How to transfer contacts from Xiaomi to Samsung: all ways with step-by-step instructions

Moving from Xiaomi to Samsung is not only about changing the ecosystem, but also about moving personal data. Contacts are often a major headache: losing them can take hours to recover important numbers. Fortunately, there are at least 5 reliable ways to migrate a phone book without mistakes, from classic exporting through Google Account to modern cloud services.

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to insert SIM-card to a new smartphone - but this method only works with outdated devices. - Modern Samsung Galaxy S23, A54, Z Flip5) Xiaomi (Redmi Note 12 line, POCO X5, Mi 13) store contacts in the device memory or cloud, so it is important to choose a method that takes into account the format of your data storage and is supported by both systems: MIUI (by Xiaomi and One UI (Samsung).

In this article, we'll go through each method in detail, taking into account the nuances of synchronization, possible errors and ways to fix them. And if you've already tried to transfer contacts and encountered problems (for example, duplication or missing avatars), at the end of the article there are FAQ-block.

1. Transfer contacts through Google Account (the most reliable way)

Google Account Sync is a one-stop method that works on 99% of Android devices, including all Xiaomi and Samsung models. Its main advantage is that contacts are saved in the cloud and automatically uploaded to a new phone when you first turn on. But here's the caveat: if you've never set up sync on Xiaomi, data can only be stored locally.

To check if your contacts are synced with Google, open the Contacts app on Xiaomi, tap three dots in the top right corner and select Contact Management → Settings → Import / Export → Export to File. If there is Google on the list of sources, your contacts are already in the cloud. If not, follow the instructions below.

Add Google Account to Xiaomi Settings (if not added)

Check Wi-Fi or mobile internet connection

Charge both phones at least 50%

Disable battery optimization for the "Contact" application"-->

1. On Xiaomi: Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Make sure the slider opposite Contact is on. If not, move it to the right and wait for the sync to complete (it can take up to 10 minutes with a lot of contacts).
2. On Samsung: When you first turn on, the system will prompt you to sign in to Google Account – use the same account as you did on Xiaomi. If the phone is already set up, go to Settings → Accounts and Archiving → Account Management → Add an account → Google and log in.
3. Check the results: Open the Contacts app on Samsung and make sure all numbers are in place. If no contacts are available, update the data manually by pulling the screen down.

⚠️ Note: If the Xiaomi contacts are stored only on the SIM-In your card or phone memory (Local Contacts), you need to transfer them to your Google Account first. To do this, export them to the.vcf file (via Settings). → System applications → Contacts → Import/Export and then import to Google.

2. Transfer via VCF file (suitable for local contacts)

The.vcf (vCard) format is a standard contact storage file that all smartphones support, ideal if your contacts are not synced to Google or other cloud services, but stored directly in Xiaomi’s memory.

However, there is a risk of data loss if the file is corrupted during transmission, so check the available space on the phone (need a minimum of 10 MB) before exporting and use a reliable transmission channel (e.g., a secure transmission channel, USB-cable).

• 📱 Export to Xiaomi: Open Contacts → ⋮ (menu) → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Export to file. Select Local Contacts (or SIM-card if you need numbers from it) → Click Export and save the file to your phone memory.
• 🔗 File transfer: Connect Xiaomi to your computer or send a.vcf file via a messenger (like Telegram without compression). Alternative: use Nearby Share (formerly Android Beam) to wirelessly transfer between phones.
• 📲 Import to Samsung: Copy the.vcf file to Samsung memory, then open Contacts → ⋮ → Settings → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Import from the file. Select the file and wait for the import to be completed.

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If a.vcf file is not imported to Samsung, check its integrity by opening the file through a text editor (e.g. Notepad++). If you see characters instead of text that you read, the file is corrupted, repeat the export.

