Transfer Contacts From Android to Android
There are two ways to transfer contacts from an Android to another Android phone.
1. Google Sync
Syncing contacts to your Google account is one of the easiest ways to transfer contacts between Android phones. For the unaware, when you sync contacts, any change that you make on one device will automatically reflect on other devices. This includes adding, editing, or deleting contacts. This method to transfer contacts proves extremely practical if you want to keep contacts on both phones. However, you can also use it to transfer contacts. Tip: On Samsung Galaxy phones, go to “Settings→ Accounts & backup→ Manage accounts→ [Your Google account]→ Sync account→ Contacts”.
2. Import and Export Contacts
The idea behind this method is to create a CSV file from your contacts and send it to the new phone. Then, add the contacts using the CSV file on the new phone. Here’s how to do so using the Google Contacts app. Tip: On some Android phones, you might need to tap on the profile picture icon at the top and select Contacts app settings followed by Export. Pro Tip: You should also back up this file to Google Drive or any other cloud storage service to be on the safer side. Tip: On Samsung Galaxy phones, open the Samsung Contacts app and tap on the three-bar icon followed by “Manage contacts”. Then, tap on Export or Import depending on the step. We also have a guide which explains how to export and import contacts between Androids using the native import and export features in the Contacts app on OnePlus phones.
Other Methods
You can also use Nearby Share on Android phones to transfer contacts. Use built-in features in chat apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, etc., to send contacts.Some phones offer a tool to move data from an old phone to a new Android phone, such as Samsung Switch, Clone Phone by OnePlus, or the service offered by Pixel. You should check if such a tool is available for your new phone.
Transfer Contacts From Android to iOS
If you’re making the switch from an Android device to iOS, you also have several methods at your disposal.
1. Using Move to iOS App
Interestingly, Apple offers an Android app called Move to iOS that lets users transfer data including contacts from Android to a new iPhone. The only drawback of this method is that you need to use it when you are setting up the iPhone for the first time. Check our earlier post where we detail the steps on how to use the Move to iOS app to transfer contacts from Android to iPhone.
2. Sync Google Contacts to iPhone
On iPhone, you can sync and add contacts from services like Google, which is very helpful in transferring contacts. In this method, you will first need to sync your Android contacts to your Google account and then add the same account on your iPhone. Note: Since we’ve synced the contacts in this method, any change that you make to the contacts on your iPhone or Android will reflect on the other device as well.
3. Export Contacts From Android and Import to iPhone
This method involves exporting contacts from an Android phone as a CSV file and importing them to the iPhone. Once the contacts are imported to iPhone, they will have nothing to do with the contacts on your Android phone. You can edit or delete them on Android and it will not affect the iPhone contacts. Tip: In case tapping on the CSV file doesn’t open it, tap on it again and hit the Share button. Select the Contacts app and press the “Add All Contacts” option.
Transfer Contacts From iPhone to Android
For those leaving the iOS ecosystem behind, here’s how you can safely port your contacts to your brand new Android device.
1. Export Contacts From iCloud and Import to Android
To export contacts from iPhone, you must first sync the contacts to iCloud. Then, use the iCloud web version to export contacts like we’re going to demonstrate below. Tip: If you don’t have a PC handy, you can use third-party apps such as My Contacts backup, MCBackup, Contacts Backup Share, etc., to create a CSV file on your iPhone.
2. Backup iPhone Contacts to Google Contacts Using Google Drive
The Google Drive app offers a backup wizard on iPhone that lets you backup contacts, calendar events, and photos and videos. We will be using this feature to transfer contacts from iPhone to Android. Basically, those contacts will be added to Google Contacts that you have to then sync to your Android phone.
Transfer Contacts From iPhone to iPhone
If you’re just upgrading to a new iOS device, you have two simple options at your disposal when it comes to porting your contacts.
1. Using iCloud Sync
Transferring contacts from iPhone to iPhone is quite easy. You just need to be logged into the same Apple IDs on both iPhones. This method will keep the contacts in sync with each other. If you don’t want that to happen, then turn off the toggle next to Contacts in step #3 on the first phone after all the contacts show up on your second iPhone. Alternatively, you can use the next method.
2. Export Contacts From iPhone and Import on Another
If you want to transfer contacts between two iPhones that are using two different Apple IDs, you can do it by the export and import method.
Tip: If you don’t have a computer, e-mail the CSV file to the second iPhone. Open the e-mail and tap on the CSV file. Then, tap on Add all contacts.
On the contrary, sync is a continuous and two-way process. When you sync contacts between phones, any change that you make on one phone will show up on the other phone as well.
