How to copy contacts from an Android phone to iPhone: all methods in 2026

The transition from Android to iPhone is not only a change of operating system, but also the transfer of all important data. Contacts, photos, messages - all this needs to be saved. However, it is transferring contacts that often raises the most questions. Why? Because Android and iOS work on different synchronization principles, and there is no direct “wire” between them.

In this article we will look at all current methods transferring contacts - from classic export through Google Account to little-known methods using SIM cards or Bluetooth. You will learn which method is the fastest, which is the most reliable, and how to avoid common mistakes. And also - what to do if the contacts have not been transferred or are duplicated.

Important: if you are planning a complete transition to iPhone, it is better to transfer first contacts, and only then reset or sell the old one Android-smartphone. This way you are guaranteed not to lose anything.

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

This is recommended method from Apple i Googleas it does not require additional apps and works even on older versions Android i iOS. The main condition is that your contacts must be linked to Google Account on Androiddevice.

How to check if contacts are synchronized with Google? Go to Settings → Accounts → Google → [your email] → Account synchronization and make sure that the switch opposite "Contacts" is turned on. If not, turn it on and wait for synchronization to complete.

• ✅ Pros: no need to connect cables, works via the Internet, saves all contact fields (phones, email, addresses).
• ⚠️ Cons: if contacts were stored only on the phone (not in Google), they must first be exported.
• 🔄 Alternative: if Google Account was not used, you can export contacts to file .vcf (see next section).

Now step-by-step guide for iPhone:

1. Enable new iPhone and go through the initial setup to the screen "apps and data."
2. Select "Transfer data from Android." If iPhone already configured, go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Add account → Google.
3. Enter your data Google Account (the same as on Android).
4. Turn on contact synchronization and wait for the process to complete.

⚠️ Attention: If iPhone there are already contacts, they may be duplicated after synchronization with Google. To avoid this, before transferring, make a backup copy of your contacts to iPhone via Settings → [your name] → iCloud → Backup.

2. Export contacts to a VCF file and import to iPhone

If your contacts have not been synced with Google, you can export to file format .vcf (business card) and then upload to iPhone. This method is universal and works even on older devices.

On Android:

1. Open the Contacts application (or Phone → Contacts tab).
2. Click on the three dots (menu) → "Manage contacts" → "Export/Import contacts".
3. Select "Export to file" → check all contacts → click "Export" (the file will be saved in the phone memory or on SD card).

On iPhone:

1. Send the file .vcf to yourself by email or upload it to iCloud Drive via your computer.
2. Open the letter or file on iPhone and click on attachment .vcf.
3. Select "Add all contacts" (they will be automatically saved in "Contacts" iPhone).

File transfer method	Speed	Reliability	Suitable for
Email (Gmail, Mail.ru)	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	Small number of contacts (up to 500)
Cloud (Google Drive, iCloud)	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Large contact databases (1000+)
Cable (via computer)	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	If there is no Internet or problems with mail

⚠️ Attention: Files .vcf may not save all contact fields (for example, photos or notes). If this is critical, use Google Account or specialized apps like My Contacts Backup.

Check that all contacts are displayed in the Contacts application

Make sure that your phone has enough memory for the .vcf file

Remember the path to save the file (Download folder or memory root)

If you export to an SD card, make sure it is not encrypted -->

3. Transferring contacts via SIM card (for old phones)

This method is suitable if you outdated Androidsmartphone (before version 5.0) or iPhone without access to the Internet. However, it has serious limitations:

• 📱 SIM card stores only names and numbers (without email, addresses, photos).
• 🔢 Limit on the number of contacts (usually up to 250).
• ⏳ The process is manual and long (copying takes 5-10 minutes).

Instructions:

1. On Android: go to "Contacts" → menu → "Manage contacts" → "Import/Export" → "Export to SIM card". Select contacts and confirm.
2. Remove the SIM card and insert it into iPhone.
3. On iPhone: go to Settings → Contacts → Import SIM contacts.

If iPhone does not see contacts on the SIM card:

• 🔹 Check that the SIM card is inserted correctly (chip side up).
• 🔹 Reboot iPhone.
• 🔹 Try using an adapter for nano-SIM (if the card is an old model).

4. Using the "Move to iOS" application (official method from Apple)

Apple has developed a special application "Move to iOS"that transfers not only contacts, but also messages, photos, mail and even some settings. However, it has some nuances:

• 📱 Works only during the first setup iPhone (cannot be used on an already configured device).
• 🔌 Requires direct Wi-Fi connections between phones (without a router).
• ⚡ The transfer takes from 10 minutes to an hour (depending on the amount of data).

How to use:

1. On Android download the "Move to iOS" application from Google Play.
2. On iPhone at the setup stage, select "Move data from Android."
3. On Android Open the application, accept the terms and enter the code that will appear on iPhone.
4. Select the data to transfer (be sure to check "Contacts") and wait for completion.

