How to transfer contacts from Android to iPhone

Sometimes, you may need to transfer contacts from your Android phone to iPhone. There are several ways to do so, but not all of them are easy or straightforward. In this article, I will discuss 5 ways you can easily move contacts from your Android device to iPhone.

1. Transfer contacts via Move to iOS app
2. Move contacts using Google or Outlook account
3. Transfer using a VCF file
4. Use SIM card to move contacts
5. Transfer contacts using a third-party app

1. Transfer contacts from Android to newly setup iPhone via Move to iOS app

1. On the iPhone you’re setting up, follow the instructions until you see Apps & Data section.
2. Under Apps & Data, tap on Move Data from Android.
   You’ll see a Move from Android Screen.
3. Select the Continue button.
   
   
4. Now, head to your Android phone and download the Move to iOS app.
5. Tap on Continue if you agree to the terms and conditions.
6. Continue once again when you are on the Find Your Code screen.
7. Enter the single-use code you received on your iPhone on your Android.
8. Select the data from the Transfer Data section which you want to transfer to your iPhone.
   Wait for a while as your iPhone shows, waiting for “Your Android Phone.”
9. Tap on Done and continue setting up your iPhone.
   (after receiving the Complete Transfer prompt)
   
   

Note: As mentioned in the heading, this method only applies to the iPhone you’re setting up for the first time or resetting.

2. Move contacts from Android to iPhone using Google/Outlook account

You can use this method to transfer contacts to your already set up and newly set up iPhone. It syncs contacts across all your devices. But before we begin, ensure that your Android contacts are in sync with Google. 

Follow these steps on the Android device:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Head to the Accounts & Sync (or Passwords & Accounts).
3. Select the Google account with which you want to sync contacts.
4. Select Account sync.
5. Turn on the Contacts toggle.

Your contacts will start syncing as soon as you turn on the toggle.

Follow these steps on your iPhone:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and select Contacts.
3. Tap on Accounts.
   
   
4. Add your Gmail account or Select it (if it is already added).
5. Make sure the Contacts toggle is turned on.
   
   

Once this is done, your contacts will automatically sync to the iPhone.

3. Transferring contacts from Android to iPhone using a VCF file

This method works best for taking a local backup and sharing it across. But keep in mind, as these .vcf files are not encrypted, anyone would be able to extract the contacts, whoever has access to it.

1. On your Android device, head to the Contacts app.
2. Tap on the three dots appearing in the top right corner.
3. And choose the Select All option.
4. Now, hit on the Share icon.
   It will initiate the export process.
5. You will be prompted with the .vcf file.
6. You can share the file in any way that suits you.
   You would need to get it on your iPhone, either way.
   
   
7. Download the same .vcf file on your iPhone and open it.
8. It would prompt you to add either individual or all contacts.
9. Select add all contacts if you want to add them all at once.
10. Tap on Create New Contacts.
    Contacts from your Android phone will be added to your iPhone contact list.
    
    

If you need to export iPhone contacts as vCard or VCF, follow this guide (you’ll also find a handy hack to convert VCF files to Excel/CSV format in the article).

4. Transfer contacts to iPhone with SIM card

Most modern smartphones do not allow you to export contacts to a SIM card, but if you have a SIM card lying around with some contacts stored in it, follow this process to import your SIM card contacts to your iPhone.

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Go to Contacts.
3. Select Import SIM Contacts.
   It would prompt you with an option to either import it to iCloud or Gmail.
4. Choose the account where you would want to import it.

Your SIM contacts will get added to your iPhone. 

5. Using a third-party app to transfer contacts from Android to iPhone

Many apps promise to share or move your contacts. But we found the Copy My data a stable option. Available on App Store and Google Play store, it shares your contacts from one device to another over a secure Wi-FI network. However, do note that there can be privacy issues when using third-party apps.

1. Download and open Copy My Data app on both your Android and iPhone.
2. Connect Your iPhone and Android to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Tap Next on both the devices.
4. Select Wi-Fi on your Android Device. Your Android phone will start looking for your iPhone.
5. Select your iPhone from the “Devices Found” section
   (or) Select your Android phone from the iPhone.
6. Tap on the Send data button on your Android. You will be prompted with a confirmation PIN.
   
   
7. Confirm the Connection by entering the code on your iPhone.
8. Now, select the data which you would want to share across.
   We would select Contacts in this case.
9. Hit on the Next button, and it will start transferring contacts.
   You will see the Transfer complete screen once the transfer is complete.
   
   

FAQs

I hope this article was helpful. If you have any suggestions or issues, please share them with us in the comments section below.

Read more:

• How to share a Wi-Fi password from iPhone to Android
• How to connect AirPods and AirPods Pro to Android
• How to share contacts on iPhone
• How to switch from Android to iPhone and iPad