How to Flip Contacts with Samsung on Xiaomi Redmi: A Complete Guide

Changing one Android smartphone to another is often perceived by users as a stressful situation associated with the loss of important data. However, the ecosystem of Android devices that unite devices from different manufacturers allows you to make this process as smooth and fast as possible. If you are wondering how to transfer contacts with Samsung to Xiaomi Redmi, then we hasten to reassure you: there are several proven methods that do not require deep technical knowledge.

Modern phones like Samsung and Xiaomi use similar principles for working with the phonebook database, but have different software shells – One UI and MIUI (or HyperOS), respectively. This difference in interfaces sometimes confuses beginners who can’t find the desired import function in the usual place on the menu. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the current ways of data migration, from cloud technologies to local transfer over Wi-Fi.

The choice of the particular method depends on the size of your phone book, the speed of the Internet connection and the availability of additional accessories. Some methods are good for transferring thousands of records with photos and positions, others are suitable for fast transfer of only numbers. It is important not just to copy the data, but also to make sure that it is correctly displayed on the new Redmi device.

Preparing devices for data migration

Before you start active transfer actions, you need to perform a number of preparatory procedures on both devices, which will ensure the stability of the process and minimize the risk of loss of information. First of all, make sure that both the old Samsung and the new Xiaomi are charged at least 50-60%.

The second critical step is to verify the operating system versions. While Android is backward compatible, working with older versions can cause data protocols to crash. It is recommended to update the software on both devices to the latest available versions through the settings menu. It is also worth freeing up space on a new phone if the memory is full of system debris.

☑️ Ready for transfer

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For the full operation of the Xiaomi smartphone and data synchronization, a Mi Account is required, but a Google account remains a key element for the transfer of contacts. Make sure you remember the password from it, as it will be required to log in to the new device.Without logging into Google Play, the contact transfer will only be possible locally or through the user. SIM-A map that is less functional.

Method 1: Sync through Google Account

The most reliable and modern way to not only move contacts, but also to save them in the cloud for security is the “gold standard” method in the Android ecosystem, which eliminates the need to search for wires or install third-party software. If your Samsung has already signed in to a Google account, half the work is already done.

The idea is that the phone book is uploaded to Google's servers, and then when you log in to the same Redmi account, all the records are automatically pulled into the device's memory, which is done in the background and doesn't require constant user involvement, and the key is to ensure a stable Internet connection at both stages.

To implement this method on an old Samsung phone, follow the following steps:

  • 📱 Open Settings and go to Accounts and Archiving».
  • ☁️ Select Account Management and find your Google account.
  • 🔄 Click on Account Sync and make sure the switch opposite the Contacts item is active (blue burns).
  • ⏳ Click the Sync button or wait until the process is completed automatically.

Once synced on Samsung is complete, pick up the new Xiaomi. When you first set up, type in the same Gmail email address. If the phone is already configured, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google and make sure it ticks to sync contacts. Data will appear in the phone book within minutes.

What to do if no contacts appear?
Sometimes sync takes time. Go to the Contacts app on Xiaomi, click three dots in the corner, select Settings» → «Display contacts" and make sure that you select "All Contacts" or specifically your Google account, not just your phone or phone. SIM-map.

Method 2: Use the Mi Mover application

The official Mi Mover app is a specialized tool from Xiaomi developers, designed specifically for migration from other Android devices.It is perhaps the fastest way to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, messages, Wi-Fi settings and even placement of icons on the desktop.The application uses direct Wi-Fi connection between devices, which provides high speed transfer without the consumption of mobile traffic.

To get started, you need to install the Mi Mover app on both smartphones. On Xiaomi, it is often pre-installed in the Tools folder, if it is not available, download it from Google Play or GetApps. On Samsung, the app also downloads from the Play Market Store. Once installed, run the program on both devices.

The connection and transmission process is as follows:

  • 📲 On the new Xiaomi, select the role “I am the recipient” (New phone).
  • 📲 On an old Samsung, select the role “I’m the sender” (Old phone).
  • 🔗 The new phone will appear on the screen. QR-Scan it with the camera of the old device through the Mi Mover application interface.
  • 📂 After the connection, select the category “Contacts” (and other data as desired) and click “Send».

⚠️ Note: While transferring data via Mi Mover, do not switch to other apps or block the smartphone screen. Interrupting the process may cause contacts to be copied partially or with encoding errors.

The advantage of this method is that it copies contacts with attached avatars and additional fields, which are sometimes lost when synchronized through the SIM-The transmission speed is limited only by the Wi-Fi power of your devices, but it's usually a few megabytes per second, allowing you to move thousands of contacts in seconds.

