The transition from Android to iPhone 11 is an exciting step, but many users face the problem of transferring contacts. Even if you carefully saved all the numbers in your phone, without proper synchronization they may be lost. In this article we will look at importing contacts, including official methods from 5 working methods import contacts, including official methods from Apple and alternative solutions. We will pay special attention to the nuances that arise precisely when working with iPhone 11 - from limitations iOS 17 to features of SIM cards format nano-SIM.

Many people mistakenly think that it is enough to insert a SIM card into a new phone - but this only works with contacts saved on the SIM itself, and not in the device memory or account Google. Other users experience duplicate entries or lost contact photos. We will help you avoid these problems.

📊 How do you usually save contacts?
Only in the phone memory
In Google Account
On the SIM card
In several places at the same time

1. Preparing your Android device before transfer

Before transferring contacts, make sure they are centrally stored in one place. On Android numbers can be stored in:

  • 📱 Local memory of the phone (the most unreliable option)
  • 🌐 Google Account (recommended method)
  • 📶 SIM card (limited to 250 contacts)
  • 🔄 Third-party services (for example, Viber, WhatsApp)

To check where your contacts are stored, open the application Contact to Android, click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Settings → Management contacts. Here you will see all sources. If contacts are scattered across several accounts, merge them to Google Account:

  1. Open Google Contacts (contacts.google.com).
  2. Click More → Export and save the backup copy to format .vcf.
  3. In the same menu, select Import and upload the file back, selecting Google Account as target.
⚠️ Attention: If you use iPhone 11 s dual SIM (eSIM + nano-SIM), please note that contacts on second SIM (if it is physical) may not be displayed in Phone on default. They will have to be imported separately through settings SIM contacts.

2. Method 1: Transfer via Google Account (the most reliable)

This method works for any version of iOS, including iPhone 11 s iOS 17. The main advantage is that synchronization occurs automatically, and contacts are updated in real time.

Instructions:

  1. On Android make sure that the contacts are synchronized with Google Account: 
    Settings → Accounts → Google → [your email] → Contact synchronization (enable)
  2. On iPhone 11 go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Add account → Google.
  3. Enter your data Google Account and turn on the switch Contact.
  4. Wait 5-10 minutes - contacts will appear in the application Phone.

If contacts do not appear:

  • 🔄 Reboot iPhone 11.
  • 📶 Check your Internet connection (it is better to use Wi-Fi).
  • 🔧 In your account settings Google click Sync now.

Make sure that synchronization of contacts with Google is enabled on Android

Check that there is enough free space on the iPhone (contacts take up ~1-5 MB)

Connect the iPhone to charging (synchronization may drain the battery)

Disable VPN (may block connection to Google servers)-->

⚠️ Attention: If you used several Google Accounts on Androidon iPhone 11 contacts from them will not be merged automatically. You will have to add each account separately or manually export contacts to one file. .vcf.

3. Method 2: Using the “Move to iOS” application

Apple developed the official application "Move to iOS"** (Move to iOS), which transfers not only contacts, but also photos, messages, mail. However, it has limitations:

  • ⏳ Works only during initial setup iPhone 11.
  • 📶 Requires stable Wi-Fi connection (does not work via mobile data).
  • 🔋 Charge both phones for at least 50% —the process may take up to an hour.

Step-by-step guide:

  1. On Android download Move to iOS from Google Play.
  2. To iPhone 11 when setting up, select Transfer data from Android.
  3. To Android open the application, accept the terms and enter 10-digit code s iPhone.
  4. Select Contact (and other data if necessary) and wait until completion.

If the application does not find iPhone 11:

  • 🔌 Disable power saving mode on both devices.
  • 📵 Make sure that Android is enabled Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
  • 🔄 Restart the application and try again.
💡

If the transfer is interrupted, do not start again - wait until iPhone 11 offers to resume the process. Exiting the application prematurely Move to iOS may lead to the loss of some data.

4. Method 3: Import via SIM card (for a small number of contacts)

This method is suitable if you have less than 250 contacts (restriction SIM cards) and they are already saved on it. On iPhone 11 there is no built-in tool for importing from SIM, but you can use a workaround:

  1. On Android export contacts to SIM: 
    Contacts → Settings → Import/Export → Export to SIM card
  2. Insert SIM into iPhone 11.
  3. Download from App Store application SIM Contacts (or similar).
  4. Open the application and select Import from SIM.
  5. Save contacts to Phone or iCloud.

