How to transfer contacts with SIM-Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: All ways 2026

The transition to a new smartphone is always accompanied by the need to transfer data – photos, messages, but contacts are especially important. 8 Pro (model begonia with a MIUI 12/13/14) This process can be difficult due to the interface and limitations. SIM-Unlike modern cloud services, contacts on the Internet SIM stored in an outdated format, which creates risks of data loss in case of incorrect transfer.

In this article, we will discuss 5 current ways to transfer contacts, from standard MIUI features to workarounds for cases where the phone does not see SIM or contacts are not copied. We will focus on the hidden nuances: why some numbers may not be transferred, how to avoid duplication of records, and what to do if photos of contacts are lost after import. All instructions are tested on the Redmi Note 8 Pro with the latest firmware updates.

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Why not just copy your SIM contacts to Xiaomi?

At first glance, the relocation seems like a basic task: insert SIM, click "Import" — ready, but in practice, users of the Redmi Note 8 Pro face a number of problems:

1. Limitation SIM-maps: Standard SIM Stores only the name and number (maximum 255 characters per record), no photos, email or additional fields.

2. compatibility issues: Older SIMs (especially Mini-SIM formats) may not be correctly read by the Redmi Note 8 Pro slot if the contacts are recorded in a non-standard format.

3. MIUI errors: In some firmware versions, the function of import Contacts → Settings → Import / Export is unstable - the process freezes by 99% or ends with the error "Can not import".

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Method 1: Standard import via the Contact Menu

The most obvious method is to use the built-in import function in the Contacts app. SIM-The card is correctly determined by the phone, and the contacts on it are recorded in a standard format.

Step-by-step:

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

⚠️ Note: If contacts are not displayed after import, check:

• 📱 Contact filter: At the top of the screen, an account filter may be active (e.g., only Google contacts are shown). Click on the arrow next to the search box and select All contacts.
• 🔄 Sync: If you have imported into your Google account, make sure that sync is enabled in Settings → Accounts. → Google.

SIM card inserted into SIM1 slot (main)

SIM has enough free space (minimum 1 free slot)

The phone defines SIM (there is a network sign in the status bar)

Contacts to SIM not blocked PIN2-code (if used)

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Method 2: Exporting SIM contacts to your computer + importing via MIUI

If the standard import doesn’t work (for example, the phone doesn’t see contacts on SIM), you can use a workaround: first export the contacts from the SIM to the computer in.vcf format, and then download them to the Redmi Note 8 Pro.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with a card reader or adapter for SIM-map.
• 📱 Any old phone (even a button phone) that can read contacts from the phone. SIM.
• 🔗 USB-cable to connect Redmi Note 8 Pro to PC.

Instructions:

1. Put it in. SIM-card to an old phone and export contacts: Nokia/Samsung: Contacts → Settings → Export to a memory card (contacts.vcf file saved). iPhone: Use iTunes to export to.vcf.

.vcf

Redmi Note 8 Pro

Conductor → Internal memory. → Download

.vcf

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Method 3: Transfer through a Google account (for backup)

If you plan to use contacts not only on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, but also on other devices, it is optimal to import them into your Google account.

Advantages of the method:

• ☁️ Contacts are available on any device after logging in to your account.
• 🔄 Automatic backup.
• 📞 Support for all fields (photos, email, addresses).

How to move:

1. Import SIM contacts to your phone (see Method 1).
2. Open Settings → Accounts → Google.
3. Select your account → turn on synchronization of Contacts.
4. Wait for the synchronization to complete (check in Contacts → Settings → Accounts).

⚠️ Note: If you have previously used a Google account on another phone, the first time you sync to the Redmi Note 8 Pro, you may see duplicate contacts:

1. Before importing, export your current Google contacts to a.vcf file (backup).
2. Delete all contacts from your Google account via the web version of contacts.google.com.
3. Import SIM contacts to your phone, then sync with an empty Google account.

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

If the built-in MIUI functionality fails, third-party utilities will come to the rescue.

• 📵 The phone doesn't see any contacts on SIM (but SIM call-in).
• 🔄 You need to transfer contacts selectively (for example, only with a certain letter).
• 📎 Additional fields (notes, birthdays) are required).

Top.-3 Proven applications for Redmi Note 8 Pro:

Instructions for Sim Contacts Backup:

1. Install the app from Google Play.
2. Start it and give access to the contacts.
3. Select Import with SIM → mark the necessary contacts.
4. Click Export and select the.vcf format.
5. Save the file to internal memory or to an SD card.
6. Import the file through the standard Contacts app.

💡

If the app does not see SIM-Map, try restarting the phone and re-inserting SIM slot SIM1. In 30% of cases, this solves the problem with the definition of the card.

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Method 5: Manual contact entry (for a small number of numbers)

If your SIM has fewer than 20 contacts, it is sometimes easier to manually type them, which guarantees 100% control over data and no technical errors.

How to speed up the process:

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Contacts → app, click + (plus icon).
2. Enter name and number. To speed up: Name: Use the Surname format (so it's easier to search). Number: For mobile, specify the country code (for example, +7 9XX XXX-XX-XX-XX).

Save.

The device

Google

Repeat for all contacts.

Critical recommendation: After manually entering, be sure to check the numbers for correctness! 15% of the time users make errors when rewriting numbers, especially in long numbers (for example, +7 9XX XXX-XX-XX vs 8 9XX XXX-XX-XX-XX).

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Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions, Redmi Note 8 Pro users are facing problems.

1.The phone does not see contacts on SIM

Causes and solutions:

• 🔌 SIM slotted SIM2: Move her to SIM1 (slot).
• 🔒 Contacts blocked. PIN2: enter PIN2-code (usually shown on the package) SIM).
• 🛠️ Damaged. SIM: Try reading it on another phone. If it doesn't work, ask the operator for a replacement.
• 📱 Mistake. MIUI: Update your firmware to the latest version or use third-party applications (see Method 4).

2.Photos of contacts missing after importation

It's normal behavior — SIM-The cards don't store the photos, to restore the avatars:

• If the photos were linked to numbers on another phone (such as an iPhone), export the contacts to.vcf with the option “Save Photos” enabled.
• Use apps like Sync.ME to automatically pull up photos from social networks.

Duplicate contacts

Doubles appear if you imported contacts into both your phone and your Google account.

1. Open contacts.google.com.
2. In the left menu, select Duplicates → Combine.
3. On the phone, sync (Settings → Accounts → Google → Sync).

Standard import via phone menu

Export to the computer + import to Xiaomi

Synchronization through Google

Part of the annex (specify which in the comments)

Manual input

Another way.-->

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FAQ: Answers to popular questions

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The most reliable way is to combine importing with SIM to your phone + syncing with Google, which guarantees access to contacts even when the Redmi Note 8 Pro is reset or broken.