How to transfer contacts from SIM-card to Xiaomi Redmi 8T: all working methods

Transfer of contacts with SIM-Smartphone cards are a task that every user faces when buying a new device or changing operator. - Xiaomi Redmi 8T, Despite the budget category, it offers several built-in tools for this operation, but not all of them are intuitive. MIUI, a manual input 200+ number-takes.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to transfer contacts, from the regular features of Redmi 8T to workarounds for cases where the phone does not see SIM or produces an error "failed to import", special emphasis will be placed on maintaining formatting (names, additional numbers, mail) and compatibility with the latest versions of MIUI 14. If you are switching from Android to iPhone or vice versa, here you will find relevant tips.

We warn you right away: on Redmi 8T with firmware below MIUI 12.5, importing contacts through the standard menu can crop Cyrillic names - this is a system bug that Xiaomi never fixed. If your Released phone is in 2019 and never updated - first check the version of the software in Settings β†’ About Phone β†’ MIUI version.

1. Standard import via the Contact Menu

The most obvious way is to use the built-in import function with SIM in the Contacts app. On Redmi 8T, this method works consistently if:

  • πŸ“± SIM-The card is correctly recognized by the system (displayed in Settings) β†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks)
  • πŸ“‡ No more than 250 contacts on the map (limitation) MIUI single-import)
  • πŸ”„ The phone is not in power saving mode (can block background processes)

Step instructions:

  1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
  2. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner β†’ select Settings.
  3. Go to Contact Management β†’ Import/Export Contacts.
  4. Select Import with SIM-map β†’ Specify your target account (Device or Google).
  5. Tick the necessary contacts (or click Select All) β†’ Import.

Check the balance. SIM-cards (some tariffs block access to contacts with zero balance)

Make sure your phone has enough memory (contacts take ~1-2 MB)

Disable VPN (may interfere with syncing with Google)

Close all background apps (especially messengers)

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If the names are displayed by the Krakozabras after import (for example, АлСксСй instead of "Alexei"), the problem is the coding SIM-The decision:

⚠️ Note: Before re-importing, remove duplicates through Contacts β†’ Settings β†’ Combine and fix, or the system will create re-entries with corrupted characters.

2. Export of contacts to VCF file and manual transfer

The method is for those who want to back up contacts or transfer them between devices of different brands. VCF (vCard) is a universal format supported by all smartphones. On Redmi 8T, export to VCF is available even without root rights.

How it works:

  1. In the Contacts menu β†’ Settings β†’ Import / Export select Export to the device.
  2. Indicate. SIM-map β†’ Confirm the export (the file will be saved in the Download folder as contacts.vcf).
  3. Connect your phone to your PC or send the file to yourself email/messenger.
  4. Open the file on Redmi 8T and the system will prompt you to import contacts into the device memory or Google account.
What to do if VCF-file won't open?
If you click on contacts.vcf and you get an error "File corrupted", try it: 1. Rename the file to contacts_backup.vcf (sometimes helps with cache dumping). 2. Open the file through Google Files (app from Google Play). 3. Import via the web version of Google Contacts (download the file manually).

The advantage of the method is that you get a backup that you can restore even after you reset your phone, and the disadvantage is that with a lot of contacts (500+), the file can weigh up to 5 MB and you have to transfer it in parts.

Manual input

Import via SIM

Exports to VCF/Google

Synchronization with the account

Another way.

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3. Synchronization with Google account

If you use a Google account on Redmi 8T, this method will not only allow you to transfer contacts with the SIM, but also automatically sync them between devices.

Step-by-step:

  • πŸ”— Connect to the network (synchronization does not work offline).
  • πŸ“± Open the Settings. β†’ Accounts and synchronization.
  • πŸ”„ Find your Google account β†’ Turn on the slider Contacts.
  • πŸ“‡ Get back in touch. β†’ Settings β†’ Imports/Exports β†’ Select Import with SIM-Maps and specify Google’s purpose.

After importing, check the synchronization:

  1. Go to contacts.google.com from PC.
  2. Make sure all contacts are displayed correctly (no duplicates or broken characters).
  3. If necessary, edit the recordings directly in the web version - the changes will be applied on the phone within 5 minutes.

πŸ’‘

If contacts are not synced, try deleting your Google account on your phone and adding it again, often solving the problem with the cache data.

