“I use more than one Android phone. How could I transfer contacts from one to another and merge both contacts?”
If you use more than one Android device, perhaps one for business and another for personal purposes, you may find that sometimes the contacts on these devices can overlap. In this case, you may need to transfer contacts from Android to Android. The methods are not entirely the same as those for transferring phone numbers between iPhones.
In this article, we will be looking at some of the most effective solutions, beginning with the easiest and the most effective solutions.
Comparison of All Contact Transfer Methods
| Method | Ease of Use | Requires PC? | Requires Internet? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MobileTrans (Desktop) | Excellent | Yes | No | Large transfers, reliability |
| MobileTrans (App) | Excellent | No | Yes (for pairing) | Quick transfers without PC |
| Google Sync | Good | No | Yes | Automatic cloud backup |
| VCF File | Moderate | No | No | Offline transfer without Google |
How to Transfer Contacts Without a Google Account (5 Offline & Direct Ways)
- Method 1: Use a Phone-to-Phone Transfer App (MobileTrans App)
- Method 2: Transfer Contacts from Android to Android using Quick Share
- Method 3: Move contacts from Android to Android with Smart Switch
- Method 4: Move contacts from Android to Android with a SIM card
- Method 5: Transfer Contacts from Android to Android via a VCF file
Transfer Contacts with a Google Account (The Easy Cloud Method)
Syncing contacts from one Android device to another using a Google Account is one of the easiest and most reliable methods. It ensures that your contacts are backed up and automatically transferred when you switch devices. However, if you want a smooth and easy way, you can turn to the method 1.
Here is how to sync contacts from Android to Android using Google Account:
On the Old Android Device (where your contacts are stored):
Step 1: Ensure contacts are synced with Google:
- Go to Settings. Scroll down and tap Accounts or Accounts and Backup (depending on your device).
- Tap Google and select your Google account.
- Make sure the Contacts toggle is turned on. If not, turn it on and wait for the contacts to sync.
Check that contacts are syncing:
- Open the Contacts app to make sure your contacts are synced with your Google account.
- You can verify this by going to the Google Contacts website (contacts.google.com) and checking if your contacts appear there.
Add Google Account:
- Go to Settings > Accounts > Add Account > Google.
- Sign in with the same Google account used on the old device.
Enable Contacts Sync:
- Go to Settings > Accounts > Google > Select your Google account.
- Ensure Contacts is toggled on and sync is enabled.
How to Transfer Contacts Without a Google Account (5 Offline & Direct Ways)
If you prefer not to use a Google account or need to transfer contacts offline, here are the best methods available.
Method 1: Use a Phone-to-Phone Transfer App (MobileTrans App)
The MobileTrans App offers a quick and hassle-free way to transfer contacts from Android to Android with just one click. Simply connect both devices, select "Contacts," and start the transfer. The process is fast, secure, and doesn't require technical skills. Unlike other methods, MobileTrans ensures no data loss and supports all Android brands.
Step 1: Download the MobileTrans App on your phone and choose Android to Android transfer.
Step 2: Choose the data you want to send to.
Step 3: Scan the QR code to pair phones.
Step 4: The process is to be completed within seconds.
If you want to transfer contacts from Android to Android on PC, you can also use MobileTrans desktop version. It is one of the best ways to transfer contacts from one phone to another.
Method 2: Transfer Contacts from Android to Android using Quick Share
You can also send contacts from Android to Android via Quick Share. Quick Share is Samsung’s data-sharing software, designed for Galaxy flagship phones. It allows users to share videos, photos, PDFs, and more via Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth with nearby Samsung devices. Files can also be sent to non-Samsung and iOS devices via Samsung Cloud. To transfer contacts from Android to Android, you'll need to use your Google account or other methods. Here’s how:
Using Google Account (Recommended):
1. On the old device:
- Go to Settings > Accounts > Google > Select your Google account.
- Ensure Contacts is toggled on to sync.
2. On the new device:
- Add your Google account: Settings > Accounts > Add Account > Google.
- Ensure Contacts sync is enabled. Then your contacts will sync automatically.
Using Bluetooth (Alternative Method):
- On both devices, go to Settings > Bluetooth and pair the devices.
- Open Contacts on the old device, select the contacts you want to share, and use the Send via Bluetooth option.
