How to transfer contacts from Android to iPhone 13: a complete guide with 5 working methods

The transition from Android to iPhone 13 is not only a change in the ecosystem, but also the need to transfer personal data. Contact often becomes the main thing headache: their loss may mean breaking ties with colleagues, friends or loved ones. Fortunately, Apple and Google offer several official migration methods, and third-party tools expand the possibilities. But which method should you choose? It all depends on the amount of data, the availability of backup copies and even the model of your old Androiddevice.

In this article we will look at 5 proven methods transferring contacts - from standard (via iCloud i Google Account) to alternative (with using SIM cards or specialized applications). We will pay special attention common mistakesthat interrupt synchronization, and give unique recommendations for optimizing the process for iPhone 13 (including the nuances of working with iOS 17+). If you are afraid of losing data or have encountered problems in previous attempts, you will find solutions here.

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1. Preparing for the migration: what you need to do on Android before you begin

Before you start migrating, make sure that your contacts on Android are up to date. Unsynchronized or duplicated records can cause chaos on the new iPhone 13. Here's what you need to check:

• 📱 Update contacts in Google: open the application Contact, click on the three dots → Settings → Manage contacts. Make sure that the main account for synchronization is your Google Accountand not the local phone storage.
• 🔄 Remove duplicates: use the built-in function merge in Google Contacts (web version) or applications like Simpler Merge.
• 📡 Check your internet connection: to synchronize with iCloud or Google required stable Wi-Fi or mobile network.
• 🔋 Charging devices: the process may take up to 30 minutes - make sure both smartphones have enough charge (at least 50%).

If you haven't cleaned your contacts for years, now is the time to do it. For example, old numbers with irrelevant tags ("Work (old)") or empty entries without names can clog up the new phone book. Google Contacts there is a filter by tags - use it to weed out unnecessary things.

⚠️ Attention: If yours Android uses Mi Account (Xiaomi), Huawei ID or another proprietary account as the main account for contacts, first export them to .vcffile via account settings. These systems do not always synchronize correctly with iCloud.

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2. Method 1: Transfer via Google Account (the most universal)

This method works on 99% of Androiddevices and does not require additional applications. Basic condition - your contacts are already synchronized with Google Account (if not, do this before starting). Instructions:

1. On iPhone 13 go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts.
2. Click Add account → Google and log in using the same login as on Android.
3. Activate the switch Contact and wait for synchronization to complete (may take up to 10 minutes).

After synchronization, the contacts will appear in the standard application Phone. To have them displayed by default, go to Settings → Contacts → Default account and select Google.

Benefits	Disadvantages
✅ Works without a computer	❌ Contacts will not be in iCloud (only in Google)
✅ Photos of contacts are saved	❌ When deleting the account Google contacts will be lost
✅ Automatic update when changes	❌ May duplicate records if iPhone already have contacts

⚠️ Attention: If you are using two-factor authentication in Google, when adding an account to iPhone 13 you will need to enter not only a password, but also a code from an SMS or authorization application. Prepare access to it in advance.

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3. Method 2: Using iCloud (official method from Apple)

Apple recommends this method as the most reliable for complete migration. It is suitable if you plan to completely switch to the ecosystem Apple and store contacts in iCloud. You will need a computer (Windows or Mac).

Steps:

1. On Android export contacts to a file .vcf:
   • Open Contact → Settings → Export/Import → Export to file.
   • Select a save location (for example, Downloads) and confirm.

Transfer the file to your computer (via cable, email or cloud).

Go to the website iCloud.com, log in (or create Apple IDif it doesn’t exist).

Go to section Contact, click on the gear → Import vCard and select your file.

On iPhone 13 turn on synchronization iCloud to Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → Contacts.

This method ensures that all contacts are available on all devices Apple (iPad, Mac). However, there is a nuance: contact photos they may not transfer. To save them, use third-party tools like My Contacts Backup (available in App Store).

