Switching to a new smartphone is always an exciting moment, but losing important contacts can ruin the whole experience. According to statistics, 37% of users lose part of the phone book when changing devices, and 12% it takes months to restore it. This article will help you avoid such problems: here are collected all current methods of transferring contacts between Android devices, from classic to little-known, taking into account the characteristics of different versions of the operating system.

We will analyze the methods that work on Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi Redmi, Google Pixel and other popular models, including devices with Android 10-14. We will pay special attention hidden synchronization settings, which manufacturers often do not advertise, but which can save your contacts even if the phone breaks down. Let's start with the most reliable method - through a Google account.

1. Synchronization via Google account (the most reliable method)

This method works for 99% of Android devices and guarantees the safety of contacts even if the phone is lost. The main condition is that you must have an active account Gmaillinked to your old smartphone. If you don't have one, create one in advance: it will take 2 minutes, but will save hours of data recovery later.

How to check if synchronization is enabled:

  1. Open Settings → Accounts and Backup → Account management.
  2. Select your Google account.
  3. Click Account synchronization.
  4. Make sure the slider opposite Contact is active (blue or green).

If synchronization was disabled, turn it on and wait for the process to complete (may take up to 10 minutes if there are a large number of contacts). Then on the new phone:

☑️ Transfer contacts via Google

Done: 0 / 4
⚠️ Attention: If you used Mi Account (on Xiaomi) or Samsung Accounton your old phone, contacts could be saved there by default. Check this in the synchronization settings of the corresponding account.

Advantages of the method:

  • 🔄 Automatic update of contacts on all devices
  • 🛡️ Protection against loss if the phone breaks
  • 📱 Works even if the phone is low or broken (during previous synchronization)

2. Export/import via VCF file (for advanced users)

Format .vcf (vCard) is a universal standard for storing contacts, which is supported by all modern smartphones. This method is suitable if you do not want to get attached to Google or need a backup.

Instructions for export:

  1. Open the application Contact (or Google Contacts).
  2. Click on the three dots (⋮) in upper right corner → Manage contacts → Export.
  3. Select which contacts to export (all or selected).
  4. Save the file to Internal memory or to SD card.

To import to a new phone:

  1. Copy the file .vcf to the new device (via Bluetooth, email or the cloud).
  2. Open the file - the system will prompt you to import contacts.
  3. Select an account to save (recommended Google for backup).
What to do if the VCF file does not open?

If the new phone does not recognize the file, try:

1. Rename the extension to .vcf (sometimes files are saved as .txt)

2. Open through the Google Contacts application from the Play Market

3. Use an online converter (for example, vcf-converter.com) to check the integrity of the file

Method Speed Reliability Suitable for
Google Synchronization ⚡ Instantly ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ All devices
VCF file 🐢 5-10 minutes ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Backup
SIM card 🏃 2-3 minutes ⭐⭐ Old phones
Bluetooth 🐢 10+ minutes ⭐⭐⭐ Without Internet

3. Transfer via SIM card (for old models)

This method is relevant for devices up to Android 9 or phones with limited memory. Modern SIM cards (nano-SIM) store up to 250 contacts, but have limitations:

  • 🚫 No photos of contacts
  • 🚫 Only name and number (no email, addresses)
  • 🚫 Character limit in the name (15-20 characters)

How to transfer:

  1. On the old phone: Contacts → Settings → Import/Export → Export to SIM.
  2. Select contacts (usually only exporting all at once is available).
  3. Insert SIM into the new phone.
  4. On the new device: Contacts → Settings → Import from SIM.
⚠️ Attention: On some Samsung and Huawei export to SIM may be hidden in the Additional or Contact managementmenu. If you don't find the option, check the manual for your model.
📊 Which contact transfer method do you use most often?
Via Google
File VCF
SIM card
Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Direct
Other

4. Wireless transmission via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct

If you do not have access to the Internet, but both phones are working, you can use direct transfer. This method is slower than cloud synchronization, but does not require cables.

Instructions for Bluetooth:

  1. Enable Bluetooth on both phones.
  2. Pair the devices (enter the same code confirmation).
  3. On the old phone: open Contact → select contacts → Share → Bluetooth.
  4. Select a new phone from the list of devices.
  5. Confirm reception on the new device.

For Wi-Fi Direct (faster Bluetooth):

  • Activate Wi-Fi Direct in Wi-Fi settings on both phones.
  • Connect the devices to each other (similar to Bluetooth).
  • Use an application to transfer files (for example Files by Google or Xender).
  • Export contacts to a file .vcf and send it.
💡

To speed up Bluetooth transfer, turn off battery saving on both phones - this will increase the speed by 30-40%.

5. Using third-party applications (for mass transfer)

If standard methods do not work (for example, if Google synchronization fails), one of the specialized applications will help. 15 apps and selected the top 3:

  1. Copy My Data (from Media Mushroom):
    • 🔹 Transfers contacts, calendars, photos
    • 🔹 Works via Wi-Fi (without the Internet)
    • 🔹 Supports Android 5.0+
  2. CLONEit (from CLONEit Team):
    • 🔹 Clones contacts, SMS, applications
    • 🔹 Speed up to 20 Mb/sec
    • 🔹 Requires root access for complete transfer
  • Samsung Smart Switch (only for Samsung):
    • 🔹 Optimized for gadgets Galaxy
    • 🔹 Transfers even notes and settings
    • 🔹 Works via cable and wireless

      • How to use (using example Copy My Data):

      1. Install the application on both phones.
      2. On the old phone, select Send Data → Contacts.
      3. On the new one - Receive Data.
      4. Scan the QR code to connect.
      5. Confirm the transfer.
      ⚠️ Warning: Applications like SHAREit or Xender often collect personal data before using Settings → Applications and disable unnecessary ones (for example, access to geolocation).

