A complete 2026 walkthrough covering the manual Google Contacts method and the fastest one-tap way to back up every contact on your phone.
If you're switching phones, backing up before a repair, or just want your contact list somewhere safe, exporting to a CSV file is the most universal way to do it. A CSV opens in Excel, Google Sheets, and almost any CRM — no special software required.
There are two ways to do this: the built-in Google Contacts method, and a dedicated app that does it in one tap with more control over what gets exported. Below is exactly how both work.
If all your contacts are already synced to a Google account, you can export them straight from a browser.
Open Google Contacts on a computer and sign in with the same account synced to your phone.
You'll find it under the "More" or settings section, depending on the current layout.
Select all contacts (or a specific group), then choose Google CSV or Outlook CSV.
The CSV downloads immediately and is ready to open in Excel or Google Sheets.
For a faster, on-device option — especially if you want to search or filter contacts first — the Contact Exporter app does it in three taps, no computer needed.
Grant contacts permission — it's the only permission Contact Exporter requests.
Your full contact list loads instantly. Filter by name or number if you only need specific contacts.
Your CSV file generates instantly, entirely on-device — ready to share via email, WhatsApp, or Drive.
| Google Contacts (Web) | Contact Exporter App | |
|---|---|---|
| Needs a computer | Yes | No |
| Works in a few taps | No | Yes |
| Filter contacts before export | No | Yes |
| Export history log | No | Yes |
| On-device / private | Yes | Yes |
A CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file is a plain-text spreadsheet format that opens in Excel, Google Sheets, and virtually every CRM or email tool. Exporting your contacts to CSV gives you a portable backup you can store, edit, or import anywhere.
No. Exporting only creates a copy of your contacts in a new file. Your original contacts stay untouched on your device.
Yes, Google Contacts offers a built-in export on desktop at contacts.google.com. It works well for a full account export, but it requires a computer and doesn't let you filter or select specific contacts first — which is where a dedicated app helps.
Yes. Contact Exporter processes everything on-device — your contacts are never uploaded to any server. The CSV file is saved locally and only shared if you choose to share it.
$1.25 to download, then $1.20/quarter. One tap to a complete CSV backup.
Download on Google Play