The .vcf file is not damaged (opens on a PC)

iCloud has enough space (contacts take up ~1-5 MB per 1000 records)

Wi-Fi is turned on on the iPhone (synchronization does not work via mobile network)

Apple ID is not blocked (check at appleid.apple.com)-->

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4. Method 3: Transfer via SIM card (for a small number of contacts)

If you have less than 200 contacts and do not have access to the Internet, you can use SIM card. This method outdatedbut still works on most devices. Limitations:

• 🚫 Photos, email and additional fields (only names + numbers) are not transferred.
• 🚫 Maximum 250 contacts (depending on the model SIM).
• 🚫 Numbers are saved in international format (for example, +79XXXXX), which can cause problems with the identifier.

Instructions:

1. On Android: Contacts → Settings → Import/Export → Export to SIM card.
2. Select contacts to export (or all) and confirm.
3. Move SIM to iPhone 13.
4. To iPhone: Settings → Contacts → Import SIM contacts.

⚠️ Attention: On some Androiddevices (for example, Samsung Galaxy with One UI), export to SIM may be hidden in the menu Contact management → Settings → Import/ExportIf there is no option, use another one. method.

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5. Method 4: Migration applications (Move to iOS and alternatives)

Official application from Apple — Move to iOS — designed specifically for transferring data from Android to iPhone. It copies not only contacts, but also messages, photos, and email accounts. However, it works only when setting up the iPhone for the first time (after reset).

How to use:

1. To iPhone 13 during initial setup, select Transfer data from Android.
2. On Android download Move to iOS from Google Play.
3. Follow the instructions on the screen: connect both devices to the same network Wi-Fi, enter the code from iPhone to Android.
4. Select Contact and other data to transfer.

If iPhone 13 already configured, you will have to reset it to factory settings (Settings → General → Transfer or reset → Erase content and settings). Alternatives:

• 📲 Copy My Data (works over Wi-Fi, does not require a reset).
• 📲 Send Anywhere (transfer via QR code).
• 📲 CLONEit (copies contacts, SMS, applications).

Application	Speed	Limitations
Move to iOS	⚡ Fast (5-15 min)	Only for first setup
Copy My Data	🐢 Slow (20+ min)	Does not transfer photos of contacts
Send Anywhere	⚡ Fast	10 GB limit in the free version

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If Move to iOS hangs at the "Data Preparation" stage, check whether the "Traffic Saving" option is disabled in the Wi-Fi settings. It can block transmission. Android "Traffic saving" option in Wi-Fi settings. It can block transmission.

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6. Method 5: Manual export/import via VCF file (for advanced users)

This method gives full control over the data and is suitable if you want edit contacts before transfer (for example, to remove unnecessary ones or correct the format of numbers). You will need:

• 💻 Computer (or file manager on Android).
• 📄 Text editor (for example Notepad++ for bulk edits).

Step-by-step guide:

1. Export contacts from Android to .vcf (as in Method 2).
2. Open the file in a text editor. Each contact begins with BEGIN:VCARD and ends END:VCARD. Example entry:

   BEGIN:VCARD
   VERSION:3.0
   FN:Ivan Petrov
   TEL;TYPE=CELL:+79123456789
   END:VCARD

3. If necessary, correct the numbers (for example, add +7 before Russian numbers) or delete unnecessary entries.
4. Save the file and import it to iCloud or directly to iPhone via email.

This method is ideal if you:

• 🔍 Want to clean your contacts of debris before transferring.
• 📊 Need bulk editing (for example, adding a country prefix).
• 🔒 Concerned about privacy and don't want to use cloud services.

⚠️ Attention: When editing manually .vcf do not delete or change service tags (BEGIN:VCARD, VERSION etc.), otherwise the file will become unreadable. To check the correctness, use services like VCF Validator.

