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| Learn the easiest ways to move contacts from Android to iPhone, including Google sync, vCard export, SIM transfer, and Move to iOS. |
How to Transfer Contacts from Android to iPhone: Every Method Explained
If you only need your contacts moved to a new iPhone — not your entire photo library, messages, and apps — you don't necessarily need the full Move to iOS process. This guide focuses specifically on contacts: vCard exports, SIM card transfers, Google sync, and what to do when contacts show up duplicated or missing afterward.
Need to move everything — photos, messages, WhatsApp, and more? See our full [Move to iOS data transfer guide]instead. This article covers contacts specifically, including methods that work even after your iPhone is already set up.
Transferring Contacts from Android to iPhone
- - Fastest method (new/unset-up iPhone): Move to iOS app, contacts selected during transfer
- - Best method if iPhone is already set up: Google Account sync or vCard (.vcf) export
- - SIM card method limitation: Holds roughly 250 contacts maximum, and stores only names and phone numbers — no emails, photos, or addresses
- - eSIM users: Physical SIM transfer won't apply; you'll typically need a QR code from your carrier instead
- - Where duplicate contacts get cleaned up: iOS 17+ has built-in duplicate detection under the Contacts app
Method 1: Google Account Sync (Easiest If Your Contacts Are Already Backed Up)
If your Android contacts are already syncing to your Google Account — the default setting on most Android phones — this is the simplest method, since there's no file to export or import manually.
1. On your Android device, confirm sync is active: Settings → Google → Backup (or Settings → Accounts → Google → Contacts sync)
2. On your iPhone, go to Settings → Contacts (or Apps → Contacts on newer iOS) → Accounts → Add Account → Google
3. Sign in with the same Google Account
4. Toggle Contacts on
5. Your Android contacts will appear in the iPhone Contacts app automatically, and stay synced going forward
Tip: Also turn on iCloud Contacts under Settings → [your name] → iCloud → Contacts if you want your contacts backed up to Apple's ecosystem as well, not just Google's.
Method 2: vCard (.vcf) Export — Full Manual Control
This method works whether your iPhone is brand new or has been in use for months, and gives you the most control over exactly what gets transferred.
On Your Android Device
1. Open the Contacts app
2. Tap the menu icon (☰) or Settings
3. Select Export (sometimes under "Manage Contacts")
4. Choose to save as a .vcf (vCard) file, either to internal storage or directly to Google Drive
On Your iPhone
1. Get the .vcf file onto your iPhone — email it to yourself, save it to Google Drive, or send it via AirDrop if both devices support it
2. Open the file from Mail, Files, or Safari
3. Tap the file and select Add All Contacts
Alternative route via contacts.google.com: If your contacts are already in your Google Account, you can instead open contacts.google.com in Safari on your iPhone, sign in, select all contacts, export as a vCard, then use the iOS Share Sheet to add them directly to Contacts — skipping the Android device entirely.
Method 3: SIM Card Transfer
This method is genuinely useful for offline transfers with no internet or cloud account required — but it comes with real limitations worth knowing upfront.
The Limitation to Know First
SIM cards typically hold a maximum of around 250 contacts, and store only names and phone numbers — no email addresses, photos, or other contact details. If your contact list is larger or more detailed than that, this method alone won't fully replace it.
Steps
1. On Android: Contacts app → Settings → Export → Export to SIM card
2. Physically remove the SIM card from your Android phone (you'll need the ejector tool that came with your phone)
3. Insert it into your iPhone
4. On iPhone: Settings → Contacts → Import SIM Contacts
5. Choose where to save the imported contacts (locally, or to iCloud/Google)
6. Once the import finishes, you can remove the SIM card again if you're using a different one with your iPhone
If you're on an eSIM: Physical SIM transfer doesn't apply — contact your mobile provider for a QR code or their specific eSIM transfer process instead.
Method 4: Move to iOS (For a New or Unset-Up iPhone)
If your iPhone hasn't finished initial setup yet, Move to iOS remains the simplest all-in-one option:
1. On the iPhone's "Apps & Data" setup screen, tap Move Data from Android
2. On Android, install and open Move to iOS, accept the terms
3. Enter the code shown on your iPhone
4. Select Contacts (plus anything else you want transferred)
5. Wait for the iPhone's progress bar to finish — not the Android's, which can show "complete" prematurely
A Safety Note on Third-Party Contact Apps
Be cautious with third-party "contact cloning" or data-transfer apps found through general app store searches rather than well-established, verifiable tools. Because contacts contain genuinely sensitive personal information — names, numbers, and sometimes far more — sticking to Apple's own Move to iOS, Google's official sync, or manual vCard/SIM methods avoids the real risk of an unreliable third-party app mishandling that data.
Fixing Common Contact Transfer Problems
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Contacts not showing on iPhone after transfer | Go to Settings → Contacts → Default Account, and […] to the account you transferred to (iCloud or Google) |
| Duplicate contacts after import | Open the Contacts app — iOS 17 and later include duplicate detection and merging |
| "Unable to migrate" error during Move to iOS | Free up storage space on the iPhone; the transfer needs enough space to receive incoming data |
| Move to iOS stuck on "Preparing" | Force-close the app on both devices, restart both phones, and try again — using a USB-C cable instead of Wi-Fi often resolves this |
| SIM import missing contact details | Expected — SIM cards only store names and numbers, not emails, photos, or addresses |
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If your contacts are already backed up to your Google Account, syncing that same account on your iPhone is the fastest way to bring them across with zero manual export needed. If you want full control, or your iPhone is already set up, a vCard export gives you the most flexibility, while SIM card transfer works well for smaller, offline transfers — just remember its 250-contact and basic-details-only limitation before relying on it as your only method.
FAQ
How can I transfer my contacts from Android to iPhone?
The simplest method is syncing your Google Account on both devices, which transfers contacts automatically. For more control, export a vCard (.vcf) file from Android and import it directly on iPhone.
Can I transfer contacts from Android to iPhone after the iPhone is already set up?
Yes — Google Account sync, vCard export, and SIM card transfer all work regardless of whether your iPhone has already completed initial setup, unlike Move to iOS, which only works during setup.
How many contacts can I transfer using a SIM card?
Roughly 250 contacts, and only names and phone numbers — SIM cards don't store emails, photos, or other contact details.
Why are my contacts showing up duplicated on my iPhone?
This commonly happens when contacts sync from multiple sources (Google and iCloud simultaneously). Open the Contacts app — iOS 17 and later includes built-in duplicate detection to merge them.
What if my new iPhone uses an eSIM instead of a physical SIM?
The physical SIM transfer method won't work — contact your mobile provider for a QR code or their specific eSIM contact transfer process instead.
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