How to transfer contacts from android to iphone with google

It's that time of the year. There's a new class of iPhones in town, which means many people will be making the switch to reap the latest that Apple has to offer. Or, you may be upgrading to an older model that just got a sweet new price drop. Whether it's rocking a physical SIM card or eSIM, getting your contacts onto an iPhone from Android remains the same -- and it's not as complicated as you may think.

Table of Contents Show

Option 1: During the Initial Setup Process
Option 2: Import Your Google Contacts
Option 3: Export and Import a File

Below I've listed three simple methods to transfer your contacts from Android to iOS, with the first one being my go-to if you're just starting to set up your iPhone.

The first method is Apple's own 'Move to iOS' app. You can download the first-party service on Google's Play store for free and use it to transfer contacts, photos and videos, and more.

Note: In order for the service to work, you'll have to be in the iOS Setup Assistant, which is the start-up page when you first turn on your new iPhone. If you've already set up the device, look to the second method in this guide.

1. Once 'Move to iOS' is installed, accept the terms and conditions, and allow the application to access your Android phone's location.

2. You will then be asked to Find Your Code. Tap Continue. From your iPhone, follow through the Setup Assistant until you see Move Data from Android.

3. Enter the six or ten-digit code from the iPhone into the Android. A Transfer Data screen will appear, with a list of items you can copy over to your iPhone. If you're just moving your contacts, check off the respective bullet. If you want to move all of your files and data, check off everything.

4. Leave your Android and iPhone untouched while the transfer is processing. Depending on how much you're moving from phone to phone, it can take as long as 30 minutes.

More: How to transfer your number to Apple's newest iPhone

Switching to an iPhone from Android might seem like a daunting process. You probably have a deep contact list that has been curated over the years. Thankfully, it’s pretty easy to transfer your contacts to an iPhone.

Option 1: During the Initial Setup Process

Apple has an official “Move to iOS” app that’s available in the Google Play Store for Android devices. This is a great tool, but it only works while setting up a new iPhone. If your iPhone hasn’t been set up yet, download the app on your Android device and follow the instructions to transfer contacts.

Apple

There are still a few options to transfer contacts if you’ve already gotten past the initial iPhone setup process.

RELATED: How to Switch From Android to iPhone

Option 2: Import Your Google Contacts

If the contacts on your Android phone are backed up to your Google account, we can transfer them to your iPhone easily. First, open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Scroll down to “Contacts.”

Next, select “Accounts.”

If you didn’t add your Google account here already, tap “Add Account.” (If you have added it, tap the name of your Google account.)

Now, we can select “Google” from the list of services. Follow the steps to sign in to the same Google account that you used on your Android device.

After you’re signed in, you’ll be brought to a screen with a few options for things to sync.

Make sure that “Contacts” is toggled on and tap “Save.”

That’s all there is to it for Google contacts. You’ll see all of your contacts appear in the iPhone “Contacts” app right away.

Option 3: Export and Import a File

Not everyone has their contacts synced up to a service. The best solution, in this case, is to export your contacts from Android and import them onto your iPhone. This process will look slightly different depending on your Android device.

For example, we’ll use Google’s Contacts app for Android. Open the app on your Android device and tap the hamburger menu in the top-left corner. Select “Settings” from the menu.

Scroll down to the “Manage Contacts” section and select “Export.”

You’ll be brought to a file manager, and you can select where you want to save the .vcf file. Tap “Save” when you’re done.

Now, you need to get that .vcf file onto your iPhone somehow. You can email it to yourself, upload it to a cloud storage service such as Google Drive, or send it over Bluetooth. Do whatever you’re comfortable with.

After you get it onto your iPhone, open the .vcf file once it’s there.

When it asks which app you’d like to open the file in, select “Contacts.”

Now, you can select the contacts individually to create new contacts or merge with existing contacts. To transfer them all, tap “Add All # Contacts” at the top.

Select “Add All # Contacts” to confirm your decision.

That’s all there is to it. Your contacts will now be moved over to your iPhone, and you can put your Android device in a drawer and forget about it. Or, you could turn it into something useful.

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