Go to contacts.google.com, select the contacts you want to export (or click the checkbox at the top, then “All”), click Export (the icon with an upward arrow or via the three-dot menu), choose “vCard (for iOS Contacts)”, and click Export. A file named “contacts.vcf” downloads to your computer. Despite the “iOS” label, this produces a standard vCard 3.0 file that works everywhere.
Introduction
Google Contacts is the default address book for Android phones, Gmail, and Google Workspace. If you need to export Google Contacts to VCF for a backup, a phone transfer, or migration to another platform, Google provides a free built-in export feature on the web. No paid software is needed.
This guide covers three free methods, explains what data Google includes and excludes in the export (the photo and label limitations surprise most users), and provides the correct steps for exporting specific labels or groups. We have been building VCF conversion tools at Univik since 2013 and have tested Google’s export across thousands of contact files.
Method 1: Export from Google Contacts (Web)
The primary method. Works from any computer with a web browser.
1
Go to contacts.google.com and sign in with your Google account.
2
Select contacts to export. Choose vCard (VCF) when exporting contacts for phone imports, Apple devices, Thunderbird, or other non-Google platforms. To preserve label assignments or prepare for re-import into Google Contacts, go with the Google CSV format instead. If your destination is Microsoft Outlook, selecting the Outlook CSV format helps prevent field mapping errors during import.
3
Click Export. You will find the Export option by clicking the three-dot icon (More actions) after selecting contacts, or by clicking the export icon in the top right area. In the export dialog, choose “vCard (for iOS Contacts)” and click Export. A file named “contacts.vcf” downloads to your computer’s Downloads folder.
The “vCard (for iOS Contacts)” label is misleading. This option produces a standard vCard 3.0 file that works with every platform: Android, iPhone, Outlook, Thunderbird, and all CRM systems. Google labels it “for iOS” because Apple products commonly use vCard, but the format is universal. Always choose this option when you want a VCF file.
Method 2: Export from Android Contacts App
If your Google contacts are synced to an Android phone, you can export directly from the device without a computer.
1
Open the Contacts app on your Android phone. If you use Samsung, Xiaomi, or another manufacturer’s contacts app, install Google’s Contacts app from the Play Store for the cleanest export.
2
Tap Fix and manage (at the bottom of the contacts list in Google’s Contacts app) or go to the three-dot menu and tap Settings, then “Export contacts” or “Export”.
3
Select the Google account you want to export from (if you have multiple accounts), choose a save location, and tap Save. The file is saved as “contacts.vcf” in your Downloads folder. For a detailed walkthrough of manufacturer-specific menu paths, see our export Android contacts to VCF guide.
Method 3: Google Takeout (Full Backup)
Google Takeout exports your entire Google account data, including contacts. This method is useful when you want a complete backup or when the standard export fails.
1
Go to takeout.google.com and sign in. Click “Deselect all” to clear all data categories, then scroll down and check only “Contacts”. Click “All contacts data included” to verify the format is set to vCard.
2
Click “Next step”. Choose your delivery method (download link via email, save to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive). Select file type (ZIP) and size. Click “Create export”.
3
Download the archive. Google sends a download link to your email (may take minutes to hours depending on data size). The ZIP contains a Contacts folder with VCF files organized into subfolders: “All Contacts”, “My Contacts”, and “Starred in Android”.
Google Takeout exports contacts that the standard export might miss, including contacts in the “Other contacts” list (people you have emailed but never saved as a contact). Use this method for the most complete backup.
How to Export a Specific Label or Group
Google Contacts organizes contacts with labels (formerly called groups). You can export only the contacts in a specific label.
1
Go to contacts.google.com and click the label name in the left sidebar (e.g., “Work”, “Family”, “Clients”).
2
Select all contacts in the label (checkbox at the top, then “All”), click Export, choose “vCard”, and click Export. The VCF file contains only the contacts from that label.
Note that the exported VCF file does not include label membership information. If you import this VCF into another platform, the contacts will not be assigned to any group. Label data is only preserved in Google CSV format.
What Data Gets Exported (and What Does Not)
Included in vCard Export
Full name, phone numbers (with type labels: mobile, home, work), email addresses, organization and job title, physical addresses, websites, birthday, anniversary, notes, and custom fields. If contacts have multiple phone numbers or email addresses, all are included with their respective type labels.
Not Included or Stripped
Contact photos are not included in Google’s vCard export (photos are stripped during export). Label/group membership is not included (use Google CSV format to preserve labels). “Other contacts” (auto-saved contacts from email interactions) are excluded from standard export (use Google Takeout to include them). Contact interaction history and starred status are also excluded.
