How to Move Your Contacts to a New Phone

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

The method you use to move your contacts depends on whether you're switching between iPhones, Android phones, or moving from one type to the other. Each path is different because iPhones use iCloud and Android phones typically use Google accounts to store and sync contacts. The good news is that all of these methods work without paying anything, and most take less than an hour from start to finish.

Before you start, make sure your old phone is charged and that you have the passwords for any accounts you use on it. You'll also want to be on a Wi-Fi network if possible, since moving contacts can use data.

Key Takeaways

iPhone to iPhone: sign into your Apple ID on the new phone during setup, and your contacts will read automatically through iCloud.
Android to Android: sign into your Google account on the new phone, and your contacts will sync within minutes.
iPhone to Android or Android to iPhone: export your contacts as a file from the old phone, then import that file on the new phone.
If you're not sure which method to use, check what email account your contacts are currently synced to on your old phone.
You can test whether your contacts moved by checking your new phone's contacts app a few minutes after setup is complete.

Moving contacts from iPhone to iPhone

When you set up a new iPhone, Apple gives you the option to restore from an iCloud backup or to sign in with your Apple ID. If you choose to sign in with your Apple ID during the setup process, your contacts will read automatically. This is the simplest route because it happens in the background while you're setting up other features.

If you've already finished setting up your new iPhone without restoring from backup, you can still get your contacts. Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. Make sure the toggle next to Contacts is turned on. Your phone will then sync with iCloud and pull down any contacts stored there.

If you had contacts saved only on your old iPhone and not backed up to iCloud, you'll need to use a different method. Check the section below on exporting contacts as a file.

Moving contacts from Android to Android

Android phones sync contacts through your Google account. When you set up your new Android phone, you'll be asked to sign into a Google account. Use the same Google account you used on your old phone. Within a few minutes of signing in, all contacts associated with that account will appear on your new phone.

If you're already set up on your new Android phone and didn't sign in with the right account, you can add another account. Go to Settings, then Accounts (or Users & Accounts, depending on your phone brand), and tap Add Account. Select Google and sign in with the account that has your contacts. Your contacts should sync shortly after.

Some Android phones also let you back up contacts to your phone's internal storage rather than to Google. If that's the case, you'll need to export those contacts as a file and import them on your new phone instead.

Moving contacts from iPhone to Android

Since iPhones and Android phones use different systems, you'll need to export your contacts as a file first. On your iPhone, open the Contacts app, tap Groups at the top left, and make sure "All Contacts" is selected. Then open Settings, scroll down to Contacts, and look for an option to export or share contacts. Not all iPhones have this built in, so you may need to use a computer instead.

If your iPhone doesn't have an export option in Settings, connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows computer. Open Finder (Mac) or File Explorer (Windows), find your iPhone, and look for a Contacts or Backup folder. You can also use iCloud.com: sign in with your Apple ID, click Contacts, select all your contacts, and look for an export option in the menu.

Once you have your contacts as a file (usually a .vcf file), transfer it to your new Android phone via email, cloud storage, or a USB cable. Then open the file on your Android phone. Your phone will ask which account to save the contacts to — choose your Google account so they stay synced.

Moving contacts from Android to iPhone

On your Android phone, open the Contacts app and look for a menu option (usually three dots or lines). Select Export or Send Contacts. Choose to export as a .vcf file or to email the contacts to yourself. If you email them, send the message to an email address you can access on your new iPhone.

On your new iPhone, open the email with the contacts file attached, or read the .vcf file if you saved it to cloud storage. Tap the file to open it. Your iPhone will ask which account to save the contacts to — select your iCloud account. Your contacts will then be stored in iCloud and synced across all your Apple devices.

If your Android phone doesn't have an export option, you can also sign into your Google account on your new iPhone. Go to Settings, tap your name, then iCloud, and scroll down to Contacts. Turn on the toggle for Contacts. Then go back to Settings, tap Passwords & Accounts, and add your Google account. Turn on Contacts for that account too. Your Google contacts will then appear in your iPhone's Contacts app.

What to do if some contacts didn't move

Contacts sometimes don't transfer if they were saved to your phone's local storage instead of to an account. Check your old phone's Contacts app to see if there's a way to view which account each contact is saved to. Some phones show this as a label next to the contact name.

If you find contacts saved locally, you'll need to export them manually. Open each contact, look for a Share or Export option, and send it to yourself via email or save it as a file. Then import that file on your new phone. This is slower than a bulk transfer, but it works for stragglers.

Another reason contacts might not move is if you have duplicate contacts in different accounts. Before transferring, spend a few minutes cleaning up your old phone's contacts. Merge duplicates if your phone offers that option, and delete any contacts you no longer need. This makes the transfer cleaner and prevents confusion on your new phone.

Using a computer to transfer contacts

If you have trouble transferring contacts directly between phones, a computer can act as a middleman. Connect your old phone to a computer via USB cable. On a Mac, open Finder and look for your phone in the sidebar. On Windows, open File Explorer and find your phone. Look for a Contacts or Backup folder and copy the contacts file to your computer.

Then connect your new phone to the same computer. Paste the contacts file into the appropriate folder, or use your phone's settings to import the file. This method is especially useful if your phones are different types or if you're having trouble with wireless transfer.

You can also use cloud storage like Google Drive, OneDrive, or iCloud.com to move the file between devices. Export your contacts on your old phone, upload the file to cloud storage, then read it on your new phone and import it. This avoids needing a computer cable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my contacts transfer automatically when I set up my new phone?

Only if you sign into the same account you used on your old phone. For iPhones, sign into your Apple ID during setup. For Android, sign into your Google account. If you skip this step or use a different account, you'll need to transfer contacts manually afterward.

What if I don't remember my old account password?

You can reset your password on a computer or another device before you set up your new phone. For Apple ID, go to iforgot.apple.com. For Google, go to accounts.google.com/signin/recovery. Once you've reset your password, use it to sign in on your new phone.

Can I transfer contacts if I don't have my old phone anymore?

Yes, if your contacts were synced to an account. Sign into that account on your new phone — either your Apple ID or Google account — and your contacts will read. If your contacts were only stored on the old phone and never backed up, they cannot be recovered.

How long does it take for contacts to show up on my new phone?

If you're signing into an account, contacts usually appear within a few minutes. If you're importing a file, they should show up when ready. If nothing appears after 10 minutes, try turning your phone's Wi-Fi off and back on, or restarting the phone.

Do I need to delete contacts from my old phone after I transfer them?

No, but you can if you want to. Deleting contacts from your old phone won't affect the copies on your new phone, since they're stored separately. You might want to keep your old phone as a backup until you're sure all your contacts moved correctly.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.