How to Transfer Contacts from iPhone to Android

Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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Transferring your contacts from an iPhone to an Android device may seem like a daunting task, but it's quite easy with the right steps. This guide will walk you through several methods to ensure that your contacts, which contain important information, move smoothly from one platform to another.

Method 1: Use a Google account

The easiest and most efficient way to transfer your contacts from iPhone to Android is to use your Google account. Here's how you can do it:

Step 1: Sync contacts with iCloud

Before you start the transfer, you need to make sure that your iPhone contacts are synced with iCloud.

1. Go to Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap your Apple ID (it's your name at the top of the screen).
3. Select iCloud.
4. Make sure the Contacts option is turned on.

Step 2: Export iCloud contacts

1. Open a web browser on your computer and go to iCloud.com.
2. Log in with your Apple ID and password.
3. Click on Contacts.
4. Click the gear icon (Settings) in the bottom left corner and choose Select All.
5. Click the gear icon again and select Export vCard. This will download a .vcf file containing all your contacts.

Step 3: Import contacts to Google

1. Open a web browser and go to Google Contacts.
2. Sign in with your Google Account.
3. Click on the Import option in the left-hand menu.
4. Select the .vcf file you downloaded from iCloud and click Import.

Step 4: Sync Google Contacts with Android

1. Go to Settings on your Android device.
2. Scroll down and select Accounts.
3. Tap Google and sign in with the same Google account that was used to import the contacts.
4. Make sure the Contacts sync option is enabled.

Method 2: Using a SIM card

Another simple way to transfer contacts is using your SIM card. Here are the steps to do so:

Step 1: Save contacts to SIM card on iPhone

Unfortunately, the iPhone does not have an option to save contacts directly to the SIM card. Instead, you will have to use a third-party application available on the App Store to export your contacts to your SIM.

Step 2: Insert the SIM card into the Android phone

1. Turn off your iPhone and remove the SIM card.
2. Insert the SIM card into your Android phone.
3. Turn on the Android device.

Step 3: Import contacts from SIM card to Android

1. On an Android device, go to Contacts.
2. Tap the menu icon (three vertical dots) and select Import/Export.
3. Select Import from SIM card.
4. Choose the destination where you want to save the contacts (e.g., device or Google account).
5. Wait for the contacts to be imported.

Method 3: Use a third-party app

There are many third-party apps available that can help transfer contacts from iPhone to Android such as My Contacts Backup or Copy My Data. Here are the general steps you can follow for most apps:

Step 1: Install the app on iPhone

1. Go to the App Store on your iPhone.
2. Search for a reliable contacts transfer app like My Contacts Backup or Copy My Data.
3. Download and install the app on your iPhone.

Step 2: Back up and send contacts

1. Open the app and follow the on-screen instructions to back up your contacts.
2. Most apps will create a backup file (such as .vcf file) and give you the option to email it to yourself.
3. Email the backup file to an address you can access on your Android device.

Step 3: Download and import to Android

1. On your Android device, open the email that contains the backup file.
2. Download the attached .vcf file to your Android device.
3. Open the Contacts app on your Android device.
4. Tap the Menu icon (three vertical dots) and select Import.
5. Select the .vcf file and follow the instructions to import contacts.

Method 4: Using iTunes and Google Contacts

If you prefer to use iTunes, you can transfer your contacts from iPhone to Android by syncing your iPhone contacts with Google Contacts using iTunes.

Step 1: Sync iPhone contacts with iTunes

1. Connect your iPhone to the computer and open iTunes.
2. When the device icon appears in iTunes, click on it.
3. Select the Info tab.
4. Tick the checkbox next to Sync contacts and select Google Contacts from the dropdown menu.
5. Enter your Google account credentials when prompted.
6. Click Apply to start syncing.

Step 2: Sync contacts with Android

Once your contacts are synced with Google Contacts via iTunes, follow the steps in Method 1, Step 4 to sync them with your Android device.

Method 5: Using a computer

You can also use your computer to manually transfer contacts from your iPhone to your Android device.

Step 1: Export contacts from iPhone

Follow the steps in Method 1, Step 1 and Step 2 to export your contacts from iCloud.

Step 2: Transfer the vCard file to Android

1. Connect your Android device to your computer via USB.
2. Copy .vcf file from your computer to your Android device's internal storage.

Step 3: Import contacts to Android

Follow the steps mentioned in Method 3, Step 3 to import contacts from .vcf file to your Android device.

Conclusion

Transferring contacts from an iPhone to an Android device may seem complicated at first, but by following any of the methods mentioned above, the process can be performed efficiently and without any significant hassle. Whether you prefer using cloud services like Google Contacts, physical methods like SIM card transfer, or third-party apps, each method offers a reliable way to ensure that your important contact information is transferred safely to your new Android device.

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