Changing your smartphone is always stressful, not so much with getting used to a new interface as with the risk of losing important data. It is especially frustrating to find that after switching on the new Xiaomi in the phone book is empty, and the numbers of friends and colleagues are left on the old Samsung. Fortunately, modern technology allows you to avoid manually reprinting hundreds of numbers, offering several effective methods for migrating data.
The process of transferring contacts between Android devices has become as simple as it has been in recent years. Manufacturer ecosystems like Xiaomi’s MIUI and Samsung’s One UI provide full-time synchronization tools that don’t require deep technical knowledge.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the current ways to transfer a phone book, evaluate their advantages and disadvantages, and consider possible errors and ways to solve them. SIM-Maps to save your digital life.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before you start directly copying numbers, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps on both devices, which will ensure the stability of the process and prevent loss of information in the event of a failure. Ignoring basic data security requirements can lead to unpleasant consequences, so it is worth paying due attention to this step.
Both smartphones should be charged at least 50-60%, as the active operation of the communication modules and the screen is significantly energy consuming.Also make sure that both devices are Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, even if you plan to use a cable or cloud, these modules are often used for the initial handshake of devices.
On a Samsung device, check where your contacts are stored. This is critical, because it's the transfer method that you choose. SIM-Map or be linked to a Google account.
⚠️ Note: If contacts are only stored in Samsung phone memory and are not synced to any account, the risk of losing them when you reset or break them is maximum. Always back up before starting any operations.
To check the storage path, open the Contacts app, click three dots in the corner of the screen, and select Contact Management or Settings. Under Moving Contacts or Keeping Contacts, you will see the current location of records. If it says Phone or Device, it is recommended to export them first to a.vcf file or sync with Google.
Method 1: Use the Mi Mover application
The fastest and most native way for Xiaomi app owners is to use the official Mi Mover app, a tool designed specifically for migrating data from any Android device and iPhone to Xiaomi smartphones. The app allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also photos, messages, installed applications and even system settings.
To get started, install the Mi Mover app on both devices. On new Xiaomi smartphones, it is often pre-installed in the Tools folder. On Samsung, you need to download it from the Google Play Market. Once installed, run the program on both devices.
📊 What kind of data transfer do you prefer?
Through a Google account
Mi Mover appendix
SIM-map
VCF file via Bluetooth
I don't change my phone.
On the receiver device (Xiaomi), select the role “I am the recipient” (Recipient) and on the sender device (Samsung) – “I am the sender” (Sender). QR-Once the devices are connected, Samsung will display a list of data categories to transmit.
Select Contacts. You can deselect everything else if you only need phone numbers. Press Send and wait until the process is complete. Transfer speed depends on the amount of data, but contacts are usually copied in seconds.
The main advantage of the method is its autonomy from the Internet and high speed. Mi Mover creates a direct connection between devices, which ensures the confidentiality of data – they do not pass through third-party servers.
⚠️ Warning: Do not unlock phone screens or switch to other apps while transferring large amounts of data, this may interrupt the Wi-Fi Direct connection.
Method 2: Sync through your Google account
The most reliable and classic method for the Android ecosystem is synchronization through the Google Contacts cloud service, which is ideal because your numbers will always be safe in the cloud, regardless of which phone you have – Samsung, Xiaomi or any other.
On an old Samsung smartphone, make sure you’re logged into your Google account. Go to your phone’s settings, find the Accounts or Users and Accounts section. Select your Gmail address and make sure the switch opposite the Contacts item is activated.
If the switch is already in place but the data hasn't been updated in a while, click three dots in the corner and select "Sync" and this will force all local numbers to go to Google servers, and you can check the success of the operation by opening your browser on your computer and going to contacts.google.com, where all your numbers should be displayed.
Now, let's get your hands on the new Xiaomi. When you first turn on, the phone will prompt you to enter your Google account information. If you've already set up your device, just add an account to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Make sure that your contacts sync is enabled.
What to do if no contacts appear?