Restrictions method:

Problem Solution
Contacts are duplicated Use Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Merge contacts
No photos of contacts The SIM card does not store photos - transfer them separately via Google Photos
SIM reading error Try another SIM or clear the contacts on it before export
⚠️ Attention: iPhone 11 only supports nano-SIM. If your SIM is of an old format (micro-SIM or mini-SIM), it will have to be cut or replaced by the operator. Do not use adapters —they can damage the slot.

5. Method 4: Export/import via VCF file

File .vcf (vCard) - a universal format for transferring contacts. It can be created on Android and uploaded to iPhone 11 via mail, cloud or direct connection.

Instructions:

  1. On Android export contacts: 
    Contacts → Settings → Export → Save as .vcf

    Send the file to your email or upload to Google Drive.

  2. On iPhone 11 open the file:
    • 📧 If it came by email, click on the attachment .vcf and select Add all contacts.
    • ☁️ If in the cloud, download the file and open via Files.

If the file does not open:

  • 🔧 Make sure that the file extension is exactly .vcf (sometimes saved as .txt).
  • 📱 Try opening the file through the app Contact manually.
  • 🔄 Split a large file into parts (some iPhone do not import files larger than 1000 contacts).
What to do if contacts were imported with errors?

If after import .vcf some contacts are displayed incorrectly (for example, numbers in the "Name" field), try:

1. Open the file .vcf on your computer in a text editor and manually correct the formatting.

2. VCF (for example, VCF Validator).

3. Import contacts first into Google Contacts, and then synchronize with iPhone 11 via Google Account.

6. Method 5: Third-party applications (alternative solutions)

If standard methods do not work, you can use specialized applications. We tested three reliable options:

Application Pros Cons
Copy My Data Free, works via Wi-Fi Slow transfer of large databases
My Contacts Backup Creates backups in the cloud Limit of 500 contacts in the free version
SmoothSync Synchronizes with Google Contacts in the background Paid subscription (~300 rub/year)

Recommendations for selection:

  • 🔄 For one-time transfer suitable Copy My Data.
  • ☁️ If necessary permanent synchronization — SmoothSync.
  • 📱 For backup — My Contacts Backup.
⚠️ Attention: When using third-party applications turn off synchronization of contacts with iCloud during the transfer to avoid duplication. This can be done in Settings → [your name] → iCloud → Contacts (turn off).

7. Typical errors and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, users encounter problems. Here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

  • 🔴 Contacts are not displayed after synchronization:

    Check whether they are hidden in the display settings. Go to Contacts → Groups and enable display of all accounts.

  • 🔴 Duplicate contacts:

    Use the built-in merging tool: Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Merge contacts.

  • 🔴 Contact photos are lost:

    Photos are not transferred via SIM or VCF. To save them, sync Google Contacts with Google Photos or use iCloud.

If none of the methods worked:

  1. Check whether antivirus or VPN is blocking synchronization.
  2. Update iOS to the latest version (to iPhone 11 maximum supported version - iOS 17).
  3. Reset network settings: Settings → Basic → Transfer or reset → Reset network settings.
💡

If contacts are critical (for example, a work base), before transferring, create a backup copy in several formats: .vcf, export to Google Contacts and screenshots of key numbers.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about transferring contacts

Is it possible to transfer contacts from Android to iPhone 11 without a computer?

Yes, all the methods described in the article (except for importing via .vcf on cable) work without a PC. The most convenient options are synchronization via Google Account or application Move to iOS.

Why did some numbers disappear after the transfer?

This can happen for several reasons:

  • The numbers were saved in non-standard fields (for example, in notes).
  • Contacts were linked to another account (for example, Viber or WhatsApp).
  • The file .vcf was damaged during transfer.

Check your backups on Android or repeat the export.

How to transfer contacts from iPhone 11 back to Android?

For reverse transfer:

  1. On iPhone 11 export contacts to .vcf via iCloud.com (section Contacts → Settings → Export vCard).
  2. Send the file to Android and import via Contacts → Settings → Import.

An alternative is synchronization via Google Account (add it to iPhone and enable contact synchronization).

Is it possible to transfer contacts from Android to iPhone 11 via Bluetooth?

No, iPhone 11 does not support transferring contacts via Bluetooth. This method only works between devices on Android or through specialized applications (for example, Send Anywhere), but not directly.

How long does it take to transfer 1000 contacts?

Time depends on the method:

  • Google Account: 5–15 minutes (depending on Internet speed).
  • Move to iOS: 20–40 minutes (including preparation).
  • VCF file: 1–2 minutes (if the file is small).

If you have a large number of contacts, we recommend using Wi-Firather than mobile data.