Changing a mobile device is always an exciting process, associated with the risk of losing valuable information. The issue of preserving the phone book, where contacts of loved ones, colleagues and business partners are stored, is especially acute. Modern smartphones Samsung offer many tools for seamless data migration, but the choice of a specific method depends on the condition of the old device and your personal preferences.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the current methods of transferring contacts to devices of the line Galaxy. You will learn how to use cloud services, proprietary software and classic transfer methods via a SIM card. The right approach ensures that not a single number is lost during the process of changing gadgets.
Preparing devices for the migration procedure
Before starting any data manipulation, it is critical to ensure that both devices are stable. Charge both smartphones at least to 80%so that a sudden power outage does not interrupt the synchronization process at the most critical stage. Also check that there is free space in the internal memory of the new one Samsungalthough contacts take up a negligible amount of space.
Make sure that the function is enabled on both devices USB debugging or file transfer is allowed if you plan to use a cable connection. Wireless methods will require a stable network connection Wi-Fi with good speed, since transferring large amounts of data via the mobile data can be expensive and slow.
⚠️ Attention: If your old phone has custom firmware installed or received root access, standard transfer methods may work incorrect. In this case, it is recommended to first export the contacts to a file
.vcf.
Clear the contact list from duplicates and outdated entries in advance. This will save time during import and help avoid confusion in the new phone book. Built-in tools Android often offer a function for merging duplicates, which is worth using before starting the transfer.
☑️ Preparing for the transfer
Synchronization via Google account: the most reliable method
Using the ecosystem Google is the most universal and reliable way to save numbers. This method does not require a direct connection between phones and allows you to recover data even after months. It is enough to make sure that contact synchronization is enabled in the account settings on the old device.
On the new smartphone Samsung you need to log in to the same one Google account. The system will automatically offer to restore data from a backup copy during the first setup. If the device is already configured, go to the menu Settings → Accounts and archiving → Account management and select the desired profile.
After adding your account, click on the synchronization button. Contacts will begin to load into the Contacts app in the background. The speed of the process depends on the number of records and the speed of the Internet connection. Typically, several hundred numbers are downloaded in a couple of minutes.
Use the contacts.google.com web interface to check the integrity of the data before resetting your old phone. This will give you a 100% guarantee that the numbers are in the cloud.
The advantage of this method is the constant updating of data. Any changes you make on one device are instantly reflected on all other gadgets linked to this account. This eliminates the need to repeat the transfer procedure in the future.
Using the Samsung Smart Switch application
The proprietary utility Smart Switch is designed specifically for device owners Samsung and provides the most complete data transfer. It can migrate not only contacts, but also messages, call logs, system settings and even the home screen layout. The application is pre-installed on all new models of the series Galaxy.
To get started, launch the application on both phones. On an old device (even if it is not Samsung, but another Android or iPhone), you need to install Smart Switch from the application store. Select the role of the devices: on one click “Send data”, on the other - “Receive data”.
Connect smartphones using a cable USB-C or select a wireless connection. The cable method works much faster and more stable, especially when transmitting large amounts of information. After connecting, select the "Contacts" category and click the "Transfer" button.
| Parameter | Cable connection | Wireless connection |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission speed | High (up to 30 Mb/s) | Medium (depending on Wi-Fi) |
| Stability | Maximum | May be interrupted |
| Required equipment | USB-C cable / adapter | Smartphones only |
| Battery consumption | Minimum | High |
The migration process via Smart Switch is fully automated. The user does not need to interfere with the app until the success message appears. After the transfer, it is recommended to check a few random contacts on the new device.
Smart Switch is the only tool that allows you to transfer contacts along with call history and alarm settings to Samsung devices.
Export and import via VCF file
Method for creating a backup copy as a file .vcf (vCard) is classic and works on any version Android. It is ideal for situations where there is no access to the Internet or cloud services. The file is a universal format that is understood by all modern phone books.
On your old phone, open the Contacts application, go to the settings menu and select Manage Contacts or Import/Export Contacts. Click on the option Export to file. The system will prompt you to select a save location - it is best to save the file to internal memory or to a card microSD.