Google CSV vs Outlook CSV vs vCard: Which to Choose
| Format | Best For | Preserves Labels | Preserves Photos | Universal Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| vCard (VCF) | Phone import, Apple devices, CRMs, most platforms | No | No | Yes (universal) |
| Google CSV | Re-import to Google Contacts, spreadsheet editing | Yes | No | Limited (Google-specific columns) |
| Outlook CSV | Import to Microsoft Outlook | No | No | Limited (Outlook-specific columns) |
Use vCard (VCF) when exporting contacts for phone imports, Apple devices, Thunderbird or most non-Google platforms. If you need to keep label assignments intact or plan to re-import into Google Contacts, the Google CSV format is the better option. When working specifically with Microsoft Outlook, select the Outlook CSV format to avoid mapping issues during import.
Method Comparison
| Criteria | Google Contacts Web | Android Contacts App | Google Takeout |
|---|---|---|---|
| Requires computer | Yes | No | Yes (or phone browser) |
| Includes “Other contacts” | No | No | Yes |
| Selective export (choose contacts) | Yes | Limited | No (all or nothing) |
| Export by label | Yes | No | No |
| Includes contact photos | No | Yes (on-device export) | No |
| Speed | Instant | Instant | Minutes to hours |
| Best for | Standard export, specific selections | Quick phone backup | Complete account backup |
Common Problems and Fixes
Contact photos are missing from the exported VCF file. Google Contacts web export strips photos from the vCard file. This is a known limitation. To export with photos, use the Android Contacts app (Method 2), which includes embedded photos from contacts stored on the device. Alternatively, export from Google, then add photos manually after importing to the destination platform.
The export button does not work on iPhone or iPad Safari. Google Contacts export does not work on iOS browsers. The page opens a contact card instead of downloading the file. Use a computer to access contacts.google.com for the export, or use the Google Takeout method (Method 3) which works on any browser.
Fewer contacts exported than expected. Standard export only includes contacts you have explicitly saved (the “Contacts” list). People you have emailed but never added as contacts appear in “Other contacts” and are excluded. To include them, use Google Takeout (Method 3), or first move them to your main contacts list: go to contacts.google.com, click “Other contacts” in the sidebar, select them, and click “Add to contacts”.
Labels are not included in the VCF file. This is by design. The vCard format does not have a standard field for Google-style labels. If you need to preserve label assignments, export as Google CSV instead. You can then convert the CSV to VCF after importing labels to your destination platform, or use the CSV to maintain the group structure in a spreadsheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many contacts can I export from Google at once?
There is no export limit. You can export all 25,000 contacts (Google’s storage limit) in a single VCF file. The import limit for Google Contacts is 3,000 per batch, but the export has no such restriction.
What vCard version does Google export?
Google exports vCard 3.0 with UTF-8 encoding. This version is compatible with virtually every contact management platform, including iPhones, Android, Outlook, Thunderbird, and all major CRM systems. To verify the version, open the VCF file and check the VERSION property inside each contact.
Can I export Google Contacts from multiple accounts at once?
Not directly. Google only exports contacts from the account you are currently signed into. To export from multiple accounts, sign into each account separately and export individually. You can then merge the VCF files into a single file and remove duplicates if contacts overlap.
Does exporting delete my contacts from Google?
No. Exporting creates a copy. Your contacts remain in Google Contacts unchanged.
Can I schedule automatic Google Contacts exports?
Not through the Google Contacts interface. Google Takeout allows you to schedule recurring exports (every 2 months for up to a year), which is the closest option to automated backup. For more frequent backups, third-party sync tools or the Google People API can be used programmatically.
Conclusion
Last verified: February 2026. Export methods tested on Google Contacts web (Chrome, Firefox, Safari on Mac), Android 15 (Pixel 9 with Google Contacts app), and Google Takeout. vCard compatibility verified with iPhone, Outlook, Thunderbird, and Zoho CRM. iOS Safari export limitation confirmed on iOS 18.
To export Google Contacts to VCF, go to contacts.google.com, select your contacts, click Export, choose “vCard (for iOS Contacts)”, and download the file. For a complete backup including “Other contacts”, use Google Takeout. Be aware that Google’s vCard export strips contact photos and does not include label assignments. If you need photos, export from the Android Contacts app instead.
Three things to remember: Google’s vCard export strips contact photos (use the Android Contacts app for photos), labels are not included in VCF format (use Google CSV to preserve labels), and “Other contacts” are excluded from standard export (use Google Takeout for a complete backup including auto-saved contacts).
