The change of ecosystem from iOS to Android, especially to Huawei smartphones, often raises concerns among users about the safety of personal data. The most critical information is usually the phone book, the loss of which can lead to serious communication problems. Fortunately, modern technologies allow you to perform transferring contacts as quickly as possible and without loss, regardless of whether you are using an old iPhone 8 or the latest model.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the available methods of data migration, from using proprietary Huawei utilities to classic methods via a SIM card. You don't need to be a technical expert to handle this task as most of the processes are automated. The main thing is to strictly follow the sequence of actions and have both devices with charged batteries at hand.
Before starting the procedure, make sure that both smartphones are connected to a stable Wi-Fi network if you plan to use cloud services. Local data transfer via Wi-Fi Direct will also require the corresponding modules to be enabled on both devices. This will allow you to complete the synchronization process in a matter of minutes, saving not only the numbers, but also the photos and email addresses associated with them.
Using the Phone Clone application for migration
The most effective and modern way to transfer data is to use the official application Phone Clone (in new versions it may be called “Phone Cloning” or be integrated into the system). This utility is designed specifically for migrating users from other platforms to Huawei and Honor. The application creates a direct secure connection between devices without using up the mobile operator's traffic.
The process begins by installing the application on both smartphones. On iPhone it can be found in the App Store, and on Huawei it is often pre-installed in the Tools folder or available in the AppGallery. After launching the app on one device, you need to select the role “This is a new device”, and on the iPhone - “This is an old device”. The system itself will offer to scan the QR code or connect to the created Wi-Fi network.
⚠️ Attention: Do not interrupt the data transfer process and do not block the smartphone screens until the operation is completed. Interrupting the connection while copying the contact database may result in partial damage or duplication of records.
After the connection is established, the interface will prompt you to select the types of data to copy. You need to check the box next to the “Contacts” item. Synchronization algorithm will automatically determine the number of records and begin transferring them. Unlike Bluetooth, this method works much faster and supports the transfer of additional fields, such as positions and addresses.
If you have a very large phone book (more than 2000 contacts), before starting migration via Phone Clone, it is recommended to clear duplicates on the iPhone to speed up the processing process on the new device.
Synchronization via Google Account
The Google ecosystem is the foundation for any Android operating system, including the EMUI or HarmonyOS shell on Huawei smartphones. If you haven't used Android before, the first step should be to create or sign in to an existing Google account. It is this account that will serve as a repository for all your future contacts, ensuring their safety even if you change your phone again.
To begin the transfer, you need to download contacts from iCloud into a format that Google can understand. On your computer or directly on your iPhone, go to iCloud settings, select export contacts and save them in .vcf (vCard) format. Then this file needs to be imported on the page contacts.google.com. After that, just add the same account in the Huawei settings.
On your Huawei smartphone, go to Settings → Users and accounts → Google. Enter your login details. After authorization, the system will prompt you to select items to synchronize. Make sure the switch next to Contacts is activated. The device will automatically download all numbers from the Google cloud to the local memory of the phone.
☑️ Google Account preparation checklist
Important Understand the difference between local storage and cloud synchronization. If you save the number only to the phone's memory, it will disappear when you reset the settings. Google Sync ensures that your phone book will always be accessible from any device where you are logged into your account, be it a tablet or a new smartphone.
Transfer via SIM card: classic method
Despite the development of cloud technologies, the method of copying via a SIM card remains relevant, especially if you do not have access to Wi-Fi or want to avoid installing additional software. However, this method has significant limitations that you should know about in advance. SIM cards have limited memory and only support text data.
To implement this method, you first need to export your iPhone contacts to the SIM card. In the iOS menu, go to contacts settings and select the “Export contacts to SIM card” option. Once the process is complete, remove the card from the iPhone and insert it into your Huawei smartphone. The system will automatically detect new data and offer to import it.
On Huawei, the import procedure is as follows: open the Contacts application, click on the menu (usually three dots or lines) and select Import/Export. Next, select the source “Import from SIM card” and specify the destination - usually a Google account or device memory. The process will take no more than a couple of minutes.
| Parameter | SIM card | Google Account | Phone Clone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Low | High | Very high |
| Photos of contacts | Not saved | Stored | Save |
| Additional. fields (Email) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Internet required | No | Yes | No (local) |
⚠️ Attention: SIM cards often limit the length of a contact name to 10-15 characters. When importing from iPhone, long names may be truncated and special characters may be removed. This method is only suitable for basic numbers.
