There are several proven methods for data migration: from cloud synchronization to direct connection by cable or via Bluetooth. The choice of a specific method depends on the version of the operating system, the model of your old and new device, as well as the availability of a stable Internet connection. In some cases, it is easiest to use the built-in migration tools when setting up for the first time, in others, you will need to manually export files.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the current methods for transferring contact information. You will learn about the nuances of working with Google Account, the features of exporting via file .vcf and the intricacies of working with a SIM card. We will also look at third-party utilities that can help if standard methods do not work for some reason.
Synchronization via Google Account: the most reliable method
The most preferred and modern way of transferring data is to use cloud storage Google Contacts. This method ensures that your recordings will be saved even if both phones are physically lost or broken. The principle of operation is that all numbers are not stored in the device’s memory, but are linked directly to your account.
To get started, you need to make sure that synchronization is enabled on your old smartphone. Go to settings, find the section Accounts and archiving or Users and accounts, select your Gmail email address. Make sure the switch next to Contacts is active. If it is turned off, turn it on and press the synchronization button.
⚠️ Attention: Before you start synchronizing, check where exactly new numbers are saved on your old phone. If they are recorded in the phone memory or SIM card, and not in your Google account, automatic synchronization will not pick them up.
After the data has been uploaded to the cloud, take a new device. During initial setup Android the system will prompt you to enter your Google login and password. Use the same data as on the old device. During the setup process, the wizard will offer to restore data from a backup copy - agree with this offer.
If the phone is already set up and you are just adding an account, go to settings, select Accounts -> Add account -> Google. After entering your credentials, make sure the contact synchronization checkbox is checked again. After a few minutes, depending on the number of entries and Internet speed, the phone book will be automatically filled.
If you have two Google accounts, make sure that when creating a new contact on your old phone, you select the account that you plan to use on the new device.
Export and import via file VCF
Sometimes using the cloud is not possible due to lack of Internet or privacy concerns. In such cases, the good old method of manual export to a file in the .vcf (vCard) format comes to the rescue. This universal format is supported by all modern smartphones and email clients, making it an excellent solution for local transfer.
The process begins on the old device. Open the Contacts app, tap the menu (usually three dots or bars) and select Manage Contacts or Settings. Find the option Export. The system will prompt you to select the source (which account or memory to export) and the location to save the file.
After creating the file contacts.vcf it must be transferred to a new phone. This can be done in any convenient way:
- 📧 Send the file to yourself by email and download it on a new device.
- 📲 Transfer via messenger (Telegram, WhatsApp) to the "Favorites" chat or directly to a new number.
- 💾 Copy the file to your computer and then transfer it to new smartphone via USB cable.
- 📶 Send directly via Bluetooth or the Quick Share function.
On the new smartphone, open the file manager, find the received file and click on it. The system will automatically offer to open it through the Contacts application and import entries. You may be asked to select an account into which the data will be saved, or to confirm saving to the device memory.
What to do if the file does not open?
If the system does not offer import when you click on the file, try opening the Contacts application manually, go to settings and select "Import from .vcf file", then specify the path to the saved document.
Using a SIM card for migration
Transferring contacts via SIM card is a classic method that works even on the simplest push-button phones and does not require the Internet or complex settings. However, this method has significant limitations that you need to know about in advance so as not to encounter loss of information.
The main problem of SIM cards is the limited amount of memory and outdated data storage format. Typically, you can record no more than 250–500 numbers on a card, and the long contact name is often cut off, and additional fields (addresses, email, photos) are completely ignored. This method is only suitable for small phone books.
To perform the transfer, insert the SIM card into the old phone. Go to the contacts application, select settings and find Import/Export contacts. Select the "Export to SIM" option. The system will warn you about possible data loss - confirm the action. Wait for the process to complete.
Then move the SIM card to the new smartphone. In the Contacts app, select Import from SIM card. The system will copy all entries to the internal memory of the new device or to your Google account. After a successful copy, it is recommended to clear the SIM card of contacts to free up space and avoid duplication in the future.
⚠️ Warning: Do not rely on the SIM card as your primary storage. It is easily lost, breaks and has a critically small amount of memory for modern communication standards.
Direct connection and quick setup of a new device
Modern versions Android (starting from 7.0 and higher) are equipped with a built-in quick setup function, which allows you to transfer almost all the data from the old phone to the new one the first time you turn it on. This method uses a direct Wi-Fi connection between devices or a USB-C to USB-C cable.