3.Use of SIM-maps (obsolete but working method)

Transfer of contacts through SIM-The card is a “grandfather” method that is only relevant for owners of old phones (before 2015), modern Xiaomi and Samsung support this method, but with serious restrictions:

• ❌ Only phone numbers and names are stored (without email, addresses, photos).
• ❌ Limitation on the number of contacts (usually up to 250).
• ❌ Slow transmission speed (up to 5 minutes per 100 contacts).

However, if you don't have access to the Internet or cloud services, this method can help.

1. On Xiaomi, open contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM-map.
2. Select contacts for export (or click Select All) and confirm.
3. Extract. SIM-Map from Xiaomi and paste it into Samsung.
4. On Samsung, go to Contacts → ⋮ → Settings → Contact management → Import with SIM-map.

⚠️ Attention: If yours SIM-Nano-SIM card, and in Samsung micro-SIM slot (or vice versa), use an adapter. Don't try to crop the card yourself - this can damage the chip!

Through Google Account

VCF file

SIM-map

Bluetooth or Nearby Share

Another method-->

4. Wireless transmission via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct

If you don't have a cable or a computer on hand, you can transfer contacts over the air, whether it's Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, a method that is convenient for carrying a small number of contacts (up to 50-100), because with a large amount of data, the connection can be interrupted.

An important nuance: Samsung should have visibility on other devices, and Xiaomi should allow contact transfers. Some Xiaomi models (such as the Redmi 9A) block the sending of contacts via Bluetooth by default, which must be fixed in the settings.

5. Transfer through third-party applications (Mi Mover, Samsung Smart Switch)

Manufacturers offer their own data migration tools, Mi Mover (from Xiaomi) and Samsung Smart Switch, which can transfer not only contacts, but also messages, photos, applications, but they have limitations:

• 📱 Mi Mover: only works when transferring data to the new Xiaomi (not suitable for Samsung).
• 🔄 Samsung Smart Switch: Supports portability from most Android devices, but may not recognize contacts stored in Xiaomi’s proprietary format.

If you want to try out the Samsung Smart Switch, follow this guide:

1. Install Samsung Smart Switch on both phones from Google Play.
2. On Samsung, select Get Data → Android.
3. On Xiaomi, select Send Data → Wireless Transfer.
4. Bring the phones to each other (to activate Wi-Fi Direct) and wait until the process is complete.

If the Smart Switch doesn’t see Xiaomi, try connecting via the USB-adapter OTG. For that:

1. Connect Xiaomi to Samsung with a cable USB-C — USB-C (or micro-USB — USB-C adapter-wise).
2. On Samsung in Smart Switch, select Get Data → Cable.
3. Allow data access on Xiaomi (you may need to enable USB debugging in Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – tap 7 times on the build number).

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Samsung Smart Switch does not transfer contacts stored in the Mi Account (a proprietary Xiaomi cloud). Before using the utility, export them to a.vcf file or sync them with Google.

6.Move through Xiaomi account (Mi Account) – an alternative for MIUI users

If your contacts are synced with Mi Account (Xiaomi cloud), they can be exported to.vcf via a web interface, which is suitable if you have not used a Google Account, but have actively used Xiaomi services (such as Mi Cloud).

Note: the web version of Mi Cloud may not display contacts if two-factor authentication (2FA) is disabled. Enable it in your Xiaomi account settings before exporting.

• 🌐 Export via Mi Cloud: Go to i.mi.com and log in.Select Contacts → Settings → Export contacts. Download the.vcf file to your computer.
• 📎 Import to Samsung: Flip the file to your phone (via cable or cloud) and import it through Contacts → Settings → Imports.

⚠️ Note: If you delete contacts from Mi Cloud after the transfer, they will disappear from all devices associated with this account (including tablets and other Xiaomi phones!

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users encounter common errors, and here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔋 Is there enough charge on both phones (data transfer consumes a lot of power).
• 📶 Is the Internet connection stable (for cloud-based methods).
• 📱 Contacts and Google Play Services Updated to the Latest Version.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions