We still use a smartphone to call people and for this we need their number. Today, contacts in the phone book have changed the game so we don’t have to remember anyone’s number, especially our friends and family. The problem occurs when you accidentally delete a contact, reset your phone or lose it. In such cases, your contacts are lost forever unless you make a backup or sync them. Here we will tell you how to backup contacts from Android and iPhone to Google Drive.
Before we move on to the steps, it’s important to understand the difference between backup and sync. That’s why we covered that first. Once you have an idea of what to do, it will be easier to implement it.
Lets start.
Backup and Sync for Contacts
When you create a backup of the contacts, a file is usually created that cannot be changed any further. If you create a separate file or make any changes, you must update and save the backup. Basically, if you back up a file, any changes you make to the data will not be reflected on the connected devices.
Synchronization, on the other hand, continues to update the changes you have made on the contacts without any action on your part. So, if you edit a contact on phone 1, if both are synced using the same account, the same will happen on phone 2.
You should make a backup copy of your contacts when dealing with your contacts, about to format your phone, or when you have trust issues with the sync feature. We have covered how to sync contacts from Android and iPhone to Google account at the end of the post.
Backup Contacts from Android to Google Drive
You can achieve this in two ways.
Method 1: Manually Backup Contacts to Google Drive
One of the easiest and safest ways to backup contacts from any Android phone to Google Drive is to create a VCF file (Virtual Contact File). The file stores all contact information in an organized manner. The created file then needs to be added to Google Drive. All this has to be done manually.
After exporting the contacts, you can import (or restore) them to any phone. This also has to be done manually. The steps are almost similar for all Android phones, but for clarity, we cover the Google Contacts app and the Samsung Contacts app here.
Backup Contacts from Google Contacts App to Drive
Stage 1: Open the Google Contacts app on your phone.
Step 2: Tap the three-bar icon to open the left sidebar. Tap on Settings.
Stage 3: Tap Export. A popup will appear asking you to select the accounts you want to back up your contacts from. Select the contacts and press Export to VCF file.
Step 4: You will be prompted to select the download location for the VCF file. Tap on Save at the appropriate place. Let’s say the downloads folder.
Step 5: Open the Google Drive app. Tap the floating add (+) icon and select Install.
Step 6: Go to the folder where you put the VCF file on your phone. Select to upload to your Google Drive account. This much. You have successfully managed to backup your contacts to Google Drive.
Note: In the future, if you want to restore contacts using the VCF file, first download it from Google Drive on your phone. Then open the Contacts app and look for the Import option in Settings. Select the VCF file.
Backup Contacts from Samsung Contacts App to Drive
Stage 1: Launch the Samsung Contacts app.
Step 2: Swipe to open the left sidebar or tap the three-bar icon. Tap on Manage contacts.
Stage 3: Tap Import or Export Contacts. Tap Export.
Note: To restore contacts in the future, tap Import and use the same VCF file you created at the end of the steps.
Step 4: Select Internal storage when your phone asks where to save the contacts. Press the Export button.
Step 5: Wait for your phone to complete the export process. You will be notified that the Contacts.vcf file has been exported successfully. You will find it in the phone’s Downloads folder.
Step 6: Open the Drive app to add it to Google Drive. Tap the Add (+) icon and select Install. Select the contact.vcf file from the downloads folder.
Method 2: Backup Contacts Directly to Google Drive
In the above method, you have to backup contacts manually. Your phone’s installed apps, call history, etc. You can use this method if you want it to automatically back up contacts and other data on a regular basis, thus making the transition to a new phone easier.
Open Settings and go to System. Tap on Backup. Enable the toggle next to Back up to Google Drive. On Samsung phones, go to Settings > Accounts & backup > Backup & restore. Tap on Back up my data under Google Account. To restore contacts, go to Settings > Google > Install & restore. Tap on restore contacts.
Note: Although this method automatically backs up contacts regularly, you can’t be sure if it’s done. The best way to backup and export contacts is to use the first method if you want to do it once.
Backup Contacts from iPhone to Google Drive
On iPhone too, you will need to create a VCF file for your contacts. But the problem is that Apple does not allow users to create a single VCF file for all contacts on the phone. Therefore, you will need to do this from a computer or use third-party applications. We covered both.
Method 1: Backup Apple Contacts to Google Drive
Stage 1: First, you need to enable iCloud backup for your contacts to be able to view them from a computer. For that, go to Settings on your iPhone. Tap your name at the top. Tap iCloud. Enable the toggle next to People.
Step 2: Open iCloud.com from a computer. Sign in using the same Apple account added to your iPhone. Click People.
Stage 3: Click the Settings icon and choose Select All from the menu. All persons will be selected.
Step 4: Once all contacts are selected, click the Settings (gear) icon again and select Export vCard from the menu. Save it to your PC.
Step 5: Now that you are using a computer, open drive.google.com using a browser. Click the New button and select File. Select the VCF file you downloaded in step 4.
Pro Tip: You can transfer the VCF file from PC to your iPhone and then add it to Google Drive iPhone app.
Method 2: Backup Apple Contacts to Google Drive Using Third-Party Apps
If you don’t have a computer handy, you can create a VCF file for your contacts using a third-party app on your iPhone. Here are the steps:
Stage 1: Download the Backup Share and export app from the App Store on your iPhone.
Step 2: Launch the app and grant the necessary permission to access the contacts. Select the contacts you want in a VCF file. Tap the select all box at the top to select all contacts.
Stage 3: Tap the Export button and choose Share Locally from the menu. You will be asked how to save or share the file. Tap Save to Files to download to your iPhone.
Step 4: Launch the Google Drive app on your iPhone. Tap the Add (+) icon and select Install, then Browse. Select the VCF file.
Sync Contacts Using Google Account on Android and iPhone
To keep your Android contacts in sync with other devices using Google account, open Settings on your phone. Go to Accounts. Tap your Google account, then tap Sync account. Enable the toggle next to People.
Pro Tip: Google Contacts not syncing on your phone? Check out the various ways to fix it.
On iPhone, go to Settings > Contacts > Accounts. If no Google account is added, tap Add account to add your Google account. Tap Gmail if it’s included. Enable the toggle next to People.
Pro Tip: You can view contacts added to Google account at contact.google.com.
You Need to Backup or Sync Contacts
Occasionally, for example every 6 months, we recommend making a backup copy of your contacts and saving them to Google Drive. Apart from that, you should enable the sync feature and keep your contacts saved in Google Contacts.
Next: Do you want to move contacts from iPhone to your new Android phone? Check how to achieve this without using a computer from the next link.
