How to Copy Contacts from Gmail to SIM Card: Complete Guide
The most important things found on our smartphones are our stored contacts. Many people collect thousands of phone numbers linked to their friends, colleagues, family, and other clients. Gmail safely stores all of these contacts on its cloud. But, in some cases, users prefer to copy contacts from Gmail to SIM card for backup, offline usage, or while changing their mobile phone.
So, suppose you’re thinking about how to copy Gmail contacts to SIM card, in this article. In that case, we’ll effectively discover everything using the best methods for Android and iPhone users, ensuring your contacts remain safe.
Why Copy Contacts from Gmail to SIM Card?
Some users still prefer to use the old method to save contacts to a SIM card; however, Gmail automates storing the contacts. Here are the major reasons given below:
- Switching Phones Without Internet Access: If you’re changing your mobile phone to a normal phone without network connectivity. So saving numbers on a SIM is convenient.
- Compatible with Non-Smartphones: Some older phones don’t support Gmail syncing, so storing numbers to a SIM is the only option.
- Offline Backup: If you can’t access your Gmail account, your SIM card backup ensures you can access your contacts.
- Use a Secondary Phone: The user with dual SIM wants their contacts to be available across all devices they use.
But SIM cards have some drawbacks, they mostly save only 250-300 contacts and only provide basic information kike name, email address, phone number. Also, if someone has a different contact number, you have to save it again; it will not get transferred.
Suggested: If You Want to Export Gmail Contacts to Outlook
How to Copy Contacts from Gmail to SIM Card on Android?
If you’re using Android devices, then transferring Gmail contacts to SIM card becomes very easy. But, before exporting, make sure that your Gmail contacts are synced with your mobile phone.
Step 1: Before Exporting Sync Gmail Contacts to Your Phone
- Open Settings.
- Navigate to Accounts > Google.
- Choose your Gmail Account.
- Turn on contact sync.
- Rest for a few minutes to sync.
Confirm the sync by opening the contacts app, and also check your Gmail to see if contacts are displayed.
Step 2: Import VCF File to SIM Card
- Open the Contacts App on your Android phone.
- Click on the Three Dots icon, which is in the upper corner.
- Tap on Import/Export Contacts.
- Select the Import from Storage Device.
- Then, choose the VCF file and press Import Option.
This process is in vCard (VCF) format. So if you need to export your Gmail contacts to CSV format, you can recommend this: How to Export Google Contacts to CSV.
How to Copy Gmail Contacts to Card on iPhone
Like Android, iOS users can’t save contacts to SIM card directly. Never mind, here are easy steps given below:
Step 1: Sync Google Contacts with iPhone
- Insert the SIM into any Android device.
- Export this VCF file to your phone through a USB or email address.
- Open Contacts > Import > .VCF file.
- After importing, select Export > SIM card.
Step 2: Move Contacts From Computer
- Launch the Google Contacts app.
- If you’ve got the latest version, then you should select the contacts.
- After selecting, click on the three dots representing more actions.
- Choose the export option that further provides the other three options.
- Finally, export Google contacts to vCard for Android or iOS.
- Confirm the Export process.
Step 3: Import Gmail Contacts on Android Phone
- Insert the SIM into any Android device.
- Export this VCF file to your phone through a USB or email address.
- Open Contacts > Import > .VCF file.
- After importing, select Export > SIM card.
Step 4: Insert the SIM Card Into Your iPhone
- After transferring, insert the same SIM card into your iPhone, and your contacts will appear.
These steps look very tired and very lengthy, but it is the only method that helps in Transfer Gmail contacts to SIM card in an iPhone.
Alternative: Keep Gmail Contacts Synced
While copy contacts from Gmail to SIM card, it’s important not to rely on it too much because of its limitations. Otherwise, you can keep Gmail contacts synced, which gives you many benefits, such as:
- It takes automatic backup across multiple devices that are in use.
- If you lose or switch your phone, your data will easily be recovered.
- Much information per phone number, such as notes, name, and email address.
- It has unlimited storage capacity compared to SIM card space.
Ensure that your Google contact sync is enabled, which helps keep all your contacts safe and ensures numbers are never lost even after losing your phone.
Common Issues Faced When Copying Contacts
Some users may face difficulty transferring Gmail contacts to SIM card even after correctly trying all steps. So here are some challenges given below:
- Duplicates After Transfer: If you’re moving contacts to Outlook, you can see duplicates created that need to be removed quickly, then you can use SysTools Outlook duplicate remover tool, which can effectively remove duplicates. Also, you can use Google Contact Cleanup if you are transferring from Gmail.
- Contacts not synced from Gmail: turn on the Google sync again, or remove your Google account and add it again.
- Contacts are Missing on SIM: If your SIM storage is full, then try to export contacts in small batches.
Professional Tip: Back up Gmail Contacts Safely
If you want to copy contacts from Gmail to SIM card and prevent the risk of losing your critical data, take a backup from a safer, trusted or reliable source. So we recommend using SysTools Gmail backup tool, which allows you to download Gmail data, including emails, contacts, calendars, and many other data, into different formats like PST, CSV, EML, etc.
This makes sure that:
- It can effectively copy Gmail contacts to SIM card from any device or platform.
- It keeps an official backup of your Google contacts.
- Provides full security in case your Gmail account faces some problems.
Basically, depending only on a SIM card is not a solution, as it has limited space. If you take a backup, then it ensures the protection of all your contacts.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve covered how to move contacts from Gmail to SIM card in both Android and iPhone. It’s a direct process for Android users as they have to sync and export contacts only, but indirect for iPhone users, who need a computer, an Android device, and it’s a very hectic task.
However, we explained the best steps so you don’t have to face challenges. You can use a SIM card storage for offline backup if you switch your mobile phone. However, it has a very limited capacity and supports very basic data. So use the suggested tool for backup, which is a more reliable and efficient solution.