How to transfer contacts from phone to phone SIM-map on Xiaomi Redmi 8A: 5 working methods

Transfer of contacts with Xiaomi Redmi 8A on SIM-The card is a challenge that users face when they change their device, reset their settings, or want to back up important numbers, and despite the apparent simplicity, the process has nuances, ranging from limitations to limitations. SIM-cards (for example, the inability to save photos of contacts) to firmware features MIUI, This is a tool that doesn't always offer a direct export option, and in this article, we'll look at all the current ways, from standard tools to workarounds using third-party applications.

Itโ€™s important to understand that the Redmi 8A runs on Android 9 Pie with MIUI 11/12 shell, and the algorithm of actions may differ from the newer Xiaomi models. We have taken these features into account and prepared instructions tailored to your device, and you will learn how to avoid typical errors โ€“ for example, why some contacts are not portable or how to recover data if something went wrong.

Why you may not be able to transfer your contacts to SIM-map

Before we get to the instructions, we'll deal with the pitfalls.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Limitations SIM-card: most operators (e.g. MTS, Beeline, Tele2) support the storage of only the name and phone number.
  • ๐Ÿ”ง Version. MIUI: firmware MIUI 12.5 export function SIM It can be hidden or it can be unstable. 8A This is true for users who have not updated the device.
  • ๐Ÿ“‡ Contact Type: If your numbers are synced to a Google Account or Mi Account, you should first make them โ€œlocalโ€ (more on this below).
  • ๐Ÿ›‘ Locked-in SIM: map PIN-code PUK-The request may block the data record.

Another nuance is the amount of memory SIM-Old cards (until 2015) often support no more than 250 contacts, and modern cards support up to 500.

๐Ÿ“Š How do you usually keep your contacts?
Only on the phone.
Synchronizing with Google
Exporting to SIM-map
I use third-party services.

Method 1: Standard export through Xiaomi Redmi 8A settings

The most obvious method is to use built-in MIUI tools, which is suitable if your contacts are stored locally (not tied to accounts).

  1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
  2. Tap the three-point menu (โ‹ฎ) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management.
  3. Go to the Import/Export Contacts section.
  4. Select Export on Export SIM-map.
  5. Tick the necessary contacts (or click Allocate) and confirm the export.

If the export items SIM-No card, so your contacts are synced to your account, so you can untie them":

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Go to Settings. โ†’ Accounts and synchronization.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Find Google or Mi Account, disable contact sync.
  • ๐Ÿ—ƒ๏ธ Get back in touch. โ†’ Management โ†’ Import/Export and try again.

โ˜‘๏ธ Preparation for export of contacts

Done: 0 / 4

Execution time: 2-5 minutes (depending on the number of contacts).

โš ๏ธ Note: If after exporting the contact SIM They show up as "unknown" names with numbers, which means that the card does not support Cyrillic encoding, so the solution is to use the Latin alphabet when saving names (for example, "Ivan" instead of "Ivan").

Method 2: Transfer through the Google Contacts app

If your contacts are synced to a Google Account, you can export them to a file and then import them to SIM. This method is universal and works even on older versions of MIUI.

Steps:

  1. Open contacts.google.com on your computer or in your phone browser.
  2. Sign in with the same account as Redmi 8A.
  3. Click More โ†’ Export and select vCard (for iOS) or CSV (for Outlook).
  4. Download the file to the device.
  5. Install SIM Card Contacts from Google Play (free).
  6. Open the application, select Import from the device, specify the downloaded file and confirm the transfer to SIM.

The advantage of this method is to save all contact fields (including email and addresses) in the backup file, and the disadvantage is that you need a computer or an additional application.

๐Ÿ’ก

Before exporting from Google Contacts, filter out unnecessary numbers (such as duplicates or old records) to avoid clogging memory. SIM-map.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications

If the standard methods don't work, one of the specialized applications will help. We tested the 3 most reliable ones.

