Introduction

Switching to a Google Pixel phone is exciting, but moving contacts from your old device can seem tricky. Fortunately, Google Pixel offers multiple ways to transfer contacts quickly and securely, whether your old phone runs Android or iOS.

This guide explains how to transfer contacts to your Pixel, step-by-step, using Google Account sync, Bluetooth, SIM card, or third-party apps, with all menu paths included for Android 13 and 14.

1. Transfer Contacts Using Google Account (Recommended)

If your old phone is already synced with a Google Account:

  1. On your old phone, make sure contacts are backed up:

    • Android: Settings → Accounts → Google → [Your Account] → Sync → Contacts → Sync now

    • iPhone: Settings → Contacts → Accounts → Add Account → Google → Enable Contacts

  2. On your Pixel phone:

    • Go to Settings → Accounts → Add account → Google → Sign in.

    • Ensure Contacts sync is enabled: Settings → Accounts → [Google Account] → Account sync → Contacts → On.

Your contacts will automatically appear in Contacts app within a few minutes.

💡 Tip: Using Google Account keeps contacts updated across all devices.

2. Transfer Contacts Using SIM Card

If your contacts are stored on the SIM card:

  1. Insert your SIM card into the Pixel.

  2. Open Contacts app → Settings → Import → SIM card → Select all → Import.

  3. Choose where to save contacts: Google Account (recommended) or Phone storage.

✅ This method is simple but only transfers contacts stored on SIM, not extended details like emails or multiple numbers per contact.

3. Transfer Contacts from Another Android Phone via “Nearby Share”

Pixel supports Nearby Share for quick transfers between Android devices:

  1. On old Android: Settings → Google → Device connections → Nearby Share → Turn On.

  2. On Pixel: Settings → Google → Device connections → Nearby Share → Turn On.

  3. On old phone: Open Contacts → Share → Nearby Share → Select Pixel.

  4. Accept transfer on Pixel.

💡 Tip: Make sure both phones are on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and within 10 feet.

4. Transfer Contacts from iPhone Using “Move to Android”

Google offers Move to Android app for seamless iPhone-to-Pixel transfers:

  1. Install Move to Android from App Store on iPhone.

  2. On Pixel: Settings → System → Transfer data → iPhone → Follow instructions.

  3. Connect both phones via QR code.

  4. Select Contacts (and optionally photos, messages, apps) to transfer.

✅ This method is reliable for full contact details and works over Wi-Fi.

5. Export and Import vCard (Manual Method)

  1. On old phone:

    • Contacts → Settings → Export → Save as .vcf file → Send via email or USB.

  2. On Pixel:

    • Contacts app → Settings → Import → .vcf file → Select file location.

💡 Tip: This works for phones without Google Account sync or in offline scenarios.

6. Troubleshooting Contact Transfer

Problem: Some contacts didn’t appear.

  • Check if they were saved on device storage instead of SIM or Google.

  • Refresh sync: Settings → Accounts → [Google Account] → Account sync → Contacts → Sync now.

Problem: Duplicate contacts.

  • Use Contacts app → Settings → Merge & fix → Merge duplicates.

Problem: Transfer from iPhone failed.

  • Make sure iCloud contacts are enabled: Settings → iCloud → Contacts → On.

  • Retry Move to Android.

7. Verify Contacts on Pixel

  1. Open Contacts app.

  2. Tap Menu → Settings → Contacts to display → All contacts.

  3. Ensure contacts from Google Account, SIM, or device storage are visible.

💡 Tip: Sorting by first or last name can help locate transferred contacts quickly.

8. Keep Contacts Synced Automatically

  • Enable automatic Google sync: Settings → Accounts → [Google Account] → Account sync → Contacts → On.

  • This ensures new contacts or changes on any device reflect automatically on your Pixel.

9. Backup Your Pixel Contacts

  1. Settings → System → Backup → Back up now.

  2. Choose Google Account backup.

  3. This protects contacts in case of loss or factory reset.

10. Additional Tips for Smooth Transfer

  • Ensure both devices are fully charged during transfer.

  • Use stable Wi-Fi for large contact lists or cloud transfers.

  • Disable battery saver during transfers to prevent interruptions.

  • For multiple devices, use Google Contacts web version to manage and merge contacts before transfer.

Conclusion

Transferring contacts from an old phone to a Google Pixel is straightforward with Google Account sync, SIM card, Nearby Share, Move to Android, or vCard export. Following these steps ensures all contacts are moved safely and efficiently, ready to use in Gmail, Messages, and other apps.

For more step-by-step Pixel tutorials, visit BranQis.com, your hub for Android tips, guides, and fixes.

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