Changing an ecosystem is always stressful, especially when it comes to the loss of important data. You bought a new iPhonebut your phone book remains in your old Android smartphone. Fortunately, modern technologies make it possible to solve this problem in a few minutes without losing a single number.
In this article we will analyze all existing migration methods: from the official Apple application to manual export via a SIM card. Transferring contacts is the first and most important step to mastering a new device, and this can be done even without connecting to Wi-Fi in some cases.
No need to worry about the complexity of the process. Apple and Google engineers have considered many scenarios to make the transition as smooth as possible. The main thing is to choose a method that suits your situation and the condition of the old device.
Using the Move to iOS application
The most reliable and official method of migration is using the utility Move to iOS. This method is ideal if you just bought a phone or are ready to factory reset your new iPhone. The application creates a secure Wi-Fi network between devices and transfers data directly, bypassing cloud storage.
To get started, make sure Wi-Fi is turned on on Android. Download the application Move to iOS from the Google Play Store. On iPhone, during the initial setup process, select "Transfer data from Android." A six- or ten-digit code will appear on the screen, which must be entered on Android.
After connecting the devices, you will be asked to select the type of data to copy. Be sure to check the box next to “Contacts”. The transfer speed depends on the size of your phone book, but usually the process takes no more than 10-15 minutes.
☑️ Preparing for transfer via Move to iOS
It is important to note that during data transfer both phones can become very hot - this is normal operation of the communication modules. Also, device screens may go dark, but do not block them completely if the process requires active interaction.
⚠️ Attention: If you have already set up your iPhone and are using it, the Move to iOS method will require a complete reset of the device ( erase all content and settings). If your new phone already has important photos or messages, first save them to the cloud.
Sync via Google account
If your iPhone is already set up and you don’t want to reset it, the best solution is to sync via your account Google. Since on Android, contacts are saved to the Google cloud by default, this method often does not require any additional steps to upload the data.
You will need to add a Gmail account to your iOS settings. Go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts (or Passwords and accounts on older versions of iOS). Click “Add an account” and select the Google logo.
Enter your username and password. After authorization, the system will ask what data needs to be synchronized. Make sure the switch next to the word “Contacts” is green. In a few minutes, your entire phone book will appear in the Phone app on your iPhone.
If contacts do not appear immediately after turning on synchronization, try pulling the list down in the Contacts application to force an update, or reboot your iPhone.
This method is good because it is two-way. Any changes you make on your iPhone will show up on Android if you decide to switch back or use a tablet. This ensures constant backup of your data in the cloud.
| Parameter | Move to iOS | Google Sync | SIM card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | High | Medium (depends on the network) | Low |
| Requires iPhone reset | Yes | No | No |
| Transfers photos of contacts | Yes | Yes | No |
| Wi-Fi required | Yes (local) | Yes (Internet) | No |
Export via VCF file (vCard)
Universal format vCard (.vcf) allows you to transfer contacts manually, creating one file with all numbers. This method is convenient if you do not have a stable Internet connection or if you prefer complete control over the data transfer process.
On your Android device, open the Contacts application. Tap the menu (three dots or bars) and select Settings or Manage Contacts. Find the "Export" item and select the "File.vcf" or "vCard" format. Save the file to internal memory.
Now this file needs to be transferred to the iPhone. The easiest way is to send it to yourself by email, in Telegram (in “Favorites”) or via AirDrop, if available. Open the file on your iPhone, and the system will offer to add all found numbers to the phone book.
What to do if the file is too large?
If you have more than 5,000 contacts, the vCard file may be too large for mail. In this case, split the export by letter of the alphabet in the Android export settings or use cloud synchronization.
The advantage of the method is that you get a physical file that can be saved on your computer as an archive. This is additional insurance in case of problems with cloud services.
Transfer using a SIM card
The oldest, “old-fashioned” method that still works if other methods are not available. It is suitable for basic numbers, but has serious limitations in the volume and type of information stored. SIM card It cannot store long names, avatars and additional numbers.
Insert the SIM card into your Android smartphone. Go to your contacts settings and select “Copy contacts”. Specify “Phone” or “Google” as the source, and “SIM card” as the destination. Once completed, remove the card and insert it into the iPhone.
On the iPhone, go to Settings → Contacts. At the very bottom of the list, find the “Import contacts from SIM” button. The process may take time if the card is full.
⚠️ Attention: When importing from a SIM card, second numbers, email addresses and photos are often lost. Names may be trimmed to 10-15 characters. Use this method only as a last resort.
After a successful import, be sure to clear your Android SIM card before using it again to avoid duplicates in the future. This method is good for its autonomy - it does not require the Internet.
Solution and duplicates
Often after a transfer, users are faced with the problem of duplicating records. This happens when contacts are saved to iCloud, Google, and the device's memory at the same time. iOS knows how to merge them, but sometimes manual intervention is required.
To clear it, open the Contacts app on your iPhone. If you see duplicate names, tap the contact card. A “Link” or “Merge” checkbox may appear at the top. You can also go to the site iCloud.com from a computer, select “Contacts” and use the duplicate search function.
Another common problem is the lack of photos. When transferring via SIM or older vCard formats, images may not be transferred. In this case, re-synchronization via Google Account with the photo upload option enabled will help.
Regularly checking the phone book after migration will help avoid confusion when making calls. Take 10 minutes to delete duplicates immediately after the transfer.
If contacts are missing after updating iOS, check whether synchronization is disabled in the settings. Often, after an update, the sliders are reset to the “Off” position for security reasons.
Results and security recommendations
Data transfer is not only a technical procedure, but also a moment for putting things in order. Before you give up on Android completely, make sure that all important numbers are saved in cloud storage. This will protect you from data loss in the future.
It is recommended to always keep an up-to-date backup copy. Setting up automatic synchronization with Google or iCloud will take a couple of minutes, but will save hundreds of nerve cells if your phone is lost or broken.
Choose a method based on your situation: Move to iOS is ideal for a new phone, and account synchronization is ideal for a working device. The main thing is to take your time and check the result at each stage.
Is it possible to transfer contacts without the Internet?
Yes, this is possible using a SIM card or by creating a VCF file and transferring it via Bluetooth (though iOS limits receiving files via BT, so it's better to use a cable or local file). Move to iOS also works, creating a local Wi-Fi network.
What to do if contacts do not sync with Google?
Check whether synchronization is enabled in the account settings on the iPhone. Also try deleting your account and adding it again. On Android, make sure that your contacts are saved to your Google account and not to your phone's memory.
Will notes and calendars be saved during the transfer?
When using Move to iOS - yes, if you select the appropriate items. When synchronizing via Google Account - yes, if “Calendars” and “Notes” are enabled in the synchronization settings on the iPhone.
Do you need to remove the SIM card for transfer?
Only if you use the copy method via SIM. For all other methods (Move to iOS, Google, VCF), the SIM card can be left in the phone or used only for communication; it does not participate in the data transfer process programmatically.