AnnexRankings in Play MarketFeaturesReference
SIM Card Contacts4.5 โญSupports import/export in both directions, works with dual-SIMDownload
Copy to SIM Card4.3 โญSimple interface, but no support for Russian languageDownload
Super Backup & Restore4.7 โญAllows you to back up your contacts to the cloud before transferringDownload

Instructions on the example of SIM Card Contacts:

  1. Install and open the application.
  2. Select Copy Contacts to SIM.
  3. Mark the contacts for transfer (can be filtered by group).
  4. Press Copy and wait until it is completed.

Applications often offer additional features, such as cleaning duplicates or editing contacts before exporting, which is useful if you havenโ€™t cleaned your phone book in a while.

โš ๏ธ Note: Some applications request access to SMS Refuse these permissions, which are not necessary to transfer contacts and may involve data collection.

Method 4: Manual input through the menu SIM-map

If you have few contacts (up to 20โ€“30), you can manually enter them directly into your home. SIM-It doesn't require the Internet or any other software, but it takes a long time.

How to do this:

  1. Open the phone application (pipe icon).
  2. Go to the Contacts section.
  3. Tap the three-point menu (โ‹ฎ) and select Settings โ†’ Contact management.
  4. Click Add Contact on SIM (or similar).
  5. Enter your name and number manually, save it.

Cons of the method:

  • โณ Time spent (on average 1-2 minutes per contact).
  • ๐Ÿ“ Errors in entering (for example, typos in rooms).
  • ๐Ÿ“ต Impossible to transfer photos or additional fields.

But this method is guaranteed to work even on the oldest firmware or if other methods are not available.

How do you speed up manual input?
Use voice input (the microphone button on the keyboard) for contact names. For numbers, turn on T9 prompts in the keyboard settings.

Method 5: Transfer through backup and reset

This method is suitable if you plan to reset Redmi. 8A before the factory settings, but you want to keep contacts on SIM-map:

  1. Create a backup of contacts through Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ Backup and Reset โ†’ Local Backup.
  2. Connect your phone to your computer and copy the backup file (located in the MIUI/backup/AllBackup folder).
  3. Perform a reset settings (Settings โ†’ Additional โ†’ Backup and Reset โ†’ Reset settings).
  4. After rebooting, import contacts from a backup and then export them to SIM via the standard menu (see Method 1).

This is more complicated than the others, but it's useful if you need to not only move contacts, but also "clean" your phone of unnecessary data.

๐Ÿ’ก

Backup via MIUI saves contacts encrypted, and you will need the same Mi Account to open a file on another device.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

Even with the instructions, users are facing problems.

Mistake.Reason.Decision
Contacts are not transferred to SIMSIM-card blocked PIN-codeUnlock the card in Settings โ†’ SIM-maps and mobile networks
No item "Export to SIM"Contacts are synchronized with the accountTurn off synchronization (see Method 1)
Not all contacts have been moved.Restriction of memory SIM-mapRemove old numbers with SIM or use a different card
Names are displayed by the CracosabrasIncompatible codingSave names in Latin or update your firmware

If none of these methods worked, check:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ System Updates: Go to Settings โ†’ The phone. โ†’ Update the system and install the latest patches.
  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Network operator: sometimes problems with SIM-If you're looking at a map that's associated with a bad signal, try moving in a safe area.
  • ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ Damage. SIM: paste the card into another phone and check if the contact record is working there.
Can I transfer my contact with the photos to SIM-map?
No, SIM-Maps do not support image storage; Contact photos can only be saved in the cloud (Google, Mi Cloud) or on a device.
How many contacts are placed on SIM-map?
Depending on the operator and the card model, old SIMs (until 2015) up to 250 contacts, new ones (USIM) up to 500.
What if the contacts are duplicated after the transfer?
Use duplicate cleaning apps, such as Cleanup Duplicates or the built-in feature in Google Contacts (Dublicates โ†’ Combine).
Can I transfer my SIM contacts to the new Xiaomi?
Yes, insert SIM into your new phone, open Contacts โ†’ Manage โ†’ Import with SIM and select the numbers you want.
Why did the contact disappear after the reset? SIM-map?
The reset does not affect the data on the SIM, but if the card was retrieved or damaged, contacts could be lost.Always make a backup before reset.