How to save contacts on Xiaomi Redmi 8: all ways to backup

Xiaomi Redmi 8 remains a popular budget smartphone even years after its release, but many users face the problem of losing contacts when flashing, resetting or replacing the device. Unlike today’s flagships, where cloud sync is enabled by default, Redmi 8 often requires manual adjustment. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to save contacts, from standard MIUI functions to workarounds for cases when the phone is not turned on or locked.

The peculiarity of Redmi 8 (codenamed olive) is that it runs on MIUI 11/12 with a shell over Android 9/10, where the backup interface differs from the new versions. For example, there is no built-in function of exporting contacts in.vcf format through the Contacts menu - it was replaced with synchronization with Mi Account. But this is not the only option: below you will find instructions for any scenario, from a working phone to a brick after a failed update.

1. synchronize contacts with Mi Cloud (main method)

The most reliable method is to link contacts to a Xiaomi account, which automatically backs up data and restores it when you first turn on a new device. On Redmi 8, this feature works steadily, but there are nuances: if you have never signed in to Mi Account, contacts are stored only in the phone's memory and disappear when you reset.

To enable synchronization:

1. Open Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Sign in (if not registered, create an account).
3. Go to Mi Cloud → Synchronization.
4. Activate the slider opposite the "Contacts".
5. Click Sync (in the upper right corner).

⚠️ Note: If you have a two-sim Redmi 8, Mi Cloud only keeps contacts with the main one. SIM-Cards (slot 1) Contacts from the second SIM You will have to copy manually or use alternative methods.

Log in to Mi Cloud on PC ([cloud.xiaomi.com](https://cloud.xiaomi.com))| Make sure the number of contacts in the cloud matches your phone | Check the date of the last backup |Do a test export of contacts to the file (see Section 3)

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2. Export contacts to VCF file (for manual reserve)

The.vcf (vCard) format is a universal standard for storing contacts, and the advantage of this is that the file can be imported to any smartphone, even from Xiaomi. On Redmi 8, the export is available through the standard Contacts app, but the path to the feature is hidden:

Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Tap on three points (⋮) top-right → Contact management.
3. Select Import/Export Contacts → Export to File.
4. Tick the required contacts (or click Select All).
5. Specify a save path (e.g., Internal Memory → Download) and confirm.

The file will be saved under the name contacts_[Data].vcf. It can be copied to a PC, sent to yourself by mail or uploaded to Google Drive for reliability. If the phone doesn't see internal memory, check permissions for the Contacts app in Settings. → Annexes → Permits.

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If the exported file weighs 0 KB, try repeating the procedure after you restart your phone. Sometimes the error is related to the cache of the Contacts app - clear it in the application settings.

3. copying contacts to SIM-card (for emergency cases)

It's a very old-fashioned approach, but it works even without the Internet, and it works if your phone is about to run out or you're planning to reset it to factory settings.

• 📱 SIM-The card saves only the name and number (without photo, email, addresses).
• 🔢 Maximum ~250 contacts (depending on operator).
• 🔄 When importing a new phone, Cyrillic symbols may disappear.

How to copy:

1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
2. Select Export on Export SIM-map.
3. Mark the contacts and press OK.
4. Wait until it is completed (it can take up to 5 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: If you use a nano-SIM in Redmi 8 with an adapter, be sure to turn off the phone before removing the card.

4. sync with Google Account (alternative to Mi Cloud)

If you don't trust Mi Cloud or you're already using Google, you can link your contacts to Gmail. On Redmi 8, this is how you do it:

1. Open Settings → Accounts → Add an account → Google.
2. Sign in to your account (or create a new one).
3. Go back to Settings → Accounts → Google → [your email].
4. Activate the Contacts slider.
5. Press Sync (Icon) ⚙️ corner).

Problem: MIUI 11/12 sometimes has a conflict between Mi Cloud and Google Contacts, causing duplicate entries.

• 📵 Turn off contact sync in Mi Cloud before setting up Google.
• 🔄 After the first synchronization, check the contacts on the site. [contacts.google.com](https://contacts.google.com) and remove the doubles.

Mi Cloud|Google Account|Export to file VCF|SIM-map|I don't make backups.

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5. Backup through the application "Backup" (MIUI Backup)

MIUI has a built-in tool to create a full copy of the system, including contacts, and the plus is that it saves the entire phone book along with contact photos and notes, and the minus is that the backup file can only be restored on Xiaomi devices.

How to make a backup:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.
2. Press backup.
3. Check "Contacts" (you can also select messages, notes, etc.).
4. Start the process and wait until it is completed.
5. The file will be saved by the path /MIUI/backup/AllBackup.

⚠️ Warning: If you plan to reset your phone to factory settings, copy the AllBackup folder to your PC or flash drive before reset, otherwise the file will be deleted along with the rest of the data.

6.How to save contacts if Xiaomi Redmi 8 is not turned on

If the phone is locked, the screen is broken, or it doesn’t respond to charging, but it’s determined by the computer, you can extract contacts via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires pre-activating the debugging over USB in the developer’s settings.

Instructions for Windows:

1. Download and install Google’s Platform Tools.
2. Connect Redmi 8 to your PC via USB (if the screen is broken, use the mouse over OTG).
3. Open the command line in the adb.exe folder and execute: adb devices (you should display your device).
4. Copy the contacts with the command: adb pull /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db
5. The contacts2.db file will appear in the ADB folder, which can be opened through programs like DB Browser for SQLite or converted to.vcf by online services.

If debugging is on USB It was not turned on in advance, the only option is to remove it. SIM-card (if the contacts were copied to it) or contact the service center for direct memory reading (eMMC) JTAG. The last method is expensive (from 3000)₽) It does not guarantee 100% data recovery.

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On Redmi 8, USB debugging is turned off after the factory reset, and if you don't activate it in advance, you can't programmatically extract contacts -- just through hardware intervention.

7. Recovery of remote contacts (if there is no backup)

If your contacts are lost after a reset or accidental deletion, but sync with Mi Cloud or Google was previously enabled, you can return them:

For Mi Cloud:

1. Log in to [cloud.xiaomi.com](https://cloud.xiaomi.com) from your account.
2. Go to the Contacts section.
3. Click Settings → Restore contacts and select the backup date.

For Google Contacts:

1. Go to [contacts.google.com](https://contacts.google.com).
2. In the left menu, select Cancel Changes.
3. Please indicate the time period (up to 30 days ago).

If the sync has not been configured, try data recovery software, such as:

• 🔍 Dr.Fone (paid but with trial scanning).
• 🔍 EaseUS MobiSaver (Free version with limitations).
• 🔍 DiskDigger (requires root rights for deep scanning).

⚠️ Warning: Do not install recovery software on the same phone that lost contacts, this will overwrite deleted data.

FAQ: Frequent questions about keeping contacts on Xiaomi Redmi 8