How to copy SIM contacts to Xiaomi Redmi 8: a detailed guide with pictures and tips

Why SIM Connections to Redmi 8 Can Be a Problem

SIM cards are still a reliable storage of phone numbers — they do not depend on a phone reset, breakage or loss of the device. However, this method has serious limitations: the standard SIM can accommodate only 250-500 contacts, there is no ability to save photos, email or additional fields. Xiaomi Redmi 8, Released in 2019, runs on the basis of MIUI 10/11/12 (depending on updates), and its interface is not always intuitive for data transfer.

Many users find that once SIM is inserted into the new Redmi 8, contacts simply don’t appear in the phone book – they need to be manually imported. Moreover, if you have previously used a phone on Android 8.1 (like Redmi 8) or an older version, the process may be different from modern devices. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to copy SIM contacts to internal memory or Google account, including bypassing typical errors.

Method 1: Import contacts through the standard “Contacts” application

The easiest method is to use the built-in Contacts app (aka People in some firmware), which works on Redmi 8 without any additional software, but requires attention to detail: for example, if you are not using the same software. SIM-card protected PIN-code, you need to unlock it first.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on the home screen or in the app menu).
• 🔍 In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) → Select Contact Management (or Settings, depending on version) MIUI).
• 📤 Find the Import/Export Contacts item → Import with SIM-map.
• ✅ Select the contacts you want to copy (or click Select All), then confirm the import.

Once the process is complete, the contacts will appear in the Device or Phone section (not to be confused with SIM!).If some numbers have not been copied, check:

• 🔋 Is the battery enough (at low charge, Redmi 8 can interrupt operations).
• 📶 Is it inserted correctly? SIM-Map (sometimes contacts are not read due to poor connection).
• 🔒 Are there no restrictions on reading? SIM from the operator (for example, some corporate tariffs).

Take it off. PIN-code SIM-map|Close background annexes|Connect the phone to charging|Check the free space on the device-->

Important! If you have dual SIM (two cards), select the one you want in the import menu, which may not be the one that stores the contacts.

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If contacts are SIM written in Cyrillic, and after importing are displayed by cracosyabra, try changing the encoding in the settings SIM (Settings menu → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Additionally).

Method 2: Copying through the phone’s “Settings”

An alternative way is to use the system settings of Xiaomi Redmi 8. This method is suitable if the Contacts app is unstable or there is no import point.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → System and Device → Additional → Import / Export contacts.
2. Select Import with SIM-map.
3. Specify where to save contacts: to the Device or to the Google Account (we recommend the second option for backup).
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

If you do not have an Import/Export option in your settings, upgrade Redmi 8 to the latest MIUI. Older versions (below MIUI 11) may not have this section.

On SIM-card |In Google |In the memory of the phone |In the cloud service (iCloud, Yandex, etc.) |I use several ways-->

⚠️ Attention! If you choose to save to a Google Account, make sure your phone is synced: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Contact synchronization. Without that, contacts won't stay in the cloud!

Method 3: Export through Google Account (for backup)

This method not only transfers SIM contacts to your phone, but also backs them up in the cloud, especially if you're planning to change your device or are afraid of losing data.

How to do this:

• 📱 Import contacts with SIM on the device (as in Method 1 or 2).
• 🌐 Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Add an account → Google and log in.
• 🔄 Enable Contact Synchronization: Settings → Accounts. → Google → [your email] → Synchronize contacts.
• ⏳ Wait for the synchronization to be completed (may take a few minutes).

To check if your contacts are still on Google:

1. Open your browser on your computer or phone.
2. Go to contacts.google.com.
3. Make sure all numbers are displayed correctly.

The advantage of this method is that contacts will be automatically available on any device where you log into your Google account, for example, when buying a new smartphone Xiaomi will simply add an account, all the numbers will be downloaded themselves.

Typical errors and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, Redmi 8 users often encounter problems.

⚠️ If after importing contacts are displayed as unreadable characters (e.g.?????), the problem is encoding. SIM-Solution: Try importing contacts on another phone (like an iPhone or an old Nokia), then export them to a.vcf file and transfer them to Redmi 8.

Another common situation is that after importing the contacts are available, but they don't show up in the Phone app.

1. Open Contacts. → press three points (⋮) → Displayed contacts.
2. Make sure all sources are selected: Device, SIM, Google.
3. If necessary, turn on the display of hidden contacts.

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Before any manipulation of contacts, back up! export them to.vcf via Settings → Import/Export → Export to the drive.

How to Optimize Contacts After Transfer

Simply copying SIM contacts to Redmi 8 is often not enough — data requires structuring.

• 📇 Add photos and additional fields: Open each contact and click Edit to add email, birthday or photo.
• 🏷️ Group contacts: In the Contacts app, create groups (e.g., Work, Family) for easy search.
• 🔍 Use smart search: In MIUI You can search for contacts by phrases (for example, “manager Ivan”) or even by part of the number.
• ☁️ Set up automatic backup: Enable sync with Google or Mi Cloud (Settings) → Accounts. → Mi Account).

If you have a lot of contacts (over 1,000), consider using third-party phone book management apps, such as:

• Truecaller – to identify spam calls and takeovers.
• Simpler Contacts – for mass editing.
• Contacts+ – for integration with social networks.

Advice for business users: If you store customer contacts, export them to Excel via Google Contacts → Export → Google CSV. This will allow you to analyze data in tables.

Alternative methods: for experienced users

If the standard methods don't work, you can use advanced tools, and these techniques require caution, but sometimes they can save you in difficult situations.

1.Import via.vcf file

This format is universal and supported by all smartphones.

1. Export your SIM contacts to another phone in a.vcf file.
2. Flip the file to Redmi 8 via Bluetooth, USB or cloud.
3. Open the file and the system will prompt you to import contacts.

2.Use of ADB (for technically savvy)

If the phone can't see SIM-The map, but the contacts are there, you can try to extract them through the ADB:

adb shell content query --uri content://com.android.contacts/raw_contacts

This team will display a contact list, but it requires developer rights and ADB knowledge to work with it.

⚠️ Attention! Use! ADB This method is recommended only if other methods have not worked and you understand the risks.

FAQ: Frequent questions about transferring contacts to Xiaomi Redmi 8