How to copy contacts from SIM 1 to SIM 2 in Samsung phones

These days contacts are not stored in the SIM card by default. They sync with your Google or Apple account – depending on the device you’re using – and will move from phone to phone. However, you might end up in a situation where you have some legacy contacts stored in your SIM and you need to move them to another SIM.

The reasons for this could be many. Perhaps you don’t want to sync contacts with your internet accounts, perhaps  you sometimes use a dumbphone, or it could even be that you swap phones frequently. Whatever the case, this situation can arise and easy enough to resolve if you’re using a Samsung phone. Here’s how you transfer contacts from SIM to SIM. But first…

What is a SIM?

A SIM or Subscriber Identity Module is a physical chip that you insert into your phone. It contains relevant information needed to identify your number and help you connect to cell towers around you. It also has a limited amount of memory to store a handful of SMS and a few contacts.

ALSO READ: eSIM vs physical SIM: Making the right choice for your device

Modern SIMs are much smaller than they used to be, and now are fast being replaced by eSIMs. An eSIM or embedded SIM can be thought of as a SIM card that’s been soldered onto your smartphone’s circuit board. It’s an oversimplification, but that definition will suffice. While eSIMs can also store contacts, newer Samsung phones do not support contacts on eSIM and will require that you move your contacts to your Samsung or Google account.

How to move contacts from SIM 1 to SIM 2

Moving contacts from one SIM to another in dual SIM Samsung phones is straightforward. Open your contacts app, tap on the ‘more’ or settings icon in the top right corner, tap ‘Manage Contacts’, tap import contacts, and then select SIM 1 as the source and SIM 2 as the destination. The reverse is also possible.

How to export contacts

You can also export contacts from the same panel by selecting the ‘To’ destination as a .vcf file. This file contains all the relevant contact information such as name, phone number, email, etc. 

ALSO READ: What are eSIMs? Here’s everything you need to know

This vcf file can be transferred to another device such as a laptop or another phone and can be used to import contacts. You can also import the vcf file into your Google or Samsung account to transfer contacts from SIM to phone.

Given the limited support for SIM card storage in existing and upcoming phones, we’d recommend moving your contacts to a secure Google or Samsung account. This will help keep those critical phone numbers safe and backed up, with the added convenience of easy transferability when switching phones or devices.