How To Transfer Contacts From Android To Iphone Through Computer

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Robert Triggs / Android Authority

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While Android is still king, iOS is a significant platform, and at some point, you may want to switch over to an iPhone. We won't judge! After all, there are some things iOS does better than Android. You will probably want to transfer all your data over to your new phone, though. This transition is often seamless, but it depends on which devices are involved. In this case, we're talking about two completely different platforms, so it might require a little extra work. Here are the best ways to transfer your contacts from Android to iOS!

See also: Which is the best iPhone for you?

Editor's note: We put together these instructions using a Google Pixel 4a with 5G running Android 12, and an iPhone 12 Mini running iOS 15.0.2. Remember some of these steps might be different for you, depending on the phone and software version you're running.

1. Move to iOS app

Did you know Apple has Android apps in the Google Play Store? Move to iOS is one of the few Apple apps on Google's storefront.

Move to iOS is meant to help Android users; well, move to iOS. Despite the poor reviews, the application does what it's advertised to do. Apple loves making experiences simple and easy, and that is exactly what they accomplish with this data transfer application.

Your mileage and experience may vary, but you can easily migrate contacts, messages, photos, videos, bookmarks, email accounts, and calendars straight to any iOS device when it works.

Install the Move to iOS app on your Android device.
Open the app, follow instructions, and select what you want to migrate.
Select Next.
Start setting up your iPhone. In the iOS Setup Assistant, there is an option to Move Data from Android. Select it.
Your new iPhone will create a private Wi-Fi network. Connect to it.
Enter the security code and let the process run.
Your content will be transferred, and your iPhone will even download free apps you had on your Android device, given that they are available.

2. Use Google sync

While Apple is not traditionally fond of supporting Android users, Google is the complete opposite. Most of the search giant's services and features work very well on iPhones, and grabbing contacts from their servers is a breeze.

Keep in mind this only works if you already sync your contacts to your Google account. Some devices don't do that by default. If you have been associating all your contacts with Google's servers, transferring contacts will be a breeze.

Turn on your iPhone and open the Settings app.
Go to Contacts.
Select Accounts.
Pick Add account.
Enter your Gmail account and make sure the Contacts checker is on.
Your contacts should now be on your phone!

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3. Transfer contacts from Android to iPhone manually using a VCF file

Don't like dealing with all that darn cloud stuff? We can understand. There are also ways to transfer your contacts from Android devices to iOS ones manually. You can make a VCF file, transfer it over to the iPhone and then open it to grab all your contact data. The process is simpler than it seems; let's walk you through it.

Unlock your Android device and head to the Contacts app.
Hit the three-dot menu button on the top-right corner.
Tap on Select all.
Tape on the Share button.
You can now select how you want to share the file with your iPhone. I like sending it to myself via email, so hit Gmail and send yourself the file.
On your iPhone, open then email or extract the file from wherever you stored it.
Tap on the attached file and select the Share button.
Select the Contacts app.
Hit Add All Contacts.
Follow the steps and be on your way. Your contacts have been transferred!

4. Use your SIM card

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Another way to transfer your contacts from Android to iOS is to use your smartphone's SIM card. This is handy if you're either having trouble with your Google account, are offline, or don't want Google's involvement for whatever reason.

The only problem is that Google is moving away from this method, and there is no longer an official way to do it from the Contacts app. With that said, some manufacturers still allow it. Not to mention you can download third-party apps. Something like Copy to SIM Card can be helpful.

Once you've inserted your Android phone's SIM card into the iPhone and turned it on, you'll need to hit Settings > Contacts > Import SIM Contacts to begin the transfer process. Your contacts should then be saved on the iPhone in Contacts.

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5. Transfer contacts from Android to iPhone with a third-party app

Google Play Store on smartphone stock photo 2

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

If you are having trouble with all other available solutions, several third-party apps can facilitate the process of switching to an iPhone. One of my favorites is Copy My Data (Android/iOS). Give it a look!

As you can see, there's plenty of ways to get this taken care of. Keeping your contacts shouldn't be a tough endeavor, so we are glad having multiple platforms isn't stopping us too much. The process isn't exactly straightforward, but you can definitely do any of these without too much effort or research.

Next: How to switch from iPhone to Android