacts, it is better to choose synchronization with Google or Mi Cloud – it is more reliable than the previous one. SIM-map, and allows you to restore data on any device.
✅ If you only need to transfer a portion of contacts, use selective export in the Contacts app or edit the file. VCF before importation.
Remember: SIM-A card is not the most reliable storage, it can fail, get lost or be blocked by the operator. Always keep an additional copy of your contacts in the cloud or on your PC.
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Exporting to SIM is suitable for temporary backup or transferring contacts to another phone without the Internet. For long-term storage, use cloud services (Google, Mi Cloud) or regularly update the VCF file.