How to Transfer Contacts from Android to iPhone — 5 Proven Methods (2026)

How to Transfer Contacts from Android to iPhone — Complete 2026 Guide

Switching from Android to iPhone doesn't mean starting over. The easiest way to transfer contacts from Android to iPhone is to use Apple's Move to iOS app during setup. But even if the iPhone has already been set up, contacts can still be transferred using Google sync, SIM card import, or manual export methods.

Method 1: Move to iOS App — Official Method (Initial Setup Only)

On the Android device, select the content to transfer — from contacts and SMS messages to call history or audio files — then tap Continue. Leave both devices alone until the loading bar on the iOS device finishes, even if the Android device shows the process is complete. Keep both devices near each other and plugged in to power until the transfer completes.

What gets transferred: contacts, message history, SMS messages, camera photos and videos, photo albums, files and folders, accessibility settings, display settings, web bookmarks, mail accounts, WhatsApp messages and media, Voice Memos, call history, and calendars.

Steps: On new iPhone during setup → select "Move Data from Android" → on Android install "Move to iOS" from Play Store → open the app and accept terms → tap Continue → enter the code shown on iPhone → select data types to transfer → wait for completion.

Method 2: Google Account Sync — Best for Ongoing Sync

On iPhone: Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Add Account → Google → sign in with the Google account → toggle Contacts on → tap Done.

The iPhone syncs Google Contacts automatically when online. To force a manual sync: Settings → Contacts → Accounts → [Gmail] → toggle Contacts OFF → wait 10 seconds → toggle ON again.

Advantage: No need to repeat the transfer when changing phones since contacts are stored in the cloud. Any edits made in Google Contacts appear instantly on the iPhone.

Method 3: Export vCard (.vcf) File Then Import

Works even if the iPhone was already set up.

On Android: Open the Contacts app → tap Menu (☰) or Settings → Export → export contacts to a .vcf (vCard) file → save to Google Drive or email it to yourself.

On iPhone: Open the file from Mail, Files, or Safari → tap the file → choose "Add All Contacts."

To transfer directly to iCloud via iPhone: Visit contacts.google.com in Safari on iPhone and sign in → tap a contact photo to select → tap the small arrow icon at the top left → "All" to select all contacts → tap the three dots → "Export" → select vCard for Android or iOS → save the file → tap the share button from the download preview and select "Contacts" from the iOS Share Sheet.

Method 4: Transfer via SIM Card

This method works if contacts were saved to the SIM card, which is uncommon with newer Android phones. Insert the SIM card from the Android phone into the iPhone → Settings → Contacts → Import SIM Contacts. Wait for the process to finish.

Note: iPhones can read contacts from a SIM card but do not support saving new contacts to the SIM.

Method 5: Specialized Transfer Software

Tools like MobileTrans simplify the Android-to-iPhone transfer process and support transferring a wide range of data including contacts, photos, messages, and call history with one click.

After the Transfer

iPhone can blend contacts from Google, iCloud, Outlook, and more into a single list. To avoid duplicate contacts: Settings → Contacts → Merge Duplicates.

To set the default account for new contacts: Settings → Contacts → Default Account → choose Google or iCloud.