How to copy contacts with Samsung on Xiaomi: all ways with pros and cons

The switch from Samsung to Xiaomi is not just about changing the interface, it’s also about transferring important data. Contacts are one of the most valuable categories of information users tend to keep when changing their smartphone. Fortunately, there are several proven ways to migrate a phone book between devices of different brands, and most of them don’t require special skills.

In this article, we’ll look at all the current methods, from classic exporting through Google Account to using third-party applications, which is the fastest, which is suitable for large contact databases (1000+ records), and which will help if you do not have access to the Internet, and compare the methods for reliability and convenience in the spreadsheet and give recommendations for specific scenarios (for example, if Samsung broke or blocked).

Important: Some of the ways may not work on older models (before 2018) due to firmware limitations. If your Samsung runs Android 8.0 or lower, skip to the SIM-transfer section right away, which is the most versatile option.

Method 1: Sync through Google Account (recommended)

This is the most reliable and automated method, which works on 99% of devices (if Samsung has Android 5.0+ installed), the advantage of which is that contacts are not only transferred, but also automatically updated when new entries are added to any device associated with the same account.

Algorithm of action:

• 📱 On Samsung: Open Settings → Accounts and archiving → Account management.
• ☁️ Select Google and log in to your account (unless you’ve signed in earlier).
• 🔄 Turn on the switch Contact Sync and wait until the process is complete (can take up to 10 minutes with a large amount of data).
• 📲 On Xiaomi: When you first turn on, log in to the same Google Account or add it to Settings → Accounts.
• 🔄 Turn on contact sync – they will appear in the phone book automatically.

Connection to Wi-Fi or mobile Internet | Free space in Google Account (contacts take ~1-2 MB per 1000 entries)| No restrictions on background synchronization in battery settings | Current version of the Contacts app on both devices-->

⚠️ Note: If your Samsung contacts were not saved to Google, but to your device memory or to your device SIM-You need to import them to your account first. Open the Contacts app, click on it. ⋮ → Settings → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM (or "Import from the device").

Critical detail: if Xiaomi contacts are duplicated after sync, check the settings of the Contacts → Display Contacts Only from and select your Google Account. This will eliminate duplicates from other sources (such as WhatsApp or Viber).

Method 2: Bluetooth Transmission (without the Internet)

If you do not have access to Wi-Fi or mobile network, SIM-The card doesn't support the right number of contacts, Bluetooth will be a salvation. The method works on all models, but only suitable for a small number of contacts (up to the end of the day). 200-300 ) as the transmission is made in one recording.

Instructions:

1. On Samsung, open the Contacts app.
2. Press. ⋮ → Share. → Bluetooth.
3. Select contacts (you can mark several by holding your finger on the record).
4. Turn on Bluetooth on Xiaomi and make it visible to other devices (Settings → Bluetooth → Visibility).
5. On Samsung, select Xiaomi from the list of available devices and confirm the transfer.
6. On Xiaomi, accept the incoming file (usually in.vcf format) and import it to the contacts.

Synchronization through Google|Bluetooth|SIM-map|Third-party annexes|Another way.-->

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 or X-ray) POCO X3) The reception of.vcf files via Bluetooth can be blocked by the security system. If contacts are not imported automatically, download the file manually from the Bluetooth folder in the file manager and open it.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Doesn't require the Internet.
• ✅ It works on older phones (Android 4.0)+).
• ✅ Keeps photos of contacts (if any).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Slow transmission (1-2 second-on).
• ❌ Limitation on the number of records per shipment (usually up to 100).

Method 3: Transfer through SIM-map (for older models)

This method is relevant if:

• 📵 You are a Samsung on Android 7.0 or older.
• 🔌 No access to the Internet or Bluetooth.
• 📱 The contact was initially saved to SIM-map.

How to move:

1. On Samsung, open your contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Exports to SIM-map.
2. Select contacts for export (or click Select All).
3. Wait until the copy is completed (it can take 1-5 minutes).
4. Extract. SIM-Map and paste it into Xiaomi.
5. On Xiaomi go to Contacts → ⋮ → Settings → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM-map.

⚠️ Note: If you use a double-sided Xiaomi SIM-card, import contacts is possible only from the main slot (usually SIM 1). Before starting, check which slot the card with contacts is inserted into, in the settings SIM-maps and mobile networks.

Tip: If contacts are not imported, try:

• 🔄 Reboot Xiaomi after insertion SIM-map.
• 📶 Temporarily disable the second SIM-card (if any).
• 🛠️ Use an adapter to SIM-cards (if the slot is not the same size).

Method 4: Third-party applications (for advanced users)

If standard methods don't work (e.g., because of the large amount of data or specific fields in the contacts), you can use specialized applications. We tested the 3 most reliable options:

Example of transfer via CLONEit:

1. Install the app on both phones.
2. On Samsung, select Send, on Xiaomi, Receive.
3. Connect devices to a single Wi-Fi network or use Wi-Fi Direct.

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Before using third-party apps, check reviews from the past 3 months — some of them may contain ads or collect data. For example, Copy My Data from Media Mushroom has a rating of 4.5+ and more than 1 million installs, which indicates reliability.

⚠️ Note: Applications like SHAREit or Xender, which were popular earlier, are now often blocked by antiviruses due to vulnerabilities).

Method 5: Transfer over a computer (for backup)

If you prefer to work through a PC, this method will not only allow you to transfer contacts, but also create a backup. Windows/Mac and USB-cable.

Step-by-step:

1. Connect Samsung to your computer via USB and select File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Open the Internal Storage → Phone folder (or Samsung → Contacts on some models).
3. Find the contacts.vcf file (if not, export the contacts manually through the Contacts → Export app).
4. Copy the file to your computer, then plug in Xiaomi and move the.vcf to any folder.
5. On Xiaomi, open the file through File Manager – contacts are imported automatically.

Alternative (for Mac):

• 🖥️ Use Android File Transfer to access Samsung files.
• 📂 Export your contacts to.csv via Google Contacts (open contacts.google.com) → Exports).
• 📥 Import.csv back to Xiaomi via the same service.

💡

Transfer over a PC is the only way that allows you to edit contacts before importing (e.g., delete duplicates or correct numbers).

Problem Solving: What to Do When Contacts Are Not Moved

Even if you follow the instructions, you can have difficulties, and let's look at the typical mistakes and their solutions.

If none of the methods worked, check:

• 🔧 Android version on both devices (on Android 10)+ There may be restrictions on access to contacts for third-party applications).
• 🔒 Application permissions (e.g., Contacts or File Manager must have access to memory).
• 📡 Regional settings (some Xiaomi firmware for China blocks synchronization with Google).

In extreme cases, you can use cloud services:

1. Export your contacts to Samsung in a.vcf file.
2. Upload the file to Google Drive, Yandex Drive or send yourself an email.
3. Download the file to Xiaomi and import it.

Frequently asked questions