How to Copy Contacts Between Devices and Services

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

Copying contacts works differently depending on whether you're moving them between phones, backing them up to a computer, or transferring them to a different service like Gmail or Outlook. The method also changes based on your phone's operating system — iPhone and Android handle this differently. Most routes take between five and fifteen minutes, though some require you to wait for a sync to finish.

The three main paths are: exporting contacts as a file and importing them elsewhere, using a cloud service like Google or iCloud to sync automatically, or manually selecting and sharing individual contacts. Which one works best depends on how many contacts you have and whether you need them in a specific format.

Key Takeaways

iPhone contacts sync automatically through iCloud if you turn on iCloud Contacts in Settings, and you can export them as a vCard file through Contacts on a Mac.
Android contacts stored in a Google Account sync automatically across devices, and you can export them as a CSV file through Google Contacts on a computer.
To move contacts between different services, export them as a file from the source (vCard or CSV) and import that file into the destination service.
Copying a single contact to share with someone else works through your phone's built-in share menu — no export needed.
If contacts are stored only on your phone and not synced to the cloud, you must export them before switching phones or they will be lost.

Copying contacts on iPhone through iCloud

If you use iCloud, your iPhone contacts are already syncing to Apple's servers. To see them on another device, turn on iCloud Contacts on that device: go to Settings, tap your name at the top, select iCloud, and toggle Contacts on. Any new contact you add to either device appears on both within a few minutes.

To export your iPhone contacts as a file, you need a Mac. Open Contacts, select all contacts (Command+A), then go to File and choose Export vCard. This creates a .vcf file you can send to someone else or import into another service. On a Windows computer, you can import this .vcf file into Outlook or Gmail.

If you don't have a Mac and need to back up your contacts, use iCloud.com on any computer. Sign in with your Apple ID, open Contacts, select all, and look for an export option in the settings menu — the exact location varies depending on your browser and iCloud's current layout.

Copying contacts on Android through Google Contacts

Android contacts linked to a Google Account sync automatically across all your devices. To check that your contacts are syncing, open Settings, go to Accounts, select your Google Account, tap Account Sync, and make sure Contacts is toggled on. Any contact you add appears on other devices within a few minutes.

To export your Android contacts, open Google Contacts on a computer at contacts.google.com, click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) on the left, select Export, choose which contacts to export, and pick CSV or vCard format. A CSV file works best for importing into Gmail, Outlook, or most other services. A vCard file is better if you're sharing a single contact or moving to another phone.

If your contacts are stored only on your phone and not synced to Google, you can still export them. Open your phone's Contacts app, look for a menu or settings option (usually three dots), and select Export. Choose where to save the file — usually your Google Drive or your phone's storage — then download it to a computer to import elsewhere.

Moving contacts between different services

To move contacts from one service to another — for example, from Gmail to Outlook, or from your phone to a new email provider — export them as a file first, then import that file into the new service. Export as CSV if the destination accepts it, since CSV files preserve more information like phone numbers and addresses.

In Gmail, go to Google Contacts, click the menu, select Export, choose the contacts you want, and pick CSV format. In Outlook on the web, click the menu, select Import Contacts, and upload the CSV file. In Apple Contacts on a Mac, go to File and select Import vCard, then choose the file you exported.

Some services limit how many contacts you can import at once. If your import fails, try splitting your CSV file in half using a spreadsheet program like Excel or Google Sheets, then import each half separately. Delete the header row (the line with column names) from the second half before importing, since most services expect headers only at the top.

Copying a single contact to share with someone

To send one contact to another person, open your Contacts app, find the person, and look for a Share or Send option. On iPhone, tap the contact, scroll down, and tap Share Contact — this creates a vCard file you can text, email, or AirDrop. On Android, tap the contact, tap the menu (three dots), and select Share — you can then choose email, text, or another app.

The person who receives the vCard can open it directly on their phone, and their Contacts app will offer to save it. They can also email you a vCard and you can save it the same way. This is the fastest way to share a single contact without exporting your entire list.

Backing up contacts before switching phones

Before you switch to a new phone, make sure your contacts are saved to the cloud, not just stored on your current phone. On iPhone, check Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and confirm Contacts is on. On Android, check Settings > Accounts > Google and confirm Contacts is syncing.

If you're switching from iPhone to Android, sign into your Google Account on the new Android phone during setup, and your contacts will download automatically. If you're switching from Android to iPhone, sign into your Apple ID during setup and your iCloud contacts will appear — but if your old contacts were only in Google, you'll need to export them from Google Contacts first and import them into iCloud on your Mac or at iCloud.com.

If you're keeping the same type of phone, just sign into your account on the new device and wait a few minutes for contacts to sync. If you're not sure whether your contacts are backed up, export them as a file and save it to your computer or cloud storage as insurance.

Troubleshooting contacts that won't copy or sync

If contacts aren't syncing between devices, check that you're signed into the same account on both. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] and confirm you're logged in. On Android, go to Settings > Accounts and look for your Google Account. If you're signed in but contacts still aren't syncing, turn the sync off and back on: on iPhone, toggle Contacts off in iCloud settings, wait 30 seconds, and toggle it back on. On Android, go to your Google Account settings, tap Account Sync, toggle Contacts off and back on, and wait a few minutes.

If an import fails, the file format may be wrong or corrupted. Try exporting again and choosing a different format — if you exported as vCard, try CSV, or vice versa. If you're importing into Gmail and the file is very large (over 10,000 contacts), Gmail may reject it. Split the file into smaller pieces and import them one at a time.

If a single contact won't copy, it may contain special characters or formatting that the destination service doesn't recognize. Try exporting just that contact, opening the file in a text editor, and removing any unusual characters, then re-importing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy contacts from an old phone without turning it on?

No — you need the phone powered on and unlocked to export contacts from it. If the phone won't turn on, your only option is to check whether those contacts were already synced to iCloud or Google. If they were, you can recover them by signing into that account on a new device.

What's the difference between vCard and CSV format?

vCard (.vcf) is a single-contact format, better for sharing one person's details or moving to another phone. CSV is a spreadsheet format that holds many contacts at once and works better for importing into email services like Gmail or Outlook. Most services accept both, but CSV preserves more information like job titles and multiple phone numbers.

Will my contacts disappear if I sign out of my Google or Apple account?

If contacts are synced to the cloud, they stay on the cloud servers and will reappear when you sign back in. If contacts are stored only on your phone and not synced, they will be deleted when you sign out. Check your sync settings before signing out — if Contacts sync is on, your data is safe.

Can I copy contacts from someone else's phone to mine?

Yes — ask them to open their Contacts app, find your contact, and tap Share. They can text, email, or AirDrop you your own vCard, and you can save it to your phone. For multiple contacts, ask them to export their contacts as a CSV file and email it to you, then import it into your phone or email service.

How long does it take for contacts to sync after I turn on sync?

Usually between one and five minutes, depending on how many contacts you have and your internet speed. If you have thousands of contacts, it may take longer. Check that you have a stable Wi-Fi or cellular connection and that you're signed into the correct account.

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.