      6. Transfer via computer (for the technically savvy)

      If you have PC or Mac, you can use it as an intermediary. This method is useful if you need to edit contacts before transferring or create a backup copy on your hard drive.

      Method 1: Via Google Contacts in the browser

      1. Go to contacts.google.com and log into your account.
      2. Click Export → select format Google CSV or vCard.
      3. Save the file to your computer.
      4. Connect a new phone and copy the file to memory.
      5. Import through the app Contact.

    Method 2: Via ADB (for advanced users)

    adb backup -f contacts.ab -apk com.android.contacts

    adb restore contacts.ab

    These commands create a backup copy of contacts and restore it. Requires enabled Developer mode and installed drivers ADB.

    7. Features of transfer on phones of different brands

    Manufacturers often modify Android by adding their own functions for transferring data. Here's what you need to know about popular brands:

    • Samsung:
      • 🔹 Use Smart Switch (preinstalled)
      • 🔹 Supports transfer even from iPhone
      • 🔹 Can save contacts to Samsung Account to default
    • Xiaomi/Redmi/Poco:
      • 🔹 By default, contacts are synchronized with Mi Account
      • 🔹 To transfer, use Mi Mover (in settings)
      • 🔹 China firmware may not have Google Synchronization
    • Google Pixel:
      • 🔹 Automatic synchronization with Google is enabled by default
      • 🔹 Supports Fast Pair for quick pairing
      • 🔹 No proprietary applications for transfer

    For Huawei i Honor (without Google services):

    • Use Huawei Mobile Cloud or Phone Clone
    • Export contacts to a file .vcf via Contacts → Backup
    • When transferring to non-Huawei device, first save contacts to Google Account via the web version Huawei Cloud
      • 💡

      Before buying a new phone, check whether it supports your main synchronization method. For example, Huawei without GMS does not synchronize with Google Contacts.

      Common problems and their solutions

      Even with proper transfer, difficulties may arise. Here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

      Problem Possible cause Solution
      Contacts do not sync with Google Is synchronization disabled or not Internet Check your account settings and network connection. Reboot your phone.
      Duplicate contacts Contacts saved in multiple accounts Merge duplicates into Google Contacts → Advanced → Merge
      Not all contacts were transferred SIM card limitation or export failure Repeat export selectively or use file .vcf
      Hieroglyphs instead of names Incompatible encoding when export Export in format UTF-8 or use Google Sync

      If contacts are missing after transfer:

      1. Check the folder Archive or Deleted in the application Contact.
      2. Restore from Google backup (30 days available): contacts.google.com → Recycle bin.
      3. Use recovery applications (for example, Undeleterif the contacts were stored in the phone's memory.
      Can I transfer contacts from a broken phone?

      Yes, if synchronization with Google or other cloud service was previously enabled. Otherwise, try:

      1. Connect the phone to the PC via OTG cable (if the screen responds to touches).
      2. Remove the SIM card and read it through another phone.
      3. Contact service center for retrieving data from memory.

      If the phone does not turn on, the chances of restoring contacts without a backup copy are minimal.

      How to transfer contacts from Android to iPhone?

      Use one of the methods:

      1. Via Google: Sync contacts from Google to Android, then add this account to iPhone in Settings → Passwords and accounts.
      2. Via SIM: Export contacts to SIM, insert it into iPhone and import (works only with numbers).
      3. Via iCloud: Export contacts to .vcf, import them to icloud.com, then sync to iPhone.

      Note: iPhone does not support direct import .vcf via the file system - only via mail or iCloud.

      Why did contact photos disappear after the transfer?

      This happens because:

      • Photos are stored separately from the main contact data.
      • When exporting to SIM or to .vcf they are not saved.
      • Synchronization through some third-party applications ignores media files.

      Solution:

      1. Use Google Contacts —they save photos.
      2. Transfer contacts via Smart Switch (for Samsung) or Mi Mover (for Xiaomi).
      3. Copy photos manually from the folder /DCIM/.thumbnails (root or file manager required).
      How to transfer contacts without the Internet?

      Options without a network connection:

      • Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Direct: Slow but reliable for a small number contacts.
      • SIM card: Suitable for phone numbers (without additional information).
      • VCF file on a flash drive: Copy the file to SD card or USB drive.
      • Straight cable: Use OTG cable to connect phones directly (file manager required).

      For mass transfer without the Internet, the best combination is .vcf + flash drive.

      Is it possible to automate the transfer of contacts when buying a new phone?

      Yes, many manufacturers offer tools for automatic transfer the first time when turned on:

      • Samsung: Smart Switch offers to transfer data during setup.
      • Xiaomi: Mi Mover starts automatically the first time you turn on.
      • Google Pixel: Offers to restore data from a Google backup.
      • OnePlus/Oppo/Realme: Clone Phone in the initial setup menu.

      To use this feature, When you turn on your new phone for the first time, select an option like Copy data from an old device and follow the instructions. Usually a connection via cable or Wi-Fi is required.