The fastest way: use Google Contacts before you switch

If your Android contacts are stored in a Google account, you can move them to iPhone without any special software. Sign into that same Google account on your new iPhone, go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Add Account, choose Google, and enter your credentials. Your contacts will sync automatically within a few minutes.

This works because both Android and iPhone can read from Google's contact servers. You do not need to export, convert, or use a computer. The contacts appear in your iPhone's Contacts app as soon as the sync finishes.

If you are not sure whether your Android contacts are in Google, open Contacts on your Android phone, tap the menu (three lines), and look for "Settings" or "Accounts". If you see a Google account listed, your contacts are there.

Key Takeaways

  • Contacts stored in a Google account on Android move to iPhone automatically when you sign into that same Google account in Settings > Mail > Accounts.
  • Contacts saved only to your Android phone's local storage need to be exported as a VCF file and imported through iCloud or the Contacts app.
  • If you use a Microsoft or other third-party account on Android, sign into that account on iPhone to sync contacts the same way.
  • Moving contacts during initial iPhone setup is simpler than moving them after you have already set up the phone.

If your contacts are only on the Android phone itself

Contacts that live only on your Android device (not synced to Google, Microsoft, or another account) need to be exported first. Open Contacts on your Android phone, tap the menu, and look for "Export" or "Send contacts". Choose "Export to storage" or "Export as VCF file". This creates a single file with all your contacts.

Email that file to yourself, or save it to Google Drive or another cloud service you can reach from your iPhone. On your iPhone, open the file and tap "Add All Contacts". The contacts will import into your iPhone's Contacts app.

Some Android phones label this differently — Samsung calls it "Share contacts", Pixel calls it "Export". The result is the same: a VCF file that any phone can read.

Using iCloud during iPhone setup

If you have an iCloud account, you can import contacts into it before you finish setting up your iPhone. During the initial setup screens, you will see an option to "Restore from Android device" or "Migrate data from Android". Tap that, and iPhone will walk you through connecting to your Android phone on the same Wi-Fi network.

This method transfers contacts, photos, messages, and some app data all at once. It is the simplest route if you are setting up a brand-new iPhone and still have your Android phone nearby.

If you have already finished iPhone setup, you can still import contacts manually: email yourself the VCF file from Android, open it on iPhone, and tap "Add All Contacts".

Moving contacts from Microsoft or other accounts

If your Android contacts are synced to a Microsoft account (Outlook, Hotmail), sign into that account on your iPhone in Settings > Mail > Accounts > Add Account. Choose Microsoft, enter your credentials, and toggle Contacts to "on". Your contacts will sync within minutes.

The same process works for Yahoo, AOL, or any other email provider that syncs contacts. The key is using the same account on both phones. If you are not sure which account your Android contacts use, open Settings > Accounts on your Android phone and look for which account has Contacts enabled.

What happens to duplicate contacts

If you move contacts from multiple sources (Google account plus local storage, for example), you may end up with duplicates on your iPhone. Open the Contacts app, tap "Groups" at the top left, and make sure all your contact sources are checked so you can see everything.

To merge duplicates, open a contact, tap "Edit", scroll down, and tap "Link Contacts". Select the duplicate entry and tap "Link". iPhone will combine them into one card. You can also swipe left on a contact and tap "Delete" to remove unwanted duplicates.

Contacts that do not sync automatically

Some contacts stored in apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, or other messaging services do not move with your contacts. These apps keep their own contact lists separate from your phone's main Contacts app. You will need to re-add these contacts in each app on your iPhone, or ask people to re-add you.

Business contacts stored in Slack, Teams, or LinkedIn also stay in those apps. They do not transfer to your iPhone's Contacts app. If you need them on your new phone, export them from the app itself or ask your workplace IT team how they handle contact migration.

Troubleshooting contacts that do not appear

If you signed into your Google account but contacts are not showing up, open Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and toggle Contacts to "on". This tells iPhone to store contacts in iCloud. Wait a few minutes for the sync to complete.

If contacts still do not appear, go back to Settings > Mail > Accounts, tap your Google account, and make sure Contacts is toggled on. Then close Settings completely and wait five minutes. Sometimes the sync takes longer on slower connections.

If you imported a VCF file but only some contacts appeared, open the file again and check whether it was corrupted during the export. Try exporting contacts again from your Android phone and importing the new file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I move contacts while I am still using my Android phone?

Yes. Sign into your Google account on both phones, and contacts will sync to both. You can also export contacts as a VCF file and import them on iPhone without touching your Android phone again.

What if I do not remember my Google password?

Go to google.com/accounts/recovery on any computer or browser. Enter your email address and follow the steps to reset your password. Once you have the new password, use it to sign into your Google account on iPhone.

Do contact photos move to iPhone?

Contact photos stored in Google Contacts or iCloud move automatically. Photos stored only on your Android phone may not transfer. If they do not appear, you can add them manually on iPhone by opening a contact, tapping Edit, and selecting a photo.

Can I move contacts from a work email account?

Yes, if your work account is Gmail, Outlook, or another service that syncs contacts. Sign into that account in Settings > Mail > Accounts on iPhone. If your work uses a custom email system, contact your IT department for instructions on syncing contacts to iPhone.

What if I lose my Android phone before moving contacts?

If your contacts were synced to Google, Microsoft, or another account, sign into that account on iPhone and they will appear. If they were only stored locally on the Android phone, they are not recoverable unless you backed them up to Google Drive or another cloud service.