How to save contacts on Xiaomi Redmi 8A: all ways with instructions

Why is it important to reserve contacts for Redmi 8A?

The Xiaomi Redmi 8A is a reliable budget smartphone, but even it is not immune to crashes. Contact loss can occur due to accidental deletion, resetting, device breakdown or virus attack. According to service center statistics, 37% of users lose important phone numbers at least once in their lives — and 80% of them are due to lack of backup.

In this article you will find 5 Proven ways to keep contacts on Redmi 8A, including cloud services, local copying and export to SIM-We'll also learn how to recover deleted numbers and avoid common errors. MIUI 10/11/12 — The version of the firmware that was installed on this model.

Before you start, check the free space on the device: you will need at least 50 MB for a backup through the Mi Cloud, and up to 200 MB for a local backup (depending on the number of contacts).

Method 1: Sync with your Google account

The most universal method is to link contacts to a Google account, which will allow you to restore numbers on any Android device, even if the Redmi 8A is lost or broken, a process that takes less than 5 minutes and requires no additional applications.

To enable synchronization:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Slip on three points in the upper right corner → Contact management.
3. Select Import/Export Contacts → Sync with Google.
4. Sign in to your Gmail account (if not authorized) and activate the Contacts switch.

Once activated, all existing and new contacts will automatically be saved to the cloud. To check if the sync is successful, go to contacts.google.com, where your phone book should be displayed.

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If contacts are not synced, check your internet connection and update the Google Play Services app to Settings → Apps.

⚠️ Note: When you delete a contact on your phone, it will also disappear from Google Contacts if sync is enabled. To avoid losses, export the backup to the.vcf file (instruction in method 3).

Method 2: Backup through Mi Cloud

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s proprietary cloud storage that offers 5GB of free space, a method that’s handy if you’re planning to restore contacts only on Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO devices.

Instructions for creating a backup:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Mi Account (top of the screen).
• 🔄 Tap Mi Cloud → Backup of the device.
• ⚙️ Turn on the Contacts switch and press Start Backup.
• ⏳ Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes with slow internet).

To reconnect with Mi Cloud:

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.
2. Select Restore from backup.
3. Specify the desired backup date and confirm the recovery.

Connect to Wi-Fi (backup does not work via mobile Internet)

Check the free space in Mi Cloud (Settings → Mi Account → Storage)

Update the Mi Cloud app to the latest version

Charge your phone at least 50% (the process can take up to 15 minutes)-->

Method 3: Export contacts to.vcf file

If you prefer to store backup locally (like on a computer or flash drive), export contacts to a.vcf file. This method is independent of cloud services and is suitable for users who value privacy.

Step-by-step:

1. Open the Contacts app.
2. Click on three points → Contact Management → Import/Export Contacts.
3. Select Export to the file and specify the location of the save (for example, Internal Memory → Download).
4. Confirm the export. The file will be called contacts.vcf.

To import contacts back:

• 📁 Move the contacts.vcf file to your phone (e.g. via Bluetooth or USB-cable).
• 📱 In the Contacts app, select Import from the file and specify the path to.vcf.

⚠️ Note: The.vcf file is not encrypted. If you store it on a cloud drive (like Google Drive or Yandex Disk), password-protect the archive or use ZipCrypto.

Method 4: Keeping Contacts on SIM-map

Old but proven method – transfer of contacts to the SIM-This is true if you don't have access to the Internet or if you plan to switch to another phone without cloud services. 8A supportive SIM-Nano-SIM cards, and they can hold a limited number of numbers (usually up to 250 contacts).

How to keep contacts on SIM:

1. Open Contacts. → three-point → Contact management.
2. Choose Import/Export Contacts → Exports to SIM-map.
3. Tick the required contacts (or click Select All).
4. Confirm the export. It'll take 1-2 minutes.

Limitations of the method:

• 📵 Nana SIM-The card only retains the name and number (without photos, email addresses and notes).
• 🔢 The maximum length of the contact name is 14 characters (Cyrillic letters take up more space).
• 🔄 For importation with SIM The data may be displayed incorrectly on the phone (for example, Russian letters will be replaced by signs?).

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Retention on SIM-The card is only suitable for temporary reservation. For long-term storage, use cloud services or a.vcf file.

Method 5: Manual copying through the application "Backup"

Xiaomi Redmi 8A has a built-in Backup app that lets you create a full copy of the system, including contacts, messages and settings. This method is useful before resetting your phone to factory settings.

How to make a backup:

1. Open Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Local Backup.
3. Check Contacts (you can also add Messages and Call Logs).
4. Click Backup and wait until it is completed.

The backup file will be saved along the way:

/MIUI/backup/AllBackup/

It can be copied to a computer or other media, and it can be recovered.

1. Return the file to the same folder on your phone.
2. In the Backup app, select Restore and specify the desired backup.

⚠️ Attention: Local backup through MIUI Backup is not compatible with third-party firmware (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience).If you plan to install custom software, use export to.vcf.

How to Recover Remote Contacts on Redmi 8A

If your contacts are accidentally erased, they can be returned within 30 days via Google Contacts or Mi Cloud.

Through Google:

1. Go to contacts.google.com.
2. In the left menu, select Cancel Changes.
3. Specify the time range (for example, 1 hour ago or 1 week ago).

Through Mi Cloud:

1. Open your Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud
2. Select Restore from backup and specify the date when contacts were still in place.

If there are no backups, try data recovery software, such as:

• 🔍 DiskDigger (requires root rights for deep scanning).
• 📱 GT Recovery (works without root, but with limitations).
• 💻 Dr.Fone (Payable PC Software with High Recovery Percentage).

Importantly, the less you use your phone after you delete it, the better the chances of a successful recovery. Avoid installing new apps or creating new contacts before the process is complete.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users make mistakes when backing up, and here are the most common problems and solutions:

Another common problem is the duplication of contacts after recovery from multiple sources, to clear the phone book:

1. Open Contacts. → three-point → Contact management.
2. Choose to Combine Duplicates and follow the hints.

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Before mass removal of duplicates, back up! some applications (like Truecaller) can create hidden duplicates that are difficult to recover.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions