How to Transfer Contacts to a New Android Phone

There are few things more exciting than getting a new phone (because odds are you are not going to win the lottery). As exciting as it is, the reality will soon set in that you are missing all of your old contacts, text messages, etc. You know that it’s definitely possible to transfer that data, but how? What is the best way to transfer contacts to new Android phone?

Whether you are dealing with SIM cards, SD cards, going from iPhone to Android, going from Android to Android, Gmail, or phone transfer software, we’ve got you covered. We will show you how to transfer your data so you can still reach out to your loved ones with ease. There are also troubleshooting tips for common problems you can find after many methods. We have also written more general instructions on transferring files between Androids too.

Related: Android File Transfer

Method 1: From Former Phone to a New SIM

If only humans’ knowledge and memories could be imparted or transferred so easily. The SIM card contains a wealth of information about contact and call details. To learn more about Android transfer contacts to new phone, read this.

Step 1: Remove SIM

Dislodge the SIM card from its slot in your old phone.
If you can use it in your new phone, great! That was easy.

Step 2: Save to New SIM

Place the new SIM card in the old device.
Save the data from the old phone’s storage to the new SIM card.

Step 3: Insert New SIM

Use the new SIM card in the new device.

Troubleshooting: Some or All of Your Contacts Weren’t Saved to the SIM Card

Contacts

Go to Contacts on your old phone.

Touch Menu

Alternatively, it could say Settings.

Import/Export

Select Import/Export.

Export

Tap on Export to SIM Card.

Remove SIM

Remove the SIM card from your old phone.

Visit Contacts

Go to Contacts on your new phone.

Go to Menu

Long-press the Menu button if necessary.

Import/Export

Select Import/Export.

Import

Choose Import from SIM card or From SIM to Phone.
Save your contacts to your phone.
Alternatively, you might need to copy your contacts in order to move them.

Method 2: Use a SIM Card Reader

For this method you don’t even have to use a phone. A SIM card reader can even restore some deleted information. However, cloning is not allowed on all SIM cards, so beware before you buy. If you can, this is an easy to transfer Android contacts to new phone.

Install Software

The software should come with your reader.
Install the SIM card reader software on your PC.

Connect Reader

Plug the SIM card reader into your PC’s USB port.
Your SIM card should be inserted into the slot at the rear of the reader.

Transfer Data

Use your PC to transfer data from the SIM card to your computer.
If you use a PIN code to unlock your cell phone, you may be required to enter the code to access your contacts.

Swap SIMs

Replace the old SIM card with the new SIM card in the reader.

Transfer Data

Move the data from your PC onto your new SIM card.

Method 3: Without SIM, Via Bluetooth

Since data can also be stored in the phone’s memory, a SIM card isn’t always necessary. If you have Bluetooth capability on both phones, you can quickly transfer contacts to new phone Android.

Connect

Connect your phones via Bluetooth.
Visit the Bluetooth menu of both phones to pair them.
It can be accessed through Settings.

Go to Contacts

Tap on Contacts on the old device.

Choose More

It is often located to the upper-right.

Tap on Share or Send.
It could also say Send All Contacts or Send Contact or some variation, but you get the idea.

Save

Save the contacts to your new phone.
You may need to give permission for your new phone to receive the transfer.

Method 4: Using a Software Service like TransPhone Phone Transfer AKA Wondershare MobileGo

The creators of this phone transfer software attempt to make this process easier for you by cloning your old address book or specific contacts from the old phone to the new one. It offers you an easy one-click solution.

Download

You can buy a paid version, but contact transfer is free.
To copy your entire address book, scroll to the second set of downloads under Part 2.
Select the correct button for your PC’s operating system.
- If you select Mac OS, but you are running Windows, this won’t work for you.
- Also keep in mind that if you are trying to open Mac files, such as DMG, Windows won’t be able to do so.
Tell your PC to keep the file.

Download: TransPhone Phone Transfer

Run-anyway — **Run**
Windows probably isn’t going to like the file because it’s from an **Unknown Publisher**. Although it has a point, reviews indicate that the source is trustworthy, which isn’t to say that everyone likes the product–it won’t give you a virus though.
Select **Run Anyway** and click on **Yes** in the User Account pop-up window.

Select Language

Hit OK.

Complete Setup

Click on Finish.

Select Device

iOS or Android

Connect Phone

Use a USB cord to connect your phone to your PC.
The software should automatically scan your device.

Must Read: How to Transfer Files From Android to PC (7 Methods)

Choose Contacts

Look to the left.

Select Contacts

Preview your contacts and select the ones you wish to export.

Save Contacts

If you would rather backup all of your phone’s data, go to Super Toolkit>One-Click Backup instead.

Connect New Phone

Connect your new device to your PC via USB cable.
You might have to switch cables.

Import

Click Import.
If you opted to copy the entire address book instead, you can restore your contacts by selecting Restore from Backups.

Method 5: Using Gmail

If you are an Android user, then Gmail just goes hand-in-hand. The advantage to syncing your contacts to Gmail is that they will be backed up to the cloud. Bear in mind, however, that because they are synced, if you delete contacts on your phone you could also be deleting them in your Gmail account.

Most of the time contacts are automatically synced at sign-in. If this is the case, you can skip to Step 7.

Must Read: How to Save SMS to Gmail on Android and Keep Them Forever

Access Settings

Go to your old phone’s Settings.
On most phones you can get there through the Menu button.

Tap Accounts

You might have to scroll down to find it.

Choose Google

Select the Add Account button and then tap Google if it hasn’t been set up yet.

Select Gmail Address

Or tap Next to add your account.
You will then need to sign in with your login or create an account.

Sync Contacts

Ensure that Sync Contacts is ticked.
Or for a one-time sync, you can also select Sync Now.
Google may send an email to your Gmail account to verify that you would like to enact Auto-synchronization.

Finish

Press the finish button if there is one.

Sign In

Go to Contacts

Your contacts should be listed.

Troubleshooting: Only Some Contacts Transfer

Many users experience issues with incomplete transfers. Sometimes syncing with a Gmail account can result in partial transfers. Here’s one way to overcome. Transfer contacts SD card Android.