Transferring contacts from a SIM card to a smartphone Samsung is a task that every user faces when buying a new device or changing operator. Despite its apparent simplicity, the process has nuances: from restrictions on the number of saved numbers to problems with encoding Cyrillic names. In this article we will look at all current methods contact transfers, including standard tools Android 14/15 and proprietary solutions Samsung One UI, and also consider common mistakes and their solutions.

Modern Galaxy S24, A54 or even budget models Galaxy M14 support automatic synchronization of contacts via Google Account, but what if the numbers are stored only on the SIM? Or if after the transfer the Russian letters in the names disappeared? Answers to these and other questions are below.

Unlike old push-button phones, where contacts were automatically linked to SIM, smartphones Samsung by default save them to internal memory or the cloud. This is convenient for backup, but creates difficulties during migration. For example, SIM cards of the nano-SIM format (and especially eSIM) often do not support storing contacts at all - their volume is limited to 250 records with truncated fields. Therefore, it is better to transfer data immediately after purchasing a phone or replacing a card.

📊 How do you usually store contacts?
Only in phone
On a SIM card
In Google Account
In another cloud (iCloud, Yandex, etc.)

1. Standard method: through the “Contacts” menu on Samsung

The most obvious method is to use the built-in application Contact (or Contacts in English firmware). This method works on all models. three dots ( Samsung With One UI 5.0 and newer, including Galaxy S23, A34, Z Flip5.

Instructions:

  1. Open the application Contact (icon with a silhouette of a person).
  2. Click on the three dots (⋮) in the upper right corner and select Manage contacts.
  3. Go to the section Import/Export contacts.
  4. Select Import from SIM card and specify where to save data (in Google Account or phone memory).
  5. Confirm the action and wait until the process is completed.

⚠️ Attention: If after import in contact names instead of Cyrillic characters are displayed (for example, ???? ???????), the problem is in the encoding of the SIM card. Solution - see section 4.

Advantages of the method:

  • 🔹 Does not require installation of third-party applications.
  • 🔹 Works without the Internet.
  • 🔹 Saves the contact structure (name, number, additional fields).

Disadvantages:

  • ⚠️ Not all models Samsung support import directly into Google Account —sometimes you have to first save to the phone’s memory and then synchronize.
  • ⚠️ On some firmware there is no export option vice versa (from phone to SIM).

☑️ Preparing to import contacts

Done: 0 / 4

2. Transfer via Google Account (synchronization)

If you use Google Account (and it is linked to the phone by default), you can transfer contacts from the SIM to the cloud, and then synchronize them with the device. This method is suitable for long-term storage and automatic backup.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. Import contacts from SIM into the phone memory (see section 1).
  2. Open Settings → Accounts and archiving → Account management.
  3. Select your Google Account and turn on the slider Synchronizing contacts.
  4. Confirm the action. Contacts will be uploaded to the cloud and will be available on all devices with this account.

⚠️ Attention: If you have previously synchronized contacts with another device, duplicates are possible. To avoid this, clear the list in Google Contacts before importing (contacts.google.com) or use the option Merge duplicates in the settings.

Advantages of synchronization:

  • ☁️ Contacts are available on any device (phone, tablet, PC).
  • 🔄 Automatic backup.
  • 📱 Easy to recover data when you reset your phone.

Disadvantages:

  • 🌐 Requires an Internet connection.
  • 🔒 Contacts are stored on Google servers (privacy issues).
💡

Before synchronizing, check which account is selected by default for saving contacts. To do this, open Contacts → ⋮ → Settings → Save contacts to and select your Google Account.

3. Using the “My File” application (Samsung My Files)

A less known but effective way is to export contacts to a file .vcf (business card) through the standard application Samsung My Files. This method is useful if you want to backup or transfer contacts to another phone not via SIM.

Instructions:

  1. Open My file (folder icon with blue background).
  2. Go to section Device storage → Contacts.
  3. Click ⋮ → Import/Export → Export to device.
  4. Select SIM card as the source and specify the folder to save (for example, Downloads).
  5. File contacts.vcf will be created. It can be opened in Contacts for import.

This method is convenient for:

  • 📄 Creating a backup before resetting the phone.
  • 📤 Transferring contacts via Bluetooth or instant messenger.
  • 🖥️ Import to PC via Outlook or Thunderbird.
What to do if the .vcf file does not open?

If an error occurs when trying to import .vcf check:

1. Integrity of the file (perhaps it was damaged during copying).

2. Encoding - open the file in Notepad and make sure that Russian characters are displayed correctly.

3. Try importing through another contact manager (for example Truecaller or Contacts+).

4. Solving problems with encoding (crazy words instead of letters)

One of the most common problems when transferring contacts from SIM to Samsung is incorrect display of Cyrillic characters. Instead of names in Russian, signs ???? or hieroglyphs appear. The reason is a mismatch of encodings between the SIM card and the phone.

Solution:

  • 🔄 Re-import with changing the encoding:
    1. Export contacts from SIM to file .vcf (see section 3).
    2. Open the file in a text editor (for example, Notepad++).
    3. Replace the encoding with UTF-8 and save.
    4. Import the corrected file back.
  • 📱 Use of third-party applications: Applications like Sim Contacts Backup or Copy to SIM Card are often better at encoding than standard tools.
  • 🔧 Reset network settings: In rare cases resetting the APN helps. Go to Settings → Connections → Mobile networks → Access points (APN) → ⋮ → Reset to default values.

