How to Transfer Contacts from Samsung Phone to Xiaomi: Full Guide

Changing a mobile device is always stressful, with the risk of losing important data. Especially frustrating if, after buying a new Xiaomi, you find that the phone book is empty. Fortunately, the Android ecosystem allows for relatively painless migration between brands like Samsung and Xiaomi. Current sync techniques take only a few minutes if you know where to click.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to transfer a phone book, from cloud services to local file sharing, how to avoid duplicates and what to do if standard methods fail. Digital data retention is a priority when you first set up a gadget.

It doesn’t matter what model you have, the old Samsung Galaxy A50 or the flagship Xiaomi 13 Pro. The principles of communication remain similar, although the interfaces of the One UI and MIUI (or HyperOS) shells may differ visually.

Preparing devices before data migration

Before you start the process, you have to do a series of preparatory steps to avoid transmission errors and loss of information, and backup is a key step that is often neglected.

Make sure both smartphones are at least 50-60% charged, the process can take time, and battery drains at a critical point will interrupt the connection, and check for a stable Wi-Fi connection if you plan to use cloud methods.

⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to port data if one of the devices is power-saving mode, this may interrupt the Wi-Fi Direct connection or suspend background synchronization.

Clear the memory on the receiving device if it is full. Although the contacts take up little space, the system needs a resource to process temporary files. Check that on Samsung, the contacts are stored in the phone memory or account, not just on the phone or account. SIM-map, if there are many.

It is recommended to update the system software on both devices in advance. In older versions of Android, there may be security bugs that block the transfer of files over Bluetooth or over the local network. Go to Settings β†’ System β†’ Software Update and check for updates.

πŸ“Š What transfer method do you plan to use?
Through Google Account
Mi Mover appendix
Through SIM-map
Bluetooth.

Method 1: Sync through Google Account

The most reliable and simple method that works on any Android device: If you've been using Samsung extensively, your contacts are probably already stored in the cloud. Google Contacts is the de facto standard for the ecosystem.

To start, check on your old phone if sync is enabled. Go to Settings β†’ Accounts and Archiving β†’ Account Management β†’ Google. Make sure the switch opposite Contacts is activated. If not, turn it on and click Sync.

Now, the new Xiaomi, which is the first time you turn on, the phone will suggest you sign in to Google, enter the same username and password as you did on Samsung, and automatically pull up all the data, including phone numbers, email addresses, and notes.

If the phone is already set up, add the account manually:

  • πŸ“² Open Settings on Xiaomi.
  • πŸ” Find the Accounts and Synchronization section.
  • βž• Click Add Account and select Google.
  • βœ… Enter data and allow contact synchronization.

Once the process is complete, the numbers will appear in the phone book, sometimes taking a few minutes to fully download all the records, especially if there are hundreds of them, and the contacts saved by Google are not physically tied to the device, allowing you to recover them even after a complete reset of the phone.

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If contacts do not appear immediately, open the Contacts app, click on three points (menu) and select Settings β†’ Contacts to Display β†’ All Contacts.

Method 2: Use the Mi Mover application

Xiaomi has developed its own utility, Mi Mover, to quickly migrate data from any Android smartphone, which creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices without consuming Internet traffic, and transfer speeds are much faster than Bluetooth.

On Xiaomi, the app is already preinstalled in the Tools folder. On Samsung, you need to download it from the Google Play Market. Run the program on both devices. On the new phone, select Reciever and on the old phone, Sender.

Follow the instructions on the screen:

  • πŸ“‘ Xiaomi will appear QR-wifi code.
  • πŸ”— On Samsung, scan the code or connect to the network you have created.
  • πŸ“‚ Select the category "Contacts" (you can choose both photos and applications).
  • πŸš€ Click "Send" and wait until the process is over.

Mi Mover's interface is very simple and intuitive. Unlike cloud-based methods, it's directly transmitted, which guarantees privacy. It's okay to interrupt, it's okay to resume.

