The fastest way depends on your phone type

On an iPhone, open the Contacts app (the green icon with a person silhouette), tap the plus sign in the top right, and enter the name and phone number. On Android, open Contacts or Phone, tap the plus icon, fill in the details, and tap Save. Both phones also let you add contacts by saving a number from an incoming call or text message — just tap the number and choose "Add to Contacts" or "Create Contact".

You can also add contacts by importing them from another phone, syncing with your email account, or letting your phone automatically save numbers from calls and messages. The method you choose depends on whether you're adding one person or many, and whether you want the contact stored only on your phone or synced across your devices.

Key Takeaways

  • The Contacts app on iPhone or the Contacts or Phone app on Android is the main place to add a new contact manually by typing a name and number.
  • You can save a contact directly from an incoming call or text message without opening the Contacts app first.
  • Both iPhone and Android let you sync contacts with your email account so they appear on all your devices.
  • If you're switching phones, you can transfer all your contacts at once through your email account, a backup file, or your carrier's transfer service.

Adding a contact manually on iPhone

Open the Contacts app and tap the plus sign in the top right corner. Type the person's first and last name in the fields provided. Scroll down and tap "Add Phone" to enter their number, then choose what type of number it is — mobile, home, work, or other. You can add multiple numbers for the same person if needed.

If you want to add an email address, street address, or birthday, scroll down further and tap the field you need. When you're done, tap "Done" in the top right. The contact is now saved to your phone and will appear when you search or scroll through your Contacts list.

Adding a contact manually on Android

Open the Contacts app or the Phone app and look for a plus icon or "Create Contact" button — the exact location varies by phone brand. Tap it and enter the person's name. Tap "Add Phone" and type their number, then choose the type (mobile, home, work, or other). You can add a second number by tapping "Add Phone" again.

To add an email, address, or other details, tap the field you need and enter the information. When finished, tap "Save". The contact will now appear in your Contacts list and will show up when that person calls or texts you.

Saving a contact from a call or text message

When someone calls you and their number isn't already in your contacts, their number appears on the screen. On iPhone, tap "Add to Contacts" at the bottom, then choose "Create New Contact" or "Add to Existing Contact" if you want to add a second number for someone you already know. Fill in the name and any other details, then tap "Save".

On Android, when a call comes in from an unknown number, tap the number at the top of the screen or look for an option to "Add to Contacts". You can also save a contact from a text message by tapping the sender's number or name and choosing "Add to Contacts". This method is faster than opening the Contacts app if you only need to save a name and number.

Syncing contacts with your email account

Both iPhone and Android can sync your contacts with your email account — Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, or iCloud — so they appear on all your devices. On iPhone, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. Turn on "Contacts" and your contacts will sync automatically. If you use Gmail or another email service, go to Settings, tap Mail, then Accounts, add your email account, and turn on Contacts.

On Android, go to Settings, tap Accounts, select your email account, and turn on "Contacts" or "Sync Contacts". From then on, any contact you add on your phone will appear on your other devices, and contacts you add elsewhere will show up on your phone. This is useful if you use multiple devices or want a backup of your contacts in case you lose your phone.

Transferring contacts from another phone

If you're switching to a new phone, you can move all your contacts at once. The easiest way is through your email account: sign into the same Gmail, Outlook, or iCloud account on both phones, and your contacts will sync automatically within a few minutes. If your old phone and new phone use different email services, you can export your contacts as a file and import them on the new phone.

Your phone carrier — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or another provider — may also offer a transfer service. Call their customer service or visit a store and ask about moving contacts from your old phone to your new one. Some carriers can do this over the phone or through an app. This method is slower than email sync but works if you don't have access to your old phone or if it's damaged.

Organizing contacts into groups

On iPhone, you can create contact groups in the Contacts app by tapping "Groups" at the top left, then tapping "Edit" and "Add Group". Type a name like "Work" or "Family" and tap "Save". Then open individual contacts and tap "Edit", scroll down, and tap "Add to Group" to assign them. Groups make it easier to find contacts and to send messages or emails to multiple people at once.

On Android, groups work differently depending on your phone brand. Some phones let you create groups directly in the Contacts app, while others require you to use your email account's contact groups — for example, Gmail's contact groups. Check your phone's Contacts app for a "Groups" or "Labels" option. If you don't see one, open Gmail on your computer, click "Contacts" on the left, and create groups there; they'll sync to your phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a contact without a phone number?

Yes. On both iPhone and Android, you can create a contact with just a name and email address, or just a name and street address. Open Contacts, create a new contact, enter the name, and add whatever information you have. You can add a phone number later by editing the contact.

What happens if I add the same person twice?

On iPhone, you can merge duplicate contacts by opening one contact, tapping "Edit", scrolling down, and tapping "Link Contact". On Android, open the duplicate contact, tap the menu (three dots), and look for "Merge" or "Link Contacts". Select the other contact to combine them into one entry.

Will my contacts stay on my phone if I change my password?

If your contacts are synced with your email account, they will stay on your phone even if you change your email password — you'll just need to update the password in your phone's email settings. If your contacts are stored only on your phone and not synced, they won't be affected by a password change at all.

Can I add a contact photo?

Yes. On iPhone, open a contact, tap "Edit", tap the photo placeholder at the top, and choose a photo from your library or take a new one. On Android, open a contact, tap "Edit", tap the photo area, and select or take a photo. The photo will appear when that person calls or texts you.

How do I back up my contacts?

The easiest way is to sync with your email account — your contacts are then stored in the cloud and won't be lost if your phone breaks. You can also export contacts as a file: on iPhone, this requires a computer and iTunes; on Android, open Contacts, tap the menu, and look for "Export" or "Backup". Some phones also back up contacts automatically to your carrier's cloud service.