# How to move your contacts to a new phone

Source: https://exportcontacts.com/transfer/
Updated: 2026-11-14 · By the Contaxo team

> On your old phone, open **Contaxo** and tap **Transfer to New Phone**. Scan the QR code with the new phone's camera, check that both phones show the same code and approve on the old phone. Your contacts arrive end-to-end encrypted, and the new phone adds only the people who aren't there yet. It works between iPhone, iPad and Android, with no iCloud or Google account needed.

## What you need

- Your old phone with Contaxo (iPhone, iPad or Android)
- The new phone (iPhone or Android) and an internet connection on both
- Contaxo Pro to save the contacts on the new phone (seeing them is free). A free file method is described below.

## Transfer with a QR code

1. **Start on the old phone.** Open Contaxo and tap **Transfer to New Phone** on the Home tab. A QR code appears. Keep this screen open until the transfer is done.
2. **Scan the code with the new phone.** Point the new phone's camera at the QR code. If Contaxo isn't installed yet, the App Store or Google Play opens, and the transfer continues after you install it. Can't scan? Tap **Send the link** on the old phone instead.
3. **Compare the code and approve.** Both phones show the same short code. If they match, tap **Yes, Same · Transfer** on the old phone. If they don't, tap **No, the Code Is Different** and nothing is shared.
4. **Save on the new phone.** The new phone shows how many contacts are new and how many are already there. Tap **Save** to add the new ones. People who are already on the phone are skipped, so no one is added twice.

## The free way: one vCard file

1. On the old phone, open Backup Contacts in Contaxo and tap **Back Up Now**. This saves every contact in one vCard file, for free.
2. Tap **Share backup** and send the file to yourself by email, Google Drive, AirDrop or Quick Share. Your first share is free.
3. On a new **iPhone**, open the file from Mail or Files and tap **Add All Contacts**. On a new **Android** phone, open it with the Contacts app, or in Google Contacts use **Fix & manage › Import from file**.
4. If the new phone already had some contacts, run [Duplicates](https://exportcontacts.com/duplicates/) in Contaxo to merge the copies.

## Which method should I use?

| Moving from → to | Easiest way |
| --- | --- |
| Any phone → any phone | **Transfer to New Phone** in Contaxo (QR code) |
| iPhone → iPhone | iCloud Contacts sync, or Quick Start during setup |
| Android → Android | Sign in with the same Google account |
| New Android phone, still in setup | Android's own copy step, with a cable or Google's Switch to Android app |
| You don't want to pay | A vCard file from Contaxo (above) |

Contacts spread over several accounts (iCloud, Google, the phone itself) all come along with Contaxo, because it sends every contact your old phone shows.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is the QR transfer secure?

Yes. Your contacts are encrypted on the old phone and only the new phone you approve can open them. Not even we can see them. Each QR code works for 30 minutes and for one phone only, and the transfer is cancelled if the codes on the two phones don't match.

### Does it work from iPhone to Android and from Android to iPhone?

Yes. It works in every direction between iPhone, iPad and Android phones.

### Do I need an iCloud or Google account?

No. Contaxo has no account, and the transfer doesn't use iCloud or Google sync.

### Will I get duplicates if the new phone already has some contacts?

No. Before saving, Contaxo checks which people are already on the new phone and adds only the new ones.

### Is it free?

Starting a transfer and seeing the contacts on the new phone are free. Saving them on the new phone needs Contaxo Pro. If you'd rather not pay, use the free file method below.

### What if I close the app before saving?

Tap **Save Later** and the contacts stay on the new phone, encrypted, for 7 days so you can save them when you're ready.

### Can I use it on a Mac?

The QR transfer is for phones and iPads. On a Mac, [export or back up](https://exportcontacts.com/mac/) your contacts instead.

## Related

- [How to transfer contacts from iPhone to Android](https://exportcontacts.com/guides/transfer-contacts-iphone-to-android/)
- [How to back up and restore your contacts](https://exportcontacts.com/backup/)
- [How to export your contacts to a vCard (VCF) file](https://exportcontacts.com/to-vcf/)
- [How to find and merge duplicate contacts](https://exportcontacts.com/duplicates/)

Get Contaxo: App Store https://apps.apple.com/app/id1546550155 · Google Play https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.onnex.exportcontacts.excel.backup