How to Transfer Contacts to a New Phone (Android & iPhone)

Getting a new phone does not mean losing your contacts. If you’re wondering how to transfer contacts to a new phone, you can move them from Android to Android, iPhone to iPhone, or between the two.

The best method depends on where your contacts are saved. Google Contacts usually sync to a new phone when you add the same Google Account and enable contact sync. iCloud Contacts sync to an iPhone signed in to the same Apple Account. When switching between Android and iPhone, you may need a transfer tool or a VCF file.

What Is the Easiest Way to Transfer Contacts to a New Phone?

The easiest way is to sync your contacts to your Google Account or iCloud, then sign in to the same account on the new phone. If your contacts are not synced, use a phone-to-phone transfer during setup or a VCF file. Pick the row that matches your phones.

Old phone	New phone	Try this first
Android	Android	Google Account sync or the setup transfer
iPhone	iPhone	iCloud Contacts or Quick Start
Android	iPhone	Move to iOS or Google Account sync
iPhone	Android	Setup transfer or Google Account sync
Any phone	Any phone	VCF file

A SIM card can also carry contacts, but only the ones saved on the SIM itself. It is not a full backup of your address book.

Before You Start: Find Where Your Contacts Are Saved

Your Contacts app can show people from several places at once. Some may sit in a Google Account, some in iCloud, and some only on the phone. Signing in to one account will not bring over contacts saved somewhere else, so check first.

On an Android Phone

Open the Contacts app and look for the account menu or filter. It shows which accounts feed your list. Entries labeled Phone, Device, or Local are stored on the phone only. Those are the ones most likely to be left behind.

You can also sign in to Google Contacts on a computer with the same Google Account. If your people appear there, they are safely saved to that account.

On an iPhone

Open Settings, tap your name, tap iCloud, and look for Contacts. If it is turned on, your contacts sync to iCloud. In the Contacts app, tap Lists to see every account and group on the phone.

Other Accounts

Your list may also include Outlook, Exchange, Yahoo, a work account, or a SIM card. A work or school account may need to be added again on the new phone. Your employer may also limit how you can export those contacts.

How to Transfer Contacts From Android to Android

The simplest way is Google Account sync. If you have both phones in hand, you can also copy data during setup. Samsung owners have a third choice in Smart Switch.

Use Google Account Sync

This works best when your contacts are already saved to Google. Menu names differ a little from phone to phone.

1. On the old phone, open Settings and go to Passwords & accounts or Accounts.
2. Tap your Google Account, then tap Account sync.
3. Make sure Contacts is turned on, and sync now if you see that option.
4. On the new phone, connect to Wi-Fi and sign in with the same Google Account.
5. Check that Contacts sync is on in the same account settings.
6. Open the Contacts app and give it a few minutes to fill in.

Contacts that are already in Google do not need to be exported. If some names are missing, they were probably saved to the phone, the SIM, or another account.

Copy Contacts During Setup

Most new Android phones offer to copy data from an old phone when you first turn them on. Charge both phones and follow the prompts. When the setup asks what to copy, choose Contacts if you see the option.

The steps vary by brand and Android version. Some options appear only during first-time setup. A direct copy may also skip contacts that belong to online accounts, so add those accounts afterward if anything is missing.

Use Samsung Smart Switch

Smart Switch moves supported data from an old phone to a Galaxy phone. Open the app on both phones and keep them close together. On the old phone, tap Send data. On the new Galaxy phone, tap Receive data, then choose Wireless or a cable.

Select Contacts from the list, start the transfer, and check the Contacts app when it ends. Samsung notes that some contact types may not transfer this way, such as SIM contacts and contacts managed by Google or work accounts. If something is missing, add that account to the Galaxy phone and turn on contact sync.

How to Transfer Contacts From iPhone to iPhone

Turn on iCloud Contacts, or use Quick Start while you set up the new iPhone. Either one works well. Restoring a full iCloud backup is a third option during setup.

Sync Contacts With iCloud

1. On the old iPhone, open Settings, tap your name, and tap iCloud.
2. Find Contacts and turn it on.
3. On the new iPhone, sign in with the same Apple Account.
4. Go to the same iCloud settings and turn on Contacts.
5. Open the Contacts app and wait for your list to load.

