Whether you are dealing with SIM cards, SD cards, going from iPhone to Android, going from Android to Android, Gmail, or phone transfer software, we’ve got you covered. We will show you how to transfer your data so you can still reach out to your loved ones with ease. There are also troubleshooting tips for common problems you can find after many methods. We have also written more general instructions on transferring files between Androids too.
Method 1: From Former Phone to a New SIM
If only humans’ knowledge and memories could be imparted or transferred so easily. The SIM card contains a wealth of information about contact and call details. To learn more about Android transfer contacts to new phone, read this.
Step 1: Remove SIM
Dislodge the SIM card from its slot in your old phone.If you can use it in your new phone, great! That was easy.
Step 2: Save to New SIM
Place the new SIM card in the old device.Save the data from the old phone’s storage to the new SIM card.
Step 3: Insert New SIM
Use the new SIM card in the new device.
Troubleshooting: Some or All of Your Contacts Weren’t Saved to the SIM Card
Contacts
Go to Contacts on your old phone.
Touch Menu
Alternatively, it could say Settings.
Import/Export
Select Import/Export.
Export
Tap on Export to SIM Card.
Remove SIM
Remove the SIM card from your old phone.
Visit Contacts
Go to Contacts on your new phone.
Go to Menu
Long-press the Menu button if necessary.
Import/Export
Select Import/Export.
Import
Choose Import from SIM card or From SIM to Phone.Save your contacts to your phone.Alternatively, you might need to copy your contacts in order to move them.
Method 2: Use a SIM Card Reader
For this method you don’t even have to use a phone. A SIM card reader can even restore some deleted information. However, cloning is not allowed on all SIM cards, so beware before you buy. If you can, this is an easy to transfer Android contacts to new phone.
Install Software
The software should come with your reader.Install the SIM card reader software on your PC.
Connect Reader
Plug the SIM card reader into your PC’s USB port.Your SIM card should be inserted into the slot at the rear of the reader.
Transfer Data
Use your PC to transfer data from the SIM card to your computer.If you use a PIN code to unlock your cell phone, you may be required to enter the code to access your contacts.
Swap SIMs
Replace the old SIM card with the new SIM card in the reader.
Transfer Data
Move the data from your PC onto your new SIM card.
Method 3: Without SIM, Via Bluetooth
Since data can also be stored in the phone’s memory, a SIM card isn’t always necessary. If you have Bluetooth capability on both phones, you can quickly transfer contacts to new phone Android.
Connect
Connect your phones via Bluetooth.Visit the Bluetooth menu of both phones to pair them.It can be accessed through Settings.
Go to Contacts
Tap on Contacts on the old device.
Choose More
It is often located to the upper-right.
Share
Tap on Share or Send.It could also say Send All Contacts or Send Contact or some variation, but you get the idea.
Save
Save the contacts to your new phone.You may need to give permission for your new phone to receive the transfer.
Method 4: Using a Software Service like TransPhone Phone Transfer AKA Wondershare MobileGo
The creators of this phone transfer software attempt to make this process easier for you by cloning your old address book or specific contacts from the old phone to the new one. It offers you an easy one-click solution.
Download
You can buy a paid version, but contact transfer is free.To copy your entire address book, scroll to the second set of downloads under Part 2.Select the correct button for your PC’s operating system.If you select Mac OS, but you are running Windows, this won’t work for you.Also keep in mind that if you are trying to open Mac files, such as DMG, Windows won’t be able to do so.Tell your PC to keep the file.
Download: TransPhone Phone Transfer
Select Language
Hit OK.
Complete Setup
Click on Finish.
Select Device
iOS or Android
Connect Phone
Use a USB cord to connect your phone to your PC.The software should automatically scan your device.
Choose Contacts
Look to the left.
Select Contacts
Preview your contacts and select the ones you wish to export.
Save Contacts
If you would rather backup all of your phone’s data, go to Super Toolkit>One-Click Backup instead.
Connect New Phone
Connect your new device to your PC via USB cable.You might have to switch cables.
Import
Click Import.If you opted to copy the entire address book instead, you can restore your contacts by selecting Restore from Backups.
