Changing the ecosystem from iOS to Android often raises concerns about the loss of personal data, and the most critical asset here is the phone book. Migrating contacts from iTunes It may seem complicated due to the closedness of the Apple file system, but in fact the process is quite transparent if you know the correct algorithm of actions. The main problem lies not in the ability to copy, but in the difference in data storage formats between devices.
You do not need to be an IT expert to successfully complete the migration, but you should carefully follow the steps described below. Modern methods allow sync recording through cloud services or using local backup files. We will look at the most reliable methods that guarantee the preservation of all fields, including numbers, addresses and email.
Before starting the active phase, make sure that you have access to a computer with an installed iTunes and stable Internet connection. These are basic requirements, without which the process may be delayed or interrupted halfway. Also prepare your new Android smartphoneby charging its battery to at least 50% so that the device does not turn off at the most inopportune moment.
Preparing a backup copy in iTunes
The first and most important step is to create an up-to-date backup of your iPhone directly into iTunes. This action will record the current state of all data, including the last added numbers that may not have had time to be updated in the cloud. Connect the device to the computer via the original cable and launch the app.
In the app interface, find the icon of your device, which is usually located in the upper left corner of the window next to the content type selection menu. Go to the Overview or Summary section, which displays basic information about your iOS model and version. In the “Backups” block, select the “This PC” option and click the “Back up now” button.
⚠️ Attention: If you use backup encryption, be sure to remember or write down the password. Without this password, it will be impossible to restore data or extract contacts from them, even with the help of specialized software.
After the process is completed, in the app settings, you can check the date of the last created copy to make sure the operation was successful. You now have a restore point to fall back to in case of any failures in your data export. This is especially important if you plan to use third-party utilities to convert files.
Export contacts via iCloud (The most reliable method)
Although the request often sounds like “how to transfer from iTunes,” a technically more correct and modern way is to use a cloud service iCloudwhich is tightly integrated with iTunes on a PC. This method avoids problems with encoding and loss of formatting of numbers, which sometimes occur when directly extracting from a local backup.
Login to the official iCloud website through a browser on your computer using your Apple ID. After logging in, select the “Contacts” icon. To select all entries at once, press the key combination Ctrl+A (or Cmd+A on Mac). Then click on the gear icon in the lower left corner and select “Export vCard”.
The resulting file with the extension .vcf contains your entire phone book in a universal format. This format is supported by almost any device and service, including Gmail and Android OS. Save the file to a convenient folder on your hard drive, from where it can be easily uploaded to your Google account.
If, when exporting a vCard, the file weighs 0 KB or does not open, check whether logging into iCloud for unknown browsers is blocked in the Apple ID security settings.
Next, you need to import this file into Google Contacts. Open your browser, go to contacts.google.com and make sure you are signed in to the same account that you use on your Android smartphone. In the menu on the left, find the “Import” button and select the previously saved vCard file.
The Google system will automatically process the file and distribute the data into the appropriate fields. This process usually takes from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, depending on the size of the phone book. Once the import is complete, all entries will appear on your new phone immediately after synchronization is enabled.
Using the Contacts app on Windows
If you prefer to work with local data without accessing the iCloud cloud, you can use the standard Contacts application in the Windows 10 or 11 operating system, which can synchronize with iTunes. This method requires you to first set up synchronization between iTunes and Windows.
Open iTunes, connect your iPhone and go to the device menu. Find the “Synchronization” or “Settings” section and check the box next to “Synchronize contacts with”. From the drop-down list, select Windows Contacts app. Click "Apply" and wait for the process to complete.
After synchronization, open the People or Contacts application in Windows. You will see all your recordings imported from iPhone. Now you can manage them locally. To transfer to Android, you will need to export them in CSV format, which is a tabular standard.
| Parameter | iCloud (vCard) | Windows (CSV) | Google Takeout |
|---|---|---|---|
| File format | .vcf | .csv | .csv /.vcf |
| Saving photos | Yes | Partially | Yes |
| Complexity | Low | Medium | High |
| PC required | No (browser only) | Yes | No |
In the Contacts app on Windows, select the control menu (three dots or settings) and find the export option. Save the file to your desktop. This method is good because it allows you to pre-edit the list, removing duplicates or unnecessary entries before transferring to Android.
