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How to Export (Back Up) Your Google Contacts

Tap a step to follow along in order.

  1. Open Google Contacts

    Go to the Google Contacts website.

  2. Click "Export" in the left menu

    Click "Export" in the left-hand menu.

  3. Choose which contacts and which format

    Select all contacts or just a specific group, then pick a CSV or vCard format.

  4. Save the backup file

    Click export and save the resulting file somewhere safe on your computer.

  5. Why it's worth it

    In case a contact gets accidentally deleted or you switch to a different service, having a recent backup means you don't lose that information for good.

A five-minute habit that saves a real headache later

Losing contacts usually isn't dramatic -- a sync error, a wrong tap, an app switch gone wrong -- but it's very hard to undo without a backup. Exporting takes a few minutes and gives you a plain file you control.

CSV vs vCard, and when it matters

CSV is the more universal choice for spreadsheets or importing into most services, while vCard (.vcf) tends to preserve more contact detail and works well for moving contacts directly between phones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the exported file in other services?

Yes, CSV and vCard are standard formats that most email services and contacts apps can import.

How often should I back up my contacts?

There's no fixed rule, but it's worth doing right after you've added or reorganized a lot of contacts.