Transferring contacts from one Android device to another seems like a simple task - until you come across the nuances. Some users lose some numbers during synchronization, others encounter duplicates, and still others cannot find saved contacts at all after switching to a new smartphone. The reason most often lies in the wrong choice of method or ignoring preparation.

In this article we will examine 5 proven methods transferring contacts between Android phones - from standard (via Google Account i SIM card) to alternative (using Bluetooth, vCard and third-party applications). Each method is illustrated with screenshots of current versions and takes into account the features of popular brands: Android 13/14 and takes into account the features of popular brands: Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei and others. We will pay special attention to hidden synchronization settings, which manufacturers often hide in deep menus.

1. Transfer contacts via Google Account (the most reliable way)

Synchronization with Google Account is not just a backup, but a full-fledged bridge between devices. All contacts saved in the account automatically appear on any Android smartphone after authorization. The main advantage of the method: the data is updated in real time and does not require manual export.

To transfer contacts this way:

  • 📱 Open Settings → Google → Google account management on your old phone.
  • 🔄 Go to the tab Data and personalization → Contact synchronization and turn it on (if disabled).
  • 📲 On on a new phone, add the same Google Account via Settings → Accounts.
  • ⚡ Wait for automatic synchronization (may take up to 10 minutes).

Contacts are displayed in the "Phone" application on the new device|

In the web version of Google Contacts (contacts.google.com) you can see all the numbers|

On the old phone in Settings → Accounts → Google there is a checkmark "Contacts"|

The dates of the last synchronization on both devices are the same-->

Important nuance: if the contacts on the old phone are saved not in Google Account, but in the device memory or on SIM card, they must first be transferred. To do this:

  1. Open the application Contact.
  2. Click on the three dots (⋮) → Contact management → Import/Export.
  3. Select a source (for example, Phone memory) and target - Google Account.
💡

If some contacts are duplicated after synchronization, use the merge tool in Google Contacts: select duplicates → "Merge."

2. Export and import via vCard file (.vcf)

Format .vcf (or vCard) is a universal standard for storing contact information. All Android devices support it, and the file can be transferred in any convenient way: via Bluetooth, via messenger or cloud storage. The method is suitable if you do not want to be tied to Google Account or transfer contacts to a device without access to the Internet.

Export instructions:

  1. Open the application Contact on the old one phone.
  2. Click on the three dots (⋮) → Manage contacts → Export.
  3. Select which contacts to export (all or selectively) and confirm the creation of the file contacts.vcf.
  4. The file will be saved in folder Download or Contact.

To import on a new phone:

  1. Transfer the file .vcf to the new device (for example, via Google Drive or cable USB-OTG).
  2. Open the file - the system will offer to import contacts.
  3. Select the target account (for example, Google or phone memory).
What to do if the vCard file does not open?

If Android does not recognize the file .vcf, check:

1. File extension: sometimes when transmitted via messengers it changes to .txt. Rename the file back to contacts.vcf.

2. Encoding: open the file in a text editor - if hieroglyphs are visible instead of names, export the contacts again with the parameter UTF-8.

3. Default application: set Google Contacts from the Play Market and try opening the file through it.

3. Transfer via SIM card (for older models)

SIM card is the most “ancient” method of transferring contacts, but it is still relevant for owners of push-button phones or devices without access to the Internet. The method has serious limitations:

  • ❌ Stores only name and number (without email, addresses, photos).
  • ❌ Limit on the number of contacts (usually 200–250).
  • ❌ Does not support Cyrillic on some old ones SIM.

If the restrictions do not scare you, follow the instructions:

  1. On the old phone: Contacts → ⋮ → Managing contacts → Import/Export → Export to SIM.
  2. Select contacts to transfer and confirm.
  3. Move SIM card to a new phone.
  4. On a new device: Contacts → ⋮ → Import from SIM.
💡

The SIM card is only suitable for emergency transfer. For permanent use, select Google Account or .vcffile.

Via Google Account|

vCard file (.vcf)|

Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct|

SIM card|

Application side (for example, SHAREit)-->

4. Transfer via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct

Wireless technologies Bluetooth i Wi-Fi Direct allow you to transfer contacts without the Internet and additional apps. The method is convenient if both phones are nearby, but it has some nuances:

  • 🔵 Bluetooth: slower, but works on all devices.
  • 📶 Wi-Fi Direct: faster, but may not be supported on older models.

