• There are two ways to transfer contacts from an Android phone to another Android.
  • You can sync your Android contacts to a Google account and then log into that account on the other Android.
  • You can also transfer your contacts into a vCard file, and then move the file onto your other Android.
  • Visit Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.

If you're changing phones, you don't need to leave your contacts behind. It's incredibly easy to transfer your contacts from one phone to another — especially if they're both Android devices.

Here are two ways to move your contacts from one Android to another.

How to transfer contacts from one Android to another Android

Using your Google account

 The easiest way to transfer contacts is to use your Google account.

1. On your old Android, open the Settings app and tap Accounts.

The Settings menu on an Android device, with a number of different option listed. "Accounts" is highlighted.
Open your "Accounts" menu.
William Antonelli/Insider

2. Select the Google account that you intend to use on the new Android.

3. Tap Account sync or Sync account.

A black page that lists an email address, and an option titled "Account sync."
Depending on your device, this can be called either "Account sync" or "Sync account."
William Antonelli/Insider

4. On the page that opens, make sure that Contacts is enabled. This will make sure that all of your phone's contacts are saved to the Google account.

A list of options. The "Contacts" option is highlighted.
Toggle on the "Contacts" option.
William Antonelli/Insider

Now when you log into that Google account on your new Android phone, all of your contacts will transfer over.

Using a vCard

vCards — also known as .VCF files — are packets of data that are specially made to carry contact information. Nearly every phone can read them, which makes them perfect for moving your contacts.

1. On your old Android, open the Contacts app.

2. Tap the three dots in the top-right and tap Select all.

An Android screen with a drop-down menu. The "Select all" option in this drop-down menu is highlighted.
Select all of your contacts at once.
William Antonelli/Insider

3. Tap the sharing icon, which looks like three dots with lines connecting them. Your contacts will be compiled into a single .VCF file.

An Android page with the Android sharing icon highlighted.
The sharing icon is at the top of the screen.
William Antonelli/Insider

4. Choose where you want to send the .VCF file. You can choose any option you like as long as you can access the file later on your new Android, but we recommend sending it in an email to yourself.

5. On your new Android, download the .VCF file.

6. In your new Android's files app — it might be called Files, Files by Google, or something similar — find and open the .VCF file.

7. You'll be asked if you want to import the contacts. Tap Yes or OK. 

A highlighted .VCF file behind a pop-up window asking the user if they'd like to "Import contacts from vCard." The "OK" option is also highlighted.
Find and import your vCard file.
William Antonelli/Insider

Your contacts will be loaded onto the new phone.

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