Method 5: Using Gmail
If you are an Android user, then Gmail just goes hand-in-hand. The advantage to syncing your contacts to Gmail is that they will be backed up to the cloud. Bear in mind, however, that because they are synced, if you delete contacts on your phone you could also be deleting them in your Gmail account. Most of the time contacts are automatically synced at sign-in. If this is the case, you can skip to Step 7.
Access Settings
Go to your old phone’s Settings.On most phones you can get there through the Menu button.
Tap Accounts
You might have to scroll down to find it.
Choose Google
Select the Add Account button and then tap Google if it hasn’t been set up yet.
Select Gmail Address
Or tap Next to add your account.You will then need to sign in with your login or create an account.
Sync Contacts
Ensure that Sync Contacts is ticked.Or for a one-time sync, you can also select Sync Now.Google may send an email to your Gmail account to verify that you would like to enact Auto-synchronization.
Finish
Press the finish button if there is one.
Sign In
Sign in to Gmail on your new phone using the same account.
Go to Contacts
Your contacts should be listed.
Troubleshooting: Only Some Contacts Transfer
Many users experience issues with incomplete transfers. Sometimes syncing with a Gmail account can result in partial transfers. Here’s one way to overcome. Transfer contacts SD card Android.
Visit Contacts
Go to Contacts on your old phone.
Touch Menu
Alternatively, it could say Settings.
Import/Export
Select Import/Export.
Export
Tap on Export to SD Card.
Remove SD
Remove the SD card from your old phone.
Insert SD
Insert the old SD card on the new phone.
Go to Contacts
We are going to copy the contacts from the old SD to the new phone.
Menu or Settings
You know the drill. You just did it on the other phone.
Import/Export
Import
Tap on Import from SD card.
Method 6: Ask Your Carrier
Many service providers will assist you in transferring contacts for free. Maybe you aren’t a Do-It-Yourselfer or maybe you have a special situation, like going from a dumb phone to a smartphone. If so, welcome to the 21st Century and there’s no shame in reaching out for help. Here are some common U.S. carrier’s contact transfer policies. If you provider is unwilling to provide the support you need, you might want to reevaluate carriers.
T-Mobile
Does it for free.
Verizon
Free in-store and also offers a Backup Assistant tool on its website.
Website: Verizon Backup Assistant
AT&T
Will strongly suggest that you use the AT&T Mobile Transfer app, but odds are you could get some assistance for free.
Website: AT&T Mobile Transfer
Sprint
Also offers its own app, but should assist you in-store as well for no charge.
Website: Sprint Mobile Sync
US Cellular
Provides a security app that backs up contacts, among other features.
Website: Mobile Data Security
Method 7: Transfer From iPhone to Android
So you are coming over from the dark side, huh? We do understand the appeal of Apple, but we assure you that you will like Android better. Let us make this transition easier for you, despite dealing with two entirely different operating systems. Transfer contacts to Android device.
Merge Contacts
Go to your old phone’s Settings.Tap on Mail, Contacts, Calendars.Choose Accounts.Select iCloud.Toggle to an ON
Head to iCloud.com
Website: iCloud
Sign In
Sign in to iCloud.
Select Contacts
You can select all contacts by choosing Select All.It’s accessible via the gear icon.
Export vCard
When you have selected all of the contacts you want to transfer, click on the Settings (gear icon) again and choose Export vCard.
Go to Gmail
Website: Gmail
Sign In
Sign in to Gmail on your new phone using the same account.
Select Contacts
Go to the Gmail drop-down menu or text link located in the top left.Your contacts should be listed.
Choose More
The drop-down may already be open.
Click Import
Choose File
Select Choose File.Then choose the vCard file you just saved.
Eliminate Duplicates
You can prevent duplicates by choosing the Find and Merge Duplicates option.
Conclusion
There are a lot of options when it comes time to transfer contacts to a new phone. The Android platform is very flexible. With one of the methods we talk about, you should be able to get your contacts off of your old phone and onto your new Android phone in no time. Which method works the best for you or what advice do you have on how to transfer contacts? Have you found other apps, besides MobileGo, that will work just as well or better? Send us your thoughts on all of these topics. Featured Image Credit