How to Export Contacts from Android
Need to export contacts from your Android phone? Send them to any device with a free 6-digit PIN. Includes Google, SIM, and locally stored contacts.
Exporting contacts from Android is possible through built-in tools, but the process is fragmented and confusing. Android stores contacts in multiple locations — your Google account, Samsung account, SIM card, and phone's local storage — and the export method differs depending on where each contact lives. Google Contacts can be exported from contacts.google.com, but contacts on your SIM or phone memory require different steps that vary by manufacturer.
The standard approach is to go to the Google Contacts website, select your contacts, and export them as a .vcf (vCard) file. But this only captures contacts linked to your Google account. If you have contacts on your SIM card, you first need to copy them to your Google account. If you have contacts in your Samsung account, those require a separate export. Piecing together contacts from three or four different sources just to create one complete export is time-consuming and easy to get wrong.
Transfer Contacts reads every contact on your Android phone regardless of where it is stored. When you open the app, you see your complete address book — Google contacts, SIM contacts, local contacts, and contacts from any other account. Select the ones you want to export, generate a 6-digit PIN, and share it with the receiving device. One step, complete export, all contact details preserved.
Step-by-Step: Export Contacts from Android
Download Transfer Contacts on Your Android
Install the free Transfer Contacts app from the Google Play Store. It takes about 30 seconds to download and doesn't require creating an account.
Select the Contacts You Want to Transfer
Open Transfer Contacts and tap "Send". The app shows your entire contact list. Tap individual contacts to select them, or use "Select All" to grab everything.
Tap "Send to Device" to Get Your PIN
After selecting your contacts, tap "Send to Device". The app generates a unique 6-digit PIN and a QR code. This PIN is valid for 60 minutes. Share it with the person (or device) receiving the contacts.
Download Transfer Contacts on the Receiving Phone
On the receiving phone, install the free Transfer Contacts app from the Google Play Store.
Enter the 6-Digit PIN
Open Transfer Contacts on the Phone and tap "Receive". Enter the 6-digit PIN shown on the sending phone. You can also scan the QR code if both phones are nearby.
Enter the 6-digit PIN shown on the sender's device
Done! Contacts Transferred
Your contacts appear instantly on the Phone. All details are preserved — names, phone numbers, email addresses, birthdays, addresses, and notes. Open your Contacts app to verify everything is there.
Other Ways to Transfer Contacts from Android to Phone
Here are the alternative methods and why Transfer Contacts is simpler.
Google Contacts Web Export
Official Google tool, exports to vCard or CSV format
Only exports Google-synced contacts. SIM and locally stored contacts are excluded. Requires a computer and web browser.
Android Contacts App Share/Export
Built into some Android phones, no web access needed
Feature varies wildly between phone manufacturers. Some phones have it, others do not. Often exports only to a file that needs to be manually transferred.
Bluetooth File Transfer
No internet required, works phone to phone
Does not work with iPhones (they reject Bluetooth contact transfers from Android). Can be slow and unreliable even between Android phones.
How Transfer Contacts Compares
| Method | Speed | Ease of Use | Cross-Platform | Free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer Contacts App | Under 2 min | Very Easy | Yes | Yes |
| Google Contacts Web Export | Varies | Complex | Limited | Varies |
| Android Contacts App Share/Export | Varies | Complex | Limited | Varies |
| Bluetooth File Transfer | Varies | Complex | Limited | Varies |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Transfer Contacts export contacts from my SIM card?
Can I export Android contacts to an iPhone?
Do I need a computer to export contacts from Android?
Can I export contacts from a phone that is about to be factory reset?
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