To import VCF to Zoho CRM: Go to the Contacts module, click Import Contacts from the dropdown, select your .vcf file, map VCF fields to Zoho CRM fields and click Finish. Zoho CRM natively supports VCF import for up to 5,000 contacts per batch. For larger files, convert to CSV first using a VCF to CSV converter and then import the CSV.
Introduction
Zoho CRM supports native VCF file import, which means you can upload your vCard contacts directly without converting to CSV first. Despite this, most online guides recommend unnecessary conversion steps or paid tools because they miss the fact that Zoho added direct VCF support. This guide shows you how to import VCF to Zoho CRM using the built-in import feature, explains the field mapping between vCard properties and Zoho CRM fields and covers the workarounds for when native import is not enough.
We have been building vCard conversion tools at Univik since 2013 and have helped thousands of users migrate contacts into CRM platforms including Zoho, HubSpot, and Salesforce. The field mapping table and troubleshooting tips in this guide come from real migration projects.
Before You Import
1
Check your VCF file size. Zoho CRM has a 5 MB limit on VCF file imports across all editions (Free, Standard, Professional, Enterprise, Ultimate). If your file is larger than 5 MB, you will need to either split the VCF file into smaller parts or convert to CSV (which allows up to 25 MB for Enterprise).
2
Choose the right module. Zoho CRM has separate modules for Contacts, Leads, and Accounts. Most VCF imports go into the Contacts module, but if you are importing prospects who have not yet been qualified, use the Leads module instead. See the Contacts vs Leads section below for guidance.
3
Verify your permissions. You need the “Import” permission enabled in your Zoho CRM profile. If you do not see the Import option, ask your Zoho CRM administrator to enable it under Setup, Profiles and Permissions.
Method 1: Native VCF Import (Direct)
This is the fastest method and works for VCF files with up to 5,000 contacts.
1
Open the Contacts module. Log in to Zoho CRM and click the “Contacts” tab in the top navigation. On the module home page, click the dropdown arrow next to “Create Contact” and select “Import Contacts”.
2
Upload your VCF file. Click “Browse” or drag and drop your .vcf file into the upload area. Zoho CRM accepts files in VCF, CSV, XLS, and XLSX formats. Once the file uploads, click Next.
3
Select the import action. Choose one of three options: “Add as new Contacts” (creates all records as new), “Update existing Contacts” (matches and updates) or “Both” (adds new records and updates existing matches). If updating, select a unique field to match against (email address is most reliable).
4
Map fields. Zoho CRM will display a field mapping screen showing your VCF fields on the left and Zoho CRM fields on the right. Click “Apply Auto Mapping” to let Zoho match fields automatically, then review the results. Manually adjust any unmapped or incorrectly mapped fields. See the field mapping table below for reference. Click Next when done.
5
Configure options and finish. Optionally check “Trigger automation” to run workflow rules on imported records. Click “Finish” to start the import. Zoho CRM will notify you when the import is complete.
Contact photos import automatically. When importing a VCF file, Zoho CRM automatically associates any embedded PHOTO data with the contact record. The photo field is not available for manual mapping because Zoho handles it during import. If your contacts have photos in the VCF file, they will appear in Zoho CRM without extra steps.
Method 2: Convert VCF to CSV First (Over 5,000 Contacts)
If your VCF file contains more than 5,000 contacts or exceeds the 5 MB file size limit, you must convert to CSV before importing. CSV files support up to 25 MB (Enterprise edition) and up to 50,000 records per batch depending on your Zoho plan.
1
Convert VCF to CSV. Use a VCF to CSV converter to export your contacts as a CSV file. Make sure the CSV includes column headers that match Zoho CRM field names (First Name, Last Name, Email, Phone, etc.) for easier auto-mapping.
2
Import the CSV into Zoho CRM. Follow the same steps as Method 1 (Contacts, Import Contacts, upload file), but select your CSV file instead. The field mapping step will show CSV column headers on the left and Zoho CRM fields on the right.