⚠️ Attention: On Redmi 8T s MIUI 12.0.3.0 and below, there is a bug: when importing additional fields to Google disappear (for example, "Working phone" or "Email"). Before the penos, take screenshots of important contacts!

4. Use of third-party applications

If the standard methods do not work (for example, the phone does not see). SIM or it gives you an error called "Unknown import error"), and third-party software will help. 8T fit:

AnnexPlusesConsReference
Copy My DataWi-Fi transfer without internet, supports iOS β†’ AndroidLimit 500 Contacts in the Free VersionGoogle Play
SIM Contacts BackupSave contacts in CSV/VCF, works with dual-SIMAdvertising, interface in EnglishGoogle Play
My Contacts BackupSends backup copy to emailDoes not support Cyrillic in names (bug 2023)Google Play

Selection recommendations:

  • πŸ“² For transfer between Android devices: Copy My Data (most stable).
  • πŸ“§ To create a backup copy: SIM Contacts Backup (exported to the CSV for Excel).
  • πŸ”„ For sync with iCloud (if you are switching from iPhone): Move to iOS (official app from Apple).

Check reviews before installing – some applications (such as Super Backup) may not work properly on the site. MIUI 14 due to access restrictions SIM-map.

5. Manual Bluetooth Transfer (for older SIMs)

If your SIM card is released before 2010 (like Beeline’s SIM-3FF or MTS), it may not support modern data exchange protocols, in which case Bluetooth transmission from an old phone will help.

Algorithm of action:

  1. Insert the SIM into an old phone (like the Nokia 3310 or Samsung E250).
  2. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.
  3. On an old phone, send contacts via the Bluetooth menu β†’ Send contacts.
  4. On Redmi 8T, accept the file (usually as contacts.vcf).
  5. Open the file β†’ import contacts into the phone’s memory.

πŸ’‘

This method is the only working method for USIM-Maps with a corrupted file system that can’t be read by modern smartphones.

Important: Some older phones send contacts in.nbk (Nokia Backup) format. Use Nokia Backup Viewer to convert them to VCF.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, Redmi 8T users face typical problems.

Mistake.Reason.Decision
"SIM-map not found"Bad slot contact or damaged cardClean the contacts with a SIM eraser, reboot the phone
"Failed to import."Memory deficiency or bug MIUIFree up 100+MB of memory, update the firmware
Names are displayed in hieroglyphicsThe discrepancy between SIM and phone encodingUse the SIM Card application for manual copying
Additional numbers missingRestriction of MIUI when importing to GoogleExport to VCF and then import to Local Contacts

If none of the methods worked, check:

  • πŸ”§ Version MIUI: on firmware below 12.0.2.0 import from SIM may be blocked.
  • πŸ› οΈ Integrity SIM: Try inserting the card into another phone – if contacts are not read, the card is damaged.
  • πŸ“΅ Flight mode: sometimes shutting down the mobile network for 10 seconds "wakes you up" SIM.
Can I transfer SIM contacts to Redmi 8T without the internet?
Yes, for this use: Standard import through Contacts β†’ Import with SIM (locally maintained export to VCF-file (network required) Bluetooth transmission from an old phone. Internet is only needed to sync with a Google account.
Why did the photos of the contacts disappear after the import?
SIM-Maps don't store photos -- just names, numbers and email. To recover avatars: Sync with Google Contacts (if the photos were there). Use the Truecaller app to automatically add photos. Manually add photos through contact editing on Redmi. 8T.
How to transfer contacts from iPhone to Redmi 8T via SIM?
iPhone does not support export of contacts SIM Direct. Bypass: On iPhone: Settings β†’ Contacts β†’ Exports to VCF (Send the file to an email. 8T: Open the letter β†’ download VCF β†’ Import through Contacts. or use the Move to Android app (from Google). SIM-You won't need a map here.
How many contacts can be stored on SIM-map 8T?
This depends on the type of SIM: Standard SIM (128 KB): ~200 contacts. USIM (from 4S/LTE): up to 500 contacts. eSIM: does not support contact storage (network settings only). On Redmi 8T, the maximum number of imported contacts at a time is 250 (MIUI restriction).
How to remove duplicate contacts after importation?
Use the built-in function: Open Contacts β†’ Settings β†’ Consolidate and Fix. Select Find Duplicates β†’ The system will offer merger options. Confirm the unification (you can choose which data to save). For mass cleaning, install Cleanup Duplicate Contacts (available on Google Play).