Change Using a smartphone often causes stress not because of the loss of the device itself, but because of the fear of losing important information. First of all, users worry about their phone book, where the numbers of loved ones, work partners and delivery services are stored. Fortunately, the ecosystem Android and specific tools from Samsung offer many reliable ways to migrate data, making this process as simple as possible even for inexperienced users.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods: from cloud synchronization to direct cable. You will learn how to use the proprietary application Smart Switch, how to properly upload data via Google account and what to do if you don’t have the Internet at hand. Understanding the principles of operation of these tools will allow you not only to transfer numbers now, but also to protect yourself from losing them in the future.
Regardless of whether the user switches from a budget device to a flagship Galaxy S or simply changes one device to another, the algorithm of actions remains similar. The main thing is to choose the method that best suits your current technical conditions: the availability of Wi-Fi, the state of the charging ports, or the size of the phone book.
Synchronization via Google account: the most reliable method
Using Google cloud storage is the “gold standard” for Android smartphone owners. This method does not require the presence of both devices at the same time and guarantees the safety of data even if the old phone is physically damaged. The whole point is that your phone book is not stored in the gadget’s memory, but on the corporation’s servers, linked to your email address.
To get started, you need to make sure that synchronization is enabled on your old device. Go to settings, find the “Accounts” or “Users and Accounts” section, select your Google profile. Here you need to check whether the checkbox next to the “Contacts” item is checked. If synchronization was active, all records are already in the cloud.
⚠️ Attention: If you previously saved numbers exclusively to the phone memory or to a SIM card without being linked to an account, they will not appear in the cloud automatically. You will need to first export them to VCF format and import them into your Google account.
On a new smartphone Samsung just enter the same login and password during the initial setup. The system will automatically retrieve all saved data. This process can be started manually through the settings menu by selecting the synchronization item. This is especially handy if you've lost your old phone but remember your login information.
Enable two-way sync in Contacts settings so that changes you make on your new phone are automatically updated in the cloud, creating a real-time backup.
Using the Samsung Smart Switch app
Proprietary utility Smart Switch is a powerful tool developed by Samsung engineers for seamless transition between devices. It allows you to transfer not only contacts, but also messages, call logs, photos and even the home screen layout. The application is pre-installed on most modern models of the brand, but it can be downloaded for free from Galaxy Store or Google Play to any Android smartphone.
The data transfer process can be carried out in two ways: via a Wi-Fi Direct wireless connection or via a USB-C cable. The wireless method is convenient because it does not require searching for adapters, but transferring large amounts of data may take longer. A cable connection provides maximum speed and stability, which is critical when transferring thousands of recordings and media files.
After launching the application on both devices, you need to select roles: “Send data” on the old phone and “Receive data” on the new one Samsung. The system will prompt you to select the connection type. Once the connection is established, you will see a list of data categories to transfer. Make sure that “Contacts” is selected, and if necessary, uncheck the remaining items if you do not need to transfer everything.
☑️ Preparing for Smart Switch operation
It is important to note that Smart Switch can convert data on the fly. If you are switching from a device from another manufacturer, where the contacts are saved in a specific format, the utility itself will convert them into a format understandable to the shell One UI. This eliminates the need for the user to manually edit files or use third-party converters.
What to do if the transfer is stuck?
If the process is stuck at a certain percentage, don't panic. This is often due to an unstable Wi-Fi signal. Try aborting the operation, rebooting both phones and trying again using a cable connection instead of a wireless one.
Export and import via VCF file
Manual export to file format method .vcf (vCard) is a universal solution when cloud services are not available or devices are on different networks. This method creates a single file containing all contact information: names, numbers, email addresses, and even profile photos if they were attached to entries.
To create this file, open the Contacts app on your old device. In the settings menu (usually three dots in the corner of the screen), find the “Manage contacts” or “Import/export contacts” item. Select the "Export to device memory" or "Export to storage" option. The system will prompt you to select a save location; by default, this is the internal memory in the root directory folder.
The resulting file must be transferred to the new phone Samsung. This can be done in any convenient way: send via messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp), transfer via Bluetooth or copy via computer. Once the file is on your new device, simply click on it in the file manager. The system will offer to open it through the contacts application and ask where exactly to save the data - to a Google account, to a phone or a SIM card.
| File transfer method | Speed | Reliability | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Low | High | Presence of BT module |
| Messengers | Average | Average | Internet on both |
| USB cable (PC) | High | Maximum | Computer and cable |
| Wi-Fi Direct | High | High | Technology support |
File usage .vcf gives complete control over the data. You can store this file as a backup copy on a flash drive or in a cloud drive (for example, Yandex.Disk or Dropbox) so that in case of a system failure, you can quickly restore your entire phone book with one touch. This is especially true for users who do not trust automatic synchronization.
