How to transfer contacts from Windows Phone to Android: all methods 2026

Moving from Windows Phone to Android —the process is not as complicated as it might seem. The main problem that users face is contact transfer. Unlike iOSwhere synchronization with iCloud solves the issue in two clicks, owners of Lumia, Nokia or other devices on Windows 10 Mobile have to choose from several methods. Some of them require preliminary preparation, others work even after the old phone is already turned off.

In this article we will analyze 5 proven methods contact transfer, including official tools from Microsoft and workarounds for devices that are no longer supported. You'll learn how to save not only names and numbers, but also additional fields like email addresses or birthdays. And also - what pitfalls may arise when synchronizing via Outlook or exporting to a file .vcf, and how to avoid them.

If your Windows Phone It still works, start with the first method - it is the most reliable. If the phone no longer turns on or you sold it, go straight to the pro restore via SIM card or import from backupsections. All methods are relevant for devices on Windows Phone 8/8.1 and Windows 10 Mobile, including models Nokia Lumia 520/535/630/920, Microsoft Lumia 640/950 and others.

1. Synchronizing contacts through a Microsoft account (the most reliable method)

This method works if your Windows Phone account was linked Microsoft (for example, @outlook.com, @hotmail.com or corporate @domain.ru). All contacts are automatically saved in Outlook, and they can be easily transferred to Android via the official application.

Step-by-step guide:

1. On Windows Phone check that your contacts are synchronized with your account. To do this, go to Settings → Mail + accounts → [your Microsoft account] and make sure that the option Sync contacts is enabled.
2. On Androiddevice, install the application Microsoft Outlook from Google Play.
3. Open the application, log in to the same account Microsoftas on the old phone.
4. Wait for synchronization to complete (it may take up to 10 minutes). Contacts will appear in the People section.
5. For them to be displayed in the standard application Contact on Android, export them to your account Google: open Settings → Account management → Export contacts.

⚠️ Attention: If the Windows Phone contacts were saved in Phone account (not in Microsoft), this method will not work. In this case, use the method with export to file .vcf (section 3).

If you are unable to log into your account Microsoft on Android, Check to see if two-factor authentication is enabled. You may need to generate a one-time code on another device or confirm login via SMS.

Check that contacts are linked to your Microsoft account (not to your phone)

Install the Outlook app on Android

Remember your account login and password

Disable VPN (may block synchronization)

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2. Transferring contacts via a SIM card (if the phone is still working)

This method is suitable for devices where contacts are saved directly in the phone’s memory and not in the cloud. The main advantage is that the Internet is not required. However, the method has limitations:

• 📱 The SIM card must support storing contacts (most modern nano-SIMs do not support).
• 📇 Only names and phone numbers will be transferred (without email, addresses, photos).
• 🔢 The number of contacts is limited by the SIM capacity (usually up to 250 records).

How to transfer:

1. To Windows Phone go to Contacts → ... (menu) → Settings → Import/export → Export to SIM card.
2. Select contacts to export (you can select all) and confirm the action.
3. Remove the SIM card and insert it into Androiddevice.
4. On Android open Contacts → Settings → Import/export → Import from SIM card.

⚠️ Attention: If your SIM card is format nano-SIM and does not support storing contacts, try using an adapter for micro-SIM or mini-SIM (if it is included). Also note that some operators (for example Tele2 or Yota) block this function on their SIM cards.

What to do if Android does not see the contacts on the SIM card?

If after inserting the SIM card into the Android device, the contacts do not appear in the import menu, try the following:

1. Reboot your phone.

2. Check the SIM card in another device (for example, in an old feature phone) - if the contacts are visible there, the problem is in Android.

3. Use an adapter to connect the SIM card to your computer via a card reader and export the contacts to a .vcf file using a app like SIM Card Recovery.

4. Contact your operator to replace the SIM card with a model that supports contact storage (specify that you need a “SIM with a phone book”).

3. Export contacts to a .vcf file and import to Android

File .vcf (or vCard) is a universal format for storing contacts. It can be created on Windows Phone, transferred to a computer or directly to Android, and then imported. This method saves all contact fieldsincluding photos, addresses and notes.

Instructions for Windows Phone 8/8.1:

1. Connect the phone to the computer via USB and select the mode File manager.
2. Go to the folder Phone → Contacts (or SD card → Contactsif they are stored there).
3. Find file Contacts.vcf (if it is not there, create a backup via Settings → Backup).
4. Copy the file to your computer, then move it to Android (for example, via Google Drive or USB).
5. On Android open the file .vcf —the system will offer to import contacts into the selected account (Google, SIM or phone).

For Windows 10 Mobile:

1. Open the application People (Contacts).
2. Click … → Settings → Export contacts.
3. Select SD card or OneDrive to save the file .vcf.
4. Move the file to Android and import it.

⚠️ Attention: If during import to Android contacts are duplicated, before the procedure, clear the list of contacts in your account Google. To do this, go to the site contacts.google.com, select all contacts and delete them (they will be restored after importing from .vcf).

