Moving from Samsung to Xiaomi is not just about changing interfaces and habits, but also the need to transfer important data. Contacts from the phone book are often a major headache: losing them can mean breaking ties with colleagues, friends or customers. Fortunately, modern smartphones offer several ways to migrate numbers, and most of them do not require technical skills.
In this article, we will look at all the current methods of transferring contacts, from classic exporting via SIM-card to automated solutions using cloud services. You will learn which way is the fastest, which way saves the maximum amount of data (including photos and notes to contacts), and how to avoid typical errors.
If you've tried to move numbers and you've had problems -- like duplicate records or losing some information -- at the end of this article, there's an FAQ that solves some of the most common problems, and for those who want to save time, we've compiled a method comparison table that ranks speed, reliability and data security.
1. Transfer contacts through a Google account (the most reliable way)
Sync with Google account is a versatile method that works on any Android device, including Samsung Galaxy and Xiaomi Redmi/POCO. Its main advantage is that data is stored in the cloud and automatically updated, so even if you lose your phone, contacts will remain safe.
To transfer numbers in this way:
- π± On Samsung: Open the Contacts app, tap on three dots (menus) β Contact management β Import/export of contacts β Select Export to your Google account. Make sure that sync is enabled in Settings β Accounts and archiving β Google β Synchronization of contacts.
- βοΈ On Xiaomi: when you first turn on your phone, the system will prompt you to log into your Google account. If the device is already configured, go to Settings β Google accounts and enable contact sync. Numbers will appear in the phone book automatically.
This method saves not only numbers, but also attached photos, email addresses, birthdays, and other details, but the caveat is that if your contacts were saved to a device on Samsung (not Google), they must first be moved to the cloud.
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Before you start syncing, check if there is enough space in your Google account.The free rate is limited to 15GB, and contacts with photos can take up several megabytes.
β οΈ Note: If Samsung used a Samsung Account to store contacts, they must first be exported to Google. β Settings β Contact management β Imports/exports β Export from Samsung Account to Google.
2.Use of SIM-Maps: A simple but limited method
SIM-transfer is a gruesome way that works even on the oldest phones, it doesn't require internet, and it's good if you don't have access to a Google account, but it has some serious limitations:
- π« Only name and number are saved (photos, email, addresses are lost).
- π Limitation on the number of contacts (depending on the number of contacts) SIM-cards, usually 200-250 records).
- β³ The process takes longer than cloud synchronization.
Instructions:
- On Samsung: Open Contacts β Settings β Contact management β Imports/exports β Exports to SIM-Select the right contacts (or all) and confirm.
- Extract. SIM-A map from Samsung and paste it into Xiaomi.
- On Xiaomi: Open Contacts β Settings β Imports/exports β Import with SIM-map.
What to do if Xiaomi does not see the contacts on the SIM-map?
This is a good way to do emergency transfers when other methods are not available, such as if you're selling Samsung and want to quickly copy the most important numbers.
3. Bluetooth Contact Transfer: No Internet and Wires
Bluetooth is another way to share data without a network connection, which is convenient if you donβt have Wi-Fi or mobile Internet, but requires both phones to be close by. The main drawback is that not all Xiaomi models support Bluetooth contact transfer (especially the budget Redmi A and POCO M series).
How to move numbers:
- On Samsung: Turn on Bluetooth in the notification panel and make the device visible.
- Open Contacts, select the entries you want (or click "Select All").
- Slip on Share β Bluetooth and select your Xiaomi from the list.
- On Xiaomi: Confirm the file acceptance (usually a file with the.vcf extension).
- After downloading, open the file β the contacts will be automatically added to the phone book.
If your Bluetooth connection is interrupted or contacts are not transmitted, try:
- π Reboot both phones.
- π± Make sure that Xiaomi has enough free memory (a.vcf file can weigh a few megabytes).
- π Disable power saving mode on both devices (it can block Bluetooth transmission).
4. Migration applications: Mi Mover and Smart Switch
Smartphone makers have developed their own tools to transfer data between devices, like Mi Mover for Xiaomi and Smart Switch for Samsung, which allow you to transfer not only contacts, but also messages, photos, videos and even some settings.
