How to import contacts on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro: all ways 2026

Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro is still a popular smartphone thanks to the powerful Mediatek Helio G90T processor and 64-megapixel camera, but many users face the problem of transferring contacts when switching to this device, especially for those who change the brand of the smartphone (for example, from iPhone to Xiaomi) or recover data after resetting.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to import contacts on the Redmi Note 8 Pro, including synchronization via Google Account, transfer from SIM-card, use of vCard files and specialized applications. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances of working with MIUI 14, the latest official firmware for this model, where the contact menu interface differs from the standard Android.

If you just bought a used Note 8 Pro or lost all the numbers after the upgrade, don't panic. Even without a backup, there are ways to restore or re-schedule contacts. The main thing is to choose the right method depending on the source of the data.

1.Import of contacts with SIM-Maps on Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro

The easiest but limited way is to transfer contacts directly from the SIM-This is fine if you have numbers on your old SIM (usually up to 250 entries). On the Redmi Note 8 Pro, this process takes less than a minute, but there are important nuances:

• 📱 Format SIM: Only nano-SIMs are supported (the Note 8 Pro has a hybrid slot.
• 📇 Restrictions: On SIM Only names and numbers are saved (without email, addresses, photos).
• ⚡ Speed: The transfer of 200 contacts takes ~30 seconds.

To import contacts with SIM-map:

1. Put it in. SIM-Redmi Note 8 Pro (slot 1 or 2 – no matter what).
2. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
3. Slip on three dots in the upper right corner → Settings → Import / export contacts.
4. Select Import with SIM-map → specify SIM (if) → Check the contacts you need or click Select All.
5. Click Import and wait until completion (notification will appear).

⚠️ Attention: If contact is SIM coded UCS2 (old Nokia or Samsung phones before 2010, names can be displayed by cranks. In this case, use the vCard method (Section 3).

Check that SIM-card not blocked PIN-code

Make sure your SIM contacts are not empty (call from another phone)

Charge your smartphone at least 20% (in case of failure)

Make a backup copy. SIM on the old phone (if possible)-->

2. synchronize contacts through Google Account

The most reliable method is synchronization through Google Account, which is suitable if:

• 🔄 You’ve already used an Android smartphone and your contacts have been linked to Gmail.
• 📱 Switch from iPhone (pre-exporting contacts to Google Contacts).
• 💾 You want to automatically reserve your contacts for the future.

Instructions for Redmi Note 8 Pro:

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Click Add Add Account → Google.
3. Enter your Gmail details (if you have already added your account, skip this step).
4. Return to Accounts and Sync → Select your Google Account → Enable Contacts slider.
5. Wait until the sync is complete (it can take up to 5 minutes with slow internet).

If no contact is made:

• Check your internet connection (synchronization only works via Wi-Fi or mobile data).
• Update the Google Contacts app in the Play Market.
• Go to contacts.google.com from your computer – if contacts are there, but are not synchronized, delete your phone account and add again.

💡

If you're switching from an iPhone, export your contacts to iCloud, then select all the contacts on iCloud.com and export them to vCard. This file can be downloaded to Google Contacts.

3. Transfer contacts using vCard (.vcf) file

vCard (.vcf) is a universal format for exporting/importing contacts, which is suitable if:

• 📎 You have a backup of contacts as a file (e.g. from iPhone, Samsung or Nokia).
• 🖥️ Contacts are stored on a computer in a format CSV Excel (can be converted to the VCF via online services).
• 🔄 You need to move contacts between two Android devices without the cloud.

How to import.vcf on Redmi Note 8 Pro:

1. Copy the.vcf file to your phone (via Bluetooth, email, Telegram or USB-cable).
2. Open the file with the file manager (e.g., Files from Xiaomi or Google Files).
3. Slip on the file → select Import contacts → confirm the action.

If the file is large (over 1,000 contacts), break it down using services like vcfsplitter.com, otherwise MIUI may not process it properly.

⚠️ Note: When importing VCF From iPhone, contact photos are not portable. Use specialized applications like My Contacts Backup (Section 5).

In practice, files over 5,000 contacts may not be imported – break them down into pieces.

4. Transfer of contacts via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct

If you have an old smartphone (not even Xiaomi) on hand, you can transfer contacts directly over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, which is convenient when you do not have access to the Internet or Google Account.

Instructions for Redmi Note 8 Pro:

1. On both phones, turn on Bluetooth (Settings → Connections → Bluetooth).
2. On your old phone, open Contacts → Settings → Export / Import → Send Contacts.
3. Select Bluetooth → Mark the contacts you want (or Select all of them).
4. On Redmi Note 8 Pro, confirm the file acceptance (usually.vcf).
5. After transfer, open the received file and import contacts.

Wi-Fi Direct (faster than Bluetooth):

• Enable Wi-Fi Direct on both phones (Settings → Wi-Fi → Wi-Fi Direct).
• Connect devices to each other (confirmation on both screens is required).
• On an old phone, send the.vcf file through the Share Menu.

⚠️ Note: When transmitted over Bluetooth, Cyrillic contact names can be displayed in cracosabars if the old device uses encoding. UTF-8 In this case, export contacts to vCard 3.0.

Synchronization through Google|Transfer with SIM-map|Import vCard file|Transfer of Bluetooth/Wi-Fi|Special annexes-->

5. Use of third-party applications for contact transfer

If standard methods don't work (for example, when you switch from iOS or Windows Phone), specialized applications will help. We tested the 3 most reliable ones:

• 📱 My Contacts Backup (iOS/Android) — Exports contacts to.vcf with photos and sends them by email.
• 🔄 Copy My Data – Transfers contacts, calendars and photos over Wi-Fi between devices.
• 🌐 Google Contacts (official) – import/export to the cloud with the ability to edit duplicates.

An example of porting from iPhone to Redmi Note 8 Pro via My Contacts Backup:

1. Install the app on your iPhone from the App Store.
2. Export contacts to the file and send it to your mail.
3. On Redmi Note 8 Pro, open the letter, download the.vcf attachment and import it.

For Android.→Android is more convenient than Copy My Data:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On your old phone, select Send Contacts → Wi-Fi.
3. On the Note 8 Pro, select Receive Data and connect to the network you are building.
4. Confirm the transfer – contacts are automatically imported.