The fastest way depends on what phone you're switching from and to

The method that works best for you depends on whether you're moving between iPhones, between Android phones, or switching between the two systems. Each combination has a built-in path that takes 10 to 30 minutes and requires no paid tools. If you're switching from an older phone that doesn't support cloud backup, you can still move contacts through your email account or by exporting them as a file.

Before you start, charge both phones to at least 50 percent battery. Have your passwords ready for any accounts you use — Apple ID if you own an iPhone, or your Google account if you use Android. The process moves your contacts and usually nothing else, so your photos, apps, and messages stay on the old phone unless you take a separate step to move those too.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone to iPhone: sign into your Apple ID on the new phone during setup, and iCloud automatically restores your contacts within minutes.
  • Android to Android: sign into your Google account on the new phone, and Google Contacts syncs your list automatically.
  • iPhone to Android or Android to iPhone: export your contacts through your email account or use Google Contacts as the middle step.
  • Older phones without cloud backup can export contacts as a .vcf file that you email to yourself and import on the new phone.
  • Contacts stored only in your phone's local memory (not synced to an account) will not transfer automatically — check your old phone's settings before you switch.

Moving contacts from one iPhone to another

When you set up a new iPhone, you'll see a screen that asks whether you want to restore from a backup or set up as new. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup if you have one, or Restore from Mac or PC if you backed up to a computer. If you don't have a backup, you can still move just your contacts by signing into your Apple ID during setup.

During the setup process, you'll be asked to enter your Apple ID and password. Once you do, iCloud will sync your contacts to the new phone. This usually takes a few minutes. If you've already finished setting up the new phone without signing in, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and turn on the toggle next to Contacts. Your contacts will appear within a few minutes.

If you're not sure whether your contacts are backed up to iCloud, check your old iPhone: go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and look for the Contacts toggle. If it's on, your contacts are already in iCloud and will move automatically. If it's off, turn it on now, wait a few minutes for the sync to complete, then set up your new phone.

Moving contacts from one Android phone to another

On your old Android phone, open Settings and look for Accounts or Users & Accounts (the exact name varies by manufacturer). Tap your Google account and make sure Contacts is toggled on. Wait a few minutes for Google to sync your contacts to your Google account.

On your new Android phone, during setup you'll be asked to sign into a Google account. Enter the same Google account you used on the old phone. Your contacts will sync automatically within a few minutes. If you've already finished setup, open Settings > Accounts > Google, tap your account, then tap Account Sync and toggle Contacts on.

Some Android phones also store contacts in a Samsung account, a Motorola account, or another manufacturer's account. If you use one of these, sign into that account on the new phone as well during setup, and those contacts will sync too. You can have contacts in multiple accounts at once — they'll all appear in your Contacts app.

Switching from iPhone to Android

The simplest path is to use your Google account as the bridge. On your iPhone, open Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and make sure Contacts is turned on. Wait a few minutes for your contacts to sync to iCloud. Then go to iCloud.com in a web browser, sign in with your Apple ID, and click Contacts.

In iCloud Contacts, select all your contacts (usually Ctrl+A on Windows or Cmd+A on Mac), then look for an export or read option. This varies by browser, but you're looking for a button that says Export vCard or Export Contacts. Save the file to your computer.

Go to Google Contacts at contacts.google.com and sign in with your Google account. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) and select Import. Upload the .vcf file you just downloaded. Google will add all your iPhone contacts to your Google account. On your new Android phone, sign into this same Google account during setup, and your contacts will appear automatically.

Switching from Android to iPhone

On your Android phone, open Settings > Accounts and tap your Google account. Make sure Contacts is toggled on and wait a few minutes for the sync to complete. Then go to contacts.google.com in a web browser and sign in with your Google account.

Click the menu icon and select Export. Choose All Contacts and select Google CSV as the format. Save the file to your computer. Go to iCloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID. Click Contacts, then click the settings icon (gear symbol) and look for Import vCard. You'll need to convert the Google CSV file to a .vcf file first — you can do this using an online converter or by opening the CSV file in a spreadsheet program, saving it as .vcf, and uploading that.

Alternatively, use a simpler method: on your new iPhone during setup, sign into your Google account under Settings > Mail > Accounts > Add Account. Choose Google and enter your credentials. Then go to Settings > Contacts > Default Account and select your Google account. Your Android contacts will now appear in your iPhone's Contacts app.

Moving contacts from an older phone without cloud backup

If your old phone doesn't support automatic cloud sync, you can still export your contacts manually. On most older phones, open the Contacts app, look for a menu option (usually three dots or lines), and search for Export, Send Contacts, or Backup. The phone will create a .vcf file containing all your contacts.

Send this file to yourself via email. On your new phone, open the email, read the .vcf file, and open it. Your new phone will ask whether you want to import these contacts — tap yes. The contacts will be added to your phone's address book.

If your old phone doesn't have an export option, you can manually add contacts to your new phone by typing them in, or by asking your phone's manufacturer whether they offer a data transfer tool. Some carriers also offer free transfer services in their stores.

What to do if some contacts didn't move

Contacts stored only in your old phone's local memory (not synced to an account) won't transfer automatically. Before you switch phones, check whether your contacts are synced to an account. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and verify Contacts is on. On Android, go to Settings > Accounts, tap your Google account, and check that Contacts is toggled on.

If you find contacts that aren't synced, you can manually add them to your account before switching. On iPhone, open a contact, tap Edit, and make sure it shows your iCloud account at the top. On Android, open a contact, tap the menu, and select Change Account to move it to your Google account. After you do this, wait a few minutes for the sync to complete before setting up your new phone.

If you've already switched phones and realize some contacts are missing, you can still retrieve them from your old phone if you still have it. Sync those contacts to an account, then sign into that account on your new phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my contacts transfer if I don't have an Apple ID or Google account?

No — contacts stored only in your phone's local memory won't transfer automatically. You'll need to create an Apple ID (free) or Google account (free) before switching phones, then sync your contacts to that account. After that, sign into the same account on your new phone and your contacts will appear.

Can I transfer contacts without using a computer?

Yes, if you're switching between phones that use the same system (iPhone to iPhone or Android to Android). Just sign into your account during setup on the new phone. If you're switching between systems, you'll need a computer to read and convert the contact file, unless you manually re-add contacts by typing them in.

What if I have contacts in multiple accounts on my old phone?

Sign into all of those accounts on your new phone during setup or in Settings afterward. Each account's contacts will sync separately, and they'll all appear together in your Contacts app. You won't lose any contacts as long as you sign into every account you used on the old phone.

How long does it take for contacts to appear on the new phone?

Usually a few minutes to 15 minutes, depending on how many contacts you have and your internet connection. If contacts don't appear after 30 minutes, check that you're signed into the correct account and that the Contacts sync is turned on in your settings.

Can I transfer contacts if my old phone is broken?

If your old phone won't turn on, you can still recover contacts if they were synced to iCloud (iPhone) or Google (Android). On your new phone, sign into that account during setup, and your contacts will restore automatically. If your contacts were never synced to an account, they may be lost.