Changing mobile devices, especially the transition from one Android ecosystem to another, often raises questions about the safety of personal data. The most critical piece of information for most people is a phone book containing the numbers of colleagues, friends and delivery services. The process of migrating data between Samsung and Xiaomi devices may seem complicated due to the differences in the One UI and MIUI shells, but it is actually quite simple.
There are several proven ways to accomplish this task, ranging from built-in system tools to third-party applications. The choice of a particular method depends on the amount of information, Internet connection speed and personal preferences of the user. In this article, we will discuss all the options available in detail so that you can choose the most convenient for your situation.
Before starting the procedure, you need to make sure that both smartphones are charged at least 50%. Data backup is a mandatory step, which will avoid losing important information in the event of a transmission failure.
Using the Mi Mover application for direct transmission
The most efficient and quickest way to transfer data is to use the proprietary Mi Mover utility, developed specifically for Xiaomi devices, which allows you to transfer contacts, messages, photos and even system settings over a direct Wi-Fi channel without using the Internet. On older Samsung devices, the application may not be pre-installed, so it will need to be downloaded from Google Play or through the built-in GetApps store.
The process of setting up the connection requires careful attention, because you need to correctly define the roles of the devices. The old phone acts as the sender, and the new Xiaomi is the recipient. Once you install the application on both devices, the new device needs to select "I am the recipient", and the old one needs to select "I am the sender", and the system will create an access point to which you need to connect.
☑️ Preparation for work with Mi Mover
Importantly, when you transfer a lot of data, the screens of the devices can get hot, which is normal for the processor to react to the active operation of the communication modules, the transfer speed is much higher than through Bluetooth or cloud services, because you use a local network, and after you finish scanning the files, you can choose the categories of data that you want to transfer.
⚠️ Note: Do not interrupt the transfer process or withdraw applications from active mode, otherwise the connection may break, and the procedure will have to start again.
Special attention should be paid to file formats, as some specific contact fields created in One UI may appear differently in the MIUI. However, the phone numbers and names themselves are saved completely. If you have problems with connection, try temporarily disabling VPN or antivirus software that can block the local connection.
Synchronization through Google account
The most versatile method that doesn’t require additional software is sync via Google’s cloud service. Since both smartphones are running on Android, your default contacts can be saved to the cloud if the option has been enabled, which is ideal if the old phone is already unavailable or far away.
To implement this method, you first need to make sure that the Samsung device is fully synchronized, go to settings, find the Accounts section and select your Google account. Inside the sync menu, make sure that the switch opposite the Contacts item is activated and the data is successfully uploaded to the server.
What to do if your contacts are not synchronized?
Once you have made sure that you have a backup in the cloud, you can start configuring a new Xiaomi smartphone. When you first turn on or through the settings menu, you must log into the same Google account.
In some cases, the automatic download may not start immediately, so you can manually open the Contacts app, go to settings, and select an import from your Google account. Duplicate records can occur if you previously imported data in another way, but modern shells can combine repeating cards.
Transfer through SIM-mapping VCF
If the Internet connection is unstable or you prefer to store data locally, you can use the classic method of exporting to the file. VCF (vCard) or transfer through SIM-This is a great way to do this, because you can transfer the contact file in any convenient way, including messengers or Bluetooth.
To create a backup on Samsung, you need to open the contact app, click on the menu (three bars or dots) and select Contact Management. Next, find the Import/Export Contact option and select Export. SD-map.
Once you create a contact.vcf file, you need to transfer it to a new Xiaomi phone, which can be done via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Direct, or simply by sending the file to your messenger. On the new device, you just open the file, and the system will suggest importing all the entries contained in it into the phone book.
| Method | Speed. | We need the Internet. | Saves a photo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Mover | Tall. | No. | Yes. |
| Google Sync | Medium | Yes. | Yes. |
| SIM-map | Low. | No. | No. |
| VCF file | Medium | No. | Yes. |
💡
For export through SIM-Contact names can be cut to the 10-15 You'll lose your characters, and you'll lose your photos and extra numbers.
Use of the SIM-The card has its limitations, because the memory capacity of the chip is limited, and the format of storage is outdated. However, for basic number transfer without unnecessary details, this option remains valid.
Imports from the Samsung Cloud
Samsung device owners often use Samsung Cloud for backup. While the Samsung Cloud app isn't installed directly on Xiaomi, there is a workaround through the web interface or synchronization with Outlook.
The essence of the method is that contacts from Samsung Cloud can be exported in VCF format through a browser on a computer or directly on a phone if you have access to the cloud file system.
Alternatively, you can sync your Samsung contacts with your Microsoft Outlook account, and you can add Outlook account to your Samsung account settings and enable contact synchronization, and then add the same Outlook account to Xiaomi and the numbers will appear in the phone book.
It is worth considering that synchronization through third-party clouds can take longer due to the need for double data conversion. Data security when using third-party services also requires attention, so use only official applications and secure connections.
Decision and duplicates
After successful transfer, users often face the problem of duplicate records, when the same contact is displayed several times. SIM-It's in your phone's memory and in your Google account at the same time. MIUI It has a built-in tool to solve this problem.
To combine duplicates, open the Contacts app, go to settings, and find “Clear duplicates” or “Combine duplicate contacts.” The system will automatically find entries with the same names or numbers and suggest combining them into one card.
⚠️ Before mass contact combinations, make sure you have a fresh backup, as the process may be irreversible in the event of an algorithm error.
There may also be a problem with displaying names written in Cyrillic but stored in the wrong encoding, in which case re-importing a file with the right encoding choice or manually editing problematic entries helps. Modern versions of Android (11 and above) automatically fix most encoding problems when importing through Google Contacts.
If some contacts are not displayed, check the filtering settings in the Contacts app. Often, the phone only shows contacts with the contact. SIM-maps or only from the device, hiding the ones in the cloud».
Display setting and grouping on Xiaomi
Once all the data has been moved, it makes sense to customize the phone book to be easily displayed, and the MIUI shell allows you to flexibly customize your contact list, sorting and display information, making it easier to use your phone.
Contact settings can be sorted by name or surname, which is especially true for large lists, and you can also customize the display of your company name and job title if that information has been moved along with your number.
Contact grouping allows you to divide numbers into categories: Family, Work, Friends, which makes it easier to search and quickly set up group mailings or calls, and you can create a group in the contact menu by selecting Groups and adding the numbers you want.
💡
Proper setting of groups and filters after data transfer significantly speeds up the search for the desired number and improves the organization of personal space in the new smartphone.
Make sure to check if your contacts are avatars correctly identified, and if you've been using Google sync, images should be automatically uploaded when you have the Internet, or you can add them manually from the gallery.
Concluding recommendations
Switching from Samsung to Xiaomi is not just about changing your device, it's about getting your digital data in order. Use the port moment to delete old, unnecessary numbers and update your contacts. A clean phone book is about communicating quickly.
Regularly back up contacts, regardless of the method you choose. Technology can crash, and having a current copy in the cloud or on your computer will save you from losing important connections in the future. Automatic sync should be enabled on the new device by default.
If none of the methods described here have worked, or you have encountered technical errors that cannot be corrected, contact an authorized service center, and specialists will help you extract data even from damaged devices using professional equipment.