How to transfer contacts to SIM-Xiaomi Redmi Note 8: all ways of 2026

Transfer of contacts to SIM-The map in the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 may seem like a trivial task, but in practice users face a number of nuances. Unlike older push-button phones, where this feature was available in two clicks, modern smartphones are not designed to be more than a single card. MIUI They hide it deep in the menu, or they remove it in new versions of the firmware?

The point is, SIM-The cards have strict restrictions: they only support the name. + number (without photos, email or additional fields), and the memory rarely exceeds 250 However, the transfer to SIM It is still relevant for backup, fast sync between devices or use in a spare phone. In this article, we will discuss all the working methods for the Redmi Note. 8 (including bypasses for MIUI 13/14), We also provide information on how to avoid data loss in case of export errors.

If you have previously tried to find this feature through a standard search for settings, you probably noticed that the request “transfer contacts to the user’s home”. SIM" It's no coincidence that Xiaomi is gradually removing support for legacy contact storage formats in favor of cloud services (Mi Cloud) and a Google account. However, the portability still exists — you just need to know where to look.

It is important to note that the process may differ depending on the version. MIUI and the operator (some of the SIM-We tested the instructions on the firmware from the MIUI 11 MIUI 14 and found universal steps that work 90% of the time. If your Redmi Note 8 runs on custom firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience), the algorithm may be different — we'll mention that, too.

1.Preparation: What to do before transfer

Before you start exporting contacts, follow a few mandatory steps to avoid mistakes like “lack of memory on your contacts”. SIM" or "not possible to record contact".

First, check your type. SIM-Modern nano-SIMs (as in Redmi Note 8) are not physically different from the old ones in functionality, but some operators (for example, the same type of system, Tele2 Or virtual operators like Yota, they release cards without contact recording, and you can make sure of that by trying to save at least one test contact manually through the phone menu.

Second, clean up. SIM-Even if it's empty, sometimes there are invisible records in the memory that block new exports:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Go to Contact Management. → Imports/Exports → SIM-map.
3. Click Remove all contacts with SIM (if the option is active).

The third critical point is the format of numbers. SIM-The card does not support international format (+7 or +All numbers must be local (e.g. 9123456789 instead of +If your contacts are stored in Google or Mi Cloud with an international prefix, they will have to be edited manually or used by third-party applications to convert them.

2. Standard method: export through settings MIUI

This is the most reliable method that works on most versions. MIUI (Except for the latest ones, where the function can be removed. MIUI 11 MIUI 14.

Steps for transfer:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner and select Contact Management.
3. Go to the Import/Export Contacts section.
4. Select Export on Export SIM-map.
5. Check the contacts you want to transfer (or click Select All).
6. Confirm the export and wait for the process to be completed.

If the export items SIM-The map is not on the menu, so your version is not on the menu. MIUI In this case, try an alternative path:

Settings → Applications → Contacts → Memory → Export to SIM

On some firmware, this section appears only after connecting the second SIM-Cards (even if they are inactive).

Export time depends on the number of contacts. 200 records take about 1-2 minutes. SIM-card before the notification of successful completion.

Check the free space on SIM

Remove old contacts from SIM (if)

Convert numbers to local format (without the +7)

Close background applications (especially messengers)

Connect the charger (in case of a long process)-->

3. Alternative methods: if the standard method does not work

If you're in your version MIUI exportation SIM There are several workarounds that can help you move contacts even on the freshest firmware.

Method 1: Using third-party applications

Applications like Contacts Backup & Restore or Super Backup allow you to export contacts to a.vcf file and then convert them to a format. SIM. Algorithm of action:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Make a backup of contacts in the.vcf file.
3. Open the file through the text editor and delete all fields except FN: (name TEL: (number).
4. Import the edited file back to your phone by selecting SIM-target.

Method 2: Manual input through USSD-team

Some operators (for example, MTS or Beeline) support USSD-Contact management teams on SIM. Try entering in the dialer:

###7465625###

This team will open a hidden menu SIM-Note that this method does not work for all operators and may require input PUK-code.