Mi Mover (pre-installed on all Xiaomi):
- π² It works on Wi-Fi Direct (no router required).
- π Transferring contacts, SMS, Photos, videos, music and some applications.
- β οΈ Samsung needs to install Mi Mover from Google Play (not all models are supported).
Smart Switch (from Samsung):
- π It can work through cable. OTG wirelessly.
- π Supports transfer of contacts, messages, notes and even call history.
- β Not all data is correctly displayed on Xiaomi (e.g. notes from Samsung Notes).
The following steps are taken for Mi Mover:
Install Mi Mover on Samsung from Google Play
Connect both phones to the same Wi-Fi network
Launch Mi Mover on Xiaomi and select βIβm a new userβ
On Samsung, select βIβm an old userβ and scan. QR-code
Select "Contacts" and confirm the transfer
Wait until the connection is completed (donβt interrupt the connection!)
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If the Mi Mover doesnβt see Samsung, check out:
- π Both phones are connected to the same Wi-Fi network (not mobile data).
- π΅ Samsung has power saving mode turned off for Mi Mover.
- π Restart the application on both devices.
5.Export/import via VCF file (Universal Method)
A file with the.vcf extension (vCard) is the standard format for storing contacts that all modern smartphones support, and its advantage is that you can save a backup to your computer or flash drive, and edit contacts in front of a penos.
How to create and transfer.vcf:
- On Samsung: open Contacts β Settings β Contact Management β Import/Export β Export to your device. Select the.vcf format and save the file to your phoneβs memory.
- Transfer the file to Xiaomi in any convenient way: π By email (send to your own mail and download to Xiaomi). π Through the cloud (Google Drive, Dropbox, Mi Cloud). π Cable (plug Samsung into your computer, copy the file, then connect Xiaomi).
Xiaomi
.vcf
Contacts
This is ideal if you want to filter contacts in front of a penos, for example, you can open.vcf on a computer in a text editor and delete unnecessary entries.
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The VCF file supports not only numbers, but also photos of contacts, email, addresses and notes, and is the only method that guarantees ALL data is saved without loss.
6. Alternative methods: cloud services and third-party applications
If the standard methods don't work, you can use third-party solutions, and they're useful if you:
- π You need to transfer contacts between devices on different OSes (for example, if Samsung was customized). ROM).
- π± Xiaomi does not have pre-installed migration apps.
- βοΈ You prefer to keep backups in third-party clouds.
Popular applications:
| Annex | Supported data | Features | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLONEit | Contacts, SMS, photos, videos, applications | Wi-Fi is available, there is no limit on the amount of data | Google Play |
| Copy My Data | Contacts, calendar, photos | Simple interface, supports iOS and Android | Google Play |
| Super Backup & Restore | Contacts, SMS, call log, calendar | Creates backup copies on Google Drive | Google Play |
| Mi Cloud | Contacts, photos, notes, SMS | Requires a Xiaomi account, 5GB for free | Official website |
When using third-party apps, always check reviews and rankings on Google Play β some utilities may contain ads or request unnecessary permissions. For example, CLONEit sometimes asks for access to geolocation, although this is not required to transfer contacts.
β οΈ Note: If you are migrating contacts through Mi Cloud, make sure that Xiaomi has Settings Sync enabled β Accounts. β Mi Account β Synchronization. Otherwise, the data will not be downloaded.
Comparison of methods of transfer of contacts
To choose the best method, we evaluate each method according to the key criteria:
| Method | Speed. | Data security | Difficulty | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Google account | ββββ | βββββ (data) | ββ | Regular synchronization, backup |
| SIM-map | ββ | β (name and number) | β | Emergency transfer, old phones |
| Bluetooth | βββ | βββ (photoless) | ββ | Transfer without the Internet |
| Mi Mover | ββββ | ββββ (note-note) | βββ | Complete data migration |
| VCF file | βββ | βββββ (data) | βββ | Backup, editing of contacts |
For most users, sync through a Google account or Mi Mover is the best solution. If you only need to move numbers and you don't have access to the Internet, you'll do. SIM-map.