📊 What kind of contact transfer you find more convenient?
Through Google Account
Through Mi Mover
Through SIM-map
Through the VCF file

Method 3: Transfer through SIM-map (Classical method)

The SIM-transfer method is the oldest and most versatile, requiring neither internet nor application installation, ideal for those cases where you only need to move phone numbers quickly without unnecessary details, but it has significant limitations that you need to know about before starting the procedure.

The main problem SIM-The cards are their limited storage capacity and outdated data storage format. Usually, one entry on a SIM can only contain a name and one phone number, and all additional fields, such as a second number, email, address or title, will be irretrievably lost on export. Long names can also be cut down to 10-12 symbolism.

Instructions for transfer via SIM-card:

  1. Put it in. SIM-smartphone.
  2. Open the Contacts app, click on the menu (three bars or dots) and select Contact Management.
  3. Click Import/Export Contacts → Exports → choose SIM-map.
  4. Once completed, remove the SIM and paste it into the new Xiaomi.
  5. On Redmi go to Contacts» → Settings → Imports/exports → Import with SIM-map.

After importing to Xiaomi, it is strongly recommended to immediately copy contacts with the company. SIM-Phone card or Google account. Keeping contacts on a SIM card is considered a bad practice today because of the risk of data loss if the chip is damaged. To do this, select "Copy from the import/export menu" SIM-Maps and specify your destination Google account.

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If, after insertion, SIM-Maps in Xiaomi contacts are not visible, check if they are hidden.In the "Contacts" app, click on three dots. → Settings → Display contacts → Choose «SIM-map».

Method 4: Export and import via VCF file

VCF (vCard) is a universal digital format for electronic business cards, which allows you to save the entire phone book into a single file that can be transferred in any convenient way: via Bluetooth, messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), email or simply copying the file via cable to your computer, which gives you complete control over the process and allows you to create a backup.

To create a contact file on Samsung:

  1. Go to the Contacts app.
  2. Open the contact management menu and select Import/Export contacts.
  3. Click Export and select the location of the save: “Internal Memory” or “Device Memory”.
  4. The system will create a file called contacts.vcf or 00001.vcf in the root of the memory or Downloads folder.

The file you get is sent to Xiaomi. The easiest way to send it to yourself is via a messenger (like Telegram's Favorites) or Bluetooth. Once you get a file on a new device, just click on it. MIUI automatically recognizes the format and suggests you import the contacts it contains. Choose an account where to save them (better Google), and confirm the action.

ParameterGoogle SynchronizationMi MoverSIM-mapVCF file
Photo preservationYes.Yes.No.Yes.
Preservation of all fieldsYes.Yes.Name and number onlyYes.
We need the Internet.Yes.No (Wi-Fi Direct)No.No (for transmission)
DifficultyLow.MediumLow.Medium

Addressing problems and duplicates

After transferring contacts from Samsung to Xiaomi, users often face the problem of duplication of records, which occurs when the same contact is stored in the phone’s memory, in the Google account, and on the phone. SIM-As a result, when you call, the name can be displayed several times or from different numbers.

MIUI and HyperOS have a built-in tool to clean up duplicates. Open the Contacts app, click on the menu and find Contact Management. Choose the option to Combine Repeated Contacts. The system will analyze the database, find matches by phone numbers, and suggest combining them into one record.

⚠️ Warning: Before mass contact combinations, make sure you have a fresh backup.While the system is working reliably, a human factor or software failure can lead to the mistaken merger of different people with the same names.

Another common problem is “krakozyabr” instead of letters in the names or names of organizations, which indicates a problem with encoding when transferring through a VCF file or third-party programs, in which case the only right solution is to return to the synchronization method through Google Account, which uses the standard UTF-8 encoding and correctly displays Cyrillic on any device.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will photos of contacts be saved during the transfer?
Photos are saved only when using sync methods through Google Account or Mi Mover app. SIM-A map or simple vCard file (no cloud binding) of an image is usually lost because the format is not visible. SIM-The card does not support graphic data.
What to do if your Xiaomi contacts are confused with numbers?
This often happens when importing from SIM-Try exporting your Samsung contacts to a file. VCF, and then import this file to Xiaomi, selecting when importing destination "Google" or "Phone" but not «SIM-Also helps to clean the cache of the application “Contacts” in the settings of the phone.
Can I make contacts without the internet?
Yes, it's possible. Use the Mi Mover app (works through local Wi-Fi), Bluetooth transmission, file VCF orthopa SIM-The Internet will only be required for the initial activation of Google services on the new device.
Where are the contacts stored after the transfer to Xiaomi?
By default, Xiaomi's new smartphones offer to save contacts to a Google account, you can check this by opening a contact and seeing which account it is linked to, and they can also be physically located in the phone's database or on the phone. SIM-card, if you have chosen the appropriate option when importing.