How to Backup Contacts on Android

Back up your contacts easily in case of an emergency

Written by Nicole Levine, MFA

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This wikiHow teaches you how to back up your Android's contacts to a Google account, SD card, or a folder in your Google Drive.

Things You Should Know

In your phone's settings you can back up all of your Android's data to your Google Account.
In your contacts app you can back up your contacts to a .VCF file.
You can save your contacts .VCF file to an SD card, a folder on your phone, or your Google Drive.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

1
Open your Android's Settings
. You'll usually find it in the app drawer or in the notification tray.
- This method will help you back up all of your Android's data, including your contacts, to your Google account.
2
Scroll down and tap Backup & reset.

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3
Make sure “Back up my data” is selected. You may have to slide a switch to the
position or select On from a menu.
4
Tap the back button. This returns you to the Settings menu.
5
Tap Accounts. It's usually under the “Personal” header.
6
Tap Google.
7
Tap your Google account. If you have more than one, tap the one you want to back up your contacts to.
8
Slide the “Contacts” switch to
. Your Android's contacts are now configured to back up to your Google account automatically.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

1
Open the Contacts app. If you're using the default Contacts app on most Androids, look for a blue and white icon with an address book or peoples' heads.
2
Tap ☰. It's at the top-left corner of the screen of the default Contacts app.
- Different versions of Android have different Contacts apps. The steps may vary by phone or tablet.
3
Tap Settings.
4
Scroll down and tap Export. A list of accounts will appear.
5
Tap the account with the contacts you want to back up. A check mark will appear next to the account.
- Some Androids may also give you the option to export to an SD card. If you want to do that, select that option.
6
Tap EXPORT to .VCF File. If it's your first time using this feature, you may have to tap ALLOW to continue.
7
Navigate to your desired backup location. You can export to an SD card (if you have one), a folder on your Android, or to your Google Drive.
- To find a location, tap ☰ at the top-left corner of the screen, navigate to a location, then tap the folder where you want to save the backups.
- Be sure to select a folder you'll remember later. This will be helpful if you need to restore your contacts from the backup.
8
Tap SAVE. It's at the bottom of the screen. The contacts are now saved to the selected location as a .VCF file.
- To restore your contacts from this backup in the future, return to the Settings area of the Contacts app, tap Import (instead of Export), then select the .VCF file.