How to transfer contacts from Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro to another phone: all working methods

Transferring contacts from an old smartphone to a new one is a task that every user faces when changing devices. Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro, despite its age (the model was released in 2019), is still a popular gadget, and many owners want to keep their phone book when moving to more modern devices. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways of exporting contacts, including synchronization through Google Account, use of the Internet. SIM-Maps, Mi Cloud Cloud Storage, Local Backup, and even Manual Portability through.vcf Files.

The Redmi Note 8 Pro features MIUI-based functionality (even on current firmware versions) that allows access to Xiaomi’s proprietary sync tools. However, not all users trust cloud services or want to be linked to a single account. So we’ll look at both automatic and manual methods so you can choose the most convenient option. It’s important to note that some methods (e.g., via SIM) have a limit on the number of stored fields — only name and phone number, while others allow you to transfer complete information, including email, addresses and notes.

1. Transfer contacts through Google Account (recommended method)

Synchronizing with Google Contacts is the most reliable and versatile method, since it allows you to restore the phone book on any device running Android, iOS or even through a web browser, the main advantage is automatic backup and no binding to a specific manufacturer.

To move contacts with the Redmi Note 8 Pro via Google:

• 📱 Open the Contacts app on your smartphone.
• 🔧 Go to Settings. → Contact management → Import/Export of contacts.
• ☁️ Select Export to Google (or Sync with Google if your contacts are not already tied).
• 🔄 Wait for the process to be completed – time depends on the number of records.

The contacts will then be available in your Google Account. To transfer them to your new phone, simply add the same account to your device settings and enable contact sync. Note that if you have previously used local storage (like phone contacts), they must first be exported to Google.

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If you have two Google accounts, check which one is synced to your contacts. Go to Settings → Accounts & Sync → Google and make sure that the Contacts option is enabled in front of the right account.

Export of contacts to SIM-map: pros and cons

Transfer of contacts to SIM-The map is a classic method that works even without access to the Internet:

• 📞 Only the name and phone number are saved (without email, addresses, photos).
• 📱 Modern. SIM-Nano-SIM cards have a limit on the number of records, usually 250-500 contact.
• ⚠️ With frequent use of this method, data may be damaged.

If these restrictions do not scare you, follow the instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management.
3. Go to Import/Export → Export to SIM-card.
4. Select contacts for export (you can note everything) and confirm the action.

Then put it in. SIM-card to a new phone and import contacts via a similar menu, which is suitable if you need to quickly transfer only the main numbers, for example, when changing the device temporarily.

3.Use Mi Cloud for backup

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud storage that automatically synchronizes contacts, messages, photos and other data, and the advantage of this method is integration with the Xiaomi ecosystem, including smart devices (such as Mi Band or Mi Home).

• ☁️ A stable connection to the Internet is required.
• 🔒 Data is stored on Xiaomi servers (may be critical for sensitive information).
• 📱 No new phones.-Xiaomi You will need to manually export your contacts from the Mi Cloud.

To move contacts through Mi Cloud:

1. Open Settings → Mi Account and log in (or create an account).
2. Go to Mi Cloud → Sync and enable Contacts.
3. Wait for the synchronization to be completed (progress is displayed in the same menu).
4. On the new phone, log in to the same Mi Account and enable contact synchronization.

If the new phone is not from Xiaomi, export contacts from Mi Cloud to the.vcf file via the i.mi.com web version, and then import it to the new device.

4. Local backup of contacts in the VCF file

The.vcf (vCard) file is a universal format for storing contacts that is supported by all modern smartphones, and its main advantage is the ability to edit manually (for example, via Excel or Notepad++) and transfer to any device, including an iPhone or computer.

To back up your contacts in VCF format on the Redmi Note 8 Pro:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Press three points (⋮) → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
3. Select Export to the file and specify the location of the save (for example, Internal Memory or SD-map).
4. Confirm the export – the contact.vcf file will be created.

Now you can:

• 📤 Send the file to your mail or messenger.
• 🖥️ Connect your phone to your computer and copy.vcf to your hard drive.
• 📱 Transfer the file to a new phone and import it through the Contacts app.

This method is ideal if you want to have full control over your data or transfer contacts to a device of another brand (for example, from Xiaomi to iPhone).

Check the free space on your phone.|Create a folder for backups (for example, "Contacts_Backup")|Make sure the.vcf file is not empty (open it through any text editor)|Copy the file to a safe place (cloud, computer, flash drive)-->

5.Contact transfer via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct

If you don't have access to the Internet or a computer, but you have a new phone nearby, you can use wireless technologies like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, which is suitable for transferring a small number of contacts at a time.

Instructions for Bluetooth:

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both phones (Settings → Connections → Bluetooth).
2. Connect devices (on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, select a new phone from the list of available ones).
3. Open the Contacts app, select the entries you want (or click Allow).
4. Click Share (arrow icon) and select Bluetooth.
5. Confirm transmission on the new phone.

Wi-Fi Direct (faster than Bluetooth, but less versatile):

• 📶 Activate Wi-Fi Direct in Settings → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct on both phones.
• 🔗 Connect devices to each other (click on the name of the new phone in the list).
• 📤 Send a.vcf file (pre-exported) through any file manager (e.g., Explorer).

Note that when transferring via Bluetooth, contacts can be duplicated if the new phone already has similar records, and it is recommended to clear the phone book before transferring or use the option to combine contacts.

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Bluetooth is good for 10-20 contacts, but it's not good for a large phone book, and for mass export, it's better to use.vcf or cloud services.

6. Transfer of contacts using third-party applications

If you don’t like standard methods, you can use specialized apps from Google Play, which offer additional features such as:

• 🔄 Automatic backup on schedule.
• 📊 Package export/import with double filtering.
• 🔒 Encrypting backups to protect privacy.

Top.-3 contact-transfer applications:

Before using third-party applications:

⚠️ Warning: Check the permissions the program requests. SMS, If you're geolocated or microphoned without an obvious reason, you should be wary.+ Stars and a large number of downloads (10 million)+).

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When you move your contacts, you often have typical problems, and here are the most common ones and how to solve them:

• 🔄 Contacts are not synced with Google: Check if sync is enabled in Settings → Accounts. → Google → If the option is active but the contacts are not updated, try to delete the account and add it again.
• 📱 New. SIM-Map does not show contacts: Make sure you exported data to the same SIM, Some operators are blocking access to memory. SIM-Maps – only transfer via.vcf will help.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud does not save contacts: Check if there is enough space in the cloud (free 5GB). Also make sure you are signed into the correct Mi Account - sometimes users confuse personal and work profiles.
• 📂.vcf file is not imported: Try opening it on your computer via Outlook or Thunderbird — if the file is corrupted, the programs will offer to restore data. Also check the file extension: it should be.vcf, not.vcf.txt.

If none of the methods worked, try resetting the Contacts app settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Contacts and press Warehouse.
3. Choose Clear Data and Clear Cache.
4. Restart the phone and repeat the export.

⚠️ Attention: Clearing the Contacts app data will delete all locally stored records (not from Google or Mi Cloud!).Be sure to back up.vcf or the cloud before doing so.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions