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Move Contacts from Samsung to Samsung: Smart Switch and Sync

Use Smart Switch to transfer contacts between Samsung Galaxy phones, and add the same Google or other account to sync contacts stored online.
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To move contacts between Samsung Galaxy phones, use Smart Switch on both devices: set the new phone to receive, set the old phone to send, choose a wireless or wired connection, select Contacts, and start the transfer. Contacts synced through Google or another external account may need that same account added to the new phone instead.

First check where your contacts are stored

Contacts can be saved on the phone, associated with a Samsung account, or synced through Google or another service. Smart Switch can transfer contacts, but content synced with an external service may not be copied through the transfer. Samsung advises adding the relevant account to the destination phone to sync that content. Samsung’s Smart Switch guidance explains which contact accounts are included in backup.

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Choose a transfer method

Method What you need to do Considerations
Wireless Smart Switch Open Smart Switch on both phones, pair them, select Contacts, and transfer. No cable required; keep the phones close and meet Samsung’s connection requirements. Samsung calls wireless its preferred transfer method. Connection requirements apply.
Wired Smart Switch Connect the phones with a compatible cable and follow the send-and-receive prompts. Connector and OTG adapter needs vary by model. Check the ports and OTG support for both phones before choosing accessories. Samsung’s transfer instructions cover wired transfer.
Account sync Add the account used for contacts to the new phone and allow it to sync. This works for contacts stored and synced by that account; it is not a copy of every contact source.

Prepare both Galaxy phones

  • Make sure Smart Switch is available on both phones.
  • Charge the devices before starting.
  • For wireless pairing, keep the phones close and follow the connection prompts. Samsung’s Android switch guide recommends wireless transfer.
  • For a wired transfer, use a cable compatible with the phones; some configurations may need an OTG adapter.

Transfer contacts with Smart Switch

  1. On the new Samsung phone, open Smart Switch and tap Receive data, then choose Galaxy/Android.
  2. On the old phone, open Smart Switch and tap Send data.
  3. Choose Wireless or connect the phones with a compatible cable and select the wired option.
  4. Approve the connection on the phones, select Contacts, and tap Transfer.
  5. When the transfer finishes, open Contacts on the new phone and check that the expected entries appear.

Menu wording can vary with the phone model and software version. Smart Switch supports contacts, but available content can depend on the devices and operating systems. Samsung’s Smart Switch overview describes supported content and transfer methods.

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If Google or other synced contacts are missing

Add the same Google or other account that held the contacts on the old phone to the new phone, then allow synchronization to complete. This is the relevant route when those contacts were synced online rather than stored locally for Smart Switch to copy. Samsung notes that externally synced data may need the account added on the destination device.

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If the phones will not connect

  1. Restart both phones and open Smart Switch on each.
  2. For a wireless transfer, move the phones close together and check Samsung’s connection requirements.
  3. Allow the connection when prompted on either device.
  4. If wireless pairing still fails, try a wired Smart Switch transfer using a compatible cable and any model-specific OTG adapter.

Samsung’s connection troubleshooting guide covers these steps. If the old phone’s screen is broken or unresponsive, the ordinary tap-through workflow may not work; Samsung points users to separate recovery and transfer guidance for that situation.

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