Method 3: Import via Google Contacts Sync
If your contacts are already in Google Contacts (or if you can import the VCF into Google Contacts first), Zoho CRM offers a built-in Google Contacts sync that keeps both platforms updated automatically.
1
Import VCF to Google Contacts (if not already there). Follow our import VCF to Google Contacts guide.
2
Enable Google Contacts sync in Zoho CRM. Go to Setup, Marketplace, Google, Contacts. Select your Google Contact list and Zoho CRM Contacts list, choose one-way or two-way sync, set the sync frequency, map the fields and save.
3
Wait for sync. Zoho CRM will sync contacts from Google based on the frequency you selected. New contacts added to Google will automatically appear in Zoho CRM going forward.
VCF to Zoho CRM Field Mapping
When you import a VCF file, Zoho CRM maps vCard properties to its own contact fields. The auto-mapping handles standard fields well, but you may need to adjust some fields manually. Here is how VCF properties map to Zoho CRM fields:
| VCF Property | Zoho CRM Field | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FN (Full Name) | First Name + Last Name | Zoho splits the name. Last Name is mandatory. |
| N (Structured Name) | Title, First Name, Last Name | Prefix maps to Title (Mr., Mrs., Dr.). |
| First email maps to Email. Additional emails may need secondary fields. | ||
| TEL;TYPE=CELL | Mobile | Auto-mapped when type is CELL. |
| TEL;TYPE=WORK | Phone | Maps to the primary Phone field. |
| TEL;TYPE=HOME | Home Phone | Maps to Home Phone if the field exists in your layout. |
| TEL;TYPE=FAX | Fax | Maps to Fax field. |
| ORG | Account Name | Maps to Account Name. Can create a linked Account record. |
| TITLE | Title (Job Title) | Maps to the job title field, not the name prefix. |
| ADR;TYPE=WORK | Mailing Street, City, State, Zip, Country | Zoho splits the structured address into separate fields. |
| URL | Website | Auto-mapped. |
| NOTE | Description | Maps to the Description field. |
| PHOTO | Record Image | Auto-imported. Not available for manual mapping. |
| BDAY | Date of Birth | Maps if the Date of Birth field exists in your layout. |
Contacts Module vs Leads Module
Import into Contacts When
You are importing existing customers, vendors, or partners. These are people you already have a business relationship with. The Contacts module links to Accounts (companies) and Deals in Zoho CRM. Use Contacts for personal address book migrations, customer database imports, and supplier lists.
Import into Leads When
You are importing prospects from a trade show, marketing campaign, or purchased list. These are people who have not yet been qualified as customers. The Leads module has a conversion workflow that moves records to Contacts once they are qualified. Use Leads for event attendee lists, webinar signups and cold outreach lists.
The import steps are identical for both modules. Just navigate to the Leads tab instead of Contacts in step 1 of Method 1. The field mapping is also the same because both modules share most of the same contact fields.
Handling Duplicates During Import
Zoho CRM provides duplicate detection during the import process. When you choose “Both” (add new and update existing) in step 3 of Method 1, Zoho asks you to select a field to match against. The match field determines how Zoho identifies existing records.
1
Best match field: Email. Email addresses are unique per contact in most cases. Zoho will compare the EMAIL property in your VCF file against the Email field in existing Zoho CRM records. Matches are updated; non-matches are added as new records.
2
Alternative match field: Phone or Zoho CRM ID. If contacts do not have email addresses, use Phone as the match field. If you previously exported from Zoho CRM and are re-importing, use the Zoho CRM Record ID for exact matching.
3
Pre-import deduplication. For the cleanest import, remove duplicate contacts from your VCF file before uploading to Zoho CRM. This prevents both duplicate creation and unnecessary update operations.
