Changing a mobile device is always stressful, associated not so much with getting used to the new interface, but with the risk of losing important information. The most valuable asset for most users is their phone book, containing hundreds of contacts for colleagues, relatives and delivery services. Fortunately, the ecosystem Android offers many built-in and third-party tools for data migration, making this process as fast and safe as possible.
In this article we will examine in detail all the current methods for copying records, from cloud synchronization to using a physical SIM card. You will learn how to avoid duplicate numbers and save your entire call history when switching to a new gadget.
Before starting the procedure, you need to make sure that both devices are charged at least 50% and have a stable connection to the Internet if you plan to use cloud services. Preparing the source material is the key to successful completion of the operation without data loss.
Synchronization through a Google account: the most reliable method
The most effective and modern way to save a phone book is to use cloud storage Google Contacts. This method ensures that your numbers will not be lost even if your old smartphone is physically damaged, since the data is stored on a remote server. To get started, you need to log in to your Google account on the old device through the settings menu.
After authorization, you should check whether forced synchronization is enabled specifically for contacts. Often users forget to activate this option, relying on automatic settings, which may not work correctly. Open the section Settings → Accounts → Google and make sure that the slider next to the "Contacts" item is green.
⚠️ Attention: If you use third-party launchers or corporate profiles, synchronization may be blocked by the device administrator. In this case, contact your organization's IT department before attempting the transfer.
On the new phone, simply add the same account, and the system will automatically offer to download all saved data from the cloud. The process may take from a few seconds to several minutes depending on the size of your phone book and the speed of your Internet connection.
Using the Google Contacts application
Special attention should be paid to the native application Google Contacts, which is often installed by default on most smartphones with GMS certification. This tool allows you to not only synchronize data, but also export it into convenient files for manual transfer. Open the application and go to the control menu, usually hidden under an icon with three bars or dots.
Select the "Export" function and specify the save format. The most universal format is .vcf (vCard), which is supported by almost all operating systems, including iOS and Windows. The file will be saved in the device’s memory, after which it can be transferred in any convenient way.
To transfer a file to a new phone, you can use instant messengers, email, or a direct connection via Bluetooth. After receiving the file on your new device, simply click on it, and the system will offer to import the entries contained in it into the phone book.
- 📤 Open the application and click on the navigation menu in the upper left corner.
- 💾 Select "Settings" or "Manage contacts".
- 📂 Click "Export" and select the format VCF to save the file.
- 📲 Transfer the file to a new device and import.
When exporting in CSV format (for tables), contact photos and additional fields may be lost, so always select the VCF format to fully save the information.
Transfer via Bluetooth and Quick Setup
If you do not have access to the Internet or prefer local data transfer, technology Bluetooth remains a time-tested solution. Modern versions of Android are equipped with a "Quick Setup" feature (Fast Pair or similar names from different manufacturers), which allows you to transfer contacts, call history and even wallpaper when you turn on your new phone for the first time.
For manual transfer via Bluetooth, open the phone book on your old device, highlight the numbers you need, or select the "Select all" option. In the Actions menu, find Share and select Bluetooth. On the new device, you need to enable visibility for other devices and accept the pairing request.
This method is especially useful when you need to transfer contacts to a device with an older version of Android or to a phone from another brand where account synchronization may not work correctly. The transfer speed depends on the number of records, but for several hundred numbers the process will take no more than a minute.
| Transfer method | Working speed | Internet required | Saves photos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Account | Instantly | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Average | No | Yes |
| SIM card | Low | No | No |
| VCF file | High | No | Yes |
☑️ Check before transmitting via Bluetooth
Copying contacts from SIM card
Although This method is considered obsolete; it is still relevant for users of feature phones or when moving between devices with different ecosystems. The main limitation of this method is the limited capacity of the SIM card and the inability to save additional information such as addresses, emails or photos.
To copy numbers, insert the SIM card into a new smartphone. The Android system will automatically detect the card and may prompt you to import data. If this does not happen, go to the Contacts application, open the settings and select Import/Export.
Indicate SIM cardas the source, and the destination is your phone memory or Google account. After the process is completed, it is recommended to remove the card and check whether all numbers are displayed correctly with the correct country codes.
⚠️ Attention: When copying from a SIM card, long numbers may be cut off, and names written in Cyrillic are sometimes displayed incorrectly (in clutter) due to differences in encodings.
If there are more than 500 numbers recorded on the SIM card, the import process may take considerable time. In such cases, it is better to split the operation into several stages or use more modern data transfer methods.
Use of third-party applications and cables
Smartphone manufacturers often offer their own data migration solutions that are faster than standard Android tools. For example, Samsung Smart Switch, Xiaomi Mi Mover or Clone Phone from OPPO allow you to transfer not only contacts, but also Wi-Fi settings, alarms and the location of icons on the desktop.
To use these tools, you need to install a companion application on both devices. Typically the process looks like this: on your old phone you select “Send data”, and on your new phone you select “Receive data”. The devices are connected either through a created Wi-Fi network or through a special USB-OTG cable.
What to do if applications from the manufacturer do not work?
If proprietary utilities cannot connect devices, try universal applications from the Play Market, such as "Copy My Data" or "Send Anywhere". They work on the principle of transferring data through a temporary cloud or local network, bypassing manufacturer restrictions.
Using a cable ensures maximum transfer speed and connection stability, which is critical when transferring large amounts of data. However, for contacts this method may be redundant, since text information weighs very little and is transmitted instantly even via Bluetooth.
Solution: duplicates and lost numbers
A frequent problem after data transfer is the appearance of duplicate contacts, when the same number is recorded several times with different names or without them. Android has a built-in tool for merging such entries, but sometimes a manual one is required.
Open Google Contacts through a browser on your computer - it's more convenient than doing it from your phone. In the left menu, select "Merge and Fix". The system will automatically find similar entries and offer to combine them.
If the numbers are completely missing, check the trash in the contacts application. Deleted entries are stored there for 30 days, after which they are permanently deleted. It is also worth checking whether contacts are hidden due to incorrectly selected display filters.
- 🔍 Open the web version of Google Contacts on your PC for easy management.
- 🧹 Use the "Merge" function to delete duplicates.
- 🗑️ Check the "Trash" folder for accidentally deleted entries.
- 👁️ Make sure the correct account is selected in the display settings.
Regularly clearing the phone book of duplicates and junk entries not only frees up space, but also speeds up searching for contacts and dialing numbers.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Will photos of contacts be saved when transferred via a SIM card?
No, SIM card technically does not support storing graphic files. Photos will be lost when exporting to SIM. To save images, use synchronization with Google Account or transfer via VCF file.
Is it possible to transfer contacts if the screen of an old phone is broken?
Yes, if the sensor is partially working or there is USB-OTG support, you can connect a mouse. Otherwise, if the phone turns on and synchronization was previously enabled, the data is already in the cloud and is available on the new device after logging into your account.
How to transfer contacts from iPhone to Android?
The easiest way is to enable contact synchronization on the iPhone in the iCloud settings, and then export them in vCard format on the iCloud.com website. The resulting file must be imported into your Google account or directly onto your Android smartphone.
What to do if the new phone does not see the contacts file?
Make sure that the file has the extension .vcf or .csv. If the file is downloaded in .zip or .rar format, it must first be unpacked. Also check whether the Contacts application is allowed to access the device memory.