How to Transfer Contacts From Android to Android
Moving to a new Android? Google account sync copies your contacts automatically. Plus a .vcf export, SIM transfer, and Samsung-to-Pixel — the clean way for each.
The clean way to move contacts between Android phones is Google account sync: turn on contacts sync on the old phone, sign in with the same Google account on the new one, and they download by themselves. If you would rather not use an account, export a .vcf file instead.
The Google account way (best)
On the old phone, open Settings, Google, All services, Contacts sync — or Settings, Accounts, your Google account, and make sure Contacts is on — then tap Sync now. On the new phone, sign in with the same Google account during setup, and the contacts appear automatically, with names, numbers, emails, and photos intact. Prefer this method because it keeps everything and needs no files.
| Method | Best for | Keeps |
|---|---|---|
| Google sync | Any Android, the default | Everything |
| .vcf export/import | No Google account | Names, numbers, emails, photos |
| SIM card import | A quick fallback | Name + number only |
| Samsung Smart Switch | Moving into a Galaxy | Everything (Galaxy only) |
Without a Google account, or via SIM
To move contacts without an account, open the Contacts app, choose Export to a .vcf (vCard) file, and move that file to the new phone by cable, Quick Share, or email, then Import it. A vCard carries names, numbers, emails, and photos. A SIM card also works as a fallback — Contacts, Organize, Manage SIM, Import — but a SIM stores only names and numbers, and just a few hundred entries, so it is a last resort, not the clean route.
Samsung, and cleaning up after
Samsung’s Smart Switch copies everything, but only into a Galaxy phone — it will not send to a Pixel. Going from a Galaxy to a Pixel, sync the Galaxy’s contacts to Google first (Settings, Accounts and backup, Manage accounts, Google, Contacts on), then sign in on the Pixel. After any transfer you may see duplicates, or find some contacts missing because they were saved to the SIM or a Samsung account rather than Google; merging duplicate contacts cleans those up. It is also a good moment to confirm your Android backup is on, and to move your WhatsApp chats separately, since those do not travel with contacts.
Google sync is the method to use whenever you can — it is automatic and keeps everything. Save the .vcf and SIM routes for when there is no account, and expect to merge a few duplicates afterward.
Common questions
How do I transfer contacts without a Google account?
Export them to a .vcf file — Contacts app, Export to .vcf — then move the file by cable, Quick Share, or email and import it on the new phone. A vCard keeps names, numbers, emails, and photos, and needs no account.
Can I move contacts with a SIM card?
Yes, as a fallback: Contacts, Organize, Manage SIM, Import. But a SIM holds only names and numbers — no photos or emails — and only a few hundred entries, so use it only when nothing else is available.
How do I move contacts from a Samsung to a Pixel?
Smart Switch will not send to a Pixel, so sync the Galaxy’s contacts to Google first (Settings, Accounts and backup, Manage accounts, Google, Contacts on), then sign in with that Google account on the Pixel.
Why did only some contacts transfer, or why are there duplicates?
Missing contacts were probably saved to the SIM or a Samsung account instead of Google, so check those sources. For duplicates, use the Contacts app’s Fix & manage, Merge & fix, Merge duplicates.