Conversion and import via Google Contacts
Format CSVobtained from Windows or other sources often requires correct interpretation of fields when uploading to Google. When importing, the system may ask how exactly to map table columns to contact fields (for example, which column is “Mobile” and which is “Home”).
Go to Google Contacts on your computer. In the left menu panel, click on the “Import” button. Select the file you previously exported. If the file format is correct, Google will offer a preview of the data before the final download. This is an excellent moment to check whether the encoding is “off” and whether Cyrillic names are readable.
☑️ Check before importing
In case of encoding errors (when gibberish is displayed instead of letters), the CSV file must be opened in a text editor or Excel and saved again, selecting the encoding UTF-8. This is a standard problem when working with Russian-language contacts, and its solution ensures that names are displayed correctly on the new device.
After successful import in the Google web interface, take your Android smartphone. Go to Settings → Accounts → Google. Make sure the Contacts switch is active. Click on the three dots in the corner and select “Sync now.”
In a couple of minutes, the phone book will be updated. You can check this by opening the Contacts app on your phone. All records that were in iTunes are now available in your Android ecosystem and will be saved automatically with any changes.
Working with iTunes backup files
For advanced users who want to extract contacts directly from an iTunes backup file (Manifest.db or folders with hashes), there are special utilities. Using standard Windows tools, it is impossible to open an iTunes backup and extract contacts from there in a readable form, since Apple uses a complex data storage structure.
One of the popular solutions is to use free or shareware extractor apps, such as iBackup Viewer or iPhone Backup Extractor. These apps scan the backup folder and allow you to upload contacts in vCard or CSV format.
⚠️ Attention: When using third-party software to work with iTunes backups, always check the source of the app download. Download utilities only from official developer sites to avoid theft of your personal data.
After installing the app, specify the path to the backup folder. Usually it is located along the C:\Users\[Name]\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\path. The app will analyze the database and offer to extract contacts.
Where is the iTunes backup stored?
The path to the folder may differ depending on the version Windows. On Windows 10/11, the full path often looks like %APPDATA%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\. You can quickly get to this folder by pasting the path into the address bar of Explorer.
Select the option to export all contacts. The resulting file is then used in the standard way: uploaded to Google Contacts or copied directly to the phone. This method is especially useful if the iPhone is broken and does not turn on, but there is a backup copy in iTunes.
Solution and synchronization
During the transfer process, users often encounter duplicate contacts. This happens when the same number is stored in different sources (SIM card, phone memory, Google account). Android can merge such entries, but sometimes manual intervention is required.
The Google Contacts app on your computer or phone has a “Merge and Fix” feature. It automatically finds duplicates by phone number or name and offers to combine them into one card. This helps keep the phone book clean after migration.
It is also worth paying attention to the format of the numbers. On iOS, numbers are often saved in local format, without a country code. When transferring to Android, which strictly follows international standards, it is recommended to convert all numbers to the format +7 (XXX)... or +380....
Regular synchronization with a Google account is the best insurance against data loss when changing devices in the future.
If some contacts are not displayed, check the filters in the Contacts app on Android. It often happens that by default only the list from the SIM card or a specific account is shown, and the data imported from iTunes is in the general list or Google account.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to transfer contacts via Bluetooth directly?
Direct transfer of the entire phone book from iPhone on Android via Bluetooth is technically impossible due to limitations of the iOS operating system. Apple blocks the transfer of these types of files using this protocol. It is necessary to use an intermediate link in the form of a PC or a cloud service.
What to do if contact photos are missing when importing to Google?
Photos may not transfer if you used the CSV format, which does not support image data. To save photos, use the vCard format (.vcf) or specialized migration applications, such as “Move to iOS” (does not work in the opposite direction) or “Copy My Data”.
Is it safe to use third-party apps to extract data from an iTunes backup?
Use proven software with a good reputation (for example, iMazing, AnyTrans) generally safe. However, there is always a risk when transmitting personal data through third-party software. The safest method is official export via iCloud.com.
How to transfer contacts if the iPhone is already sold or lost?
If you still have a backup copy on your computer in iTunes, you can restore it to any iPhone (even borrowed from a friend), export the contacts and return the phone to the owner. Without a backup or access to iCloud, transfer is impossible.