Almost all Android devices sold outside of China come with Google services, including the ability to synchronize your contacts between devices. This should be enabled by default when you sign in with your Google account, but here’s how to make sure. We’re writing this guide using a Pixel 2 XL running Android 9.0, but it should look similar on other Android devices. We’re also using the stock Google Contacts apps, which you can download from the Play Store. These steps may not be the same on other Contact apps, so if you’re having issues, we recommend using Google Contacts.
How to transfer contacts from an Android phone
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| How to transfer contacts from an Android phone |
How to transfer 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.
Transfer contacts from Android to Android using a SIM card
Another method to transfer contacts from one Android phone to another Android phone is by using a SIM card, which fits both devices. You can do this by copying all contacts to the SIM card, inserting the same SIM into another device and moving the copied contacts. This method doesn't involve any Google account; you can do this by following offline steps. To transfer contacts between two Android phones using the SIM card, follow the below steps:
- Open your Android device and launch the Contacts
- Tap on the menu icon, find the Import/Export option and tap on it.
- Now, select a SIM card and click on Export to Card.
- When the contacts are transferred to your SIM card, remove it and then insert it into the destination Android phone.
- Open the Contacts app of the destination (newer) device, go to the menu option and click on it.
- Go to Import/Export option and tap on it.
- Finally, select Import from Card, and it will transfer contacts to your destination device.