If the numbers are not displayed in the Xiaomi phone book after you have enabled sync, open the Contacts app, click on the menu (three dots or stripes) and select Settings. Find the “Show Contacts” or “Contacts to Display” option and make sure that you select “All Contacts” or specifically your Google account, not just “Phone” or “Phone” or “Phone «SIM».> Once synced, all numbers will appear automatically in the phone book.This method also makes it easy to recover deleted numbers through the shopping cart in the Google Contacts web interface within 30 days. Method 3: Export and import via file VCF If you don’t have access to the Internet or prefer to store data locally, a.vcf (vCard) file is a great option, which is a universal format supported by all modern smartphones and allows you to transfer contacts as a single file. On Samsung, open the Contacts app. Click on the menu (three horizontal bars or dots) and select Contact Management. Next, look for Import/Export Contacts and select Export. As a save location, select Internal Memory or «SD-The system will create a file, commonly called contacts.vcf or with a date, now this file must be transferred to Xiaomi, this can be done via Bluetooth, via instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), by email or simply by flipping the file through the Internet. USB-You can use a cable to your computer and then to your new phone. On a Xiaomi device, find the file you received through the file manager or open it directly from the messenger chat. The system will ask you where to save the imported contacts: in memory of the phone, in memory of the messenger. SIM-Google card or Google account: Choose a Google account or phone memory. Parameter File VCF Google Mi Mover Synchronization Needs Internet No (to transfer) Yes No Speed Average Depends on network speed High Save Photo Yes Yes Complexity Low Low It is important to note that when exporting to the file VCF Not only are numbers stored, but information is stored, such as addresses, emails, photos of contacts and (notes) making the method extremely convenient for the complete cloning of the phone book. Method 4: Transfer through the phone book. SIM-Map Method of Transfer through SIM-The card is considered obsolete, but in some situations it remains the only possible one, for example, in the absence of the Internet or problems with the software of smartphones. SIM-The cards have very limited memory and storage structure. Usually, one record is allocated space for only one phone number and a name up to one length. 15-20 All additional numbers, email addresses, photos and long names will be cropped or lost» → «Contact management» → «Imports/exports» → «Exports to SIM-The system will warn you of possible data loss, confirm the action. Once completed, open Xiaomi, go to contacts and select "Import with" SIM-map». ⚠️ Note: When importing with SIM-Xiaomi contact names can be displayed in uppercase (capital letters) or cropped. This is a technical limitation of the format of storage on the SIM chip. Use this method only as a temporary solution or to transfer the most important numbers if other methods are not available. After transferring to a new phone, it is recommended to immediately synchronize contacts with the Google account so as not to depend on the physical medium. Method 5: Using Bluetooth and sharing files Although direct contact exchange via Bluetooth ("business card") is convenient for transferring one or two numbers, it is extremely inefficient for migrating the entire phone book. However, if you combine it with creating a VCF file (described in method 3), you get a completely standalone method. Create a file with all contacts on Samsung (as in method 3). However, it does not require the installation of additional applications and the availability of a network. 💡If the Bluetooth pairing breaks down, try renaming the contact export file in English without special characters, such as mycontacts.vcf, and repeat the transfer. An alternative to “pure” Bluetooth can be fast file transfer technologies built into the shells of manufacturers, for example, ShareMe (formerly Mi Drop) on Xiaomi or Quick Share (formerly Nearby Share) on Samsung. They use Bluetooth to search, but they transmit data over Wi-Fi, which is much faster. Solving problems and duplicates After moving contacts, users often face the problem of duplication of records. SIM-Google Map and Account: Xiaomi and Samsung have built-in tools to address this issue. On a Xiaomi smartphone, open the Contacts app, go to settings, and find “Clear duplicates” or “Combine duplicate contacts.” The system will automatically analyze the database and suggest combining records with the same names or numbers. You may also experience contacts that have been moved but are not displayed in the call list. Check the display settings: in the contact app, click on the filter and make sure that the "All Contacts" check box is ticked, not just "Contacts on the phone." If the numbers are displayed but without names (numbers only), this means that the contact is saved in one profile (for example, on the website). SIM), The call log is looked at in another (e.g. Google), in which case only manual import/export or forced synchronization of all profiles will help. In rare cases, it may be necessary to clear the Contacts and Contacts (system) app cache through the Settings menu. → Annexes → All applications → Contacts → Memory. → Clear the cache. It won't delete your numbers, but it will update the database. Can I move contacts if the Samsung screen is broken? If the sensor doesn't work, but the image is there, you can plug in. USB-mouse-over OTG. If the screen is completely black but the phone is turned on, try connecting it to your computer in debugging mode if it was turned on earlier, or use your Google account to remotely manage if such a feature has been activated. Using official apps like Mi Mover or standard Android protocols is safe. However, avoid questionable programs from unverified sources that may require access to your phone book for "analysis," which could lead to a leak of personal data. What if names were written in hieroglyphics when importing? This is a code problem. Often occurs when transferring from very old phones or through specific formats. Try importing contacts indirectly, but first on the computer, open a file in a text editor (for example, Notepad).++), recodify UTF-8 And save it, then import it again. How many contacts do you have? SIM-A map? Standard modern. SIM-The card usually holds between 250 and 500 records, but as mentioned above, the quality of the recordings is extremely poor, so rely on the data to be stored. SIM-The map as the main storage of the phone book in 2026 is inappropriate.