- Accept the transfer on the new device.
The steps are similar for Nearby Share and Quick Share. You can choose the feature according to your device version and type.
Method 3: Move contacts from Android to Android with Smart Switch
Samsung Smart Switch makes transferring contacts between Android devices seamless. Install the app on both phones, then choose a transfer method: Wi-Fi Direct, USB cable, or external storage. Open the app, select "Send Data" on the old phone and "Receive Data" on the new one. Choose "Wireless" or "Cable," select "Contacts," and start the transfer. Once complete, verify the contacts on the new device. This user-friendly tool supports quick, reliable transfers, especially between Samsung devices.
- Download and install the Samsung Smart Switch app from the Google Play Store if it's not already installed.(Some Samsung devices come pre-installed with Smart Switch)
- Place both devices close to each other if using Wi-Fi Direct. If using a USB cable, connect both devices with a compatible cable and an OTG adapter (if needed).
- Open the Samsung Smart Switch app on both phones. On the old phone, select Send Data. On the new phone, select Receive Data. Choose Wireless or Cable depending on your selected method.
- On the old device, choose Contacts (or any other data you wish to transfer) from the list of options. Tap Transfer or Send.
Method 4: Move contacts from Android to Android with a SIM card
If the SIM card you have on your device is removable, you can easily use it to transfer contacts to a new device by simply copying all the contacts to the SIM card, inserting it into the other device, and moving the stored contacts. Here’s a simple step by step guide to help you do that;
- Open the “Contacts” app on the source Android device and then tap on “Menu” (the three vertical dots at the top)
- Select “Manage Contacts” from the options that appear and then tap “Import/Export Contacts”.
- Tap “Export Contacts” and then select to a SIM card
- When all the contacts on the device have been transferred to the SIM card, remove the SIM card and then insert it into the destination device
- Open the Contacts app on the destination device and go to "Menu > Manage Contacts > Import/Export Contacts" and then select “Import from SIM Card.”
- Keep the devices connected to the computer until all the contacts are transferred.
- You will be able to see the transferred contacts on the destination device in a few minutes.
Method 5: Transfer Contacts from Android to Android via a VCF file
If your SIM card is not removable or you have too many contacts on your Android device to justify transferring them one by one, you can easily move them from one Android device to another via a VCF file. This process is particularly useful since you can transfer all your contacts at once as an email attachment. Follow these simple steps to transfer contacts from Android to Android using a VCF file;
- Open the “Contacts” app on your Android phone and then tap on the three dots at the top (menu). Select “Manage Contacts” to continue. Please note that these buttons may be different on some Android models.
- Now, tap on “Import/Export contacts” and choose “Export” the contacts as a VCF file. This file will be stored in the device’s internal storage with the default filename “Contacts.vcf”
- When all the contacts have been transferred, find the “Contacts.vcf” file on your device and send it to your Gmail address as an attachment.
- Now log in to Gmail on the destination device and download the VCF attachment
- Open the Contacts App and go to “Menu > Manage Contacts
- Select “Import/Export Contacts > Import VCF file and then select the VCF file that you just downloaded to email. Tap on “OK” to begin the process of transferring the contacts to the new device.
FAQs
1. Does Smart Switch work with all Android phones?
Smart Switch is a versatile tool that enables data transfer between tablets, smartphones, and across different platforms. It is compatible with Android 4.3 or later and iOS 4.2.1 or later. With Smart Switch, users can transfer data between Android and iOS devices using Wi-Fi, a USB cable, or a PC/Mac. This allows for seamless and convenient data migration regardless of the device or platform, offering flexibility and ease of use.
2. Do I put my SIM card in new phone before transferring data?
No matter which device you are switching from, it's important not to switch your SIM card until the entire transfer process is finished. Additionally, it's recommended to ensure that both your old and new devices have a minimum of 20% battery life before starting the transfer.
3. What happens if I just put my SIM card in a new phone?
If you place your SIM card in a new phone, your phone number will remain unchanged. Each SIM card is linked to a specific phone number and will retain that number even when transferred to a different phone.
Conclusion:
The solutions above are the most effective ways to transfer contacts from Android to Android. Select a solution that is as easy to implement as it is valid and then follow the instructions laid out above to apply it. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask and we’ll do our best to help.
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Nicola Massimo
staff Editor