What to do if the SIM card does not fit?
If your Huawei uses the Nano-SIM format, and the iPhone had a Micro-SIM or vice versa, use an adapter or contact the operator's communication store for a free replacement card while preserving the number.
Importing contacts from a vCard file
Format .vcf (vCard) is universal standard for exchanging contact information between different platforms. This method is ideal if you want to back up your contacts manually or if the automatic methods don't work for some reason. A vCard file contains complete information about a contact, including multiple numbers, an address, and a photo.
To get one on your iPhone, open the Contacts app, select one contact (or several if iOS allows multi-selection in your version) and tap Share Contact. Choose a transfer method, for example, sending the file to yourself by email or saving it to a cloud storage available from Huawei, for example, Yandex.Disk or Dropbox.
On your Huawei smartphone, download the received file and open it. The system will recognize the format and launch the import wizard. You will be asked to choose which phone book to save the data to: local memory, Huawei account or Google account. We recommend choosing Google for automatic syncing in the future.
A vCard file is the most reliable method of manual backup, as it preserves the data structure without the corruption common to SIM cards.
If you have difficulty opening the file, make sure you have a file management app installed or the standard Contacts app has the necessary permissions. In some cases, you may need to rename the file extension, although modern versions of Android do this automatically.
Solving synchronization problems
During the migration process, users may encounter various technical nuances. For example, contacts may not appear immediately after import. In this case, you need to check the display filters in the Contacts app. Often the default filter is “Phone only”, while new entries could be saved in a Google account.
Another common problem is the appearance of duplicates. If you used multiple transfer methods, the numbers may have been copied twice. Huawei has a built-in merging feature. Go to your contacts settings and find the “Merge duplicate contacts” option. The system will analyze the database and offer to combine matching records.
It is also worth paying attention to the encoding of names. When transferring from iPhone to Android, problems may sometimes arise with displaying the Cyrillic alphabet if old export methods were used. UTF-8 encoding It is a standard for modern smartphones, so using the latest versions of the Phone Clone and Google Services applications minimizes the risk of “krakozyabr” appearing instead of letters.
⚠️ Attention: The interface of the EMUI and HarmonyOS shells may differ depending on the firmware version. The location of menu items may change, so look for similar names if an exact match is not found.
Why don’t you receive SMS with codes after SIM transfer?
This is not related to contacts. Make sure that the SIM card is inserted correctly, mobile data transfer is turned on, and check whether operator services are blocked in your personal account.
Customizing display and sorting after transfer
After successful completion of the transfer, it is recommended to customize the display of the phone book for yourself. Android offers flexible sorting settings: by first name or last name, as well as various display formats (First Name or Last Name, First Name). This is especially important if you're used to iOS logic, which may differ from standard Android logic.
Go to the Contacts app, tap the profile icon or menu, and select Settings. Here you can manage groups of contacts, create favorite lists and set up rings around contact photos. Correctly setting these parameters will make using the new Huawei as comfortable as possible from the first minutes.
Don't forget to check if your contacts are synced with other devices. Open a browser on your computer, go to the Google Contacts website and make sure that all ported numbers appear there. This will ensure that your data is securely stored in the cloud and accessible anywhere in the world.
Is it possible to transfer call history along with contacts?
The Phone Clone application allows you to transfer call history, but standard methods via Google or a SIM card only save the numbers themselves. To completely migrate call history, it is better to use specialized backup applications or the Phone Clone function when setting up your phone for the first time.
What to do if contacts are missing after a Huawei update?
Most likely, account synchronization has failed. Check your user and account settings, make sure Google sync is turned on, and click the Sync button. If this does not help, try deleting your account and adding it again.
Is it safe to transfer contacts through third-party applications?
Using the official Phone Clone application from Huawei is safe, since the transfer occurs over a local channel without access to the Internet. Third-party applications from unknown sources may carry risks of data leakage, so their use is not recommended.