Key Points:
- There are four main methods to transfer contacts from Android to iPhone in 2026, including using the Move to iOS app, Google Account Sync, SIM Card imports, and manual VCF files.
- If you're using an eSIM with your Talkmobile SIM Only plan, then the Move to IOS app may be the easiest way.
- With a physical SIM, most people will benefit from simply taking it out of the Android phone and putting it into the iPhone.
Ready to make the switch to Apple's hardware? You'll need to know how to transfer contacts from Android to iPhone in 2026. Many different methods can work quickly and easily. Our step-by-step guide goes through a few crucial ways that only take a matter of minutes, whether you're using a physical SIM card or an eSIM with your Talkmobile SIM Only plan. It can be daunting to learn a new operating system or the design language that Google and Apple employ; at least bringing over your friends and family members for the journey is stress-free and simple.
How to transfer contacts from Android to iPhone in 2026 in brief
| Method | Use Case | Prerequisites | Time to Do |
| Google Account Sync | The easiest method if you have a Gmail / Google account | You need a Google account that's already synced with your Android phone | Around two minutes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple's "Move to iOS" app | Moving everything from your Android phone over to your new iPhone, including your contacts | Wi-Fi or a USB-C cable | It depends on how much you have to transfer between devices |
| VCF file | Offline transfers and manual contact selection | Email/cloud drive access and the knowledge of how to import the file | Near-instant |
| SIM Card import | Carrying over a smaller pool of contacts that are directly saved on your physical SIM card | A physical Nano SIM card and a phone that has a SIM card tray | It happens instantly, as soon as you put the SIM card into the tray |
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Step-by-step guide on how to transfer contacts from Android to iPhone
Google Account Sync method
- With your Android phone, go to Settings > Google > Backup and make sure that Contacts is toggled on
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Mail > Accounts
- Tap Add Account, then select Google
- Log in to the same Gmail account that you have previously used with your Android phone
- After you've logged in, toggle Contacts to on, and it will automatically populate your contacts book on your iPhone's Phone app
Move to iOS method
- Download the Movie to iOS app from the Google Play Store on your Android phone
- Power on your new iPhone and begin the setup process
- Tap on Transfer Your Apps & Data and select From Android
- Open the app on your Android phone, accept the terms and conditions, then enter the unique code on your new iPhone (it's usually a six or 10-digit code)
- The iPhone creates a private, temporary Wi-Fi network to connect your Android phone to
- Check the Contacts box (and anything else you want on your new Apple iPhone) and leave both phones to finish the process
Important to note: You can also manually tether both phones together with a USB-C to USB-C cable or a USB-C to Lightning cable, depending on the iPhone generation.
VCF File export method
- Open the Contacts app on your Android phone
- Tap the settings icon (three dots or three lines) and look for Manage Contacts (sometimes called Import/Export)
- Choose Export to .VCF file and save it to your smartphone's onboard storage
- Sent the file to your iPhone via email, WhatsApp, or a cloud storage solution such as Google Drive or Dropbox
- Open the file from your iPhone, tap on it, and then select Add All Contacts
SIM card important method
- On your Android phone, open Contacts > Settings > Export > Export to SIM card
- Physically remove the SIM from your Android phone and put it in your iPhone (you will need the SIM card tray tool from the box)
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > Apps > Contacts
- Find Import SIM Contacts and choose where you want them to be saved: locally on the device or on iCloud / Gmail
Aleksha's advice
Avoid using any third-party data cloning apps to bring over your contacts between devices. Both of these stores can be full of unreliable or potentially untrustworthy programs, which can put your sensitive information at risk. Instead, stick to one of our confirmed, safe, and quick methods that avoid the risk.
What's the easiest way to transfer contacts from Android to iPhone?
Of the four main methods, we recommend using either the "Move to iOS" app that's available on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store if you are using an eSIM with your Talkmobile SIM Only plan. Alternatively, keeping things simple and physically removing the Nano SIM card from one phone and putting it into the other is quick and simple for most people.