The resulting file must be transferred to a new smartphone Samsung. This can be done via Bluetooth, instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) or simply by copying the file via a computer. After transfer, open the file on the new device - the system will automatically offer to import the records contained in it.
⚠️ Attention: Files
.vcfmay contain attachments such as contact photos. Make sure that when exporting, you select the option to save all data, not just text numbers.
When importing, the system will ask where to save the contacts: to the phone memory, to a SIM card, or to a Google account. It is recommended to choose Google or device memory, since storage on the SIM card limits the length of the number and does not allow you to save additional data such as email or address.
What to do if the VCF file does not open?
If the system does not recognize the file, try renaming it, making sure that the extension is .vcf, and not.txt. Also check if the file is damaged when transferred via instant messenger (sometimes they change the extension).
Moving contacts from a SIM card
Moving a physical SIM card from an old phone to a new one Samsung is the fastest, but least functional way. It is only suitable if all your numbers are stored directly on the card chip, and not in the device’s memory or the cloud.
After installing the SIM card in the new slot, go to the Contacts application. Click on the menu (three bars or dots) and select Settings → Contact management → Import/export contacts. Select the "Import from SIM card" option.
The system will prompt you to select to save numbers. As mentioned earlier, it is better to copy them to your phone memory or account. Direct work with contacts on a SIM card is inconvenient: editing is often unavailable, and the number of characters in the name is limited.
- 📱 Pros: Does not require Internet, cables or installation of additional software.
- ⏱ Speed: Instant transfer, provided that the contacts are already on SIM.
- 📉 Cons: Loss of additional fields (photos, email, addresses), limitation on the number of characters in the name.
Often users are faced with the situation that after rearranging the card, the phone book is empty. This means that on the previous device, contacts were stored in the phone memory. In this case, you need to return to the old device and export the numbers to the SIM card before rearranging.
Before importing from a SIM card, make a backup copy of the current contacts of the new phone to avoid duplicating records when accidentally re-importing.
Solving common problems during transfer
Despite the simplicity using the described methods, users may experience technical failures. One common problem is Google sync error. It often occurs due to an outdated version of services Google Play or incorrectly set date and time on the device.
If Smart Switch does not see the device, try restarting both smartphones and disabling the power-saving mode. Sometimes antivirus software or a firewall may block Wi-Fi Direct connections between devices. In such cases, the cable remains the most reliable solution.
When importing a file .vcf contacts may be duplicated. Smartphones Samsung have a built-in duplicate management function. Go to the contacts menu, select "Manage contacts" and click "Merge duplicates." The system will offer to merge records with the same names or numbers.
⚠️ Attention: The settings menu interface may vary slightly depending on the shell version One UI. If you do not find the item you need, use the settings search by entering the keyword "Contacts".
In rare cases, contacts may be displayed incorrectly (crazy words instead of letters). This is an encoding problem that can be solved by re-exporting to a file with a different encoding selected (usually UTF-8) on the old device.
90% of transfer problems are solved by simply rebooting the devices and checking that the date and time are up to date in the system settings.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
You can Is it possible to transfer contacts if the old phone does not turn on?
If the screen does not work, but the phone responds to touches, try connecting it to a computer and copying the contacts database (root required) or using a mouse via OTG to navigate. If the phone is completely dead, you can only restore data from a previously created backup in the Google cloud or on an SD card.
Is it safe to transfer contacts via Bluetooth?
Yes, transferring via Bluetooth is safe for privacy, since the connection is established directly between devices without the participation of third-party servers. However, this method is slow and only suitable for transferring small groups of contacts or individual VCF files.
What to do with contacts saved in WhatsApp?
WhatsApp contacts are synced with the main phone book of the device. After transferring the main contacts to the memory of the new Samsung and logging into the same WhatsApp account, all chats and contacts will be displayed automatically. There is no need to transfer them separately.
How many contacts can a SIM card hold?
Capacity depends on the type of card and operator, but is usually limited to 250-500 entries. In addition, it is often impossible to store a number longer than 20 digits or a name longer than 15 characters on a SIM card, which makes this method obsolete for large phone books.