    • If the problem persists, check:

    • 📶 SIM card type: older cards (2G) more often suffer from encoding problems.
    • 📱 Firmware region: on some versions One UI encoding is used by default for Asian countries Big5 instead UTF-8.
    💡

    Problems with encoding occur more often on SIM cards released before 2015. If switching to eSIM is possible, this will solve the problem forever, since eSIM does not store contacts locally.

    5. Alternative methods: third-party applications

    If standard methods do not work, applications from Google Playcome to the rescue. They offer additional features such as batch import/export, duplicate correction and support for old SIM cards.

    Top 3 contact transfer apps:

    Application Features Link
    Sim Contacts Backup Export/import to .vcf, support for Cyrillic alphabet, backup to the cloud. Google Play
    Copy to SIM Card Two-way transfer (phone ↔ SIM), work with eSIM. Google Play
    Contacts+ Smart merging of takes, synchronization with social networks, backup copying. Google Play

    ⚠️ Attention: When using third-party applications, provide only the necessary permissions. Avoid apps that request access to SMS or calls - this is not required to work with contacts.

    Advantages of third-party solutions:

    • 🛠️ Advanced import/export settings.
    • 🔍 Ability to preview contacts before transferring.
    • 📊 Tools for clearing duplicates and correcting errors.

      • Disadvantages:

      • 📱 Some applications contain advertising or paid features.
      • 🔒 Risk of data leakage when using little-known apps.

        • 6. Transfer contacts from SIM to Samsung via computer

        If you do not have access to the Internet or standard methods do not work, you can use a PC. To do this, you will need a USB cable and a app for managing contacts (for example, Samsung Smart Switch or MyPhoneExplorer).

        Instructions for MyPhoneExplorer:

        1. Download and install MyPhoneExplorer on a PC (official website).
        2. Connect your phone to the computer via USB (turn on USB debugging v Settings → About phone → Build number - press 7 times to activate developer mode).
        3. Run the app and select File → Connect.
        4. Go to section Contact and click Import from SIM.
        5. Save contacts to a file .vcf or directly to the phone memory.

      Advantages of the method:

      • 🖥️ Full control over the process on the big screen.
      • 🔄 Ability to edit contacts before transfer.
      • 📂 Automatic backup to PC.

      ⚠️ Attention: When connecting via Samsung Smart Switch import from SIM may not be available - the app is focused on transferring data between devices Samsung. To work with SIM, it is better to use MyPhoneExplorer or Moborobo.

      7. Common errors and their solutions

      Even when following the instructions, users encounter common problems. Let's look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

      Problem 1: Contacts are not imported from the SIM.

      • 🔌 Solution: Check whether the SIM card is inserted correctly (contacts should face down). Try rebooting the phone.
      • 📶 Solution: Make sure the SIM card is active (not blocked by the operator).
      • 📱 Solution: Update the phone firmware - in older versions One UI there are bugs with reading SIM.

      Problem 2: After the transfer, some contacts disappeared.

      • 📄 Solution: Check if the storage limit on the SIM is not exceeded (usually 200–250 contacts).
      • 🔍 Solution: Import contacts in parts (for example, 50 records).
      • ☁️ Solution: If contacts are saved in Google Account, check the filters in the application Contact (maybe only numbers from the phone are displayed).

      Problem 3: Cannot export contacts back to SIM.

      • 📱 Solution: Use third-party applications (for example, Copy to SIM Card).
      • 🔧 Solution: On some models Samsung export to SIM is blocked - check the settings in Contacts → ⋮ → Settings → Import/Export.
        • 💡

        If none of the methods worked, try inserting the SIM card into another phone (even an old push-button), export contacts from there, and then transfer them to Samsung via file .vcf.

        FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

        Is it possible to transfer contacts from SIM to Samsung without the Internet?

        Yes, for this use standard import through the app Contact (see section 1) or export them to a file .vcf (see section 3). The Internet is needed only for synchronization with Google Account.

        Why the new SIM card (4G/5G) does not display old contacts?

        Modern nano-SIM and eSIM often do not support storing contacts. Transfer them to your phone or to the cloud (see section 2If the contacts were on the old SIM, use an adapter to read through another phone.

        How to transfer contacts from iPhone to Samsung via SIM?

        1. On iPhone export contacts to .vcf via iCloud (icloud.com → Contacts → ⚙️ → Export).
        2. Move the file to Samsung (by mail, via USB or messenger).
        3. Import .vcf in the application Contact.

        ⚠️ You don’t need a SIM card here - this method is more reliable.

        Is it possible to transfer contacts from SIM to Samsung if the phone does not turn on?

        Yes, but this will require:

        1. Remove the SIM card and insert it into another work phone.
        2. Export contacts to a file .vcf or synchronize with Google Account.
        3. After repair Samsung import the data back.

        If another phone is not available, contact the service center - they can extract data from the SIM through the programmer.

        How to delete duplicate contacts after importing from SIM?

        Use the built-in function merging:

        1. Open Contacts → ⋮ → Manage contacts → Merge contacts.
        2. Select duplicates and click Merge.

        For mass cleaning application Contacts+ (section Duplicates).