[2 ways] How to import contacts from iPhone to Gmail

So, you are switching from iPhone to Android and looking for a way to import contacts from iPhone to Gmail. Or maybe you just want to backup iPhone contacts to Gmail. In either event, this article is for you.
Here is how to backup iPhone contacts to Gmail in two ways and a few troubleshooting tips:

iPhone contacts not syncing to Gmail | How to fix
Method 1: Move contacts from iPhone to Gmail as a VCF file
Method 2: Copy iPhone contacts to Gmail directly

Alternatively, check out our YouTube guide on how to sync iPhone contacts to Gmail.

iPhone contacts not syncing to Gmail

How to fix it?

1. Make sure that the Airplane mode and Low Power mode are not enabled.

Background sync won’t work if these are on. Turn these modes off and see how it goes.

2. Check if the Contacts sync is enabled in contact settings.

Go to Settings > Contacts > Accounts > Gmail and make sure that the Contacts toggle is on.

3. Set Gmail as your default account for contacts.

To do that, go to Settings > Contacts > Default Account > choose Gmail. You can check which account your contacts are in with this guide.

4. Check if you can see all Contact groups.

Open the Contacts app and tap Groups in the upper-left corner. Make sure that All Gmail is selected. You can check which account your contacts are in with this guide.

5. Check New Data Settings for Gmail.

Make sure that you get new data as soon as it’s available on servers (the so-called Push option). Go to Settings > Contacts > Accounts > Fetch New Data > Gmail > Fetch.

6. Allow contacts to use cellular data.

If you mostly use mobile data, check if contacts have access to it. Go to Settings > Mobile > toggle Contacts on. Alternatively, switch to Wi-Fi connection since data syncing can be delayed when your iPhone is on a cellular connection.

💡 If none of these tips helped, consider taking an alternative route and transferring iPhone contacts to Gmail manually. The tutorial below will explain how to export iPhone contacts to Gmail.

Import iPhone contacts to Gmail

The first method is very straightforward. Here’s how to backup iPhone contacts to Google:

1. First we’ll save all your iPhone contacts as a .vcf file to your PC.
2. And then we’ll upload this file to Google contacts.

Export iPhone contacts to computer

Download and install CopyTrans Contacts from the following page:

Download CopyTrans Contacts

4.3 / 5 (19,285 verified votes)

If you need help installing CopyTrans Contacts, please refer to the installation guide.
Run CopyTrans Contacts and connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable.

💡 Please wait until all your contacts finish loading (the spinning wheel in the bottom-right corner should disappear). It may take quite a while, but only for the first time. Next time, the program should run much faster.

❕ If your iPhone is encrypted, you may be asked for an iPhone backup password. What password?
Select all the iPhone contacts you wish to move to Gmail. To select multiple contacts, check the box next to each entry. To import all iPhone contacts to iCloud at once, check the box next to Contacts.
Click on Export selected ➔ Gmail.
After that, select a folder on your PC where you want to save the files. All your iPhone contacts will be saved to a single .vcf file.

Import contacts to Gmail

Finally, import the .vcf file to Google Contacts:
Open Google Contacts in your browser ➔ Import ➔ select the .vcf file from the previous step ➔ Import. All done! Your iPhone contacts are backed up to your Gmail account.

Why do people choose CopyTrans Contacts?

⚡ Manage all iPhone, iCloud, Outlook, and Gmail contacts;
⚡ Export WhatsApp chats and iMessages in a printable format;
⚡ Transfer contacts between different Apple IDs;
⚡ Save contacts in .xlsx; .vcf; .csv formats;
⚡ Export messages, calendars, notes to PC.

Get a free trial version 100% safe and clean

Backup iPhone contacts to Google

This method is much faster but requires connecting to your Google account first. Here is how to directly import contacts from iPhone to Gmail:

Download and install CopyTrans Contacts from the following page:

Download CopyTrans Contacts

4.3 / 5 (19,285 verified votes)

If you need help installing CopyTrans Contacts, please refer to the installation guide.
Run CopyTrans Contacts and connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable.

💡 Please wait until all your contacts finish loading (the spinning wheel in the bottom-right corner should disappear). It may take quite a while, but only for the first time. Next time, the program should run much faster.

❕ If your iPhone is encrypted, you may be asked for an iPhone backup password. What password?
After that, in the top-right corner, select More ➔ Cloud setup.

Click on New connection ➔ Gmail.
Enter your Google account credentials and click on Add account.

We care about your online safety: your credentials go directly to Apple through a secure SSL connection. If you don’t want to enter your credentials, use the manual method.

For this method to work, you need to allow Less secure apps connection in your Google Account settings:
Go to Security ➔ find the Less secure app section ➔ Turn on access ➔ Switch it on.
Then, select your iPhone from the list of groups on the top ➔ select the contacts you wish to transfer to Gmail from the list on the left (or tick the Contacts box to select all contacts).
Finally, copy iPhone contacts to Gmail: right-click on the selected contacts ➔ Copy to ➔ your Gmail account.

That’s it! The contacts have been successfully copied to your Google account.