How to transfer contacts from Samsung phone to Xiaomi: all ways with detailed instructions

Why the transfer of contacts between Samsung and Xiaomi is difficult

Switching from Samsung Galaxy to Xiaomi Redmi/POCO is a popular solution among users, but moving contacts often becomes a headache, because both manufacturers use different Android shells: One UI from Samsung and MIUI from Xiaomi, which means that standard synchronization functions may not work correctly, and some methods (for example, through Samsung Smart Switch) are not available for devices of other brands.

Another problem is the formats of the contacts’ storage, which Samsung defaults to its Samsung Account, whereas Xiaomi is focused on Mi Account or Google. If you’ve never set up sync with Google Contacts, all numbers can remain “tied” to your old phone. Fortunately, there are at least 5 reliable ways to solve this problem – from the simplest export through the Internet. SIM-Map before automatic migration through the cloud.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods, including the nuances for specific models (for example, the Galaxy S23 Ultra or Xiaomi 13T Pro), and also warn against typical errors that can cause contacts to duplicate or disappear.

Method 1: Sync through Google Account (the most reliable method)

If you've used Google Contacts on your Samsung, it takes no more than 5 minutes to transfer, and it works even if your old phone breaks down, so you need to have your contacts synced earlier.

1. On a Samsung phone: 📱 Open the Contacts app. 🔄 Press three dots (menu) → Contact management → Synchronization of contacts. ☁️ Select Google Account and enable sync (if it has been disabled). ⏳ Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 10 minutes with a lot of contacts).
2. On Xiaomi's phone: 📱 When you first turn on, log in to the same Google Account as you do on Samsung. 🔄 Go to Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Google. ☑️ Activate the switch next to Contacts. 🔍 Open the Contacts app – all numbers should appear automatically.

⚠️ Note: If your Samsung contacts are only stored in your Samsung Account or on your account SIM-If you're not using a map, this method won't work.

Check Wi-Fi connection on both phones|Make sure that Xiaomi has enough free memory|Use the same Google Account|Turn off battery savings for the Contacts app"-->

Method 2: Transfer of contacts through SIM-card (if there is no internet)

This method is suitable for a small number of contacts (up to 250 numbers) and does not require a connection to the network.

• 🚫 No photos of contacts and additional fields (e.g. addresses) are saved).
• 📛 SIM-The card must maintain the storage of contacts (check with the operator).
• ⚠️ Xiaomi may not display the import menu with SIM — In this case, use a third-party application (see Method 5).

Instructions:

1. Exports to Samsung: 📱 Open Contacts. → Contact management → Imports/Exports. 📤 Select Export on Export SIM-map and specify which contacts to keep (e.g., phone numbers only). ⏳ Wait until the end (notification will appear on the screen).
2. Imports to Xiaomi: 🔄 Put it in. SIM-card. 📱 Open Contacts. → press three points → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM-map. 📥 Choose where to save contacts (we recommend Google Account or Device).

💡

If Xiaomi does not have an import option SIM, download the app SIM Card Contacts from Google Play, which supports even older formats SIM-contact.

Method 3: Transmission via Bluetooth (without internet or cables)

Bluetooth is a universal protocol that works on all smartphones, including the Samsung Galaxy A54 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12.

• 🐢 Slow speed: 500 contacts can take 15-20 minutes to transfer.
• 🔋 Battery discharge: Keep both phones on charge during the process.
• 📶 Some Xiaomi models do not accept more than 300 contacts at a time.

Step-by-step:

1. 🔗 Device pairing: On Samsung: Settings → Connections → Bluetooth → Turn on and make your phone visible. On Xiaomi: Settings → Bluetooth → Find Samsung in the list and connect (enter a confirmation code if required).
2. 📤 Sending Contacts: Open Contacts on Samsung → press three points → Share. ☑️ Make sure you have the right contacts (or select All of them). 📲 In the sending method, select Bluetooth. → Specify Xiaomi from the list of devices.
3. 📥 Reception on Xiaomi: On the screen Xiaomi will appear a request to receive a file (usually in.vcf format). 📁 Accept the file and save it (for example, in the Download folder). 🔄 Open the.vcf file – the contacts will be automatically added to the phone book.

⚠️ Note: On some Xiaomi models (e.g, POCO X5 Pro) receiving contacts via Bluetooth may result in the error "File corrupted" in which case use Method 4 (via cable) or third-party applications.

Method 4: Direct transmission via cable (USB OTG or adapter)

If you have a USB-C cable with an OTG connector or a USB-A → USB-C adapter, you can transfer contacts directly, without clouds or Bluetooth. This method is suitable for large phone books (1000+ contacts) and works even on older models like the Samsung Galaxy J6 or Xiaomi Redmi 7A.

You'll need:

• 🔌 Cable USB OTG or adapter (cost) ~200-500 rubles).
• 📱 Both phones with a charge of at least 50%.
• 📁 File Manager (e.g. Mi File Manager on Xiaomi).

Instructions:

1. 📤 Exporting contacts to Samsung: Open Contacts → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to device. 📄 Save the file in.vcf format (for example, for internal memory or SD-map).
2. 🔌 Connecting phones: Using USB OTG Connect Samsung (as a flash drive) and Xiaomi (as a host device). On Xiaomi, in the notification panel, select File Transfer Mode (MTP).
3. 📥 Import to Xiaomi: Open Mi File Manager → Find the.vcf file on a Samsung connected. Copy it into Xiaomi's internal memory. 🔄 Open the file – contacts will be added automatically.

Through Google Account|Through SIM-map|Bluetooth.|Through cable.|Special annexes-->

Method 5: Special applications for migration (for complex cases)

If standard methods didn’t work (for example, due to damaged contacts or incompatible Android versions), use third-party utilities. We tested the 3 most reliable applications:

• 📱 Copy My Data (free, no ads): Supports Wi-Fi transmission without limiting the number of contacts; saves profile photos and additional fields. Works on Android 5.0 and later.

⚠️ Note: When using CLONEit on Xiaomi with MIUI 14 may need to temporarily disable Data Protection in settings (Settings) → Special facilities → Data protection. After the transfer, remember to turn it back on!

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even when following instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

• 🔴 Contacts are duplicated: Reason: sync is enabled in both Google Account and Mi Account.Solution: Disable sync in Settings → Accounts for one of the accounts, then delete duplicates manually or using the Duplicate Contacts app.
• 🔴 Not all contacts were transferred: Reason: limit the number of contacts when transmitting via Bluetooth or SIM-Solution: Use Method 1 (Google) or Method 5 (Applications).
• 🔴 Contact photos not displayed: Reason: when exported through SIM Solution: Move contacts through Google Contacts or Send Anywhere.
• 🔴 Error "Cannot import contacts": Reason: corrupted.vcf file or incompatible Android versions.Solution: Open.vcf file on PC via Google Contacts (https://contacts.google.com), Then export it again.

Critical information: Xiaomi with MIUI 13 and later, when importing contacts through a.vcf file, spam protection can work. To avoid blocking, add the @gmail.com domain to the whitelist before importing in the security settings (Settings → Apps → Permissions → Autocomplete).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

💡

The most reliable way to transfer contacts is through Google Account sync, which works even if the phone breaks down, gets lost or runs out of power, since all data is stored in the cloud.