Method Comparison
| Criteria | Native VCF Import | VCF to CSV + Import | Google Contacts Sync |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max contacts per batch | 5,000 | 10,000-50,000 (by plan) | Unlimited (synced) |
| Max file size | 5 MB | 5-25 MB (by plan) | N/A |
| Contact photos | Auto-imported | Not included (CSV limitation) | Synced from Google |
| Conversion step required | No | Yes (VCF to CSV) | Yes (VCF to Google first) |
| Ongoing sync | No (one-time import) | No (one-time import) | Yes (automatic) |
| Best for | Small to medium lists | Large lists over 5,000 | Ongoing contact sync |
Common Problems and Fixes
Import fails with “Invalid file format” error. The VCF file may not be properly formatted. Verify it starts with “BEGIN:VCARD” and ends with “END:VCARD” in a text editor. Try re-saving through Google Contacts to normalize the format or open the VCF file to check for corruption.
Last Name field shows as empty after import. Last Name is a mandatory field in Zoho CRM. If your VCF file uses only the FN (Full Name) property without a structured N property, Zoho may not be able to split the name correctly. The fix is to ensure your VCF file includes the N property with separate family name and given name components, or convert to CSV and create separate First Name and Last Name columns.
More than 10 blank rows cause data truncation. Zoho CRM treats more than 10 consecutive blank rows as the end of the file. If your VCF file has gaps between contact entries (empty lines beyond the standard single blank line between vCard blocks), Zoho stops reading after the gap. Clean the file by removing excess blank lines before importing.
VCF file exceeds the 5 MB limit. VCF files with embedded contact photos can quickly exceed 5 MB. You have two options: split the VCF file into smaller batches (each under 5 MB) and import them separately or convert to CSV (which strips photos but allows up to 25 MB). If photos are important, use the split approach.
The Import option is not visible. You need the Import permission enabled in your Zoho CRM profile. Ask your administrator to go to Setup, Security Control, Profiles, select your profile, and enable the Import permission under Data Administration. Without this permission, the Import link is hidden from the interface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I import VCF directly into Zoho CRM without converting to CSV?
Yes. Zoho CRM natively supports VCF file import for up to 5,000 contacts per batch with a 5 MB file size limit. You do not need to convert to CSV unless your file exceeds these limits. Many online guides incorrectly suggest conversion is required because they were written before Zoho added native VCF support.
What happens to contact photos when I import VCF to Zoho CRM?
Zoho CRM automatically imports photos embedded in VCF files and associates them with the contact record. The PHOTO field is handled separately from the field mapping screen and does not need manual mapping. If you convert to CSV first, photos are lost because CSV does not support embedded images.
Can I import VCF contacts into the Leads module?
Yes. The import process is identical for Contacts and Leads. Navigate to the Leads tab instead of Contacts, click the dropdown, and select Import Leads. The field mapping is the same because both modules share the same standard fields (name, email, phone, company).
How do I import more than 5,000 contacts from a VCF file?
You have two options. First, split the VCF file into batches of 5,000 or fewer contacts and import each batch separately. Second, convert the VCF to CSV and import the CSV, which supports up to 50,000 records per batch on the Ultimate plan.
Does Zoho CRM support vCard 2.1, 3.0, and 4.0?
Zoho CRM accepts VCF files in all common vCard versions. However, some properties specific to vCard 4.0 (like RELATED and MEMBER) may not have corresponding Zoho CRM fields and will be skipped during import. Standard properties (name, email, phone, address, organization) work across all versions.
Conclusion
Last verified: February 2026. Import steps tested on Zoho CRM Free, Standard, Professional, and Enterprise editions. VCF files tested in vCard 2.1, 3.0, and 4.0 formats. Field mapping verified against Zoho CRM’s current Contacts module layout.
To import VCF to Zoho CRM, go to the Contacts module, click Import Contacts, upload your VCF file, map the fields, and click Finish. For files with more than 5,000 contacts or over 5 MB, convert to CSV first or split the VCF into smaller batches. Use the Email field as the match key for duplicate handling, and always verify the field mapping screen to ensure names, phones, and addresses land in the correct Zoho CRM fields.
Three things to remember: Zoho CRM natively supports VCF import (no conversion needed for files under 5,000 contacts and 5 MB), contact photos are auto-imported from VCF files (lost if you convert to CSV), and Last Name is mandatory in Zoho CRM so make sure your VCF file includes the N property with a structured family name.
