How To Backup & Sync Device Contacts With Google Accounts

It’s hard to manage multiple Android devices or if you’re planning to go for a new smartphone in the near future, Do you know that all your contacts can be synced with Google contacts? You can find all your Google contacts on any Android device you associate with your Google account? But what about isolated contacts which are left on your phone’s local storage?

Since those aren’t stored in your Google account, you won’t be able to access them on other devices. If you are wondering how to get them all in one place, we have got the solution for you.

It’s Easy! You can backup & sync device contacts with Google account and keep all your contacts at one place. We’ll show you how to do that in a few easy steps. We assume that you have a smartphone device that is configured with a Google account, and it contains all your contacts on the local storage.

EXPORT OR BACK UP CONTACTS

Android Device

Step 1. Open the ‘Contacts App’ on your Android smartphone or tablet.

Step 2. Tap the app’s Overflow menu (Three horizontal lines in the upper left corner). Tap ‘Menu’ and then ‘Settings’ and then ‘Export’.

Step 3. Select one or more accounts from where you want to export contacts.

Step 4. Tap ‘Export to .VCF file’.

Turn Automatic Backup Off or On

When you set up your Google Account for the first time on your device, it asks you if you want to back up your data. You can turn ON automatic updates or you can change this setting at any time.

Step 1. Open your device’s ‘Settings’ App.

Step 2. Tap ‘System’ and then tap ‘Backup’.

Step 3. Turn On or Off ‘Back up to Google Drive’ as per your preference.

Computer Settings

If you want to add your contacts to another email account, you need to first download them as a ‘.CSV’ or ‘vCard’ file on your PC.

Step 1. Go to Google Contacts.

Step 2. Put a check on the boxes that appear next to their names to select contacts.

Step 3. Click More and then Export.

Step 4. To back up your contacts, select Google CSV.

Step 5. To save your file, click Export.

Backup Android Phone’s Contacts to Gmail Account

You must be delighted to know that it is invariably possible to backup or sync Android contacts to your Gmail account using your computer or a laptop. Simply follow these instructions properly and you should be able to back up your contacts to Gmail at the end of this guide.

Firstly, you need to open contacts application on your Android phone then tap on the menu button and click on ‘Import/Export’. Tap on ‘Export to Storage’ and save all the contacts to your phone’s storage device or memory card. Next, connect your phone to PC and copy the ‘.VCF’ file on your computer. Or, you may keep the phone connected and use the following steps.

Step 1. Go to Gmail.com and login with your email ID and password.

Step 2. From the top left corner that says ‘Gmail’, click on the drop-down icon.

Step 3. Click on ‘Contacts’ followed by ‘More’ and then click on ‘Import Contacts’ from the drop-down options.

Step 4. Browse and select the ‘.VCF’ file which is saved on your phone storage or PC and click on ‘Open’ to initiate the process. (If the file is saved on your phone then choose the file from your phone storage path or email it to yourself and download the file on the system before following this step.)

Step 5. Now check for all your Android contacts on your Gmail contacts folder and they should be there on your Gmail account.

Also Read: Duplicate Contacts Remover Apps For iPhone

Backup and Sync on iPhone

You can backup and sync all your Google Contacts on your phone, tablet, and computer simultaneously. If you edit a contact on one device, the contact details are changed and saved on all the devices.

Step 1. Open ‘Settings App’ on your iPhone or iPad.

Step 2. Go to ‘Passwords & Accounts’ and then under ‘Add Accounts’, Select ‘Google’.

Step 3. Enter your credentials (Email ID & Password), Complete 2-Step verification if prompted.

Step 4. When you go next, enable ‘Contacts’ sync and Tap on ‘Save’.

Note: To start syncing, you will need to open your iPhone or iPad’s ‘Contacts App’.

Windows 10 Computer

Configuring a Google account to Sync contacts is absolutely easy on your Windows computer.

Step 1. Click on ‘Start Button’ and go to ‘Settings’.

Step 2. Under ‘Windows Settings’ box, Click on ‘Accounts’  click on ‘Email & Accounts’ on the left-hand side panel  Click on (+ sign to ‘Add an Account’).  Select ‘Google’.

Step 3. Enter your credentials (Email Address & password) and click on ‘Next’.

Step 4. Review permissions and then click on ‘Allow’ and ‘Done’.

RESTORE CONTACTS FROM BACKUPS

Step 1. Open your device’s Settings App.

Step 2. Tap Google.

Step 3. Under ‘Services’ tap ‘Restore Contacts’.

Step 4. If you have multiple ‘Google Accounts’ to choose from which account’s contacts you want to restore, tap ‘From Account’.

Step 5. Tap the device with the contacts to copy.

Step 6. If you don’t wish to copy or sync contacts from your SIM card or device storage, you can turn off sync with SIM card or Device storage.

Step 7. Tap Restore, and wait until you see ‘Contacts restored’.

Step 8. To avoid duplicate contacts, your device only restores contacts that don’t exist. Your restored contacts automatically get synced with Google Account and all other devices.

Unable to Sync Contacts?

You need to ensure that your Google Account is configured on your iPhone or iPad using (SSL), It is recommended and secure connection for additional security.

Step 1. Open ‘Settings App’ on your iPhone or iPad.

Step 2. Go to ‘Contacts’  ‘Default Account’

Step 3. Tap on your Google Account.

Step 4. Put a tick on selected accounts and switch ‘Contacts’ ON.

Step 5. Tap ‘Password & Account’  ‘Advanced’  switch ‘Use SSL’ ON  Tap ‘Account’ again  Tap ‘Done’.

Note: You can try adding your account after configuring these settings and it should be done.

Import Contacts

Step 1. Open the Contacts app.

Step 2. Tap the app’s Overflow menu.

Step 3. Tap ‘Settings’  Tap ‘Import’  Tap ‘Google’.

Step 4. Select Import ‘vCard’ file.

Step 5. Locate and select the ‘vCard’ file which you want to import.

Step 6. Allow the import process to complete.

Step 7. By default, all the contacts on your device will be automatically synced with your Google account, so there is no further action required.

Conclusion

We have collated steps on how to sync Google contacts with Android / iPhone / Computers and other devices, now you can ensure that all your contacts are synced and backed up at one place. You can view/edit any contact on any device and all devices will have the updated details.

You can add a contact on any device and all the devices will have that contact added in the contacts list. So now stay assured about keeping all your contacts in one place and backup & sync device contacts with Google account so that you never miss out on any of your contacts on any of your devices.

If you know more such interesting ways to backup & sync device contacts with Google Accounts, then feel free to share in the comments below.