How to transfer contacts to Samsung Xiaomi Redmi: all ways from A to Z

Introduction: Why Contact Transfers Aren't as Easy as They Seem

The transition from Samsung to Xiaomi Redmi is not only a brand change, but also a migration of all digital life: photos, messages, apps and, of course, contacts. It would seem that it could be easier than copying phone numbers? In practice, users face format incompatibility, manufacturers restrictions and hidden settings that are not written in the official instructions.

The main problem is that Samsung and Xiaomi use different ecosystems: the first is deeply integrated with Google and Samsung Account services, the second with Mi Account and its own cloud solutions, which means that direct transfer of contacts through standard means (for example, Bluetooth) often leads to the loss of groups, photos of contacts and additional fields like birthdays or addresses. In this article, we will analyze all the current ways – from the simplest to professional – so that you can choose the best option without the risk of losing data.

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

If you’ve used Samsung on Android, chances are your contacts are already synced with your Google Account, which works on 99% of devices and stores all your contacts, including groups and photos attached, with the main benefit of automatic updates: if you add a new contact to Redmi, it will also appear on the old Samsung (subject to sync).

To move your contacts through Google, follow the following steps:

• 📱 On Samsung: Open Settings → Accounts and archiving → Manage your accounts and select your Google Account. Make sure the switch opposite Contact is on (if not, turn on and wait for sync).
• 🔄 On Xiaomi Redmi: Sign in to the same Google Account when you first turn on. If your phone is already set up, go to Settings → Accounts. → Google and activate contact sync.
• ⏳ Wait 5-10 minutes. Contacts will appear automatically in the Contacts app. If this does not happen, check your Internet connection or restart your device.

⚠️ Note: If on Samsung contacts are only stored in the phone's memory (not Google), this method won't work. Check this in the Contacts app - there should be a Google mark next to each contact.

Check your Wi-Fi or mobile internet connection

Make sure that both phones have enough battery power.

Remember your Google Account password (required for Redmi)

Open your Samsung account settings and wait for sync to complete.-->

Method 2: Export/import via VCF file (for advanced users)

The Virtual Contact File (VCF) format is the universal standard for storing contacts that all modern smartphones support, and it works if you don’t want to use cloud services or don’t have access to a Google Account, and the advantage of the method is that you have complete control over the data: you can edit the file before importing it or save a backup copy of it.

Instructions for the perenos:

1. Exports to Samsung: 📤 Open the Contacts app. 🔍 Press three dots (menu) → Contact management → Import/export of contacts. 📄 Select Export to your device and confirm the creation of the contacts.vcf file (usually saved in the Download or Documents folder).
2. Transfer of the file to Redmi: 📎 Connect Samsung to your computer or use it. Bluetooth/Telegram file-sending to Redmi. 📱 Alternative: Upload the file to Google Drive or Mi Cloud and download it to your new phone.
3. Imports to Xiaomi Redmi: 📥 Open the Contacts app on Redmi. 🔍 Go to Settings (three dots above) → Import/export of contacts → Import from the device. 📂 Select the downloaded contact.vcf file and confirm the import.

💡

If the VCF file is not imported, try renaming it contacts.vcf (no spaces and Cyrillic) or using the Contacts+ app from Google Play to import.

Method 3: Use SIM-maps (obsolete but working method)

SIM-transfer is a "old-fashioned" way that is relevant for older phone models or in the absence of Internet, but it has serious limitations:

• 🚫 SIM-The card stores only the name and number (without photos, addresses, email, etc.).
• 📏 Limitation on the number of contacts (usually up to 250-300 per person) SIM).
• ⚠️ Risk of data loss when retrieving a card (if the phone turns off or if it is not connected) SIM hurt).