Method 3: Using the second phone

If you have an old button phone (like the Nokia 105), you can:

1. Export contacts with Redmi Note 8 to.vcf.
2. Send the file to your old phone via Bluetooth.
3. Import contacts to SIM via the button-phone menu.
4. Bring it back. SIM Redmi Note 8.

4. Advanced methods: ADB and engineering menu

For advanced users who are willing to work with ADB, There is a way to unlock hidden export functions, and this method requires a computer and basic command line knowledge.

Steps to unlock through ADB:

1. Enable USB debugging in the developer settings (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times, then go back to Additional settings → For Developers).
2. Connect the Redmi Note 8 The command is: adb shell am start. -a android.intent.action.INSERT -t vnd.android.cursor.dir/contact -e contact sim
3. After that, the option of exporting to the contacts will appear in the menu. SIM.

Another hidden method is the engineering menu. Type in the dialer:

##4636##

Go to the phone information section and find the item SIM Management: You can manually add contacts to the SIM, But the interface is not adapted for mass export.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB And the engineering menu can cause the phone to crash if you type in the wrong commands. Don't change other settings in the engineering menu, it can disrupt the network or GPS.

5. Frequent errors and their solutions

When transferring contacts to SIM Redmi Note 8 users are most likely to face the following problems:

Mistake 1: “Inadequate memory for SIM"

Even if SIM-The card is empty, the system can show this message:

• 📱 Check the card on another phone – it may be damaged.
• 🔄 Reboot the Redmi Note 8 and try again.
• 🛠️ Format. SIM through the operator settings (for example, MTS does this on the USSD-code *111*1234#).

Mistake 2: “It is impossible to record the contact”

This error occurs if:

• 📵 Numbers in international format (c) +7).
• 🔒 SIM-The card is blocked by the operator (try inserting another one). SIM).
• 📲 The phone has enabled the “Prohibit Changes” function in the security settings.

Error 3: Contacts are moved but not displayed

After export, contacts may not appear on the main list to be seen:

1. Open Contacts → Settings → Display Contacts.
2. Activate the tick opposite SIM-map.

Contacts → Management → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM

After importing, remember to delete duplicates via the “Contacts Unite” option in the application settings.-->

6. How to check that contacts have been successfully transferred

After export, make sure that the data is written correctly.

1. View through the contact menu:

- Open the Contacts app.

- In the top menu, select a filter. SIM-map.

Check if all the contacts are displayed.

2. Check on another phone:

- Put it in. SIM-card to another device (for example, in a spare Redmi or a button phone).

Make sure that the contacts are readable and the numbers are displayed without errors.

3.Export back to the phone:

- Import contacts with SIM In the memory of the phone and compare them to the original.

- Pay attention to the format of the numbers – they must keep the local appearance (no +7).

If you find that some contacts have not been transferred, repeat the export, selecting smaller lots (for example, 50 contacts at a time). SIM-map.

⚠️ Note: Some operators (e.g. Yota or Tinkoff Mobile) use virtual SIM-Maps that do not support contact recording, in which case transfer is possible only through cloud services or a.vcf file.

Alternatives to portability SIM: cloud services and files

If the transfer is SIM Unable or inconvenient, consider more modern ways to back up contacts:

1. Export to.vcf file

The vCard file stores all contact data (including photos and email) and is easily imported to any device.

1. Open Contacts. → Management → Export to file.
2. Select a storage location (e.g., internal memory or SD-map).
3. Send the file to your mail or save it to the cloud.

2. synchronization with Mi Cloud

Xiaomi offers its own cloud storage:

• 🌐 Go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Mi Cloud.
• 🔄 Turn on contact synchronization.
• 📱 Link the same account on the new device – contacts will be automatically downloaded.

3. Google Contacts

The most universal way:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Accounts. → Google.
• 🔄 Activate contact synchronization.
• 🌍 Contacts will be available on any device via contacts.google.com.

💡

If you need to move contacts to a new phone, the most reliable way is to use a combination of cloud sync (Google or Mi Cloud) + backup in the.vcf file. SIM-The card should be considered only as a temporary solution or for compatibility with older devices.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions