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How to Export Windows Phone Contacts to a vCard (VCF)

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Previously I’ve touched on how to import a VCF into your Windows Phone device, and up until this time it hadn’t occurred to me that the reverse was just as invaluable.

I presume the speculation of W10M heading to its deathbed sort of signalled this inevitable need in my subconscious, after all I should be gearing myself to get a new phone with this new development.

Now, back to what got you here – exporting contacts to a VCF in the hope of importing them into a device running a different OS, like Android or iOS.

Exporting the Contacts

  1. First, go to the Store and install the contacts+message backup app by Microsoft. The app is compatible with Windows Phone 8 and above (i.e. including W10M).
  2. The app won’t get installed as typical app so you won’t see it in the app list. Instead, go to: Settings > Extras > contacts+message backup.
    A screenshot of Windows 10 mobile Extras settings page.
  3. Launch the app from there, then tap on the Backup button.
    A screenshot of the contacts + message app.
  4. In the backup menu, select contacts and tap on the backup button to start the exporting.
    A screenshot showing the backup options.
  5. The contacts will then be exported as a *.VCF file which you can find stored in the backup+restore > contactsBackup subfolder inside your SD Card. If you don’t have an SD Card, you can find the folders inside the Internal Storage.

Now, chances are that the app may crash on you if you’ve a lot of contacts. A lot here is arbitrary, as it crashed on me while I was backing up my 209 contacts.

I’m not sure if the number of contacts is to blame here, I’m only speculating as the comments on the store seem to point in that direction.  However, as far as I know it could be anything, including the OS version or the device itself.

I should mention it worked just fine when my device ran Windows Phone 8.1. If it does crash, you can try using this the Contacts Backup app available in the store. It’s free and does support exporting to VCF.

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3 Comments

  1. Any ideas: backing up from Lumia 630 Win8.1 onto microSD using contacts+message. Progress shows all 67 contacts transferred, but new phone can't find any vcards. Checked on PC and the directory tree is present but contactsBackup folder is empty.

    1. Try removing the SD card so that it back ups in the internal storage. If it works, transfer the exported VCF to the contactsBackup folder in your SD or alternatively create this directory as it is in your new phone's internal storage (I'm assuming it's still Windows phone/10 mobile). If this fails too I think your only recourse here is to try a different app like the one I've suggested at the end of the post.

  2. This seems to be the easiest way to back up and/move Contacts and Messages from Windows Phone that I have found so far.
    Thank you.

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Kelvin Kathia

Kelvin Kathia is a writer that's passionate about sharing solutions to everyday tech problems. He's the founder and editor of Journey Bytes, a tech blog and web design agency. Feel free to leave him comments or questions regarding this post, or by leaving him a message on the contact page. If you found his content helpful, a donation is much appreciated.