Moving from Samsung to Xiaomi Redmi is not just about changing the ecosystem, it's also about moving important data. Contacts are often the main headache: losing them can mean losing contact with colleagues, friends or customers. Fortunately, there are several proven ways to migrate, and we'll look at each of them, from the simplest to backup options in case of technical failures.
Many users mistakenly believe that transferring contacts requires special programs or deep technical knowledge, but in fact, there are enough standard tools built into Android. The main thing is to choose the method that is right for you: for example, synchronizing through a Google account will take a couple of minutes, and migrating through a vCard file will give more control over the process. In this article, we will look at all the current methods, including the nuances for specific Redmi models (for example, Redmi Note 13 Pro+ or Redmi 12).
Before you start, make sure both devices have enough battery power (minimum 30%) and a stable internet connection (for synchronization methods).If you’re using Samsung with One UI 5/6, some menu items may be slightly different – we’ll point out alternative paths.
1. Transfer contacts through Google account (the fastest way)
This is ideal if you are already using Google services on your Samsung account, it takes less than 5 minutes to sync your contacts through your account and requires no additional software, and the main advantage is that the data is automatically updated on all devices where you are logged in.
On Samsung, go to Settings → Accounts & Archiving → Account Management. Select your Google account and make sure the switch next to Contacts is active. If not, turn on sync and wait until the process is complete (can take up to 10 minutes with a lot of contacts).
On Xiaomi Redmi, do the same: Settings → Google Accounts → Sync and activate Contacts. In a few seconds, all numbers will appear in the phone book. If contacts don’t show up, check if they are hidden in the Contacts app settings (Show Contacts → Select All Contacts).
- ✅ Pros: automation, no need to connect devices to each other, data is reserved in the cloud.
- ⚠️ Cons: You need a stable Internet, not all users trust Google to store their contacts.
- 🔄 Alternative: If sync doesn’t work, try deleting your account and adding it again on both devices.
⚠️ Note: If Samsung used a Samsung Account to store contacts, they must first be exported to a vCard file or transferred to Google. → ⋮ (menu) → Contact management → Imports/exports → Exports.
2.Export and import via vCard file (.vcf)
The.vcf (or vCard) format is a universal standard for storing contacts, which is suitable if you do not want to sync data with the cloud or you do not have access to the Internet, the file can be transferred via Bluetooth, email, instant messengers or even saved to microSD.
On Samsung, open the Contacts app, click on three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Contact Management → Export: Specify where to save the file (e.g., internal memory) → Download) and confirm export. The file will be called contacts.vcf or similar.
Now transfer this file to Xiaomi Redmi. The easiest way is to send it to yourself via Telegram or WhatsApp, then open it on a new phone and choose Import. Alternatively, you can use Explorer: find the file in the download folder, open it and confirm the import to the Contacts app.
| Step. | Action on Samsung | Action on Xiaomi Redmi |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Exports | — |
| 2 | Save a.vcf file in memory | Get a file (for example, via messenger) |
| 3 | — | Open the file and press Import |
| 4 | — | Check the contacts in the phone book |
⚠️ Note: If you import contacts to Xiaomi duplicate, go to Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Storage and clear the cache. Then repeat the import.
Export contacts to Samsung| Copy.vcf file to Xiaomi|Open file on new phone|Confirm import|Confirm no duplicates-->
3. Transfer of contacts through SIM-map (for older models)
This method is a thing of the past, but it remains relevant for devices without access to the Internet or with limited memory. SIM-The card can store up to 250 contacts (depending on the operator), but does not support photos, mailing addresses and other extended fields.
On Samsung, open your contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/exports → Exports to SIM-Select contacts (all or selective) and confirm. Wait for notification of successful export.
Put it in. SIM-Map in Xiaomi Redmi and go to Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Import with SIM-Specify where to save contacts (Device or Google account is recommended) and wait until completion. Please note that Cyrillic names may not appear correctly - this is a format limitation SIM.
- 📱 Suitable for: Samsung Galaxy J-series, Redmi 9A/10A and other budgetary models.
- ❌ Not suitable for: contacts with a large number of additional fields (e.g. multiple numbers or addresses).
- 🔧 Tip: Before exporting, check how much free space is available for the SIM-map (information in Settings) → SIM-maps and mobile networks).
💡
If Xiaomi Redmi doesn’t show the import option with SIM, try rebooting your phone or pasting the card into another slot (if there are two).
4.Use of Bluetooth for the transmission of contacts
Bluetooth transmission is a classic way that works even without the Internet, which is convenient if you don’t have a computer or a microSD card on hand, but there is a limitation: you can send only one contact (or group, if supported) per transmission.
On Samsung, open Contacts, select the contact you want (or multiple, holding your finger on each) and click Share. From the options list, select Bluetooth. Make sure that Xiaomi Redmi has Bluetooth enabled and the phone is visible for other devices (Settings → Bluetooth → Visibility).
On Redmi, confirm the file. Contact will be saved automatically, but if it does not, open the resulting.vcf file manually. To transfer all contacts, you will have to repeat the process for each group (for example, 10 pieces at a time).
⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 11) may block Bluetooth contact reception due to security settings, in which case use alternative methods or temporarily disable Personal Data Protection in Settings → Confidentiality.
How to speed up Bluetooth transmission?
5.Move through the Mi Mover app (the official Xiaomi tool)
Mi Mover is a Xiaomi-branded app designed to migrate data from other Android devices, and it supports not only contacts, but also messages, photos, apps, but also Wi-Fi Direct is required to work, and not all Samsung models are compatible with it.
Download Mi Mover to both phones from Google Play (on Xiaomi it can be pre-installed). On Redmi, select I'm a new user, and on Samsung, I'm an old user. Follow the on-screen instructions: connect to the same Wi-Fi Direct network, select data to transfer (check Contacts), and wait until completed.
- 🔗 Compatibility: Works with Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Redmi Note 10 and newer.
- ⚡ Speed: transmission 500 contacts ~2-3 minute.
- 🛑 Restriction: on some Samsung firmware (One) UI 4.0 and below) Wi-Fi Direct may not be connected – in this case, use vCard.
If Mi Mover can’t see the device, try:
- Reboot both phones.
- Enable Developer Mode on Samsung and activate USB Debugging (sometimes helps with Wi-Fi Direct issues).
💡
Mi Mover is the most versatile way, but it requires device compatibility. If the transmission is interrupted, check if the transmission is blocked by antivirus or power saving mode.
6. Backup methods: through a computer or third-party applications
If none of the above methods worked, there are alternatives, such as using PCs and programs like Samsung Smart Switch or Xiaomi PC Suite, and third-party applications like Copy My Data or Send Anywhere that make it easier to transfer data between devices.
For porting over PC:
- Connect Samsung to your computer and copy the contacts.vcf file (see Section 2).
- Connect Xiaomi Redmi and move the file to the Download folder.
- Open the file on your phone and import contacts.
Third-party applications usually work on the principle of Wi-Fi Direct or cloud storage. For example, Send Anywhere suffices to send a file from Samsung to Xiaomi through a 6-digit code, the main advantage is that there is no limit on the number of contacts, and the disadvantage is the need to install additional software.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party apps, check the permissions they request. For example, if the program requests access to SMS or Contact Transfer Log, it is suspicious.