How to download numbers from SIM-Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro cards: all working methods

Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro – a popular smartphone with a hybrid slot for two SIM-card SIM + But even in 2026, many users are facing a problem: how to transfer the saved to the next microSD. SIM-Unlike old button phones, where numbers were automatically read from a chip, modern Android devices (especially on the computer) MIUI) require manual action.

In this article, we will analyze all current methods - from standard functions. MIUI 12/13 to workarounds for cases where the phone does not see contacts on SIM. We will focus on typical errors (for example, discrepancy of vCard formats). 2.1/3.0) And we'll explain why some numbers might not move, if your Redmi is a real one. 8 Pro after the update ceased to recognize SIM-Contacts – you will find a solution here too.

1. Standard import via MIUI settings

The most obvious method is to use the built-in import function. It works on all versions of MIUI (10 to 14), but there are nuances with the storage format on SIM.

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner → select Contact Management.
3. Go to Import/Export Contacts → Import from SIM-card.
4. Select the numbers you need (or click Select All) → Import.
5. Specify the target storage: Device or Google (we recommend the second option for backup).

⚠️ Note: If the button Import with SIM-The card is inactive, check it out:

• 📱 Slot SIM: The card must be inserted into Slot 1 (on Redmi 8 Pro only it supports import contacts).
• 🔄 Format SIM: Older cards (before 2010) can use the vCard 2.1 standard, which is a very old standard. MIUI unrecognisable.
• 🔧 Updates: in MIUI 13.0.4+ vCard 3.0 support added, but requires manual reboot of phone after insertion SIM.

Check the slot SIM-cards (should be Slot 1)

Update MIUI to the latest version

Reboot your phone after inserting SIM

Make sure there is free space on the SIM (minimum 10KB)

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If the importation is successful, but some of the numbers are not moved, the problem is the encoding. Try alternative methods in the following sections.

2.Export through Google Account (for backup)

Syncing your contacts with your Google Account not only brings numbers to the SIM, but also backs them up in the cloud, which is especially useful if you're planning to change your phone or reset your Redmi 8 Pro settings to factory settings.

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google.
2. Turn on the Contact Switch (if it is turned off).
3. Return to Contacts, click on three points → Settings → Import/Export.
4. Select Import with SIM → Google (if the option is not available, export to the device first, then sync).

🔹 Advantages of the method:

• 🔄 Automatically update contacts on all devices with this Google Account.
• 📱 The ability to restore numbers even after resetting the phone.
• 🛡️ Data loss protection in case of Redmi 8 Pro breakdown.

💡

If you have duplicates in your Google contacts after syncing, use the Consolidate and Correct tool in the web version of Google Contacts (contacts.google.com).

⚠️ Note: When imported into Google, numbers will be saved in vCard 3.0 format, which can cause problems with displaying Cyrillic names on some of the names. SIM-Before exporting back to the chip, check the encoding in the contact settings.

3. Use of third-party applications (for complex cases)

If embedded tools MIUI They do not see (for example, they do not see). SIM-We've tested 5 apps, and we've tested them, and we've got the best results:

📌 Recommendation: For Xiaomi Redmi 8 Super Backup & Restore is the best version of Pro – it supports vCard 2.1/3.0, It can clean duplicates and saves the history of changes. Download it from Google Play (link is secure), run and follow the instructions:

1. Open the app. → select Contacts.
2. Click Backup → Specify a save path (e.g., Internal Memory → Backup).
3. After you create a backup, go to Restore → select a file and import it into the phone book.

4.Contact transfer via PC (for large bases)

If you SIM-You can use a computer to map hundreds of numbers, and the phone doesn't see them:

• 🖥️ PC Windows/macOS;
• 📱 USB-cable (original from Redmi 8 Pro);
• 💾 Cartridge (if) SIM It's not recognized by phone).

🔧 Method 1: Through Mi PC Suite

1. Download the official Mi PC Suite from Xiaomi website.
2. Connect Redmi 8 Pro over USB, enable File Transfer in the notification curtain.
3. In the program, go to Contacts → Import with SIM.
4. Export numbers to.vcf format (for further import to Google or phone).

🔧 Method 2: Through the card reader

If the phone doesn't recognize. SIM, Take it out and put it in. USB-- You can use a card reader. SIM Card Data Recovery (paid) or PhoneRescue (free trial) scans the chip and saves contacts to.csv or.vcf.

Through a Google account

With help. SIM-map

I use third-party apps.

Copying by hand

Another way.-->

5. Problem Solving: Why Contacts Are Not Portable

Even following the instructions, users of Xiaomi Redmi 8 Pro face typical errors.

⚠️ Note: If all contacts (including those on your phone) are missing after import, check your sync settings. MIUI 13+ There is a bug where priority is given SIM-To contact, erase the locals, to get the data back:

1. Shut down the internet.
2. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts.
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the data (this will reset the settings, but will not delete the contacts themselves).
4. Reboot the phone and turn on the sync again.

6. Alternative methods: Bluetooth and SMS

If none of these methods worked, there are old-fashioned methods, which are slower, but sometimes save in critical situations.

📌 Method 1: Bluetooth transmission

1. Take a second phone (like an old Nokia or Samsung) that sees it. SIM-contact.
2. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.
3. On the second phone, export contacts to a.vcf file and send it to Redmi 8 Pro.
4. On Xiaomi, accept the file and import through the Contacts app.

📌 Method 2: Sending contacts to SMS

Some operators (e.g. MTS) support sending contacts via SMS in vCard format.

1. On the other phone, make the necessary contacts.
2. Select Send. → Through SMS.
3. Please enter your Redmi 8 Pro number.
4. On Xiaomi, save the message as a contact.

💡

If you have an old phone with buttons (like the Nokia 105), use it as a “middleman” to transfer contacts. SIM-maps and formats vCard 2.1.

7. How to avoid future contact loss

To avoid repeating the import procedure after each reset or purchase of a new phone, set up automatic sync:

• 🔄 Google Contacts: Enable autosynchronization in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Contacts.
• ☁️ Mi Cloud: Start a Xiaomi account and activate backup in Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Contacts.
• 📱 Local Export: Once a month, save a.vcf backup to your memory card.

🔹 Advice for owners of Redmi 8 Pro: In MIUI 13: Cloning of data (in the developer settings) is available, and it allows you to transfer contacts to another Xiaomi over Wi-Fi Direct without any need for a link. SIM-To activate the cards:

1. Go to Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version to turn on the developer mode.
3. Back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers.
4. Find the option of Cloning data and follow the instructions.

FAQ: Frequent questions about contact transfer