Transfer contacts to a new cell phone - how it works

After buying a new cell phone, users ask themselves how they should transfer their contacts to their new cell phone. We show you a simple way via Google Contacts, which lets you synchronize the contacts quickly and easily.

Transfer contacts via Google - so it'll work

The easiest way to transfer contacts is through Google Contacts. With every Android smartphone you have to log in with your Google account, so the two smartphones access the same Google contacts. To start a synchronization, you only have to activate it in the settings of the respective cell phone. To do this, proceed as follows:

1. Start the Contacts app in the source device. This varies depending on the manufacturer, but the synchronization behavior is the same: In the app menu, select either "Accounts" or "Synchronization" and activate the synchronization with Google.
2. Wait for the transfer to Google Contacts to finish. Depending on your internet connection and the number of contacts, this process takes different times.
3. If you have not already done so, you must log in to your new smartphone with your Google account. You do this under "Settings" and "Account".
4. In the account overview, select the Google account in the settings. Now click on your Gmail address. In the screen below you can specify which services are synchronized with your Google account. Here you have to tick the contacts.
5. If you now want to transfer your contacts using Google, first open the "Contacts" app on your old smartphone. Select "Accounts" here in the menu. In some cases the item is also called "Synchronize accounts".
6. Here you activate the synchronization of your contacts. After synchronization is complete, you can find your old contacts in the Contacts app of your new smartphone.

Transfer contacts quickly with NFC - how it works

If you only want to transfer a few contacts, the quickest way is wireless with NFC. To do this, both smartphones must support short-range technology and run under Android 9 Pie at the most: Smartphones with an Android version from Android 10 Q support Android Beam and therefore no longer use this method.

1. First you have to turn on NFC in the settings of the smartphone. To do this, activate the "NFC" item in the "Wireless & networks" and "More" areas.
2. Now open the Contacts app on the smartphone with the contacts and select a contact. If you now put both smartphones side by side, Android Beam opens, while the contact view is slightly reduced. With a click on the contact you can copy it to the other smartphone.
3. Repeat the process for all desired contacts.

Transfer contacts via SIM card

If you only change the cell phone, but not the mobile phone provider or the SIM card, your contacts can also be transferred to the SIM card. This method was used very often, especially in the past.

1. In the Contacts app, select the "Import / Export" item under "Menu". In the following menu you can save your contacts on your SIM card under the entry "Export to memory". With a large number of contacts, however, errors can occur because the storage space is very limited.
2. Now change the SIM card and insert it into your new smartphone.
3. On your new smartphone, do the same as in step 1. However, instead of "Export to memory", select "Import from memory". Your contacts should now be fully transferred.

Further information on the topic "Transfer contacts"

In our advisory area you will also find further information on this topic:

Android: back up contacts - how it works

Sync Android contacts - how it works

iPhone: transfer contacts to smartphone

Back up iPhone contacts without iTunes - Here's how

How do I transfer contacts from one phone to another?

There are different ways to transfer contacts from old to new cell phone. For example, you can use various apps from the app and play store to synchronize contacts between devices. In our article, you can find out which method you use to transfer contacts between mobile phones the fastest.

Can I transfer contacts with Bluetooth?

In principle, the transfer of contacts via Bluetooth is possible, but it is slow and very tedious with a large number of contacts. Another, significantly faster and more practical method can be found in our article.

How can I transfer WhatsApp contacts to my new phone?

The Messenger WhatsApp pulls its contacts from the native contacts app. Every contact you save that uses WhatsApp is automatically a WhatsApp contact. You can find out how to transfer your contacts from one cell phone to another in our article.

How do I get my contacts on my new iPhone?

Using iCloud, backups of the old iPhone can be created, which among other things secure the contacts. In the setup process of an iPhone, you have the option of restoring this backup. However, the method described in our article using Google is also possible and prevents a complete system from being restored if you only want to transfer your contacts, but not other files.

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