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Add a new contact to your Android phone with just a few taps
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This wikiHow guide teaches you how to add a new contact to an Android phone or tablet. Be aware that the steps vary depending on the manufacturer and model of your phone, but they are similar enough to follow this generic walkthrough using Google Contacts, which everyone can download and use for free from the Google Play Store.

Quick Steps

  1. In the Contacts app, tap + .
  2. Choose which account you want to use and where to save the contact.
  3. Add the contact's info, including their name, number, email, or picture.
  4. Tap Save .
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using the Contacts App

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  1. You’ll usually find it on the home screen or in the app drawer. Look for the outline of a person’s head and shoulders on a blue or green background.
    • These steps are specific to Google Contacts, but will also work for the default Contacts app that some manufacturers, like Samsung, use.
    • You can download and use Google Contacts for free from the Google Play Store.
  2. The color may vary. You’ll typically find it at the top or bottom-right corner of the screen.
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  3. If prompted, select an account or location for synchronizing your new contact. You’ll usually be able to choose Device (your Android), SIM card , or your Google Account.
  4. Here’s how: [1]
    • Tap
      Android 7 Dropdown
      next to the contact’s name to choose where to save the contact (e.g. your Google account, your SIM card).
    • Enter the contact’s name, phone number, and/or email address in the labeled blanks.
    • To add a photo, tap the camera icon, then select a photo.
    • To add more details, such as street addresses or notes, tap More fields .
  5. It’s at the top-right corner of the screen. On some Androids, this might be a check mark. Your new contact is saved and ready to use. [2]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Importing from a SIM Card using Google Contacts

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  1. Some SIM slots are located along the narrow side of your phone, while others are beneath the battery. Click here to learn how to insert a SIM card into your Android.
    • If your phone has an eSIM, skip this method.
  2. You’ll usually find it on the home screen or in the app drawer. Look for the outline of a person’s head and shoulders on a blue or green background.
  3. 3
    Tap Organize . It's the thumbnail in the bottom right corner. It looks like a book with a bookmark.
  4. 4
    Tap Manage SIM . You might have to scroll to find this option under the "This device" header.
  5. 5
    Choose the Google account you want to save the contacts to. Use the drop-down menu at the top next to "Save to" to change which Google account these contacts are saved to.
  6. 6
    Tap to select contacts, then tap Import . These contacts will be imported to Google Contacts from your SIM card. [3]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using the Phone Dialer

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  1. It’s the phone receiver icon that’s typically on the home screen. If you don’t see it, you should find it in the app drawer.
  2. It usually looks like 9 small squares or circles. This opens the dial pad.
  3. Once you enter the entire number, additional options will appear.
  4. This opens a screen that allows you to enter additional information about the contact.
    • If you’d rather add this new phone number to an existing contact, choose Add to contacts or Add to an existing contact instead. You’ll then be able to select the contact, and choose a type of phone number (e.g. Home, Mobile).
    • You may have to select a location to save your contact. If prompted, choose your SIM card, device, or Google account as suggested.
  5. Enter the contact’s name into the first blank. You can also add an email address, street address, photo, and notes.
  6. It’s at the top-right corner of the screen. On some Androids, this button might be a check mark. Your new contact is saved and ready to use.
    • You can also tap the caller in your "Recents" list and select Add to Contacts to make them a contact after they've called. You can also tap Add to Existing Contact if you want to update a contact you already have, like adding a new phone number.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I add contacts to my phone?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the model of your phone. Usually, you go to the Contacts section and click the 'plus' button on the top-right corner of the screen. On Android 4.0, use the main menu button (located either at the top or bottom of the screen), and click 'create contacts.'
  • Question
    I want to search all my contacts. How do I do this?
    Community Answer
    Click on the contacts app. Then, enter your search at the top, next to the magnifying glass icon.
  • Question
    How do I add a photo to my new contact if I don't already have one in my gallery? How do I get it from Google Photos?
    Community Answer
    First, download the photo from your Google Photos app by clicking the 3 dots on the right hand corner and clicking "save to device". This will save that photo to your gallery. Then go to that contact and add the photo from your gallery.
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