Android: back up contacts - how it works

If you back up the contacts on your Android smartphone, you can easily restore them if you lose the device or change your phone. You can find out what options you have for backing up here.

Back up Android contacts via Google

The easiest way is to use your Google account to synchronize your contacts. All data is then saved online and can be transferred quickly in an emergency. You may have already activated synchronization when you set up your smartphone. If not, you can also make up for it. The steps required for this can vary slightly depending on the Android version:

1. Open the settings.
2. Touch Accounts. In some versions of Android, this point can also be called "Accounts & synchronization".
3. Open the "Google" account and make sure that the item "Contacts" is activated. The data is then automatically synchronized and can be restored on any device on which you set up your user account.
4. If you have not yet set up a Google account on your smartphone, you can do so using the "Add account" function.
5. You can now also access the synchronized contacts online at //contacts.google.com.
6. However, please note that only contacts saved in Google will be synchronized. Contacts that you have saved on the SIM card are therefore not taken into account.

Back up Android contacts to the SD card or internal storage

Alternatively, you can save the contacts in vCards format on an SD card or in the internal memory of your smartphone. The necessary function is already integrated in the Android contacts app, but the exact procedure differs from device to device.

• Open the menu and select the "Settings" entry. In the "Manage contacts" section, tap "Export". Select the desired account and then "Export to VCF file".
• Alternatively, tap on the "Import / Export" item in the menu. Select the location of your contacts and set the export destination.
• On some devices you will find the "Manage contacts" menu item. Select it and then tap "Save". Determine the goal. Mark the contacts to be backed up and complete the process.
• To restore the contacts, you must select "Import" instead of "Export" at the relevant point and then determine the VCF file and the destination.

Back up Android contacts on the computer

Alternatively, you can save the backup of the contacts on the computer. There are also several different options for this.

• If you have saved the contacts with the previous instructions on your cell phone or the SD card in the cell phone, you can then transfer the file to the PC. To do this, connect the smartphone to the computer using a USB cable and search for the saved contacts in Explorer.
• Most manufacturers offer additional software for smartphones, which you can use to secure contacts in many cases. However, there are also many free programs that are compatible with all Android smartphones.
• The MyPhoneExplorer is particularly popular and easy to use. AirMore works without any software. You only have to start the application in the browser.

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In our next practical tip, you will read how to transfer your contacts to a new cell phone as quickly as possible.