Changing the ecosystem from iOS to Android often causes concerns among users, especially when it comes to saving personal information. iPhone 5s, despite its age, still contains valuable data that needs to be correctly migrated to a new device. The process of transferring a contact no longer requires complex manipulations with iTunes or third-party paid apps, since modern synchronization tools have become much more accessible.
In this article we will analyze in detail all existing methods of address book migration. You'll learn how to use cloud services, direct cables, and built-in operating system features. It is important to understand that the choice of method depends on whether you have access to the Internet and how large the amount of data to transfer is.
Preparing devices before starting migration
Before starting the procedure, you need to make sure that both phones are ready. On iPhone 5s you should check the iOS version; Although the model is outdated, it must be updated to the latest available version (usually iOS 12.5.7) to ensure compatibility of data protocols. On an Android smartphone, you need to create or log into an existing account Google, since this will become the main storage for your contacts.
Make sure both devices are charged at least 50%. The synchronization process can consume a significant amount of power, especially when using Wi-Fi wireless networks. It is also recommended to free up space on your new phone if you plan to transfer not only numbers, but also media files.
⚠️ Attention: If Apple ID two-factor authentication is enabled on your iPhone 5s, make sure you remember your password and have access to a trusted phone number to receive a verification code when logging into iCloud.
Check the stability of your Internet connection. Cloud-based methods require stable Wi-Fi as mobile data can be used up very quickly when syncing large amounts of data. If the network is unstable, it is better to use the export method via a file, which does not require a constant connection.
☑️ Ready to transfer
Method 1: Synchronization via Google account (The most reliable)
The most universal and recommended method is to use cloud synchronization through Google services. This method allows you to transfer not only names and numbers, but also additional fields such as addresses, emails and notes associated with contacts. To begin, you need to install the application on your iPhone 5s you need to install the application Gmail or set up an account in the system settings.
Go to the phone settings and find the section responsible for accounts. In older versions of iOS, the path may look like Settings → Mail, addresses, calendars. You need to add a new account by selecting the Google logo. Enter your username and password for the account you will use on your Android device.
After successful authorization, the system will ask what data needs to be synchronized. Make sure that the switch next to Contact activated (lit green). Once you enable this option, the phone will start transferring data to the Google cloud. This process can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour, depending on the number of entries in your address book.
Before you turn on syncing, go to the Contacts app on your iPhone and make sure that "All iCloud" is selected in the display settings so you don't miss hidden numbers.
When syncing on your iPhone is complete, grab your new Android smartphone. Go to Settings → Accounts and add the same Google account. The system will automatically pull up all saved contacts from the cloud, and they will appear in your phone book without the need for manual import.
Synchronization via Google is the only method that allows you to further edit contacts from any device, since they are stored in the cloud and not in the phone's memory.
Method 2: Export contacts to a VCF file
If for some reason you do not want or cannot use cloud synchronization, an excellent alternative option is to create a business card file in the format VCF (vCard). This method works like a physical database transfer: you create one file containing all your contacts and transfer it to the new device.
To implement this method on iPhone 5s you will need a computer or the ability to email the file to yourself. Go to iCloud.com through your computer browser, log in with your Apple ID and select the “Contacts” section. Select all contacts by pressing the key combination Ctrl+A (or Cmd+A on Mac), then click on the gear in the lower left corner and select “Export vCard”.
The resulting file contacts.vcf needs to be transferred to your Android smartphone. This can be done via email, instant messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) or simply by copying the file to the phone memory via a USB cable. On your Android device, open the Contacts app, go to the settings menu (three dots or lines) and select Import/Export → Import from .vcf file.
- 📂 The VCF file contains the entire structure of the contact, including photos if they were saved in the iCloud database.
- 📧 Sending the file by mail is the easiest way if there are not too many contacts (the file will be small).
- 💾 Storing the file on a flash drive or in cloud storage (Dropbox, Yandex.Disk) creates a backup copy of your data.
This method is especially convenient because it does not require constant access to the Internet at the import stage. The file can be stored for years and, if necessary, you can restore contacts even on a completely new phone of a different brand.
⚠️ Attention: When importing a large VCF file (more than 1000 contacts), the phone may temporarily freeze or work slowly. Do not interrupt the import process, even if the screen goes dark, wait until the completion notification appears.
What to do if the VCF file does not open?
If Android does not see the file, check its extension. Sometimes when saved on Windows, the file receives a double extension .vcf.txt. Rename it, removing .txt, and try again.