Give iCloud some time to finish syncing. Keep in mind that iCloud Contacts only covers contacts stored in iCloud. It is not the same as restoring a full backup.

Use Quick Start

Quick Start uses your old iPhone to set up the new one. Turn on the new iPhone and place it near the old one. Make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are on, then follow the prompts on both screens. Keep both phones plugged in until the transfer ends.

The choices you see depend on your devices and software. When setup is done, open Contacts and check your list.

Restore an iCloud Backup

During setup, you can choose to restore from an iCloud backup. Sign in with the Apple Account that holds the backup and pick the right one. A restore brings back more than contacts, so it takes longer. Do not erase your old iPhone until you have checked the new one.

How to Transfer Contacts From Android to iPhone

You can use Apple’s Move to iOS app or add your Google Account to the iPhone. A VCF file also works. The right choice depends on whether the iPhone is already set up.

Use Move to iOS

Move to iOS is meant for a new iPhone that is still in first-time setup.

1. Charge both phones and start setting up the iPhone.
2. On the transfer screen, choose the option to move data from Android.
3. Install and open Move to iOS on the Android phone.
4. Follow the steps to connect the two phones.
5. Select Contacts when asked what to move.
6. Keep the phones close until the transfer finishes, then check Contacts on the iPhone.

If your iPhone is already set up, Move to iOS may require erasing it first. You do not need to do that just for contacts.

Add Your Google Account to the iPhone

This is the easiest choice for an iPhone that is already set up, as long as your contacts are saved to Google.

1. On the iPhone, open Settings, then tap Apps and tap Contacts.
2. Tap Contacts Accounts, then tap Add Account.
3. Choose Google and sign in.
4. Turn on Contacts and save.
5. Open the Contacts app and wait for the list to sync.

On older versions of iOS, the path may be Settings, then Contacts, then Accounts. If nothing shows up, make sure you signed in to the right Google Account.

How to Transfer Contacts From iPhone to Android

Many Android phones can copy data from an iPhone during setup. You can also sync your iPhone contacts to Google and sign in on the Android phone. A VCF file is the backup plan.

Copy Contacts During Android Setup

Turn on the new Android phone and follow the setup prompts. When it asks to copy data from an old phone, choose iPhone if the option appears. Connect the phones with a compatible cable or a supported wireless method. Select Contacts, start the transfer, and check your list when it finishes.

The options depend on the phone brand and software version. If your phone does not offer this step, use Google sync or a VCF file.

Sync iPhone Contacts to Google

1. On the iPhone, open Settings, then tap Apps and tap Contacts.
2. Tap Contacts Accounts, then tap Add Account, and choose Google.
3. Sign in, turn on Contacts, and save.
4. Wait a few minutes, then open Google Contacts on a computer to confirm your people are there.
5. On the Android phone, sign in with the same Google Account and turn on Contacts sync.

The Android phone must use the same Google Account you added on the iPhone. A different account will not show these contacts.

How to Transfer Contacts With a VCF File

A VCF file, also called a vCard, is a small file that holds names, phone numbers, and email addresses. It is the best manual option, and it works between any two phone types. You export the file from one phone and import it on the other.

Export a VCF File

On Android, open Contacts and look for Fix & manage or Manage contacts. Tap Export to file, choose the account, and save the file. If your contacts are spread across accounts, export each account on its own.

On an iPhone, the easiest route is a computer. Sign in at iCloud.com with your Apple Account and open Contacts. Select the contacts you want, then choose the option to export a vCard.

Import a VCF File

On Android, move the file to the new phone and open Contacts. Tap Import from file, choose the VCF file, and pick the account where the contacts should be saved. On an iPhone, open the file from Mail, Messages, or Files, tap it, and follow the prompt to add the contacts.

After either import, search for a few names to make sure they came through.

Send the File Safely

You can move the file by email, cloud storage, or a cable and computer. The file holds your whole address book, so keep it private. Avoid unknown websites and public links, and delete extra copies when you are done.

Can You Transfer Contacts With a SIM Card?

Yes, but only if the contacts are saved on the SIM and your new phone can import them. A SIM holds basic details and has little room. It will not carry the contacts saved in Google, iCloud, or phone storage.

On Android, put the SIM in the new phone and open Contacts. Look under Fix & manage, Manage contacts, or Import contacts, and choose the SIM option. Pick the contacts and the account to save them to. Some Android phones cannot save contacts to a SIM, so the old phone may not be able to put new ones there.

