Backup Up iPhone contacts

Method 1: backup contacts to a vcf file

There is a very handy iOS application known as My Contacts Backup that allows users to backup their contacts in VCF or CSV format and save them online. Once installed, run the application and it will show you the total number of contacts you have on your iPhone.

Before you start the backup, first tap the small wheel cog icon at the bottom right and change the export type to “vCards”.

Next, go back to the main screen and tap the “Backup” button. This will backup all your contacts in the vCards format. After creating the backup, email the file (to your Gmail address) from within the app to yourself.

Method 2

If you don’t like installing third party applications, you can configure your iPhone to backup your contacts to Google. All you have to do is to setup a CardDAV account using your Gmail address. To do so, go to “Settings -> Mail, Contacts, Calendars and tap on Add account”. From there, tap on “Other” and select “Add CardDAV” account under Contacts heading.

Just enter the details including your login credentials and server. Make sure you write your complete email address in the username field and use google.com as the server. Tap Next and you are done. After setting it up, open your contacts application and it will automatically sync your contacts with your Google account.

Restoring Contacts on Android

If you are using Method 1 to create a backup of your contacts, open the Gmail app that comes with the phone and open the vcard file that you sent to yourself earlier. It will ask you which application you want to use to open the file. Select “Phone” and it will restore all the contacts to your device.

If you are using Method 2, you just have to make sure that your phone is connected to your Google account. Go to “Settings -> Accounts & Sync” and tap on your Google account.

Now, tap on “Sync Contacts” and it will restore all your contacts.

In the End

Personally, I used the first method to transfer the contacts as it’s less time consuming and can get things done in five minutes or so. Which method do you use to transfer your contacts from your iPhone to any other device? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below. Image Credit: Flickr