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

The method that works best depends on whether you're staying within the same operating system (iPhone to iPhone, Android to Android) or switching between them. If you're staying in the same ecosystem, your contacts likely synced automatically to a cloud account — Google Account for Android, iCloud for iPhone — and will appear on your new phone during setup. If you're switching systems, you'll need to export your contacts first, then import them into the new phone's system.

The process takes between 5 and 30 minutes depending on how many contacts you have and which method you choose. Most people can complete it without calling customer support or visiting a store.

Key Takeaways

  • iPhone to iPhone and Android to Android transfers happen automatically if you sign into the same cloud account during setup.
  • Switching from iPhone to Android or Android to iPhone requires exporting contacts as a file, then importing them into the new phone's system.
  • Your phone's built-in settings menu has export and import options; you do not need third-party apps for a basic transfer.
  • If contacts don't appear after transfer, check that you signed into the correct cloud account or that the import completed without errors.

Transferring between phones with the same operating system

If you're moving from one iPhone to another iPhone, or from one Android phone to another Android phone, your contacts should transfer automatically during the initial setup of your new device.

For iPhone to iPhone: When you turn on your new iPhone, you'll see a setup screen asking you to sign in with your Apple ID. Use the same Apple ID you used on your old phone. Your contacts are stored in iCloud (Apple's cloud service), and signing in will sync them to your new phone within a few minutes. You don't need to do anything else — the contacts appear in the Contacts app automatically.

For Android to Android: During setup, you'll be asked to sign into your Google Account. Use the same Google Account you used on your old phone. Your contacts are stored in Google Contacts, and they'll sync to your new phone automatically. If you have multiple Google Accounts, make sure you sign into the one that holds your contacts.

If your contacts don't appear after signing in, open the Settings app on your new phone, find Accounts or Users & Accounts, select your Google Account or Apple ID, and look for a Sync or Backup option. Tap it to force an immediate sync.

Switching from iPhone to Android

Moving your contacts from iPhone to Android requires exporting them from iCloud first, then importing them into your Google Account. The process involves creating a file on your computer, then uploading it to Google.

Step 1: Export contacts from iCloud. Go to iCloud.com on a computer and sign in with your Apple ID. Click Contacts. Select all your contacts (use Ctrl+A on Windows or Command+A on Mac). Click the settings icon (gear symbol) at the bottom left and choose Export vCard. This downloads a file called contacts.vcf to your computer.

Step 2: Import into Google Contacts. Go to contacts.google.com on the same computer and sign in with the Google Account you'll use on your new Android phone. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) on the left side and select Import. Choose the contacts.vcf file you just downloaded. Google will upload your contacts and they'll appear in your Google Account within a few minutes.

Step 3: Set up your new Android phone. During setup, sign into the Google Account where you just imported your contacts. Your contacts will sync automatically to the Contacts app.

Switching from Android to iPhone

Moving contacts from Android to iPhone also requires exporting them first, then importing them into iCloud. The steps are similar but use different services.

Step 1: Export contacts from your Google Account. Go to contacts.google.com on a computer and sign in with the Google Account that holds your contacts. Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) on the left. Select Export. Choose which contacts you want to export (select All Contacts to move everything). Click Export and choose vCard format. This downloads a contacts.vcf file to your computer.

Step 2: Import into iCloud. Go to iCloud.com on the same computer and sign in with the Apple ID you'll use on your new iPhone. Click Contacts. Click the settings icon (gear symbol) at the bottom left and select Import vCard. Choose the contacts.vcf file you downloaded from Google. iCloud will upload your contacts within a few minutes.

Step 3: Set up your new iPhone. During setup, sign into the Apple ID where you just imported your contacts. Your contacts will sync automatically to the Contacts app.

Using your carrier's transfer service

Most phone carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and others) offer contact transfer services in their stores. If you're uncomfortable using a computer or the cloud methods above, you can visit a store and ask a representative to transfer your contacts for you. This usually takes 15 to 30 minutes and is free.

Some carriers also offer apps that can transfer contacts wirelessly between phones if both devices are on the same network. Check your carrier's website or ask in-store whether this option is available for your phones.

What to do if contacts don't transfer

If you've completed the steps above and your contacts still don't appear, check these common issues:

You signed into the wrong account. On your new phone, go to Settings and check which Google Account or Apple ID is currently signed in. If it's different from the account where you imported your contacts, sign out and sign in with the correct account. Your contacts should appear within a few minutes.

The import didn't complete. If you used the computer method (exporting and importing a vCard file), go back to contacts.google.com or iCloud.com and check whether your contacts appear there. If they don't, repeat the import step. If the file is large (more than 5,000 contacts), the upload may have failed — try importing again or contact your carrier for help.

Contacts are in a different account on your old phone. If you had multiple Google Accounts or Apple IDs on your old phone, your contacts might be stored in an account you're not currently signed into. Check all your accounts on the old phone to find where your contacts are, then export from that account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer contacts without using a computer?

Yes. If you're staying within the same operating system (iPhone to iPhone or Android to Android), contacts transfer automatically when you sign into your cloud account during setup. You don't need a computer. If you're switching systems, you'll need a computer to export and import the vCard file, though some carriers offer in-store transfer services that don't require one.

Will my contacts transfer if I don't sign into my cloud account during setup?

Not automatically. If you skip signing into your Google Account or Apple ID during setup, your contacts won't sync. You can sign in later in Settings, but it's easier to do it during the initial setup. If you've already skipped it, go to Settings, find Accounts, and sign in with the account that holds your contacts.

What happens to contacts stored only on my old phone's SIM card?

Contacts on a SIM card don't transfer automatically. You'll need to export them from your old phone first. On most phones, open Contacts, find a menu option for Import/Export or Manage Contacts, and choose Export to Phone or Export to Storage. Then import that file into your new phone using the same menu. If you can't find this option, your carrier can transfer SIM contacts in-store.

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

No. Deleting contacts from your old phone won't affect the copies on your new phone or in your cloud account. You can keep them on the old phone or delete them — it's your choice. If you plan to sell or recycle the old phone, deleting them is a good privacy practice.

Can I transfer contacts from a very old phone?

It depends on how old the phone is and whether it still powers on. If it turns on and you can access the Contacts app, you can export them using the methods above. If the phone is too old to export contacts, your carrier may be able to retrieve them if they're stored on your account. Call your carrier's customer service to ask what options are available.