β˜‘οΈ Check before launching the Mi Mover

Done: 0 / 4

Method 3: Transfer through SIM-map

This is considered obsolete, but it's indispensable if you don't have access to the Internet or you're moving from a very old button phone. The main limitation is the number of records. SIM-The card can hold 250 to 500 contacts, and often cuts long names.

First export your data to Samsung. Open the Contacts app, go to the Control menu (three bars or dots) and select Contact Management. β†’ Import/export of contacts β†’ Exports to SIM-The system will warn you of the possible loss of data if there is too much data.

Then insert it. SIM-Xiaomi card after downloading the system:

  1. Open the Contacts app.
  2. Go to the import settings or menu.
  3. Choose to import with SIM-map.
  4. Specify destination – β€œPhone” or β€œGoogle Account” (preferably immediately to the account).

⚠️ Note: When importing with SIM-The cards often lose additional fields, such as a second number, email address, or contact photo. Use this method only for base numbers.

After copying, be sure to back up on a new phone so as not to depend on the physical media. SIM-The map can be demagnetized or lost, and the cloud is available from anywhere.

Method 4: Sharing Bluetooth and VCF files

If you don't have the Internet and the cable doesn't work, you can use old-fashioned Bluetooth, which is slow, but it works autonomously, and the idea is to create a business card file (.vcf) and transfer it.

On Samsung, log in, select all the entries (usually through the All menu or finger highlighting). Click Share or Export and select vCard (.vcf) format. Save the file to internal memory.

Turn on Bluetooth on both devices. Spatch them: Xiaomi should have your Samsung in search of devices. Accept the pairing request and type the same one. PIN-code, if required.

Transfer the file you create via Bluetooth. Xiaomi will receive a notification of the incoming file. Once accepted, the system will automatically prompt you to import contacts from the file into the phone book, a universal way that any operating system understands.

What to do if the.vcf file is not opened?
Sometimes the system doesn't associate the file with the contact app, so open File Manager, find the downloaded file, click on it and select Import, or open the Contacts app manually.

Solution: Duplicates and synchronization problems

A common problem after transfer is the appearance of duplicates, which occurs if you used several methods at the same time (for example, synced Google and then imported with SIM), cleaning the duplicates is necessary for ease of use.

Xiaomi phones have a built-in tool for merging. Go to the Contacts app, click on the menu (three dots) and select Cleanup β†’ Combine duplicate contacts. The system will find matches by number or name and offer to combine them into one card.

If contacts don't show up, check the display filter. In the Contacts app, click on the settings and make sure that it ticks "Show all contacts." Sometimes it's the default to display only with SIM or only from your phone.

A comparison of transfer methods is presented in the table below:

MethodSpeed.We need the Internet.Saves a photo.
Google AccountTall.Yes.Yes.
Mi MoverVery high.No.Yes.
SIM-mapMediumNo.No.
Bluetooth (VCF)Low.No.Yes.

⚠️ Warning: Be careful when using third-party applications to clean up duplicates, they may have access to your entire phone book. MIUI.

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The cleanest result without duplicates is achieved by using only one transfer method, preferably through a Google Account or Mi Mover.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Disappeared after the MIUI update, what to do?
It's likely that your display settings or your account are lost. Go to Settings β†’ Accounts and Sync, select your Google account and click Sync. Also check if contacts are hidden in the Contacts app settings.
Can I transfer my phone history with my contacts?
Yes, it is possible. Mi Mover can port the call log and SMS. When synchronized through Google Account, the call history is not automatically transferred, you need to use the Google One backup function or third-party snails.
Where are the contacts physically stored after the transfer?
It depends on where you saved them. If you chose Google, they're in the cloud. If Phone is in the device's internal memory in the system database, you can check and change the default location in the Contacts settings.
What if Mi Mover can't see an old phone?
Make sure both devices are on GPS and Wi-Fi. Sometimes it helps to reboot both phones. Also check if the antivirus or permission system blocks the creation of a local network. Try to create a Wi-Fi hotspot manually and connect to it.