Guide · iPhone, iPad, Mac & Android
How to transfer contacts from iPhone to Android
Short answer
The quickest way that works on any Android phone, new or already set up, is Transfer to New Phone in Contaxo: show a QR code on the iPhone, scan it with the Android phone, confirm the matching code and save. If the Android phone is brand new, its setup can also copy contacts from the iPhone with a cable or Google's Switch to Android app.
Transfer with a QR code in Contaxo
Open Transfer to New Phone on the iPhone
In Contaxo on the iPhone, tap Transfer to New Phone on the Home tab. A QR code appears. Keep the screen open.
Scan the code with the Android phone
Point the Android phone's camera at the code. If Contaxo isn't installed, Google Play opens and the transfer continues after you install it.
Confirm the code
Both phones show the same short code. If it matches, tap Yes, Same · Transfer on the iPhone.
Save on Android
The Android phone shows which contacts are new and which are already there. Tap Save to add the new ones. Saving needs Contaxo Pro; the free vCard method is below.
Pick the right method
| Your situation | Best method |
|---|---|
| Any Android phone, new or already set up | Transfer to New Phone in Contaxo (QR code) |
| New Android phone, still in setup | Android’s copy step: cable, or Switch to Android without a cable |
| Samsung Galaxy | Samsung Smart Switch during setup, or the file method |
| You want to keep using Google for contacts | Move your contacts into your Google account, then sign in on Android |
| No Google account, or you don’t want to sync | Contaxo’s QR transfer, or a vCard file |
| You don’t want to pay | A vCard file from Contaxo (method 5) |
Method 1: Transfer to New Phone in Contaxo
The steps above. It works on any Android phone at any time, sends every contact your iPhone shows (iCloud, Google or on the iPhone), is end-to-end encrypted and doesn’t add anyone twice. See Move your contacts to a new phone for details.
Method 2: During Android setup
When you turn on a new Android phone, it offers to copy apps and data from an old phone. With a cable, plug the iPhone’s cable (USB-C, or Lightning with an adapter) into the Android phone when asked and choose what to copy. Without a cable, tap the no-cable option, choose that you’re switching from iPhone, and scan the QR code with the Switch to Android app from Google on your iPhone.
Google says the wireless Switch to Android app needs Android 12 or later on the new phone and iOS 15 or later on the iPhone, and that you need an internet connection and must sign in to a Google account. Contacts copy both with a cable and wirelessly.
Method 3: Through your Google account
If your iPhone contacts are already saved in a Google account, just sign in to the same account on Android and they appear. Check on the iPhone in Settings › Apps › Contacts › Contacts Accounts (older iOS: Settings › Contacts › Accounts). Watch out: contacts saved in iCloud or “On My iPhone” are not copied to Google when you add the account. To move them, export them as a vCard (method 5) and import the file on contacts.google.com.
Method 4: Samsung Smart Switch
Samsung phones come with Smart Switch, which can copy contacts and other data from an iPhone during setup or later from the Smart Switch app.
Method 5: One vCard file (free)
- In Contaxo on the iPhone, open Backup Contacts and tap Back Up Now. Every contact is saved in one vCard (.vcf) file, for free.
- Tap Share backup and email the file to yourself or save it to Google Drive. Your first share is free.
- On Android, open the file, or import it in Google Contacts with Fix & manage › Import from file, or on a Samsung phone with Contacts › menu › Manage contacts › Import or export contacts › Import.
It works with any brand and you keep the file as a backup.
Coming from Android to iPhone? Contaxo’s QR transfer works in that direction too. See Move your contacts to a new phone.
Frequently asked questions
Can I transfer contacts from iPhone to Android without a Google account?
Yes. Contaxo's QR transfer and the vCard file method both work without signing in to Google or syncing any account.
My Android phone is already set up. Can I still transfer?
Yes. Android's own iPhone transfer is mainly offered during first setup, but Contaxo's QR transfer and the vCard file method work at any time.
I added my Google account to the iPhone. Why didn't my contacts move?
Adding a Google account to the iPhone syncs only the contacts saved in that Google account. Contacts stored in iCloud or on the iPhone stay where they are. Use Contaxo's transfer, or export a vCard and import it into Google Contacts.
Will photos, birthdays and all phone numbers come along?
Yes. Names, every number and email, addresses, birthdays and photos are included.
Is it free?
Seeing the transferred contacts is free; saving them on the Android phone needs Contaxo Pro. The vCard file method is free: backing up all contacts and your first share of a backup cost nothing, and Android imports the file for free.
Related
- FeatureHow to move your contacts to a new phoneMove every contact from your old phone to a new one with a QR code: iPhone to Android, Android to iPhone or same to same. End-to-end encrypted, no accounts, no duplicates.
- FeatureHow to back up and restore your contactsBack up every contact on your iPhone, iPad or Android phone in one tap, get reminders when the backup is out of date, and restore only what is missing.
- Export formatHow to export your contacts to a vCard (VCF) fileSend many contacts at once as one vCard (.vcf) file by WhatsApp, Mail, Messages, AirDrop or Quick Share. The person who gets it adds everyone in one tap.
- FeatureHow to find and merge duplicate contactsFind duplicate contacts by name, phone number or email, then delete the copies or merge them into one contact, with a restore point and undo.
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