Import and Export Contacts: A Comprehensive Guide

Have you ever come across the terms “import” and “export” in your Contacts app or similar contact apps? Do you wonder what they mean and how to use them effectively? In this article, we will explore the meanings of importing and exporting contacts and provide step-by-step instructions on how to do it on Android and iPhone.

What Does Import Contacts Mean

Importing contacts refers to the process of bringing contacts from an external source to your phone. This source can be a SIM card or a vCard file. Importing contacts becomes useful when you want to add contacts to your phone from another location.

What Does Export Contacts Mean

On the other hand, exporting contacts involves moving contacts from your phone to another destination. This can be done by creating a copy of the contacts and transferring that copy to another location, such as a SIM card or internal storage. Exporting contacts is particularly helpful for transferring contacts between different services that may not be directly compatible with each other, such as Google Contacts and iCloud. It also allows you to create a contacts file that you can use for bulk actions like importing, editing, and organizing contacts.

Does Importing or Exporting Contacts Delete Them

No, importing or exporting contacts does not delete them from the source. The contacts are simply copied from the source to the destination without affecting the original contacts.

How to Import or Export Contacts on Android

To import or export contacts on Android, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Google Contacts app on your phone.
  2. Tap on the profile picture icon at the top and select “Contacts app settings.”
  3. Scroll down and tap on Import or Export. If you choose to import, you will be prompted to select the source of the contacts, such as a .vcf file or SIM card. If you select export, you can create a .vcf file for the contacts and save it to your device.

How to Import or Export Contacts on Samsung

For Samsung users, here's how you can import or export contacts:

  1. Open the Samsung Contacts app on your phone.
  2. Tap on the three-bar icon at the top and select “Manage contacts.”
  3. Tap on “Import or export contacts.”
  4. Choose “Import” to bring in contacts from a SIM card or vCard file. Select the source on the next screen. Alternatively, tap “Export” to transfer contacts to a SIM card or as a vCard file. Choose the destination for exporting the contacts.

How to Import Contacts on iPhone

If you're an iPhone user, here are a few methods to import contacts:

Method 1: Import SIM Contacts

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
  2. Go to “Contacts” and tap on “Import SIM Contacts.”

Method 2: Import vCard File

Unfortunately, iPhone doesn't provide a direct way to add a vCard file to your phone. However, you can use the following workaround:

  1. Email the vCard file to the email account set up on your phone.
  2. Open the email and tap on the vCard file.
  3. It will display the contacts present in the file. Tap on “Add All contacts” followed by “Create new contacts.”

Method 3: Using iCloud

If the above workaround doesn't work, you can use iCloud on the web to import contacts:

  1. Open iCloud.com on your computer and log in to your Apple ID.
  2. Click on “Contacts.”
  3. Click on the “Settings” icon at the bottom and select “Import vCard” from the menu. Choose the file to import.
  4. Once imported, the contacts will not appear on your iPhone unless Contacts sync is enabled. To enable syncing, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and toggle on Contacts.

How to Export Contacts from iPhone

Exporting contacts directly from an iPhone is not possible. However, you can use the iCloud web version to export contacts:

  1. Ensure that your contacts are syncing to iCloud. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and enable the toggle next to Contacts.
  2. Open iCloud.com on your computer and go to Contacts.
  3. Select all the contacts by pressing Ctrl + A (Windows) or Command + A (macOS).
  4. Click on the “Settings” icon at the bottom and choose “Export vCard.” Save the .vcf file on your computer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. What Does Merge Contacts Mean?
    The merge contacts feature allows you to combine duplicate contacts into one, eliminating redundancy.

  2. What Does Move Contacts Mean?
    The move contacts feature enables you to transfer contacts between different accounts without importing or exporting them.

  3. Should You Save Contacts to SIM or Phone?
    It is recommended to save your contacts on your phone with backup or sync enabled to prevent data loss in case of phone damage or loss.

  4. What's the Difference Between Import/Export and Syncing of Contacts?
    Importing and exporting contacts are manual processes that require user intervention. Syncing contacts, on the other hand, is an automatic and continuous process that keeps contacts in sync across multiple devices.

Manage Contacts

Managing and organizing contacts is an ongoing process. If you're not satisfied with the native Contacts app on Android, you can explore third-party contact manager apps that offer additional features and customization options.

Remember, importing and exporting contacts allows you to easily transfer and organize your contacts, ensuring that you have access to them whenever and wherever you need them.