Transferring contacts from a SIM card
Although this method is considered outdated, it still remains the only working option in situations where both phones are “stupid” (push-button) or when the smartphone’s screen is broken and touch controls are not available. The SIM card acts as a physical storage medium, allowing you to transfer basic data without using complex software interfaces.
The main disadvantage of this method is the strict restrictions on the volume and format of data. SIM card standards only allow you to store your name and phone number. All additional fields, such as address, birthday, email or contact photo, will be irretrievably lost when writing to the card. In addition, name length is often limited to 10-15 characters, which can cause last names to be cut off.
To complete the transfer, insert the SIM card into the new phone Samsung. Go to the contacts application, open the management menu and select “Import/export contacts”. Enter “SIM Card” as the source and “Phone” or “Google Account” as the destination. After confirmation, the system will copy all entries to the internal memory.
⚠️ Attention: Before removing the SIM card, make sure that on your old phone the contacts are actually saved on it and not in the device memory. Often users mistakenly believe that the numbers are on the card, although they are stored in the phone.
If there are already some entries on the new SIM card, the system may offer to merge duplicates or create new entries with a suffix. Follow this process carefully so as not to end up with several identical numbers with different names in your phone book. After successful import, it is recommended to delete contacts from the SIM card through the management menu to free up space and avoid confusion in the future.
Solving problems with duplicate contacts
When using several transfer methods at the same time (for example, first synced Google and then imported the VCF file), there is a high probability of duplicates appearing. In the phone book there may be two “Ivans” with the same numbers or one contact with different data sources. The shell One UI from Samsung has built-in powerful tools to solve this problem.
To clear the list, open the contacts application and tap on the menu icon (three horizontal lines or dots). Select Manage Contacts and then Merge Duplicates. The system will automatically scan the database, find records with matching names or phone numbers and offer to merge them. You can do this en masse for all found pairs or view each group separately.
Working algorithm smart association systems are quite flexible. If one contact has only a number, and another has a number, name and photo, the system will offer to combine them into one complete record, preserving all available information. This allows you to quickly restore order in the phone book after migration from several old devices.
Regular checking for duplicates after data transfer is necessary to maintain the cleanliness of the phone book and the correct operation of the caller ID.
In rare cases, automatic merging may not work correctly, for example, if numbers recorded in different formats (with and without country code). Then you will have to use manual editing. Go to the contact card, click “Edit” and manually remove unnecessary fields or combine information. Although it takes more time, this approach guarantees 100% data accuracy.
Frequently asked questions and additional settings
Users often encounter nuances that are not described in standard instructions. For example, the question of where it is better to save contacts by default. Experts recommend always choosing to save to your Google or Samsung Cloud account rather than to your phone's memory. This provides automatic backup: even if you drop your phone in water, the numbers will remain online.
Another important aspect is the display of contacts. After migration, new entries may not appear in your favorites list or widgets on your desktop. Check your display settings in the contacts app: make sure the “All contacts” checkbox is checked and the correct account is selected for display. Sometimes the system defaults to hiding SIM card contacts or imported files until you explicitly specify otherwise.
Is it possible to transfer contacts if the screen of your old phone is broken?
Yes, it is possible. If the sensor does not work, but there is an image, connect a USB mouse via an OTG cable for control. If the screen is black but the phone turns on, try connecting it to your PC and copying the contacts database file (root access required) or use Google Assistant voice control for the “Send contacts to...” commands.
How many contacts can you store on a SIM card?
SIM card capacity depends on the operator and card type (usually from 50 to 250 entries). Modern cards can hold more, but the storage format remains primitive: just a name and number. This method is absolutely not suitable for large phone books.
What to do if contacts are not synchronized with Google?
Check your Internet connection and the availability of Google storage space (15 GB total limit). Go to your account settings and force synchronization. If that doesn’t help, delete the account from your phone and add it again, first checking for contacts on contacts.google.com.
How to transfer contacts from an old iPhone to Samsung?
Use the Smart Switch app on Samsung. When setting up, select the option to receive data from iOS. You will need a Lightning to USB-C cable or a wireless connection. You can also export contacts from iCloud to a VCF file and import it to Android.
⚠️ Attention: Menu interfaces and item names may vary slightly depending on the Android version and One UI shell. If you do not find the described item, use the search in the settings by entering the keyword “Contacts” or “Import”.