Instructions for Bluetooth:

  1. Enable Bluetooth on both phones and pair them.
  2. On the old phone: open Contact, select the ones you need (or click Select all).
  3. Click “Share” (icon ⤴) and select Bluetooth.
  4. Confirm receiving the file on the new device.

Problems and solutions:

  • 🚫 The “Share” option is not visible? Install the standard application Google Contacts —in proprietary shells (MIUI, One UI), this function may be hidden.
  • 🚫 Only one contact is transferred? Use .vcffile (see section 2) and send it via Bluetooth.
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To speed up transfer via Wi-Fi Direct, use a file manager (for example, Files by Google): select contacts.vcf → "Send" → "Wi-Fi Direct".

5. Specialized applications for transfer

If standard methods do not work (for example, due to a damaged system or unique contact formats), third-party applications will come to the rescue. reliable:

Application Features Cons
Copy My Data Transfer via Wi-Fi, without registration Supports contacts, SMS, photos. Advertising in free. version.
SHAREit High transfer speed (up to 20 Mb/s). Works without the Internet. Requires installation on both devices.
My Contacts Backup Export to .vcf with sending by email. Limit of 500 contacts in the free version.

Example of transfer via Copy My Data:

  1. Install the application on both phones.
  2. On the old phone, select Copy Data From This Phone.
  3. On the new one - Copy Data To This Phone.
  4. Connect to the same Wi-Fi network and follow the instructions.
💡

The application side is convenient for bulk data transfer (contacts + SMS + photos), but requires caution: check permissions and reviews before installation.

Common errors and how to avoid them

Even when following the instructions, users encounter problems. Here TOP-3 errors and their solutions:

⚠️ Attention: If on the new phone contacts are displayed without names (only numbers), check the encoding of the .vcffile. Export it again with the parameter UTF-8.
  • 🔄 Contacts are not synchronized with Google:

    Check whether synchronization is enabled in Settings → Accounts → Google → Contacts synchronization. If the checkbox is checked, but the data is not updated, delete the account and add it again.

  • 📵 Contacts are not visible after importing from SIM:

    Make sure the contacts are saved to SIM, and not in the phone's memory. To do this, open Contacts → ⋮ → Settings → Show contacts and select SIM card.

  • 🚫 The application does not see .vcf-file:

    Try opening the file through Google Contacts or rename it to contacts.vcf (sometimes the extension gets lost during transmission).

⚠️ Attention: On phones Huawei s EMUI 10+ can be disabled by default. To enable it, go to Google default. To enable it, go to Settings → Accounts → Advanced → Contact synchronization.
Is it possible to transfer contacts from iPhone to Android?

Yes, for this:

  1. On iPhone export contacts to iCloud (set up synchronization).
  2. Go to iCloud.com from your computer, select Contacts → ⚙️ → Export vCard.
  3. Copy the received .vcf to Android and import it.
Why did contact photos disappear after the transfer?

Contact photos are stored separately from the main data. To save them:

  • Use Google Contacts —it synchronizes the photo.
  • Or export contacts through the app My Contacts Backup (saves the photo to .vcf).
How to transfer contacts if the old phone does not turn on?

If the phone is physically working, but does not respond to the power button:

  1. Connect it to charge for 30 minutes - sometimes the battery is discharged before it turns off.
  2. If the screen is broken, but the phone is detected by the computer, use ADB to extract .vcf:
    3. adb pull /sdcard/contacts.vcf C:\backup\
  3. As a last resort, contact a service center to extract data from memory.
Is it possible to transfer contacts without the Internet?

Yes, these are suitable for this:

  • Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct (see section 4).
  • SIM card (section 3).
  • File .vcftransmitted via cable USB-OTG or memory card.
How to delete duplicate contacts after transfer?

In Google Contacts:

  1. Go to contacts.google.com.
  2. Select from the menu on the left Duplicates.
  3. Click Merge all.

On the phone:

  1. Open Contacts → ⋮ → Manage contacts → Merge duplicates.