Switching to a new smartphone is always an exciting process, often overshadowed by the fear of losing important data. The most valuable information for most users is the phone numbers saved in the notebook of an old device. Fortunately, modern technology allows you to transfer contacts in just a few minutes, regardless of whether you change Android to Android or switch from iOS.
Samsung and Xiaomi device owners are in a winning position, because both companies have developed powerful tools for data migration. You don't need to be a technician to perform this procedure. There are many methods, from cloud synchronization to direct Wi-Fi connection. The choice of the particular method depends on the number of records and personal preferences of the user.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the current options for transferring the phone book. We will look at the Mi Mover application, the capabilities of a Google account, the classic work with the Internet. SIM-Import via.vcf files, and we will also pay attention to possible errors, such as the appearance of duplicates, and tell you how to avoid them.
Preparing devices for data migration
Before you start copying directly, you need to make sure that both smartphones are ready to work. First of all, check the battery level on both devices. It is advisable to charge at least 50-60%, since the process of data transfer, especially over a wireless network, can be energy intensive. If the charge is low, it is better to connect the gadgets to the power source.
The second important step is to ensure a stable connection. Most current methods require a connection to the same Wi-Fi network. Make sure that both phones have a wireless module on them, and it is also worth checking that the receiving device (Xiaomi) has enough memory space to receive data, even though the contacts themselves occupy a negligible amount of space.
⚠️ Warning: Before any data manipulation is initiated, it is recommended to back up contacts on your old phone, which will protect you from accidental loss of information in the event of a process failure.
It is not superfluous to clean the phone book of obviously erroneous or unnecessary entries in advance, which will save time during transfer and eliminate the need to clean up the "digital garbage" in a new place. SIM-card, they should also be copied to the memory of the phone before the start of the basic procedures.
☑️ Preparation for transfer
Using the Mi Mover app for direct transfer
The most efficient and quickest way developed specifically for the Xiaomi ecosystem is to use the proprietary Mi Mover app, which allows you to transfer data directly from one Android device to another without using the Internet, creating a local hotspot.
To get started, you need to install the Mi Mover app on both smartphones. On Xiaomi devices with MIUI or HyperOS shells, it is often pre-installed in the Tools folder. On Samsung, it needs to be downloaded from the Google Play Market. Once you launch the app on both phones, select the role of each device: on the old phone, click "I am the sender" and on the new one, "I am the recipient."
The system will then offer scanning. QR-The old phone's camera reads the code, and the devices will have a secure connection, and in the data selection menu, make sure to tick the "Contacts" box. You can also choose to transfer other data, such as messages, photos or installed apps.
- 📲 Launch the Mi Mover app on both smartphones.
- 🔄 Select the roles “Sender” and “Recipient” respectively.
- 📷 Scan it. QR-camera-code.
- ✅ Select the category “Contacts” and click “Send».
The copying process will be quite quick. The transfer speed depends on the amount of data, but for a phone book it usually takes seconds. Once completed, a report of successfully transferred records will appear on the screen of the new Xiaomi.
What if the Mi Mover can’t see the device?
Synchronization through Google account
The most universal method that works on any Android device is sync through the Google cloud, which is good because your contacts are always on hand, even if you lose your phone. All you need to implement it is a Gmail account.
On the old Samsung, open your settings and find the Accounts and Archiving section or just Users and Accounts. Select your Google account and make sure the switch opposite Contacts is active. Click the Sync button (usually three dots in the corner or a separate button) to let the data go to the cloud.
Now, to the new Xiaomi. When you first set up your phone, it will ask you to enter your Google account information. If you've already entered it, just go to the settings, select your account, and enable sync. In a few minutes, all your numbers will appear in the phone book automatically.
| Parameter | Description of action | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Account. | The same Gmail on both phones | Tall. |
| Internet | Requires a stable connection | Critically. |
| Time. | Depends on the speed of the network. | Medium |
| The result | A full copy of the cloud | Tall. |
The main advantage of this method is automation, and you don't have to think about saving numbers anymore, because Google Contacts will be updated in real time, and any change made from any device will instantly be reflected everywhere.
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Syncing through Google is the best way for those who change phones frequently, as data is stored in the cloud, not in the memory of a particular gadget.
Transfer through SIM-map: classical method
Although this method is considered outdated, it remains one of the most reliable when you need to move contacts without using the Internet and complex applications. SIM-The card has limited memory and supports only basic fields (name and number), but for a simple phone book, this is enough.
First, export your data to the SIM. On Samsung, open the Contacts app, click on the menu (three bars or dots) and select Contact Management. Find Import/Export Contacts and select Export. As target storage, select Contact Management. SIM-map.
After you finish exporting to Samsung, remove the SIM card and paste it into the new Xiaomi. Go to the similar import menu on the new device, select "Import with the new device." SIM-Maps" and specify the place of saving - it is recommended to select "Phone" or Google account, so as not to lose data when the next SIM is replaced.
⚠️ Note: When transferring through SIM-The card may be shortened by long contact names, and avatars and additional numbers (working, mobile) will not be saved.
If you can't physically move your SIM card (e.g., using eSIM or different size cards), this method won't work, so you'd better use the export file you'll see below.
Import and export via VCF file
The.vcf (vCard) format is a standard file format for e-business cards, which allows you to save not only the number and name, but also email, address, photo and other details, and this method is ideal if you want to make a full backup of a phone book or transfer contacts via Bluetooth or messenger.
On Samsung, go to your contacts and select “Import/Export.” Click “Export” and select the save location “Device Memory” or «SD-The system will create a file with the.vcf extension that will contain all your records, and you can find it in the file manager at the root of the memory or in the Downloads folder.
Transfer this file to Xiaomi. You can do this via Bluetooth, send it to Telegram/WhatsApp, or just copy it to your computer and then to your new phone. On the new device, open the file manager, find the file and click on it. The system will suggest importing contacts. Choose the account to save the data to.
- 📂 Create a.vcf export file on your old phone.
- 📤 Transfer the file in any convenient way (BT, messenger, USB).
- 📥 Open the file on the new Xiaomi and confirm the import.
- 💾 Select a target account to save.
This method is good for its versatility:.vcf can be opened on almost any device, including Windows or macOS computers, making it a great option for creating an archived copy.
Solving Duplicate Contact Problems
After transferring data, users often face the unpleasant situation of having two or three identical numbers on the list, which happens if the contacts were saved in different places (on the phone, on the SIM card, on Google) and when importing them, the system did not automatically combine them.
Modern MIUI and One UI shells have built-in tools to combat this: Open the Contacts app on Xiaomi, click on the settings menu, and find Contacts Organization or Contact Management. There will be a “Combine Duplicates” feature.
The system will analyze the list and suggest that you combine the records with the same names or numbers, so you can either accept an automatic offer or manually choose which cards to merge into one, which is an important step in helping to clean up the phone book.
It's also worth checking your display settings. Sometimes contacts aren't duplicated, they're just displayed from different sources. In your contact settings, look for "Make contacts" and make sure you select "All contacts" or the account you've moved them to, which will hide the old records that you've left in your phone's memory.
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Check your contact list periodically for duplicates, especially if you actively use multiple instant messengers and social networks that can automatically create contact cards.