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How to Get Contacts Off Google: Your Definitive Guide

Wanting to extract your contacts from Google is a perfectly valid desire, whether you’re migrating to a new platform, creating a local backup, or simply aiming for better data control. The good news? Google makes it relatively straightforward, although the specific method will depend on your goal. The core process involves exporting your contacts in a standard format (usually CSV or vCard) and then importing them into your chosen destination. Let’s dive deep into the how-to and cover all the bases.

Understanding Your Options: Exporting is Key

The first step is understanding that you’re not removing contacts from Google in the sense of permanently deleting them through this process. You are exporting a copy of your contact information. To completely remove contacts, you would need to delete them individually within Google Contacts itself.

Method 1: Exporting Contacts via Google Contacts Web Interface

This is the most common and user-friendly method.

Access Google Contacts: Open your web browser and navigate to contacts.google.com. Make sure you’re logged in with the Google account containing the contacts you want to export.
Select Contacts to Export:
- All Contacts: In the left sidebar, click “Export”.
- Specific Group: Select a specific label (group) on the left sidebar. Then, click “Export”.
- Specific Contacts: Select the individual contacts you wish to export by checking the boxes next to their names. Then, click the three dots (more actions) and select “Export.”
Choose Export Format: A pop-up window will appear asking you to select the export format. You have a few choices:
- CSV (Google CSV): This is ideal for importing into other Google services like Google Sheets. It may require some formatting if you’re importing it into non-Google applications.
- CSV (Outlook CSV): This format is designed to work seamlessly with Microsoft Outlook.
- vCard (vCard): Also known as a .vcf file, this is the most universally compatible format. It’s suitable for importing into most email clients, contact management systems, and smartphones. We highly recommend using vCard for maximum compatibility.
Click Export: Choose your desired format and click the “Export” button. A file containing your contacts will be downloaded to your computer, ready for importing elsewhere.

Method 2: Using Google Takeout

Google Takeout is a powerful tool that allows you to download your data from virtually all Google services. While it might seem overkill for just contacts, it’s useful if you want to export data from multiple Google services simultaneously.

Go to Google Takeout: Visit takeout.google.com.
Deselect All: Initially, all Google services are selected. Click “Deselect all.”
Select Contacts: Scroll down the list until you find “Contacts” and check the box next to it.
Customize the Export (Optional): Click the “All Contacts data included” button. This allows you to choose which contact labels (groups) to include in the export. You can also select which address books to export (e.g., “My Contacts,” “Directory”).
Choose Export Settings: Scroll to the bottom and click “Next step.” Here you can customize the file type (.zip or .tgz), the archive size (smaller files are easier to download), and the delivery method (email or adding to cloud storage like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive).
Create Export: Click “Create export.” Google will now prepare your export. This process can take minutes or hours depending on the amount of data. You’ll receive an email notification when the export is ready to download.

Method 3: Third-Party Contact Management Apps

Numerous third-party apps offer advanced contact management features, including exporting contacts. These apps often provide additional features like duplicate contact merging, enhanced filtering, and CRM integration. Examples include apps like ContactSync (specifically for syncing contacts between Google and other platforms). Be very cautious when granting third-party apps access to your Google account. Always research the app’s reputation and privacy policy before granting permissions.

Important Considerations Before Exporting

Data Privacy: Be mindful of where you’re storing your exported contact data. Ensure the new platform or storage location is secure.
Duplicate Contacts: Exporting and importing can sometimes create duplicate contacts. Be prepared to deduplicate your contacts in the new location.
Data Integrity: While rare, data corruption can occur during the export or import process. It’s always a good idea to verify the completeness and accuracy of your contacts after importing them.
Field Mapping: Different platforms use slightly different field names for contact information. You may need to manually map fields during the import process to ensure the data is correctly organized.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What’s the best format for exporting contacts from Google?

vCard (.vcf) is generally the best format for its universal compatibility across different platforms and devices. CSV formats are more suitable if you are transferring your contacts to another Google service, like Sheets, or to Outlook.

2. How do I export only specific groups of contacts?

In Google Contacts, select the label (group) you want to export from the left sidebar. Then, click the three dots (more actions) and choose “Export”. Follow the prompts to select your desired export format. Using Google Takeout, you can specify particular address books (including labeled groups) to export.

3. Can I export contacts directly to my iPhone or Android phone?

Not directly. You need to first export the contacts to your computer (usually as a vCard file) and then import them into your phone’s contact app. On both iOS and Android, you can usually do this through the settings or by opening the .vcf file and choosing to import the contacts.

4. What if I have a very large number of contacts?

For extremely large contact lists, using Google Takeout might be more reliable. If you encounter issues, try exporting your contacts in smaller batches by exporting groups or subsets of your contacts.

5. How do I import the exported contacts into Outlook?

In Outlook, go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export. Choose “Import from another program or file” and then select “Comma Separated Values” (for CSV files) or “vCard file (.vcf)”. Follow the on-screen instructions to map the fields and complete the import.

6. Can I export contacts from my phone using the Google Contacts app?

No, the Google Contacts app on your phone doesn’t offer an export feature. You need to use the web interface (contacts.google.com) on a computer.

7. What do I do if some of my contact information is missing after importing?

This often happens because the field names in the exported file don’t perfectly match the field names in the new platform. Most import tools allow you to map fields manually. Check the unmapped fields and manually assign them.

8. How can I ensure that my contacts are backed up regularly?

While exporting provides a one-time backup, consider using a contact synchronization service (like syncing with your phone’s contacts) or a dedicated backup app to automatically back up your contacts on a regular schedule.

9. I’m getting an error message when exporting. What should I do?

Try the following:

Clear your browser’s cache and cookies.
Try a different browser.
Disable any browser extensions that might be interfering.
Try exporting in a different format.
If using Google Takeout, try a smaller archive size.

10. How do I delete contacts from Google after exporting them?

Go to Google Contacts (contacts.google.com). Select the contacts you want to delete (either individually or by group). Click the three dots (more actions) and select “Delete.” Remember that this action is permanent.

11. Can I restore contacts to Google from an exported file?

Yes, you can import a CSV or vCard file back into Google Contacts. In Google Contacts, click “Import” in the left sidebar and follow the instructions to upload your file.

12. Is exporting contacts from Google free?

Yes, exporting contacts using the methods described above (Google Contacts web interface or Google Takeout) is completely free. You may encounter costs if you choose to use a third-party contact management app that requires a subscription.