Method 3: Using the Move to iOS application
Apple has developed a special application Move to iOSdesigned to facilitate the transition of users from iPhone to Android. Although it is most often used when setting up a new phone for the first time, its functionality allows you to transfer contacts, message history and photos in encrypted form over a direct Wi-Fi connection.
Launch the application on your Android smartphone (it is often pre-installed or available in the Play Market) and follow the on-screen instructions. On iPhone 5s you also need to download this application from the App Store. When launched on both devices, you will need to enter a special code that will be generated by the Android phone.
After connecting the devices via a temporary Wi-Fi network, a list of data to be transferred will appear on the iPhone screen. Select item Contact. The advantage of this method is that the data is transferred directly, bypassing Google or iCloud servers, which ensures high speed and confidentiality.
However, it is worth considering that for this method to work, both phones must be nearby, and the screens must not go dark during transfers. If the iPhone 5s has an old version of iOS, the application may be unstable, so it is better to use this method as an additional one.
Transfer via SIM card: Classic method
The oldest and simplest method, which does not require the Internet and computers, is to use a SIM card as a portable storage device. However, this method has significant limitations that you need to be aware of in advance. SIM cards have a limited amount of memory and only support basic fields: name and phone number.
On iPhone 5s go to Settings → Contacts and find the item “Export contacts to SIM card”. The system will warn you that additional data (addresses, photos, e-mail) will be lost. Confirm the action and wait until the copying is completed. After that, remove the SIM card and insert it into the Android smartphone.
On your Android device, open the contacts application, go to settings and select “Import from SIM card”. You will be asked to select the account in which you want to save the numbers (it is recommended to immediately select Google Account, not “Phone”, so as not to lose them when resetting the settings).
| Option | SIM card | Google Account | File VCF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saving photos | No | Yes | Yes |
| Add. fields (address, mail) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Contact limit | ~250 pcs. | No | No |
| Internet required | No | Yes | No (when transferring as a file) |
Use this method only if you have a very old address book without unnecessary details or if other methods are not available for technical reasons. For a modern user, the loss of contact photos and additional information is critical.
When importing from a SIM card to Android, always choose to save to a Google account rather than to the device memory to ensure automatic synchronization in the future.
Solving possible problems and duplicates
After transferring data, users often encounter the problem of duplicate entries. This happens when the same contact has been saved in the phone memory, on the SIM card, and in the cloud. Android has built-in list cleaning tools. Go to the Contacts application, select Settings → Contact management → Merge duplicates.
The system will automatically analyze the database, find records with the same names or numbers and offer to merge them. This is a safe operation that does not delete information, but only structures it, collecting all the data about one person into one card.
Sometimes users notice that contacts are displayed incorrectly, for example, only numbers are shown instead of names. Check your display settings in your contacts app. Make sure that the checkbox next to “Display contacts from all accounts” is checked and the correct account is selected Google.
⚠️ Attention: The interface of the “Contacts” menu may differ depending on the Android shell (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS). If you don't find the merge option, use the search in the application settings or install the Google Contacts application from the Play Market.
It is also worth noting that some specific ringtones assigned to specific contacts on the iPhone are not transferred automatically. You will have to re-configure ringtones for important callers already in the Android environment.
If, after the transfer, contacts are displayed in the wrong order (for example, by last name instead of first name), change the display format in the Contacts application settings to “First Name, Last Name.”
Is it possible to transfer call history from iPhone 5s to Android?
It is impossible to transfer call logs using standard means. To do this, you will need specialized paid apps on your computer that backup the iOS database and convert it for Android, but success is not guaranteed.
What to do if contacts are not synchronized with Google?
Check whether synchronization is enabled in your account settings on Android (Settings → Accounts → Google → Synchronization). Also try visiting contacts.google.com from your computer to make sure that the data is actually in the cloud.
Is it safe to enter your Google password on the iPhone 5s?
Yes, it is safe. You enter data in the official Google application or in the iOS system window, which uses a secure connection. Apple does not have access to your Google password.
How long does it take to transfer 1000 contacts?
When using cloud synchronization, it takes from 2 to 10 minutes depending on the Internet speed. When exporting to a VCF file, the process is almost instantaneous, but it takes time to transfer the file.
Do you need to delete contacts from your iPhone after transferring?
No, you don’t. Contacts on iPhone will remain untouched. You can continue to use your iPhone as a second device, or manually erase it later if you plan to sell.