There are multiple ways that a user can transfer contacts from their Android to an iPhone, including Apple’s convenient Move to iOS app. If that’s not an option for the user, there’s also the traditional method, which involves backing up all the contacts on the Android using the Google cloud, followed by syncing the iPhone to the cloud.
Let’s go over both methods, starting with the easy route. If you're looking to move all data from Android to iPhone, check out the Switch to iPhone From Android Guide.
Apple designed Move to iOS for the sole purpose of helping users transfer data to their new iPhones, which means it’s the most efficient option for transferring contacts. It works on any device that’s running Android 4.0 or higher. In addition to contacts, it also allows the user to transfer text messages, emails, calendar entries and emails.
The app collects all this data and then exports it over a Wi-Fi network, and it’s available for free via Google Play.
If Move to iOS doesn't work for the user or the user is on an older version of Android, there are alternative contact transfer options available.
This is the old-school method to transferring contacts, and the only more traditional option would be for the user to manually enter contacts in their iPhone contacts list.
This method requires the user to have their Apple ID and Google ID along with the corresponding passwords, along with either a Wi-Fi network or mobile broadband data for both the Android and iPhone.
The steps for this method go as follows:
The user may not have many contacts on their SIM card, since most contacts get saved directly to the phone now. However, there could still be some phone numbers there, making it important to sync them.
First, the user must go to Contacts and then tap the Menu button. Next, they need to tap Manage Contacts, followed by Import. In the From field, they need to choose SIM, and in the To field, they need to choose the Google account they wish to use. They must then tap OK.
Next, they can select specific contacts to sync to the cloud or use select all to get all the contacts.
The default settings on an Android phone will have it backing up contacts automatically. It typically does this one per day, provided it’s connected to a Wi-Fi network. It’s still good for the user to verify that the contacts are backed up, though.
First, the user must go to Settings, scroll to the Accounts section, and then choose Google. They then tap a Google account to select it, tap the Menu icon, and then tap Sync Now or Sync Contacts. The user can do this for as many Google accounts as they want.
The final step is getting those contacts imported onto the iPhone, and it starts by going to the Settings section on the iPhone and tapping Contacts. After that, the user must tap Accounts, followed by Add Account.
Although there’s a Gmail option, this doesn't allow the user to sync contacts from Gmail, and instead they should choose Other.
They should tap Add CardDAV Account, punch in their Gmail address in the User Name field and the corresponding password in the Password field. They will also need to enter a description. After hitting Next, the contacts will be imported to the iPhone.