On an iPhone, put the SIM in, then open Settings, tap Apps, and tap Contacts. Tap Import SIM Contacts and follow the prompts. An iPhone can import from a SIM, but it does not save its own contacts to one.

How to Get Your Contacts Back Without the Old Phone

You can still get them back if they were synced, backed up, or saved somewhere else. Start by signing in to your new phone with the same Google Account or Apple Account you used before. Then turn on Contacts sync and give the phone a few minutes.

On Android, you can also restore from a backup. Open Settings, go to Google, then All services, then Backup & restore, and look for the contacts restore option. Pick the account and the old device if you see a choice. Names for these menus can differ by phone and Android version, and contacts already on the phone may not be restored again.

If you find no backup, check other places before giving up:

• Google Contacts or iCloud.com on a computer
• Other phones or tablets signed in to your accounts
• Outlook, Exchange, or other email accounts
• Old VCF files on a computer or cloud drive
• An old SIM card

Contacts that lived only on a lost phone, with no backup, may be gone for good. If the phone is just damaged, a reputable repair or data recovery shop can tell you whether recovery is possible. They cannot promise results.

Why Are Some Contacts Missing After a Transfer?

Missing contacts usually trace back to the wrong account, a sync setting that is off, or a source the transfer skipped. Check those before you try again.

What you see	Likely reason	What to check
No contacts at all	Wrong account, or sync is off	Sign-in and Contacts sync
Only some contacts	They live in different places	Each account and contact list
SIM contacts missing	They were never saved to the SIM	The old phone or a backup
Samsung transfer is incomplete	Some contact types are skipped	Add the Google or work account
VCF file will not import	The file is incomplete or damaged	Export a fresh copy
Duplicates	Same person saved twice	Review before merging

If you use more than one Google or Apple Account, add each one to the new phone. Having an account on the phone does not always mean Contacts sync is on, so open its sync settings and check.

For duplicates, Google Contacts has a Merge & fix tool for supported matches. Google does not merge contacts saved in different Google Accounts. Look at the numbers before you merge, because two similar names may be two different people.

If a VCF file will not open, make sure the file ends in .vcf and finished copying. Then import it from inside the Contacts app and check the account you chose.

How to Check That All Your Contacts Transferred

Before you erase, trade in, or reset the old phone, make sure the new one has everything you need. Open Contacts and look at every account or list, not just the main one. Search for a few important names and confirm the numbers and emails are right. Try at least one person from each place you used to save contacts, including the phone, the SIM, and any work account.

Keep the old phone as it is until you are sure. If something is missing, it is much easier to fix while the old phone still has the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I transfer all my contacts to a new phone?

If your contacts are synced to Google or iCloud, sign in to the same account on the new phone and turn on Contacts sync. If they are saved only on the phone, use a direct transfer or a VCF file. Check every account before you erase the old phone.

Will I lose my contacts if I change phones?

Not if they are synced, backed up, or copied over. Contacts saved only on the old phone will not appear on their own. Find out where they are saved, and make a copy before you switch.

Can I transfer contacts without my old phone?

Yes, if they were synced to Google or iCloud, backed up, or saved in a VCF file. If they lived only on a lost phone with no copy, they may not be recoverable.

Can I transfer contacts without a Google Account?

Yes. You can use a direct transfer, a VCF file, iCloud between Apple devices, or a SIM card for contacts saved on it.

Can I transfer contacts without iCloud?

Yes. Use Google Account sync, a direct transfer, or a VCF file. For example, you can export your iPhone contacts and import them into Google Contacts before you sign in on an Android phone.

How do I transfer contacts from Android to iPhone?

Use Move to iOS during iPhone setup. If the iPhone is already set up, add your Google Account to it, or import a VCF file.

How do I transfer contacts from iPhone to Android?

Use the transfer option during Android setup, sync your iPhone contacts to Google, or import a VCF file.

Can I transfer contacts without resetting my new phone?

Often, yes. You can add the same Google or Apple Account, import a VCF file, or import SIM contacts after setup. Some transfer tools work only during first-time setup.

How do I export all my contacts?

On Android, open Contacts and tap Export to file. On an iPhone, export a vCard from iCloud.com on a computer. Make sure you choose every account or list you use.

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