How to Transfer Contacts to Xiaomi: A Complete Guide

Changing your smartphone is always stressful, because you're afraid of losing your data, and the first thing users worry about is keeping your phone book safe. Moving from the Samsung ecosystem to Xiaomi devices (MIUI or HyperOS) may seem difficult because of the different shells, but in fact, the data migration process is automated and takes minutes. There are several proven methods, each with its own advantages depending on the amount of data and access to the Internet.

In this article, we will take a look at all the synchronization options available, from built-in utilities to manual.vcf files. You will learn how to avoid common mistakes such as duplicate records or loss of special characters in numbers. It is important to understand that backup is a must before any manipulation of data to eliminate the risk of its complete loss.

Whether you have a new model or a mileage device, setting up your accounts correctly will make the transition invisible to your surroundings. We will look at the nuances of working with a Google account, which acts as a universal bridge between Android smartphones, as well as specific tools from manufacturers. Read carefully to choose the best option for your situation.

Using the Mi Mover application for direct transmission

The fastest and most efficient way to migrate data is to use the Mi Mover branded tool, which is pre-installed on all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones. This application creates a local Wi-Fi network between the two devices, which allows you to transfer information at high speed without spending mobile traffic. To start, you need to install the same application on the old Samsung from Google Play, if it is not there, although often the system will offer it to download when you first start a new phone.

The connection process requires care, because the devices need to be in close proximity to each other. Once you run the program on your new smartphone, you choose the Receiver role, and on Samsung, the Sender. QR-The application interface is intuitive: you will be asked to select data types for transfer, among which you must note "Contacts", "Messages" and "Call log".

⚠️ Note: During the transfer process, do not block device screens or switch to other applications, as this may break the connection and interrupt the data copying in the middle of the process.

One of the key features of the Mi Mover is the ability to transfer not only numbers, but also their storage structure. SIM-map) and import them correctly in the relevant sections MIUI. If the contacts on the old device have been broken down into groups, such as Family, Work, or Friends, they will also retain their structure in the new location, eliminating the need for manual sorting.

Synchronization through Google Account

The most reliable and “classic” method for the Android ecosystem is synchronization through Google’s cloud service. This method is ideal in that your contacts are not tied to a specific device, but to your account, making them available from any gadget after entering your username and password. On a Samsung smartphone, you need to make sure that contact synchronization is enabled: go to Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Account Management, select your Google account and make sure that the switch opposite to Contacts is active.

Once synced, the data will automatically be uploaded to the Google Contacts cloud. To check if the operation is successful, you can open your browser on your computer and go to contacts.google.com, where all your numbers should be displayed. This method is especially convenient because it works in the background: even if you accidentally deleted the contact on your phone, it can be restored from the shopping cart in the Google web interface within 30 days.

On Xiaomi’s new device, the process is even easier. When you first set up your phone, the system will ask you to enter your Google account. If you enter the same account as on Samsung, the phone book will load automatically within minutes of connecting to Wi-Fi. You can manually start the process through the Settings menu → Accounts and Sync → Google, where you click on the “Sync”.

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If contacts don’t show up immediately after syncing, open the Contacts app on Xiaomi, click on three dots in the corner and select Settings → Import Contacts → Google.

It's important to note that when you use this method, all contacts are stored in the Google cloud, not in the phone's memory, which means that when you reset your settings to factory or lose your device, your data will not be lost. However, to run the phone offline (without the Internet), some of the data is cached in the device's memory, but the main editing operations are better done when you have a network.

Export and import via.vcf file

If you don’t have access to the Internet or prefer to store data locally, the best solution is to back up.vcf (vCard) format, a universal format supported by all modern smartphones and allows you to transfer thousands of contacts in one file. On Samsung, open the Contacts app, click on the menu (three bars) and select Settings. → Import and export of contacts → Export contacts: The system will offer to save the file to internal memory or to SD-map.

The resulting file must be transferred to the new Xiaomi smartphone, which can be done via Bluetooth, messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp), or simply by copying the file to your computer and then to a new phone. Once the file is in Xiaomi memory, open the Contacts app, go to settings and select Import and Export Contacts. → Import from storage. The system will find the.vcf file and suggest you choose a save location: it is recommended to choose a Google account or phone memory, but not a Google account. SIM-card to save complete data (email, addresses, photos).

The good thing about this method is that it's completely independent of vendor servers and cloud services. You get a physical file that you can store on a flash drive as an archive copy. But be careful when importing it, if you've tried other ways before, make sure you don't create duplicates. MIUI usually suggests combining duplicate records, but manual verification doesn't hurt.

Transfer of contacts from SIM-card

Many users still keep numbers on the SIM-Indeed, when you change the SIMKI from Samsung to Xiaomi, all the numbers will appear in the phone book automatically or after a single system request: SIM-The card usually stores only the contact name and one phone number, cutting off long names and ignoring additional fields such as email, address or second number.

If you do decide to use this method, first make sure that the contacts on Samsung are copied to the SIM card. → Settings → Import and export → Exports to SIM-After installing the map in Xiaomi, if the contacts did not appear themselves, open the Contact app, go to Settings → Import and export of contacts → Import with SIM-The system will suggest you to choose a destination - choose your phone memory or Google account to expand the functionality.

⚠️ Note: Do not keep a single copy of your contacts on the SIM-card for a long time, because if the chip is damaged or the card is lost, it will be impossible to restore data, unlike cloud backups.

The main disadvantage of the method is the limitation on the number of characters in the name (usually up to the limit of the number of characters in the name). 15-20 signs) and lack of Cyrillic support in some older recording formats SIM, This can lead to "cracker" instead of names, so it's recommended that you copy the data immediately after the transfer. SIM-Smartphone or cloud memory cards to be able to edit and supplement contact information.

Comparison of data transfer methods

To make it easier for you to choose the right way, we have prepared a comparison table that shows the pros and cons of each option, depending on your priorities: speed, data volume or independence from the Internet.

As you can see from the table, Mi Mover and Google Account are the most complete solutions that preserve the entire data structure. SIM-The.vcf file is a middle ground, offering a balance between speed and network independence.

Solving problems with duplicates and coding

When you transfer a lot of data, you often have the problem of duplicate records, which happens when contacts have been stored in both the phone's memory and the phone's memory. SIM-Map and Google account at the same time. MIUI It has a built-in tool to solve this problem. Go to the Contacts app, click on the menu and select Tools. → Combine duplicate contacts. The system will analyze the database and suggest combining records with the same numbers or names.

Another common problem is incorrect encoding, where Russian names are replaced by incomprehensible characters, a common feature seen when imported from old phones or through certain models. SIM-If you encounter this, try changing the system language to English, import it, and then return it to Russian. In some cases, re-exporting to a.vcf file with a choice of encoding helps. UTF-8 (if the application-contacts allow it) and subsequent importation.

Users may also experience contact information but not displaying photos of subscribers, which is because access rights to the gallery or specific folders may be limited. Check Settings → Applications → Contacts → Permissions to make sure the app is allowed access to media files and device memory.

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Regular cleaning of duplicates and checking the display of photos is a mandatory step after the mass migration of data, which will take no more than 5 minutes, but will save nerves in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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After successfully transferring and checking all the numbers on the new Xiaomi, it is recommended to make a final backup copy on the new device to fix the current state of the phone book.