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7. Typical problems and their solutions

Even when following the instructions, users encounter errors. Here are the most common ones and their solutions. solutions:

• 🔴 Contacts are not synchronized with Google/iCloud:
  • Check whether synchronization is enabled in your account settings.
  • Make sure there is enough space on the device (minimum 100 MB free).
  • Reboot both devices.
• 🔴 Duplicate records:
  • B Google Contacts use the tool Find and merge duplicates.
  • On iPhone go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts and disable unnecessary sources (for example WhatsApp or Skype).
• 🔴 Move to iOS not found Android:
  • Disable VPN and firewalls on both devices.
  • Connect to the network 2.4 GHz (5 GHz may not be supported).
  • Make sure that power saving mode is disabled on Android If contacts have been transferred, but are displayed incorrect (for example, the Cyrillic alphabet is replaced with question marks), the problem is in the encoding of the file. Solution: Open the file in

If the contacts have been transferred, but are displayed incorrectly (for example, the Cyrillic alphabet is replaced with question marks), the problem is in the encoding .vcf-file. Solution:

1. Open the file in Notepad++.
2. Select encoding in the menu UTF-8 in the menu Encodings.
3. Save the file and import again.

What to do if contacts are missing after transfer?

1. Check if they are hidden in the display settings (on iPhone: Contacts → Groups).

2. Make sure that the account from which you transferred the data is not deleted.

3. Restore contacts from a Google/iCloud backup (if you have one).

4. If you used Move to iOS, try repeating the transfer, first resetting the network settings on Android. (Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth).

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8. Optimizing contacts on iPhone 13 after transfer

Transfer is only half the battle. So that contacts on iPhone 13 work as efficiently as possible:

• 📞 Set up speed dial: in the application Phone tap on the contact → Add to favorites. Now it will be available on the dialing screen.
• 🔍 Use Siri: Speak "Hey Siri, call mom" —the voice assistant recognizes contacts from the phone book.
• 🌐 Synchronize with social networks: to Settings → Contacts → Accounts add Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn to enrich profiles photos.
• 🔒 Protect data: Enable backup iCloud (Settings → [Your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup).

If you transferred contacts via Googlebut want to switch to iCloud:

1. Export contacts from Google Contacts to .vcf.
2. Import them to iCloud.com (as in Method 2).
3. Delete account Google s iPhone, leaving only iCloud.

For business users, it is useful to set up contact groups:

1. Go to iCloud.com → Contact.
2. Click + in the lower left corner → New group.
3. Drag contacts to the created group (for example, "Colleagues" or "Clients").

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After the transfer, check that in the settings iPhone in the section Contacts → Default account is selected iCloudThis ensures that new contacts will be saved to the cloud and not locally.

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FAQ: Frequently asked questions about transferring contacts

Is it possible to transfer contacts from Android to iPhone 13 without a computer?

Yes, there are three ways without a PC:

1. Through Google Account (synchronization).
2. Using the application Move to iOS (only during the first setup iPhone).
3. Via SIM card (limited to 200-250 contacts).

The simplest and reliable - the first option.

Why, after the transfer, some contacts are displayed without names (only numbers)?

This is due to:

• Incorrect format .vcffile (damaged during editing).
• Restrictions SIM cards (only numbers are transferred).
• Encoding conflicts (for example, Cyrillic is not supported).

Solution: import contacts again, after checking the file in text editor (there must be encoding UTF-8).

How to transfer photos of contacts from Android to iPhone 13?

Standard methods (via Google or iCloud) do not always copy photos. Options:

• Use the application My Contacts Backup (saves photos in .vcf).
• Transfer photos manually via Google Photos or AirDrop, then assign them to contacts on iPhone.
• Restore photos from backup Google Contacts (web version → select a contact → Edit → Add photo).

What to do if contacts transferred but not displayed in the phone book?

Check:

1. Is the contact group enabled in the display settings (Contacts → Groups).
2. Are they hidden by a filter (at the top of the screen Contact click Groups and select All contacts).
3. Is the data synchronized: Settings → [Your name] → iCloud (slider Contact should be active).

Is it possible transfer contacts from Android to iPhone 13 if the old phone is broken?

Yes, if:

• You had synchronization enabled with Google Account - just add it to iPhone.
• Yes backup copy of contacts in .vcf format (for example, to email or in the cloud).
• You used SIM card to export - paste it into iPhone and import the data.

If none of this is available, try restoring data from the broken one Android through service centers (they can extract information from the device’s memory).