If you still decide to use this method, follow the instructions:

1. 📱 On Samsung: Open Contacts → Settings → Imports/exports → Exports to SIM-Select your export contacts (or all) and confirm.
2. 🔄 Extract. SIM-Map and paste it into Xiaomi Redmi.
3. 📥 On Redmi: Open Contacts → Settings → Import with SIM-Maps and select contacts to import.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note) 10 Pro) importation of c SIM It may not work due to restrictions MIUI. In this case, use an adapter for microSIM/nanoSIM Connect the card via another intermediary phone.

Synchronization through Google

VCF file

Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct

SIM-map

Another method-->

Method 4: Mi Mover app (official solution from Xiaomi)

Mi Mover is a proprietary tool from Xiaomi, designed to transfer data from other smartphones (including Samsung) to Redmi, Poco or Mi devices. the application copies not only contacts, but also messages, photos, videos, applications (if they are compatible).

How to use Mi Mover:

• 📲 Install the Mi Mover app on Samsung from Google Play (on Redmi it is preinstalled).
• 🔗 Run Mi Mover on both phones. On Redmi, select I'm new, on Samsung, I'm old.
• 📶 Connect to the Wi-Fi network created by Redmi (password will appear on the screen).
• 📋 Select data to transfer (be sure to tick Contacts) and click Start.
• ⏳ Wait until the process is complete (it can take up to 10-15 minutes depending on the amount of data).

Mi Mover may not work correctly with the latest Samsung Android 13/14 models due to changes in security policy.

• 🔄 Reboot both phones.
• 📶 Use a mobile hotspot instead of Wi-Fi Direct.
• 📱 Update Mi Mover to the latest version.

Method 5: Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct (fast but limited)

If you don’t have access to the Internet or cloud services, you can transfer contacts over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, which is suitable for transferring a small number of contacts (up to 50-100), since it requires manual confirmation of each step, the main disadvantage is the loss of groups and additional fields (only names and numbers will be saved).

Step-by-step:

1. 📱 On Samsung: Open Contacts. Choose Contacts. → Share. → Bluetooth. Select Xiaomi Redmi from the list of devices.
2. 📲 On Redmi: Accept the incoming file (usually contacts.vcf). Open the received file and confirm the import to Contacts.

To speed up the process, you can send contacts in packs:

• 📋 In the Samsung Contacts app, click and hold the first contact, then tick the rest.
• 📤 Press Share. → Bluetooth and select Redmi.
• 📥 At Redmi confirm acceptance and import.

⚠️ Note: When transferring via Bluetooth, contacts may be duplicated if Redmi already has entries with the same names. Before importing, it is recommended to clear the contact list or use the duplicate merging tool in the Contact settings.

Method 6: Cloud Services (Samsung Cloud → Mi Cloud)

If you’ve been using Samsung Cloud extensively, you can transfer contacts via export to Mi Cloud, a method that is suitable for users who want to back up contacts in the Xiaomi cloud, but requires additional steps, as direct synchronization between Samsung Cloud and Mi Cloud is not possible.

Algorithm of action:

1. 📱 On Samsung: Open Settings → Accounts and archiving → Samsung Cloud. 📤 Export contacts to a file (usually contacts.spb or contacts.vcf).
2. 🖥️ Transfer the file to your computer or directly to Redmi.
3. 📲 On Redmi: Open Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud. 📥 Upload your contacts file to the cloud (if supported) or import it directly to your contacts.

Important: Mi Cloud has a free storage limit (usually 5GB), so if you have a lot of contacts with photos, you may need to clear the cloud or buy extra space.

💡

Cloud services are convenient for backup, but not always suitable for direct transfer. It is better to use them as an intermediate stage (for example, Samsung Cloud → VCF → Mi Cloud).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users encounter common mistakes when transferring contacts, and let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

If none of the methods worked, try alternative data transfer applications:

• 📲 Clone Phone (from Xiaomi) – analogue of Mi Mover with advanced features.
• 📱 Smart Switch (from Samsung) – can export data in a format compatible with Xiaomi.
• 🌐 My Contacts Backup – Creates a backup of contacts in the form of VCF And send it by email.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions