How to Transfer Contacts to a New Phone

A universal method for moving every contact to a new phone — whether it's the same brand, a different one, or you've never used a transfer tool before.

4 min read Works across any Android brand

Manufacturer transfer tools like Samsung Smart Switch or Xiaomi's Mi Mover work fine if you're staying within the same brand — but they get unreliable, or don't exist at all, the moment you switch ecosystems. The most dependable cross-brand method is also the simplest: export to CSV, then import through your Google account.

This works whether you're going Samsung to Pixel, OnePlus to Xiaomi, or any other combination, because it doesn't rely on any manufacturer's proprietary tool.

Step 1: Export contacts from your old phone

1

Open Contact Exporter on your old phone

Grant contacts permission if it's your first time opening the app.

2

Tap "Export to CSV"

All your contacts save to a single CSV file, generated entirely on-device.

3

Send the file somewhere accessible

Email it to yourself or upload it to Google Drive so you can reach it from your new phone.

Step 2: Import into your Google account

1

Go to contacts.google.com

Sign in with the Google account you plan to use on your new phone.

2

Click Import, then select your CSV

Google Contacts reads the file and adds every contact to your account.

Step 3: Set up your new phone

1

Sign into the same Google account

Do this during initial setup or later in Settings > Accounts.

2

Let contacts sync automatically

Within a minute or two, your full contact list appears on the new device — regardless of brand.

Why this beats a manufacturer tool: Smart Switch, Mi Mover, and similar apps only work between compatible brands and often require both phones side-by-side over Bluetooth or a cable. The CSV + Google account method works from any phone to any phone, at any time, without both devices present.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this method work between different phone brands?

Yes. Because it relies on a CSV file and your Google account rather than any manufacturer-specific tool, this method works moving from Samsung to Xiaomi, OnePlus to Pixel, or any other brand combination.

Can I transfer contacts without a cable or Bluetooth?

Yes — this is the main advantage of the CSV method. The file transfers over email, Google Drive, or any cloud storage, so no cable or direct device pairing is needed.

What about photos attached to contacts?

CSV exports carry text fields like names, numbers, and emails. Contact photos generally sync separately through your Google account and will reappear once you sign in on the new phone.

Will duplicate contacts be created during the transfer?

Only if the same contact already exists on the new phone from a prior sync. Google Contacts generally merges exact duplicates automatically, but it's worth a quick manual review after a large import.

Export Your Contacts in Under a Minute

$1.25 to download, then $1.20/quarter. One tap to a complete CSV backup.

Download on Google Play