How to transfer iPhone Contacts to Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and S3

This post is inspired (no surprise) by Samsung Galaxy owner who jump ship from iPhone and stuck in the mess. I previously wrote a post how I transfer Google contacts to my iPhone with Google Sync/Microsoft Exchange.

I first realize the inconvenience of transferring contacts from iPhone to Android (or other devices) when I sold a unit of Galaxy Note 2 in a telephone shop where my friend works.

This tutorial is for Mac users. Windows users should have no problem following the same step.

Instruction: If you use iTunes, please read “On iTunes” for step one and two. If you use iCloud, please read “on iCloud” for step one and two.

Use iOS and Android App to Transfer contacts Click here.

Step One – Backup

You need iTunes or iCloud to back up your iPhone contacts before you can transfer your contacts to other devices. I recommend that you use iCloud, no cable needed.

Cable is good when you have forgotten your iTunes account login password; If you are helping a friend, or a client, use the iTunes for fast and quick manual transfer.

On iTunes

With a use of iPhone USB cable or on iPhone 5 a lightning cable, connect your iPhone to your iTunes on a Windows or Mac.

Click “Back Up Now” or “Sync” to continue to the new step when your backup or sync is ready.

iTunes Click “Back Up Now” or “Sync” to continue

On iCloud

Go to your iOS setting > iCloud > Enable “ON” contacts. If you have this enabled for as long as you can remember, please skip this step.

iPhone iCloud setting iCloud Enable “ON”

Step Two – Export Contacts

On iTunes

Open “Contacts” > Select “All Contacts” or Select “Group” > go to “File” > go to “Export” > go to “Export vCard…” Save the vCard on your Desktop.

Mac Export Contacts

On iCloud

Visit iCloud.com login with your account ID and password.
Open “Contacts” > Select “All Contacts” or Select “Group” > go to “Setting” > go to “Export vCard…” vCard will be automatically save to “Download” on Mac (Mountain Lion)

iCloud Export Contacts

Step Three – Import Contacts to Gmail

Log in to your Gmail > go to dropdown list “Gmail” > select “Contacts” > Select “Import Contacts…” select “Choose File” and find the vCard you have saved earlier.

You’re done importing all your contacts to Gmail and now the last step is to set up your Android phone.

Last Step – Setup your Android

On your Android Smartphone; go to “Settings” Select “+ Add account” and then enter your Gmail account ID and password.

Android_setting

If you have already setup your Android Smartphone with Gmail account, You’re done! Check your phone you should see your contacts. (Make sure phone is connected to the Internet)

Like iCloud, your Google Account will take care of the rest; your contacts by now should automatically push to your properly setup Android Smartphone.

Did I help? Please share…

If this post helps you, please do follow, share and comment are welcome. Please do follow me on Twitter or Facebook, I tweet a lot on a daily basis, you might find me charming.

Sent from my iPad

19 responses to “How to transfer iPhone Contacts to Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and S3”

    • 1. Copied SIM contacts to Android phone memory

      2. Exported contacts to SD Card (on Android phone) in VCard format

      3. Transfered VCard file from SD Card to PC

      4. Created a Google Account

      5. Opened the Google Account from a browser (on PC), go to Contacts, and then uploaded VCard contacts to the Google account

      6. Configured the iPhone (using a separate Windows user account – so as to allow for importing pictures & videos through iTunes)

      7. Created a “CardDAV” account on the iPhone and synchronised all Contacts

      This could make you transfer contacts from iPhone to Samsung Galaxy.

  3. I am agree , this is the best method for me, because I have try to transfer with other and there was not completely transfer all of the contact detail, just transfer the contact name and email without contact number.
    Anyway thanks for sharing.

  4. Hi netster, thank you so much for sharing. pls help , can i transfer ALL MY DATA TO NOTE 2 ? I mean contacts , sms and calender. hv a great day!

    • Hi Chan!

      Thanks for your comment. You can transfer just about any data from iPhone to other phone. unfortunately, I have not try to transferring SMS and not sure how it work. may not be as straight forward.

      As for your calendar, just go to iCloud.com and login to your account then export your calendar to your desktop and import it to your phone or import it to your Google account.

      Does this help?

      • thank you, netster, i have yet to try porting. really appreciate your effort to share. have a great holiday!

      • Good job. To transfer messages (SMS & MMS) from iPhone to Galaxy Android, a program called Backuptrans iPhone SMS + MMS to Android Transfer program can help. It is a paid one but easy to use. All iPhone messages will be transfered and merged on Galaxy Messaging app.

        • Interesting! Will check it out!

          Thanks for your comment and I am amazed you actually reading all the comments.

          Cheers

  7. I don’t claim that this is the best method, but this is my 2 cents to the story. I used to have an iPhone 4S but after the Galaxy III came out, I was overwhelmed by the larger screen size and decided to give up Apple for Android. I used the following set of instructions to transfer my iphone contacts to the galaxy and knock on wood all was transferred safe and sound:

    http://www.copytrans.net/support/how-to-transfer-contacts-from-iphone-to-android/

    I have always been nervous about my iphone data and especially contacts. Not knowing how to transfer my contacts safely over to another phone, not least another sytem was preventing me from switching over.

    • Hello Bobbie, Thank you so much for sharing. That is one neat method too! I am so happy to receive positive alternative to my geeky method *laugh*

      Thank you and I hope to receive your comment again in my future post. Cheers

  9. Hi netster, There is a much easier solution: IntouchApp. You need to just install IntouchApp on both your devices and login with the same credentials and contacts sync between devices in a zap! Any duplicates are automatically merged in the process too. The app is available for free on AppStore as well as Play Store and App World (for BB users). If you get time, please do try it and write about it.