Before you start: what you’ll be able to do

Switching from Android to iPhone is one of the most common migrations in the mobile world, and the part that generates the most doubt is actually simple: contacts. You don’t want to lose any number, and you also don’t want to spend hours copying them one by one. The good news is that in 2026, there are at least four reliable ways to make this transfer, from Apple’s official method to alternatives that work even without internet access.

To follow any of the methods below, you’ll need your Android with an active Google account, your iPhone already set up with an Apple ID, and a few minutes of attention. No method requires advanced technical knowledge.

Method 1: Using the “Move to iOS” app (Apple’s official way)

The Move to iOS is Apple’s official app for migrating data between platforms. It transfers contacts, messages, photos, videos, browser bookmarks, email accounts and much more in a single session. The transfer happens over a Wi-Fi network created directly between the two devices, without going through the internet.

The important point: this method only works during the iPhone’s initial setup. If you’ve already configured the device, you’ll need to reset factory settings to use this option, which can be a problem. If your iPhone is still on the welcome screen, this is the most complete method available.

How to use Move to iOS step by step

1. On iPhone, advance through the setup screens until you reach “Apps & Data” and tap “Move data from Android”.
2. On Android, download the Move to iOS app from the Google Play Store.
3. Open the app on Android, accept the terms and tap “Continue”.
4. On iPhone, tap “Continue” and wait for the 10 or 6-digit code to appear on the screen.
5. On Android, enter this code. The device will create a temporary Wi-Fi network.
6. Select what you want to transfer, including Contacts, and tap “Next”.
7. Wait for the transfer to complete. Don’t exit the app on either device.
8. When iPhone indicates it’s ready, tap “Continue” and finish the setup normally.

This process can take 2 to 20 minutes depending on the amount of data selected. Contacts arrive directly in the iPhone’s Contacts app, without any additional steps.

Method 2: Syncing via Google Contacts (the most practical for daily use)

If your iPhone is already set up and you don’t want to reset everything, the fastest way is to use Google Contacts sync, which acts as a “bridge” between the two systems. Contacts are saved in Google’s cloud and automatically appear on iPhone after you add the account.

This method is also useful for those who use two devices simultaneously or want to keep contacts updated on both platforms without manual effort.

Step by step to sync via Google

1. On Android, open the Google Contacts app and confirm that all contacts are saved to your Google account (not just on the SIM card or device memory). If there are local contacts, the app itself offers the option to copy them to the account.
2. On iPhone, go to Settings > tap your name > iCloud Account.
3. Scroll down to find the option to add another account and tap Add Account > Google.
4. Sign in with the same Google account from Android.
5. Turn on the toggle next to Contacts.
6. Open the iPhone’s Contacts app. In a few minutes (sometimes immediately), all Google contacts will appear.

An important detail: these contacts are linked to the Google account, not to iCloud. If you want to move them permanently to iCloud, use the export method below or go to Contacts > Lists and export from there.

Method 3: Exporting the VCF file (works in any situation)

The VCF (vCard Format) is a universally accepted file format for contacts, working like a “digital business card” that any system understands. This method is the most independent of all: doesn’t need an active Google account, doesn’t need Wi-Fi, and works even if you’re without cloud services access.

How to export from Android and import to iPhone

1. On Android, open the Google Contacts app (or your manufacturer’s native Contacts app).
2. Tap the three-line or three-dot menu > Export > choose the .vcf format.
3. Save the file in an accessible location, such as the Downloads folder or Google Drive.
4. Email the file to yourself or transfer via AirDrop if you’re using a Mac as an intermediary.
5. On iPhone, open the VCF file from the Mail app or Files.
6. iOS will automatically recognize the file and ask if you want to add the contacts. Confirm.
7. Choose whether to save to iCloud or the Google account linked to your iPhone.

This method is especially useful when Android is from a brand that uses its own contact manager, such as Samsung, Motorola, or Xiaomi, where sometimes contacts are outside the Google account.

Method 4: Using iCloud to import via computer

This is the most laborious of the four methods, but solves specific situations like when you have access to a computer and want to organize contacts before importing.

1. On Android, export the VCF file as described in the previous method.
2. On your computer, go to icloud.com and sign in with your Apple ID.
3. Click on Contacts.
4. In the bottom left corner, click the settings gear and choose Import vCard.
5. Select the VCF file exported from Android.
6. Contacts will appear in iCloud and, in a few minutes, automatically sync to iPhone via iCloud.

This route makes sense for those with many duplicate contacts and want to clean up the list before importing, since iCloud.com has basic editing tools.

Which method to choose for your case

Common problems and how to solve them

Duplicate contacts after importing This happens when you use more than one method at the same time, like syncing via Google and also importing a VCF. To fix it, on iPhone go to Contacts > tap the name > select the option to merge contacts, or use the Cardsync app available on the App Store for batch cleanup.

Contacts don’t appear on iPhone even after syncing Check if your Android contacts are saved to your Google account and not just on the device. In the Google Contacts app, access “Manage contacts” and see if there’s a list called “On device”. If it exists, copy these contacts to the account.

Numbers saved in different format (without country code or with spaces) iOS and Android interpret number formats slightly differently. This doesn’t prevent importing, but may affect automatic call and message recognition. Reviewing the most important numbers after migration is good practice.

The Move to iOS app won’t connect or drops during transfer Make sure neither device entered battery saver mode during the process. Keep screens on and devices plugged in. If the connection drops, restart the process from the beginning.

WhatsApp contacts were not transferred WhatsApp contacts are independent from system contacts. When installing WhatsApp on iPhone with the same number, the conversation list can be migrated via backup (Google Drive to iCloud), but the contacts themselves need to be saved in the phone’s address book to appear correctly in the app.

Frequently asked questions about transferring contacts from Android to iPhone

Are contacts transferred with photos and notes?

It depends on the method. Move to iOS transfers contact photos when available. VCF export also supports photos and notes in vCard 3.0 standard, but some Android apps only export vCard 2.1, which doesn’t include images. If contact photos are important to you, check which VCF version your contacts app exports.

Do I need to pay anything to make this transfer?

No. All methods described here are free. The Move to iOS app is free on the Play Store, Google Contacts is free, and VCF export requires no subscription. There are paid third-party apps that promise more complete migration, but for contacts alone the native methods will solve it.

What about contacts saved only on the SIM card?

iPhone can import contacts from the SIM card. Just insert the Android SIM into iPhone, go to Settings > Contacts > Import Contacts from SIM. The limitation is that modern SIM cards store few contacts (usually up to 250) and without extra information like photo or multiple numbers per person.

Are my contacts secure during transfer via Move to iOS?

According to Apple, the Move to iOS transfer happens on a private network created between the two devices, without passing through external servers. Data doesn’t travel over the internet during this process, which reduces the risk of interception. It’s always recommended to back up Android before any migration.

What to do after the transfer

Before formatting Android, open the Contacts app on iPhone and do a quick check: verify that the most important contacts are complete, with number, email, and photo when needed. If everything is correct, you can disable Google sync on Android and keep only on iPhone, or continue with both platforms synced via Google Contacts.

For those doing a complete device migration, it might be interesting to explore other settings in the Apple ecosystem before leaving Android behind. If you’re also thinking about renewing other equipment along with your smartphone, a good starting point is to check which notebook to buy up to R$ 4,000 in 2026 to understand the best options available in the Brazilian market now.

Contact migration, when done with the right method for your situation, takes less than 10 minutes. The secret is identifying where your contacts are saved today before you start, avoiding surprises in the middle of the process.