How to move contacts from Samsung to Xiaomi: all proven ways

Changing a smartphone always causes a slight panic, especially when it comes to protecting personal data. Moving from an Android device from one manufacturer to another often seems like a complicated process, full of technical nuances. But the Android ecosystem is designed so that data migration has become the easiest and most understandable procedure available even to beginners.

Samsung device owners are used to One UI and branded services, while Xiaomi offers a MIUI or HyperOS shell with its own features. Despite the visual differences, the (basic) storage structure of the phone book is the same. Contact data can be transferred in several ways, each of which has its own advantages depending on the amount of information and access to the Internet.

In this article, we will discuss the most effective transfer methods so that you can start using the new gadget immediately after unpacking. Whether you change the old Samsung Galaxy to the latest Xiaomi Redmi or the flagship Xiaomi 14, the algorithms of actions will remain similar.

⚠️ Warning: Before starting any data operations, make sure that both smartphones are at least 50% charged.Sudden power outages during the transmission of large amounts of information can damage database files.

Using the Mi Mover app for quick migration

The most efficient and quick way to transfer data is to use the proprietary utility Mi Mover. This application is preinstalled on all modern Xiaomi smartphones, but for an old device it will have to be downloaded from Google Play. The program creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between gadgets, which provides high transfer speeds without using mobile traffic.

The process starts with putting the app on a Samsung device, and then you start up with the role of the device, and on the new Xiaomi phone, you choose "I'm the recipient," and on the old Samsung, you choose "I'm the sender." QR-code or suggest connecting to the created access point. the program interface is intuitive, which minimizes the risk of error.

When you're selecting data to transfer, it's important not just to copy everything, but to choose exactly what you want. A phone book usually takes up a little space, but if you have thousands of photos, it can take a few minutes to process, and it allows you to select specific categories, such as messages, images, or just contacts.

It is worth noting that when transferred through Mi Mover, the contacts are saved in a format that is fully compatible with the MIUI shell. This means that the fields “Position”, “Address” and additional phone numbers will not be lost and will correctly display in the standard “Contacts” application.

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Mi Mover is the fastest way to transfer data, as it does not compress data and works directly between devices over Wi-Fi Direct, bypassing cloud servers.

Synchronization through Google account

The most universal method that works on any Android device is sync through a Google account. If your Samsung has autosynchronized, then all your contacts are already in the cloud. To transfer to Xiaomi, you just need to enter the same email address when you initially set up a new smartphone.

The process of automatically loading data can take some time in the background. To speed this up, you can go to account settings and manually start syncing. The path usually looks like this: Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google → Contact Sync. Make sure the switch is active.

The advantage of this method is that it provides a permanent backup, so even if you lose your phone, all the numbers will remain in your profile, but there is a caveat: sometimes contacts with Samsung are not saved in Google, but in local memory or Samsung account, in which case you need to go to the Contacts app on your old phone, select Contact Management, and export to your Google account before transferring.

It’s important to understand that when synchronized via Google, duplicates can occur if you’ve previously entered some numbers manually on a new device. Android on Xiaomi usually offers to automatically combine such records, which is a very convenient feature for maintaining order in the phone book.

⚠️ Note: When syncing through Google’s cloud, make sure you’re using a stable internet connection.Stopting a connection with a large number of contacts (over 1,000) can lead to partial data loading.

Transfer through SIM-map: classical method

Despite the development of cloud technologies, the method of transfer through the SIM-The card remains relevant, especially if there is no Wi-Fi access or the Internet is unstable, and this method is ideal for basic transfer of names and numbers, but it has serious limitations on the volume and format of stored information.

First, export your data to an old Samsung device. Open the contact app, go to the management menu and select “Import/Export Contacts.” As the source, select “Phone Memory” or “Account” and choose destination «SIM-The system will warn that some fields may be lost.

After the export is completed, re-export SIM-Map to the new Xiaomi. On the new device, also open the Contacts app, go to the settings and select import from SIM-The system will suggest you choose an account to which the numbers will be saved — it is best to choose your Google account or phone memory, but do not leave them on the phone. SIM.

The main disadvantage of the method is the cropping of long names and the lack of support for additional fields, such as email, address or second phone number. SIM-The card usually cannot be saved with photos of contacts, so it is recommended to use this method only as a temporary solution or for very old phone models.

Import contacts from VCF file

VCF (vCard) is the de facto standard for sharing contact information, and it’s good for creating a full backup that can be stored on a computer, flash drive, or any cloud storage without being tied to a specific account.

You need to create an export file on your Samsung device. Contact your contacts, select the Import/Export option, and select Export to Memory or Export to Storage. The system will create a file with the.vcf extension that will contain your entire phone book, including photos and additional fields.

The resulting file must be transferred to Xiaomi. This can be done via Bluetooth, messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) or by flipping over the Internet. USB-You can use the cable to your computer and then your new phone. Once the file is in Xiaomi memory, just click on it. It automatically recognizes the format and prompts you to import the data.

This is especially useful if you're not transferring contacts for yourself, but rather helping to set up a phone for your family, so you can collect all contacts into one file, transfer them to a new device, and make sure that no record is lost or mixed with other accounts.

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For export in VCF Call the file by an understandable name, for example, backup_samsung_2026.vcf, And you can put a date on it, and that'll help you avoid confusion if you have a few old backups.

Use Mi Cloud and sync with Samsung Cloud

Ecosystem owners may be faced with the desire to use cloud services manufacturers. Xiaomi is actively promoting its service Mi Cloud, which allows you to synchronize contacts between the devices of the brand.

However, you can use Mi Cloud as a middle ground or primary storage on a new device, and for this, on the new Xiaomi, you need to log into your Mi Account and enable contact synchronization. VCF-File (as described above), you can upload this file directly to the web version of Mi Cloud via a browser on your computer and they will appear on your phone.

For users who have been actively using Samsung Cloud, it is important to know that Samsung is gradually closing the ability to synchronize contacts with third-party services other than Microsoft Outlook. The best bridge is still a Samsung bundle → VCF/Google → Xiaomi.

Using Mi Cloud on a new device still makes sense for future backups.This will allow you to instantly restore all numbers in the event of losing your phone or buying the next Xiaomi. Setup takes a couple of minutes in the Settings menu → Mi Account → Synchronization.

⚠️ Note: Samsung Cloud has changed its contact retention policy, now they are often synced with your Microsoft account. If you don't see an export option on Samsung, check if sync with Outlook is enabled, and export your data from there.

Solution: duplicates and missing numbers

After transferring data, users often face the problem of duplication of records, which occurs when the same contact is stored in both the phone's memory and on the phone's memory. SIM-And the map, and the Google account, and Xiaomi has a very convenient feature built in to solve this problem.

To remove replays, open the Contacts app, click on the menu (three dots or bars) and select Clear Duplicates or Combine Repeats. The system will analyze the database, find matches by phone number or name, and suggest combining them into a single card, saving all available numbers and addresses.

Another common problem is missing contacts after transfer, which are often just hidden by a display filter. In the contact app, click on the display settings and make sure that the checkmark is in front of all sources: SIM, Phone, Google, sometimes the contacts are "hidden" in the group "Other" or "Hidden".

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Regular cleaning of duplicates not only frees up space, but also speeds up the search on the phone book and the correctness of the definition of thecaller ID when incoming calls.

If none of the methods worked and the contacts are not displayed, check the permissions of the Contacts app to the storage. In rare cases, a third-party launcher or antivirus that blocks reading the database can cause a failure, in which case rebooting the device in safe mode for diagnosis will help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)