How Do I Save My Smartphone's Contacts?

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction: Smartphone: Save Contacts

Your smartphone holds a lot of your digital life, including your contacts.

For the most part, your smartphone has back-ups already in place for your contacts; it saves them to the cloud, so when you switch phones you don't have to re-enter everything.

This guide will help you check that your contacts are being saved for you, and how to export them so you can save another copy on your computer.

In the digital age, your smartphone's contact list is as crucial as an old-fashioned address book. Losing your contacts can be a significant inconvenience. Fortunately, both Android and iOS offer seamless ways to save and backup your contacts. Let's dive into how you can ensure your contacts are safely stored on both types of devices.

For Android Users

Saving Contacts to Your Google Account

• Ensure Google Account Sync: Make sure you have a Google account added to your Android device and that contact sync is enabled. Go to Settings > Accounts > [Your Google Account] and ensure 'Contacts' is toggled on.
• Saving New Contacts: When adding a new contact, make sure to select your Google account as the location to save the contact. This action automatically syncs it with your Google Contacts.

Exporting Contacts to a File

• Use the Contacts App: Open the Contacts app and go to its Settings.
• Export Contacts: Look for the ‘Export’ option. This lets you save your contacts as a .vcf file. You can store this file in your internal storage or an external medium.

Using Third-Party Apps

• There are various apps available on the Google Play Store that can help you backup your contacts. Apps like ‘Super Backup & Restore’ and ‘MCBackup’ are popular choices.

For iOS Users

Saving Contacts to iCloud

• Enable iCloud Contacts Sync: On your iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and toggle on ‘Contacts’. This action will upload and store your contacts in iCloud.
• iCloud Backup: Ensure that iCloud backup is enabled for overall device backup, which includes contacts. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and turn it on.

Exporting Contacts via Email or AirDrop

• Share Contact Cards: You can share individual contacts via email or AirDrop. Simply open a contact, scroll down, and choose ‘Share Contact’.
• Exporting Multiple Contacts: While iOS doesn’t natively support exporting multiple contacts at once, third-party apps from the App Store can facilitate this.

Using iTunes

• Backup Using iTunes: If you prefer using a computer, you can backup your iPhone using iTunes. This process will include your contacts as part of the overall device backup.

General Tips for Managing Contacts

Regular Backup

• Regularly backing up your device ensures that your contacts are safe. It’s good practice to set automatic backups.

Clean Up Your Contacts

• Periodically review and clean up your contacts. Delete duplicates or old contacts that are no longer needed.

Using Contact Management Apps

• Consider using contact management apps for more sophisticated contact handling, especially if you have a large number of contacts.

Cross-Platform Apps

• Apps like Google Contacts can be used across both Android and iOS, offering a unified approach to managing your contacts.

Backup Before Switching Phones

• If you’re moving to a new phone, especially across platforms (from Android to iOS or vice versa), ensure to backup and appropriately export/import your contacts.

Conclusion

Saving your smartphone contacts is a crucial task that should not be overlooked. For both Android and iOS users, leveraging cloud services like Google Contacts and iCloud provides a secure and convenient way to ensure your contacts are always backed up. Additionally, exploring built-in export options and third-party apps can further secure your valuable connections. By following these simple steps, you can rest assured that your contacts are safe and easily recoverable, no matter what happens to your device.

If you still are having trouble, you can follow the steps below.

2. Mobile: OS Choice

To continue, we need to know what Operating System your smartphone or tablet has.

There are 2 main Operating Systems for smartphones currently available, Android and iOS.

Android SmartphoneiOS SmartphoneAndroid smartphones are produced by multiple companies, such as Samsung, LG, Motorola, HTC, and OnePlus.Apple is the only company that makes iOS smartphones.

3. iCloud: Contacts

By default, your iOS device saves all your contacts to a free iCloud service that you can access from any computer with a web browser.

It's updated and backed-up automatically; meaning you do not have to worry about keeping your own copy.

Accessing Your Contacts

1. Open your preferred web browser on your computer.
   

1. In the address bar at the top, type in icloud.com and press enter or return.
   

1. If prompted, sign in with the same iCloud account you use on your phone.
   

1. Select Contacts.
   

1. You'll see a list of your contacts here. You can edit, add, and delete them, and the changes will appear on your phone in a few moments.
   

4. iCloud: Export Contacts

Your contact list is kept up-to-date automatically between your smartphone and the Google Contacts website.

A saved copy of your contacts will not automatically update. You will need to save a new copy periodically so you're not missing any.

Exporting Contacts from Google Contacts

1. Open your preferred web browser on your computer.
   

1. In the address bar at the top, type in icloud.com and press enter or return.
   

1. If prompted, sign in with the same iCloud account you use on your phone.
   

1. Select Contacts.
   

1. On the left, select the Gear icon, then Export vCard.
   

1. You will need to repeat this step for each contact, exporting each as its own separate vCard. iCloud has no facility to export your entire address book.

5. Google: Contacts

By default, your Android device saves all your contacts to a free Google service that you can access from any computer with a web browser.

It's updated and backed-up automatically; meaning you do not have to worry about keeping your own copy.

Accessing Your Contacts

1. Open your preferred web browser on your computer.
   

1. In the address bar at the top, type in contacts.google.com and press enter or return.
   

1. If prompted, sign in with the same Google account you use on your phone.
   

1. You'll see a list of your contacts here. You can edit, add, and delete them, and the changes will appear on your phone in a few moments.
   

6. Google: Export Contacts

Your contact list is kept up-to-date automatically between your smartphone and the Google Contacts website.

A saved copy of your contacts will not automatically update. You will need to save a new copy periodically so you're not missing any.

Exporting Contacts from Google Contacts

1. Open your preferred web browser on your computer.
   

1. In the address bar at the top, type in contacts.google.com and press enter or return.
   

1. If prompted, sign in with the same Google account you use on your phone.
   

1. On the left, select More, then Export.
   

1. Select the options you need, then select Export.
   

1. 
   
2. Selection
3. In most cases, the second option, Contacts, will export all of your contacts, rather than just a few you may have selected.
4. Export as
5. Google CSV
6. If you want a backup, or want to give your contact list to someone else to use, this is the best choice.
7. Outlook CSV
8. If you wish to import your contact list into Microsoft Outlook, select this option.
9. vCard (for iOS Contacts)
10. If you wish to import your contact list to your Mac or iPhone, select this option.

In most cases, most programs (such as Outlook and other Mail programs) and other systems (such as iOS, Mac, and Windows) can access Google Contacts directly, rather than having to import and export constantly.