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

If you're moving from an iPhone to another iPhone, use iCloud or AirDrop — both take minutes and move everything at once. If you're switching to Android from iPhone, Google's built-in tool works but requires a computer or the Google Drive app. If you're moving between Android phones, Google Account sync is automatic if you sign in with the same account. If you're switching from Android to iPhone, you can use the Move to iOS app or restore from a Google account. The method that works best for you depends on which phones you own and whether you want to move just contacts or your entire phone setup.

The core principle is the same across all transfers: contacts live in the cloud account tied to your phone, not just on the device itself. iPhone stores contacts in iCloud, Android stores them in Google. When you sign into that account on a new phone, your contacts follow you automatically. The steps differ only in how you bridge the gap between the two systems.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone to iPhone: sign into iCloud on your new phone during setup, and contacts sync automatically within minutes.
  • Android to Android: sign into the same Google Account on your new phone, and contacts appear without any extra steps.
  • iPhone to Android: export contacts to a CSV file on your computer, then import them into your Google Account.
  • Android to iPhone: use the Move to iOS app before erasing your old phone, or manually upload contacts to iCloud.
  • All methods preserve your contact names, phone numbers, and email addresses, but some do not transfer notes or custom fields.

iPhone to iPhone: the simplest transfer

During the initial setup of your new iPhone, you'll see a screen that says "Quick Start." Hold your old iPhone next to the new one, and they'll connect automatically. When prompted, sign in with your Apple ID — the same one you use for iCloud. Your contacts, along with messages, photos, and other data, will begin transferring immediately.

If you've already finished setup, you can still transfer contacts through iCloud. Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, select iCloud, and toggle Contacts on. Make sure both phones are signed into the same Apple ID. Contacts will sync within a few minutes, and any new contacts you add to either phone will appear on both.

This method moves everything stored in iCloud, so if you've been backing up your iPhone regularly, you'll also get your call history, notes, and reminders. If you only want to move contacts and nothing else, this is still the cleanest option because it preserves all the details you've added to each contact.

Android to Android: automatic with your Google Account

When you turn on a new Android phone, you'll be asked to sign in with a Google Account. Use the same Google Account you used on your old phone. Your contacts will appear automatically — Google stores them in your account, not just on the device.

If you've already set up your new phone with a different account, you can add your original Google Account in Settings under Accounts. Once you sign in, contacts will sync within a few minutes. You can then choose to set that account as your primary one if you want. The transfer happens in the background without any action needed from you.

This method works because Android phones are designed to sync contacts with Google. Unlike iPhone, where contacts live in iCloud, Android contacts live in your Google Account. As long as you're signed into the same account on both phones, your contacts stay in sync automatically, and new contacts you add appear on both devices.

iPhone to Android: export and import through Google

Moving contacts from iPhone to Android requires a computer and a few extra steps. First, connect your iPhone to a Mac or Windows computer and open iTunes (or Finder on Mac). Back up your iPhone, then locate the backup file on your computer. You'll need to extract the contacts database from this backup using a third-party tool — common options include iBackup Extractor or PhoneRescue, though some are free and others charge a fee.

Once you've extracted your contacts, you'll have a file in CSV or VCF format. Upload this file to your Google Account by visiting contacts.google.com, clicking the menu icon, selecting Import, and choosing your file. Google will add all the contacts to your account. Then, on your new Android phone, sign in with the same Google Account, and your contacts will appear within minutes.

Alternatively, if you don't want to use a computer, some Android phones include a built-in tool to read contacts from an iCloud backup. Check your new phone's setup wizard — if it offers an option to restore from iCloud, you can enter your Apple ID credentials and let it pull contacts directly. This method is simpler but only works on certain Android models, so test it during setup before committing to the computer route.

Android to iPhone: use Move to iOS or manual upload

The easiest way is to use Apple's Move to iOS app before you erase your old Android phone. Install the app from the Google Play Store, open it, and follow the prompts. When you set up your new iPhone, you'll see a "Move Data from Android" option — tap it and follow the on-screen instructions. The app will transfer contacts, messages, photos, and other data over a local connection without needing a computer.

If you've already erased your Android phone or the Move to iOS app didn't work, you can upload contacts manually. On your Android phone (or using a backup), export your contacts as a VCF file. Email the file to yourself, download it on your computer, then visit iCloud.com and sign in. Go to Contacts, click the menu icon, select Import VCard, and upload your file. Your contacts will appear in iCloud and sync to your iPhone within minutes.

What gets transferred and what doesn't

All standard transfer methods move your contact names, phone numbers, and email addresses. Most also preserve contact photos and groups you've created. However, custom fields — like nicknames, birthdays, or notes you've added to individual contacts — may not transfer, depending on the method you use.

iCloud-to-iCloud transfers preserve nearly everything, including notes and custom fields. Google Account transfers also keep most custom data. When moving between iPhone and Android, some custom information may be lost because the two systems store contact data differently. If you have important notes attached to contacts, take a screenshot or write them down before transferring, just to be safe.

Duplicate contacts sometimes appear after a transfer, especially if you've synced with multiple accounts in the past. Most phones have a built-in tool to merge duplicates — on iPhone, go to Contacts and look for a Merge option; on Android, open Contacts, tap the menu, and select Merge Duplicates. This cleans up your contact list in a few seconds.

Transferring contacts without a backup or computer

If you don't have access to a computer or your old phone, you can still recover contacts if they were backed up to the cloud. On your new phone, sign into the same account you used on your old phone — either iCloud (for iPhone) or Google (for Android). Your contacts will sync automatically if they were previously backed up to that account.

If your contacts were never backed up, they're difficult to recover. Some carriers store a limited number of contacts on their SIM card, which you can move to a new phone by inserting the SIM into the new device. However, SIM cards typically hold only a few hundred contacts and don't store email addresses or notes, so this is a last resort.

Going forward, make sure your contacts are backed up to the cloud. On iPhone, enable iCloud Contacts in Settings. On Android, make sure you're signed into a Google Account and that Contacts sync is turned on. This way, if you get a new phone, your contacts will be waiting for you automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my contacts transfer if I use a different account on my new phone?

No. Contacts are tied to the account they're stored in — iCloud for iPhone, Google for Android. If you sign into a different account on your new phone, you won't see contacts from your old account. You'll need to either sign into the same account or manually import your contacts from a file.

Can I transfer contacts without erasing my old phone?

Yes. All the methods described here work while your old phone is still active. You can transfer contacts, then keep your old phone as a backup or sell it later. Just make sure to erase it completely before giving it away or recycling it.

What if some of my contacts didn't transfer?

Check that you're signed into the correct account on your new phone and that sync is turned on. Contacts stored locally on your old phone (not backed up to the cloud) may not transfer automatically. If you have a backup file, try importing it again. Contacts with unusual formatting or very old entries sometimes fail to transfer — you may need to re-add these manually.

Do I need to keep my old phone to transfer contacts?

No, as long as your contacts were backed up to iCloud or Google. If you've already erased your old phone, you can still recover contacts by signing into your account on the new phone. If your contacts were never backed up, you'll need the old phone or a backup file to retrieve them.

Can I transfer contacts to multiple phones at once?

Yes. On iPhone, any phone signed into the same iCloud account will have the same contacts. On Android, any phone signed into the same Google Account will sync contacts. If you add a new contact on one phone, it appears on all of them automatically.