Replacing a smartphone is always stressful, especially when it comes to the safety of important data. Among all types of information, it is the phone book that causes the most concern: losing the numbers of friends, colleagues or service providers is unacceptable. Fortunately, the ecosystem Android provides many tools for data migration, and device owners Samsung are in a particularly advantageous position thanks to pre-installed utilities.
In this guide, we will take a detailed look at all the existing methods for migrating contact records. You'll learn how to use cloud services, proprietary apps, and even good old SIM cards. Regardless of whether you are switching to a new model Galaxy or to a phone from another brand, these methods guarantee the safety of your address book.
Synchronization through a Google account is the most reliable method
The most universal and modern way of data migration is using cloud storage Google Contacts. This method does not require wires or special cables and works on any device running Android. The essence of the process is that your numbers are uploaded to Google servers and automatically appear on any device where you are logged into your account.
To get started, make sure that on your old phone Samsung Synchronization is enabled. Go to settings, find the section Accounts and archiving and select account management. Make sure that the switch opposite the item Contact is active. The system may ask you to confirm the action, after which a background download of data to the cloud will begin.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that your contacts are saved in your Google account, and not in the phone memory or SIM card. Contacts stored locally in the Phone device's memory are not automatically synced and may be lost during a factory reset.
After syncing on your old device is complete, get a new smartphone. When you turn it on for the first time, enter the same email address Gmail and password. The system will automatically pull up all records from the cloud. If the phone is already set up, just add an account manually through the settings menu and turn on the synchronization checkbox.
Check the number of synchronized contacts through a browser on your computer by going to contacts.google.com - this will give an accurate idea of whether all numbers are saved in the cloud.
Using the Samsung Smart Switch application
Proprietary utility Smart Switch from the company Samsung is one of the most powerful tools for migration. Originally created for the transition between brand devices, it also does an excellent job of transferring data to other smartphones Androidif they have the appropriate version of the application installed.
The transfer process can be carried out wirelessly or via cable USB. The wireless method is more convenient, as it does not require searching for adapters, but it can be slower if there is a large amount of data. A cable connection provides maximum speed and stability, which is critical if you are transferring not only contacts, but also photos or applications.
Launch the application on both devices. On the old phone, select the “Sender” role, and on the new one, “Recipient”. After connecting the devices via Wi-Fi or cable, select the category of data to transfer. Be sure to check the item Contactin the list. The process will take from a few seconds to a couple of minutes depending on the number of entries in your phone book.
☑️ Preparing Smart Switch for operation
Export and import via VCF file
The method using a file format VCF (vCard) is classic and does not depend on the availability of the Internet or special applications. This file is a universal container that can store one or thousands of contact records. It can be transferred via instant messengers, Bluetooth, or saved to a memory card.
To create such a file on Samsung, open the Contacts application. Click on the menu (usually three horizontal bars or dots) and select Manage contacts. Next, find the option Export contacts. The system will prompt you to select a storage location: internal memory, SD card or device memory.
The vCard file contains not only numbers, but also names, email addresses and attached images, if they are supported by the export format. After creating the file, transfer it to the new phone in any convenient way. On the receiving device, just click on the file, and the system will offer to import all found entries into the phone book.
What to do if the file does not open?
If, when you click on a file, the system does not offer import, try opening it through the Contacts application manually, selecting the import from storage option in the application settings.
Transfer via SIM card: the old proven method
Despite the development of cloud technologies, the method of copying to SIM card remains relevant, especially when switching to push-button phones or very old models Android. This method does not require the Internet and complex settings, but has significant limitations on the amount of information stored.
Insert the SIM card into your Samsung. Go to the contacts application and select function Import/export contacts. Select option Export to SIM card. The system will warn you about possible format restrictions. Confirm the action and wait for the process to complete. After that, move the card to the new device and perform the reverse procedure - import from SIM.
| Characteristics | SIM card | Google Account | VCF file |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts limit | 250-500 pcs. | No limits | No limits |
| Saving photo | No | Yes | Yes |
| Additional. fields (email, address) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Network dependence | No | Internet required | No |
⚠️ Attention: When exporting to a SIM card, long names are often truncated to 10-12 characters, and all additional fields (addresses, notes) are permanently deleted. Use this method only for basic numbers.
Solving problems with duplicates after migration
A common problem after data migration is the appearance of duplicate records. This happens when the same contact is saved in both the phone memory and Google account, or when imported multiple times from different sources. Fortunately, modern shells One UI and standard applications Android have built-in cleaning tools.
Open the contacts application and go to the control menu. Find the item Manage contacts and select the option Merge duplicates. The system will automatically analyze the database, find records with the same names or numbers and offer to combine them into one card. This is safe and does not lead to loss of information.
If automatic merging did not work correctly, you can perform the procedure manually. Select a contact, click the edit button and find the contact linking section. Here you can manually specify which records belong to one person. Regular cleaning of the phone book helps maintain order and makes it easier to find the right callers.
Regular use of the function of merging duplicates prevents cluttering of the phone book and speeds up the work of the contacts application.
Features of transferring to devices of other brands
When switching from Samsung on smartphones from other manufacturers, such as Xiaomi, Huawei or Pixel, the logic of the process remains the same, but the menu names may differ. Synchronization via Googleremains a universal solution, since this service is basic for the entire operating system, regardless of the brand.
Some manufacturers offer their own migration utilities, for example, Clone Phone from OPPO or Mi Mover from Xiaomi. In such cases, you may need to install a partner application on your old one. Samsung. Typically, a QR code for downloading is displayed on the screen of the new phone when you launch the transfer app.
Standard fields such as name and phone number are transferred without problems in 100% of cases.
⚠️ Attention: The interfaces of shells from different manufacturers may change with updates. If you do not find the menu item in the specified location, use the search in settings by entering the keyword "Contacts" or "Import".
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What to do if contacts are missing after updating Android?
Most often, contacts are not deleted, but simply hidden from display. Go to the Contacts application settings, select "Contacts to display" and make sure that "All contacts" or your Google account is checked. Also check if you are signed in to your account.
Is it possible to transfer call history along with contacts?
When using a Google account, call history is not automatically synchronized in standard mode. To transfer call logs, it is better to use an application Smart Switch or specialized backup utilities that create a full backup of the system.
Is it safe to store contacts on a SIM card?
This is the least secure method in terms of data safety. The SIM card has a small memory capacity, does not support cloud backup, and if it is damaged or lost, all numbers will be lost forever. It is recommended to use cloud services.
How to transfer contacts if the screen of your old phone is broken?
If the sensor does not work, but there is an image, try connecting a USB mouse via an OTG adapter for control. If the screen is completely black, but the phone turns on, the only chance is pre-configured synchronization with Google, or retrieving data through a computer in USB debugging mode, if it was enabled previously.