When you turn on your new smartphone for the first time, the setup wizard will prompt you to copy applications and data from another device. Place both phones side by side. On your old device, you may need to confirm the action through a pop-up window or enter the code displayed on the new screen. Select the type of connection: wireless or via cable.
The system will prompt you to choose what exactly you want to transfer. Make sure that the checkbox next to Contact is checked. You can also choose to transfer photos, messages, Wi-Fi settings, and installed apps. The process may take from 10 minutes to an hour depending on the amount of data.
☑️ Preparing for a quick transfer
This method is the most convenient because it does not require unnecessary steps to export files or set up accounts manually. Everything happens automatically under the control of the system. However, if you have already set up a new phone and skipped this step, it will be difficult to apply this method without resetting the settings of the new device.
Third-party applications for transferring data
If standard tools for some reason do not work (for example, the old phone has a very old version of Android, and the new one has the latest), you can use specialized software. Developers have created many utilities that facilitate data migration between different brands and OS versions.
One of the most popular solutions is the application Copy My Data. It is available on Google Play for both devices. The app works over a shared Wi-Fi network: you install it on both phones, start scanning, the devices find each other, and you select contacts to transfer. The process is intuitive and takes just a few minutes.
Another option is to use proprietary utilities from smartphone manufacturers. For example, Samsung offers an application Smart Switch, Xiaomi — Mi Mover, and Huawei - Phone Clone. These tools are often faster than standard tools and better optimized for transferring data between devices of the same brand, but many of them also support cross-platform transfer.
When using third-party software, it is important to be careful and download applications only from the official store Google Play. This ensures that there is no malicious code that could steal your personal information. Always check the permissions that the application requests before installation.
| Method | Speed | Internet required | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Account | High | Yes | Minimum |
| VCF file | Medium | No (locally) | Low |
| SIM card | Low | No | High (name trimming) |
| Quick setup | High | No (Wi-Fi Direct) | Minimum |
The choice of method depends on your situation: for permanent synchronization, a Google Account is ideal, for a one-time transfer without the Internet - a VCF file or cable.
Solving common problems and duplicating contacts
After a successful data transfer, users often encounter an unpleasant surprise: duplication of records. The same person may appear in the phone book twice or thrice, especially if you used multiple transfer methods at the same time or previously saved numbers in different places.
Fortunately, modern versions Android and the Google Contacts app have a built-in tool for merging duplicates. Go to the application, open the menu and select Settings, then find the option Merge and fix or “Contact Management”. The system will automatically scan the database and offer to merge records with the same names or numbers.
If the automatic merge did not work correctly, you can use the web version of Google Contacts on your computer. The functionality there is broader: you can manually select groups of takes and combine them en masse. There is also a function to roll back changes if you accidentally deleted the desired number during the cleaning process.
Another common problem is the lack of photos for contacts after transfer. This often happens when exporting via SIM card or older file formats. Unfortunately, it is impossible to restore them automatically; you will have to add images manually. To avoid this in the future, always store your contacts in the Google cloud, where photos are linked to your account.
⚠️ Attention: Menu interfaces may vary depending on the manufacturer's shell (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS). If you do not find the item you need, use the settings search by entering the keyword “Contacts” or “Import”.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Can I transfer contacts if the old phone does not turn on?
If the phone does not turn on, but The SIM card is intact, you can move it to a new device and import the numbers. If the contacts were saved only in the internal memory of the faulty device, it is almost impossible to restore them without repairing the phone and connecting to a computer in debugging mode. In this case, you should contact the service center to try to extract data from the memory.
What to do if the contacts were transferred, but without Russian names (krakozyabry)?
Encoding problems often occur when transmitting via Bluetooth or older phone models. Try changing the encoding when exporting to a VCF file, choosing UTF-8 instead of UTF-16 or another option. If this does not help, the best solution is to synchronize your old phone with your Google Account (if it somehow works) and download contacts to the new one via the cloud, since the web format correctly processes Cyrillic.
How to transfer contacts from iPhone to Android?
The easiest way is to go to iCloud.com from a computer under your Apple ID, select all contacts, Click the gear and select “Export vCard”. Send the resulting file to your Android smartphone and import. You can also use the Move to iOS app in reverse (unofficial) or simply log into your Google account on your iPhone and turn on contact syncing in iOS settings.
Are contacts deleted from your old phone after the transfer?
No, when using the export, import or synchronization methods, the data on the old device remains intact. They are only deleted if you use the Factory Reset feature on your old phone before selling it or manually delete the entries. It is recommended not to delete anything from the old device until you are completely sure that the phone book is working on the new one.