⚠️ Attention: If the transfer is interrupted, "broken" contacts (without names or with hieroglyphs). In this case, reset iPhone There may be “broken” contacts left (without names or with hieroglyphs). In this case, reset iPhone to factory settings (Settings → General → Transfer or reset) and repeat the procedure.

What to do if "Move to iOS" does not find Android?

Make sure Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are turned on. Android Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are enabled.

Disable VPN or proxy on both devices.

Reboot both phones and try again.

If you are using a corporate Wi-Fi network, connect to a mobile hotspot.

5. Transfer via Bluetooth or email (manually)

If you have few contacts (up to 50), you can transfer them one at a time via Bluetooth or email. This method is inconvenient for large databases, but it helps when other methods are not available.

Via Bluetooth:

1. On Android open contact → menu → "Send" → "Bluetooth".
2. Select iPhone from the list of devices (first enable Bluetooth on both phones).
3. On iPhone confirm receipt of the file .vcf and save the contact.

Via email:

1. On Android open the contact → menu → "Send" → "Email".
2. Send a letter to your open email on iPhone.
3. On iPhone open the letter and click on the attachment .vcf → "Add contact".

This method takes a lot of time, but has one advantage: you can selectively transfer only the necessary contacts, ignoring outdated or duplicates.

💡

Bluetooth and email are only suitable for one-time transfer of a small number of contacts. For complete migration, use other methods.

6. Synchronization through third party accounts (Samsung, Xiaomi, Yandex)

If you used branded cloud services (Samsung Account, Xiaomi Cloud, Yandex), contacts can be transferred through them. For example, Samsung allows you to export contacts to .vcf, and Yandex to synchronize them with iCloud.

For owners Samsung:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and archiving → Samsung Cloud.
2. Export contacts to a file .vcf (as in section 2).
3. Import the file to iPhone via mail or iCloud.

For users Yandex:

1. On Android make sure that contacts are synchronized with Yandex (Settings → Accounts → Yandex).
2. On your computer, go to Yandex Mail → "Contacts" → "Export".
3. Download the file .vcf and upload it to iCloud via web version.

⚠️ Attention: Proprietary clouds (for example, Huawei Cloud or Honor Cloud) may not support export to .vcf. In this case, first synchronize your contacts with Google Account, and then transfer them to iPhone.

7. Problems when transferring contacts and their solutions

Even if the instructions are followed correctly, errors may occur. Here the most common problems and ways to eliminate them:

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
Contacts were not transferred via Google	Synchronization is disabled on Android	Enable synchronization in Settings → Accounts → Google → Synchronization
Duplicate contacts on iPhone	Contacts were already on iPhone or iCloud	Merge duplicates in the Contacts application or reset iCloud contacts
"Move to iOS" does not see Android	Unstable Wi-Fi connection	Disable VPN, reboot both phones, try again
The .vcf file does not open on iPhone	The file is damaged or too large	Export contacts in parts or check the file on your computer

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

1. Open the file .vcf on your computer in a text editor (for example, Notepad++).
2. Make sure the encoding is UTF-8 (menu "Encodings").
3. Save the file and re-import to iPhone.

Critical: if you use Chinese smartphones (for example, Xiaomi, Realme, Oppo), before exporting contacts, disable the "Dual Applications" or "Second Space" feature. These functions may create duplicate contacts that do not sync with Google.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about transferring contacts from Android to iPhone

Is it possible to transfer contacts without the Internet?

Yes, there are three ways:

1. Through SIM card (limit on the number of contacts).
2. Through Bluetooth (one contact).
3. Through a file .vcfcopied to the computer and then to iPhone via iTunes.

Will photos of contacts be transferred?

Depends on the method:

• ✅ Through Google Account —yes.
• ✅ Via "Move to iOS" - yes.
• ❌ Via .vcf or SIM card - no.

What to do if on iPhone, contacts are displayed twice?

This happens if contacts are duplicated between iCloud and Google. Solution:

1. Go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts.
2. Disable contact synchronization for Google (if it is not needed).
3. Use the function "Merge contacts" in the Contacts application on iPhone.

Is it possible to transfer contacts from Android to iPhone after setting up the iPhone?

Yes, but the methods are limited:

• Synchronization via Google Account (add account to Settings → Contacts).
• Import file .vcf via mail or iCloud.
• Third-party applications (for example, Copy My Data).

Move application to iOS" will not work - it is available only during the first setup.

Will contact groups be transferred (for example, "Work", "Friends")?

Contact groups are transferred only through Google Account or "Move to iOS". When imported through .vcf groups are lost. To restore them on iPhone:

1. Open the Contacts application.
2. Click "Groups" (top left).
3. Click "Add Group" and manually distribute contacts.