Manage, Transfer, Backup & Mirror Your Devices

Managing your contacts is essential, especially when you're switching to a new Android phone like the latest Samsung Galaxy, need to back them up to your computer, or want to import a list from a CSV file. You might wonder how to export contacts from Android for safekeeping or how to transfer contacts from an old Android to a new one seamlessly.

It can seem like a complicated task, but it doesn't have to be. This guide provides clear, step-by-step solutions for all your Android contact management needs. Whether you want to export Android contacts to your computer, import them from a file, or copy contacts from one Android to another, we've got you covered.

Part 1. Two Effective Methods to Export Contacts from Android to a Computer

Exporting your Android contacts to a computer is a great way to create a secure backup or prepare for transferring them to another device. Here, we compare two primary methods: using a dedicated tool for flexibility and a manual approach that's built into your phone.

Method 1: Selectively Copy Android Contacts to Your Computer with Dr.Fone

For a comprehensive and user-friendly solution, Dr.Fone - Phone Manager (Android) is an excellent choice. It simplifies the process, allowing you to selectively transfer contacts, manage them, and handle various other file types between your Android and computer. It supports transferring contacts to Outlook, Windows Address Book, and more, and can even merge duplicate entries.

Dr.Fone Basic

Manage, Transfer, Backup & Mirror Your Devices

• Effortlessly manage data through preview, delete, export, etc.
• Transfer all data between devices.
• Robust backup solutions for reliable data protection.
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Follow these steps to transfer your Android contacts to your computer.

1. Step 1 Launch Dr.Fone and Connect Your Device

   Run Dr.Fone on your computer and select "Phone Manager" from the main dashboard. Then, connect your Android phone using a USB cable.

   

2. Step 2 Select and Export Your Contacts

   Navigate to the "Information" tab. In the contact management window, you can choose which contacts to export, whether they're from your Phone, SIM card, or linked accounts. Select the contacts you wish to copy and click the "Export" button to save them to your computer in your desired format (e.g., vCard, CSV, Outlook).

   

Method 2: Manually Export a vCard (VCF) File from Android

If you prefer a free method without using third-party software, you can export your contacts directly from your Android device. This process creates a .VCF file, which is a standard format for storing contact information.

1. Step 1 Open the Contacts App

   On your Android phone, open the default "Contacts" application.

2. Step 2 Find the Import/Export Option

   Tap the menu icon (often three dots or lines) and look for an option like "Import/Export" or "Manage contacts". Select "Export to storage" or a similar command. This will save all your contacts as a single .VCF file on your phone's internal storage or SD card.

   

3. Step 3 Transfer the VCF File to Your Computer

   Connect your Android phone to your computer with a USB cable. Once connected, browse your phone's storage, locate the VCF file you just created, and copy it to your computer's hard drive.

   

Part 2. Three Ways to Import Contacts from a Computer to Your Android

Once your contacts are on your computer, you might need to import them to a new Android device. Here are three methods to accomplish this, ranging from a powerful software solution to leveraging your Google account.

Method 1: Import from Outlook, CSV, and More Using Dr. Fone

Just as it excels at exporting, Dr.Fone - Phone Manager (Android) makes importing contacts a breeze. It supports multiple formats, including vCard, CSV, and direct imports from Outlook, Windows Live Mail, and Windows Address Book.

1. Step 1 Connect Your Android Phone

   Open Dr.Fone, select "Phone Manager," and connect your Android device to the computer.

2. Step 2 Choose the Import Source

   Go to the "Information" tab and select "Contacts." Click the "Import" button. A dropdown menu will appear with several options: "from vCard file," "from CSV file," "from Outlook," "from Windows Live Mail," and "from Windows Address Book." Choose the source that contains your contacts and follow the prompts to import them to your device.

   

Method 2: Import from Excel/VCF Manually via Gmail

This free method uses your Google account as an intermediary to get contacts from an Excel (CSV) or VCF file onto your Android device. It involves a few more steps but is very effective.

1. Step 1 Import Contacts into Gmail

   Open Gmail in your web browser and sign in. On the left, click the Apps icon and select "Contacts." In the Google Contacts interface, click "Import" and select the CSV or vCard file from your computer. If you have duplicates, you can use the "Merge & fix" feature to clean up your list.

   

2. Step 2 Export from Gmail as a vCard

   After importing, select the contacts you wish to transfer. Click the "Export" option. In the pop-up dialog, choose "vCard (for iOS Contacts)" as the format—this works universally. Save the exported VCF file to your computer.

   

3. Step 3 Transfer VCF to Android and Import

   Connect your Android phone to the computer via USB. Copy the VCF file to your phone's storage. On your phone, open the Contacts app, go to the menu, and choose "Import/Export" > "Import from storage." Your phone will automatically find and import the contacts from the VCF file.

   

Method 3: Sync Contacts Directly with Your Google Account

The simplest way to get your contacts onto a new Android device is by syncing with the Google account where they are already stored. This is ideal if you've been using Google Contacts all along.

1. Step 1 Access Account Settings

   On your Android phone, go to "Settings" and find the "Accounts & sync" or "Accounts" section.

2. Step 2 Enable Contact Syncing

   Select your Google account from the list. Ensure that the toggle for "Sync Contacts" is turned on.

   

3. Step 3 Sync Now

   Tap "Sync Now" or wait for the automatic sync to complete. All your Google contacts will be downloaded to your Android phone.

   
   

   Note: While most Android phones support Google sync, some manufacturer-specific versions of Android may have slightly different steps.

Part 3. How to Transfer Contacts Directly from Android to Android

When you get a new phone, the most urgent task is often moving your contacts. For a direct, one-click Android contact transfer, Dr.Fone - Phone Transfer is the ultimate tool. It allows you to move contacts and other data between two devices in real-time, regardless of their manufacturer or carrier.

Wondershare Dr. Fone - Phone Transfer

Ultra‑Fast Phone to Phone Transfer Software

• Move data between iOS to Android and vice versa.
• Transfer contacts, SMS, photos, videos, music, and more types.
• Available with all phones with Android and iOS versions.
• Simple, click-through process.

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1. Step 1 Launch Phone Transfer and Connect Phones

   Open Dr.Fone and select the "Phone Transfer" module. Connect both your old (source) and new (destination) Android phones to the computer using USB cables.

   

2. Step 2 Select Contacts and Start Transfer

   The software will detect both devices. Make sure they are in the correct source and destination positions; use the "Flip" button to switch them if needed. Check the box for "Contacts" and uncheck any other data you don't want to transfer. Finally, click "Start Transfer" to begin the process.

   

3. Step 3 Complete the Transfer

   Wait for the process to finish. Once complete, all your contacts will be available on your new Android phone. It's a quick and secure way to copy contacts from one Android to another.

   

Free Download

Windows 11/10/8/7

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macOS 10.14 or later

Conclusion

Managing your Android contacts doesn't have to be a challenge. Whether you need to export contacts from Android for a backup, import a list from your computer, or perform an Android contact transfer to a new device, there is a solution that fits your needs. For maximum ease and flexibility, tools like Dr.Fone - Phone Manager and Dr.Fone - Phone Transfer offer robust, one-click solutions. Alternatively, the manual methods using your phone's built-in features and your Google account are effective, free options for those who don't mind a few extra steps.