Switching from Android to iPhone is one of the most common phone upgrades in the UK, but the first question most people ask is: what happens to my contacts? The good news is that moving your contacts across is straightforward, and there are several methods to suit different situations — whether you are mid-switch, already on your new iPhone, or just want to keep both devices in sync. This guide walks you through each option in plain English, so you can pick the one that works best for you.
Method 1: Use the Move to iOS App (Easiest for a Fresh Switch)
If you have just taken your new iPhone out of the box and have not set it up yet, this is by far the simplest route. Apple’s official Move to iOS app transfers not just your contacts, but also messages, photos, videos, bookmarks, and even some app data — all in one go over a private Wi-Fi connection.
How to use Move to iOS
- On your Android phone, install the Move to iOS app from the Google Play Store.
- On your new iPhone, begin the setup process. When you reach the Apps & Data screen, tap Move Data from Android.
- Your iPhone will display a ten-digit code. Enter this code into the Move to iOS app on your Android.
- Select the content you want to transfer — make sure Contacts is ticked — then tap Continue.
- Keep both phones near each other and plugged in until the transfer bar completes.
This method works best before you have started using your new iPhone. If you have already gone through setup, you will need one of the methods below instead.
Method 2: Sync Google Contacts to Your iPhone (Best for Ongoing Use)
If your Android contacts are saved to your Google account — which they almost certainly are, as this is the default on Android — then this is arguably the most reliable method. Rather than a one-off transfer, it keeps your contacts permanently synced via the cloud. Add a contact on your iPhone, and it appears on your Android, and vice versa.
How to add your Google account to iPhone
- On your iPhone, open Settings.
- Scroll down and tap Contacts, then Accounts, then Add Account.
- Select Google and sign in with the same Google account you use on your Android phone.
- When prompted, make sure the Contacts toggle is switched on.
- Tap Save.
Your Google contacts will appear in the iPhone’s Contacts app within a few minutes. For most business users, this is the method we would recommend — it is low-effort, automatic, and you never have to think about it again.
Method 3: Export a vCard from Android and Import via iCloud
If you would rather keep your contacts stored directly on your iPhone rather than via Google, you can export them as a vCard file (.vcf) and import them into iCloud. This gives you full control and does not require keeping a Google account linked to your iPhone.
Step 1: Export contacts from Android
- Open the Contacts app on your Android phone.
- Tap the menu (usually three dots or lines in the top corner) and select Import/Export or Manage Contacts.
- Choose Export to .vcf file and save it to your phone’s storage or Google Drive.
Step 2: Import the vCard into iCloud
- On a computer (Windows or Mac), go to iCloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID.
- Click Contacts.
- Click the settings cog icon in the bottom-left corner and select Import vCard.
- Locate and upload the .vcf file you exported from Android.
- Your contacts will sync to your iPhone automatically within a few minutes, provided iCloud Contacts is enabled in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.
This method is particularly useful if you have a clean break from Google and want everything living natively in Apple’s ecosystem going forward.
Method 4: Transfer via SIM Card
Older phones and some networks allowed you to save contacts directly to the SIM card, and you can copy these across by inserting the SIM into your iPhone. However, this method has significant limitations worth knowing before you rely on it.
How to import SIM contacts on iPhone
- Insert your Android SIM card into your iPhone (you may need an adapter if the SIM size differs).
- Go to Settings > Contacts > Import SIM Contacts.
- Tap Import SIM Contacts and wait for the process to complete.
The downside is that SIM cards can only store a limited number of contacts and only hold basic information — typically just a name and phone number. Email addresses, job titles, company names, and notes are not saved to SIM. Most modern Android users have their contacts stored in Google, not on the SIM, so this method may return very few results. Use it as a backup rather than a primary approach.
What to Check After the Transfer
Once your contacts have moved across, it is worth taking a few minutes to run through these checks before you start handing out your new number.
Duplicates
If you have used more than one transfer method, or had contacts saved in multiple places (Google, SIM, and phone storage), you may end up with duplicates. On iPhone, go to Contacts, then tap your name or the Lists button, and look for a Duplicates Found prompt — iOS can merge them automatically.
Missing numbers
Scroll through your contact list and spot-check a handful of entries. Make sure phone numbers, email addresses, and company names have come across correctly. If a large group appears to be missing, check which account they were saved under on your Android device — contacts saved to “Phone” rather than “Google” will not transfer via the Google sync method.
WhatsApp contacts
WhatsApp contacts are not stored separately — they are just your phone’s contacts cross-referenced against WhatsApp’s database. Once your contacts are on your iPhone and you have installed WhatsApp, your existing chats (if transferred) and contact list should appear normally. Note that WhatsApp chat history requires a separate migration process using WhatsApp’s own Move Chats to iPhone feature.
Tips for Keeping Contacts in Sync Going Forward
Once you are settled on your iPhone, a few simple habits will save you headaches down the line:
- Pick one home for your contacts — either iCloud or Google, not both. Mixed storage leads to duplicates and confusion.
- Enable iCloud Contacts if you are fully in the Apple ecosystem: Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Contacts — toggle it on. This backs up your contacts automatically.
- Do not save contacts to SIM — it is an outdated habit that limits the information you can store. Always save to your chosen cloud account.
- Check your default account: Go to Settings > Contacts > Default Account and make sure new contacts are being saved to your preferred account (iCloud or Google), not just to your phone locally.
Summary
Transferring contacts from Android to iPhone does not need to be complicated. If you are setting up a brand-new iPhone, the Move to iOS app handles everything in one step. If you are already set up and your contacts live in Google, simply add your Google account to the iPhone and enable Contacts sync — it takes under two minutes. For those who want their contacts fully inside Apple’s ecosystem, exporting a vCard and importing via iCloud.com is a clean, reliable option. The SIM method is there as a last resort, but for most people it will not be necessary. Once you have transferred, enable iCloud Contacts or stick with Google sync, pick a single account as your default, and your contacts will look after themselves from that point on.