4. Using the "Move to Android" application (for new ones). devices)

If you buy a new Androidsmartphone (for example, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel or Xiaomi), the manufacturer may offer its own application for transferring data. For example, Samsung this Smart Switch, y Xiaomi — Mi Mover. These tools usually support transferring contacts from Windows Phone, but with reservations.

How it works:

• 📲 Install the application from the manufacturer on a new Androidphone (usually it is pre-installed).
• 🔗 Connect Windows Phone to Android via a USB-OTG adapter or via Wi-Fi (if supported).
• 📥 Select the option to transfer contacts and follow the instructions on the screen.

Limitations:

- Not all applications support Windows Phone (for example, Huawei Phone Clone works only with iOS i Android).

- The history of calls or messages may not be transferred.

- It is required that Windows Phone is turned on and unlocked.

Important: The application Smart Switch from Samsung officially supports transfer from Windows Phone only on models before 2018 (for example, Lumia 640, 950) for new flagships (Galaxy S23, S24) this function can be disabled.

5. Restoring contacts from a Windows Phone backup

If you previously created backups on Windows Phone via Settings → Backup, contacts could be saved in the cloud OneDrive. They can be restored even after resetting the phone or buying a new device.

Step-by-step guide:

1. On a computer open your browser and go to the website OneDriveby logging into your account Microsoft.
2. In the section Files find the folder Windows Phone backups (or Contacts).
3. Download the backup file (usually this .vcf or archive .zip).
4. Unpack the archive (if necessary) and import .vcf to Android.

If the backup was created a long time ago, some contacts might be out of date. In this case:

• 🔍 Check duplicates before importing (use services like Cleanup Contacts).
• 📅 Sort contacts by last modified date to remove outdated ones.

⚠️ Attention: Backups in OneDrive are stored for a limited time (usually 30–60 days after the last synchronization). If the phone has not been used for a long time, the copy may have been deleted. In this case, try restoring it via Trash on the website OneDrive.

Transfer method	Is all data saved?	Do you need a SIM card?	Works without Windows Phone?	Difficulty
Synchronization via Microsoft	Yes (including email and addresses)	No	No	⭐
Export to SIM card	No (names and numbers only)	Yes	Yes	⭐⭐
File .vcf	Yes	No	Yes (if there is a file)	⭐⭐
Manufacturer's application (Smart Switch)	Yes	No	No	⭐⭐⭐
Recovery from OneDrive	Yes	No	Yes	⭐⭐

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even if you follow the instructions correctly, difficulties may arise. Here are the most common ones and how to fix them:

1. Contacts are not synchronized with Microsoft Outlook

• 🔄 Check if synchronization is enabled in your account settings on Windows Phone.
• 🔒 Make sure that the account password Microsoft has not changed (if you change the password, synchronization may be disabled).
• 📡 Reconnect to the Internet (sometimes switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data helps).

2. The .vcf file is not imported on Android

• 📂 Check that the file is not damaged (open it on your computer via Outlook or Thunderbird).
• 📱 Try importing through another application, for example Contacts+.
• 🔄 Break the big file .vcf into parts (200-300 contacts each).

3. The SIM card does not display contacts after export

• 🔧 Try another SIM card (preferably an old one).
• 📱 Check if it supports your Androidphone import from SIM (some models, for example Pixel or OnePlus, have removed this function).
• 🔄 Export contacts one at a time, not all at once.

If none of the methods didn't work, try alternative method: connect Windows Phone to your computer, copy the contacts folder (usually C:\Users\[name]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook) and use the app Outlook to export to .csv, and then convert to .vcf via online services.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to transfer contacts from Windows Phone to Android without a computer?

Yes, if the contacts are synchronized with the account Microsoft. Install the application Android application Outlook, log into the same account and export the contacts in Google. You can also use .vcf-file sent to yourself by email or via instant messenger (for example, Telegram).

Why did contact photos disappear after importing to Android?

Contact photos are stored separately from the main data. When exported to .vcf they are saved only if the file was created via Outlook or special applications. Try:

1. Synchronize contacts via Microsoft Outlook (photos will be transferred).
2. Use the application Contact Photo Sync to restore avatars.

My Windows Phone does not turn on. How to transfer contacts?

If the phone does not respond to charging or is stuck on the logo:

1. Remove the SIM card and check if the contacts are saved on it (method 2).
2. If synchronization with Microsoftwas enabled, restore contacts via Outlook on the computer.
3. Contact the service center to retrieve data from the phone's memory (if the contacts were stored locally).

Is it possible to transfer not only contacts, but also SMS from Windows Phone to Android?

Yes, but it is more difficult for you. SMS use:

• 📱 Application Backup & Restore SMS (if the phone is still working).
• 💻 app Windows Phone Recovery Tool to create a backup copy on a PC.
• 🔄 Online services like SMS Backup+ (requires root access to Android).

There is no guarantee for 100% transfer of messages - a lot depends on the phone model and OS version.

Will the contacts be duplicated after the transfer?

Yes, if on Android there are already contacts from other sources (for example, from WhatsApp or Viber). To avoid duplicates:

1. Before importing, clear the list of contacts in your account Google.
2. Use cleaning applications, for example Duplicate Contacts.
3. In the settings Contacts on Android disable the display of contacts from unnecessary accounts (for example, Facebook or Skype).