Database Users

How should I store my contacts?

This is my first Android phone so I'm a little unsure of the following.
I've got a number of contacts that were on my sim card as well as my Google contact list, so now I've got double entries for a number of people. Is it best to just delete the Google contact ones or the sim contacts? Are there any advantages or disadvantages of one over the other? Like for example if I have no network connection does my phone still list the Google contacts?

I went for storing my contacts only on google.
As far as I know contacts are stored on the phone locally, so even if you dont have a network connection, you still have access to your contacts.
As far as duplicate entries, you can choose which contacts are shown on the phone. I would pick a method and stick with it. I've never been a big fan of storing contacts on a sim card. I prefer having them stored in the cloud.

Red Arrow said:
This is my first Android phone so I'm a little unsure of the following.
I've got a number of contacts that were on my sim card as well as my Google contact list, so now I've got double entries for a number of people. Is it best to just delete the Google contact ones or the sim contacts? Are there any advantages or disadvantages of one over the other? Like for example if I have no network connection does my phone still list the Google contacts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look for an app called MyBackup pro which basically helps you to store all kinds of stuff including contacts to the sd card or on its servers.
http://www.cyrket.com/package/com.rerware.android.MyBackupPro

I've moved over to storing them on Gmail. For some reason yesterday they all vanished (I had synced them with Outlook too) but the Gmail ones got sync'd back pretty quickly. Then it hooked up with Facebook and put contact profile pictures back in too

+1 for google.
knowing that they are all there and will come back as soon as i sign in, means i am not worried about trying every app under the sun for the first few weeks to see what works, what doesn't and what breaks the phone, knowing i can just hard reset afterwards if the worst happens and everything is back within seconds!!

+1 for gmail. You can edit the phonebook from any web browser. You can force-sync by turning off&on the gmail syncing on the Hero. You can turn off displaying the SIM card contacts in the Peoples app settings, no need to delete them in case you need to use the SIM in a dumb-phone later.

I opted for storing contacts all on gmail and went through the following process.
Sync'ed all my old contacts from previous Kaiser into outlook
Manually updated outlook contacts merging in all google email contacts aswell.
Used HTCSync to update phone with contacts - worked a charm and kept all contact pictures.
Forced a sync with google on my Hero hoping that all new contacts now on my Hero will automatically become updated/created in GMail.
Unfortunately this isn't the case and all emails were sync'ed between gmail and hero, but contacts still only appear on my device.
Have I missed a setting or is it not possible to bi-directionally sync contacts between gmail and hero ?

When you create the calendar/contact item, are you selecting to put it in the google group?
Create a new contact and in Contact type (just below the name) make sure to select Google. It usually defaults to Phone, which only syncs with the god awful HTC Sync software.
once created a contact in the wrong group, you can't change it. delete it and start again.

For those of us a bit paranoid about OUR data, Is there a built in way to sync/export/import data as in Active Sync?
I mean also accessing my data while in out-of-coverage areas, in-flight mode, etc.
Regards.

The data is always available on the phone, no matter whwere you store it.
Just cos it's stored on the google servers does not mean that you can not access it when you are out of service area...that would be stupid.
It just means that instead of you having to hook the phone up to your pc using that god awful HTC Sync software, it syncs automatically to the google servers.It is still stored on the phone locally as well.
Whatever gave you the idea that it would not be?

Looking Glass said:
For those of us a bit paranoid about OUR data, Is there a built in way to sync/export/import data as in Active Sync?
I mean also accessing my data while in out-of-coverage areas, in-flight mode, etc.
Regards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your contacts are also stored locally on your phone, so even if you don't have service, you won't lose your contacts.

rhedgehog said:
The data is always available on the phone, no matter whwere you store it.
Just cos it's stored on the google servers does not mean that you can not access it when you are out of service area...that would be stupid.
It just means that instead of you having to hook the phone up to your pc using that god awful HTC Sync software, it syncs automatically to the google servers.It is still stored on the phone locally as well.
Whatever gave you the idea that it would not be?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for explaining, but post #4 above looks scary. Since I don't have any Android phone yet, I thought they might come as the g-mail servers, if you are not online, you can not browse through your "archived" mail.
Regards.

No, they are stored locally.
also, with the mail program, that stores them locally once it has recieved the ones you choose to sync as well.
it's all good!

moved all mine to google
very easy and i love it!

rhedgehog said:
No, they are stored locally.
also, with the mail program, that stores them locally once it has recieved the ones you choose to sync as well.
it's all good!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for info. Still waiting for may Hero....... no chance to try it yet.
Regards.

Does a google contact sync to outlook from the phone?

can i DELETE ALL CONTACTS
I'm having such a hard time with contacts on my hero. Wish I would have just had Sprint transfer them over from my Touch Pro. Anyways, I want ONLY the contacts from my old phone, which have been imported into gmail. Is there a way to delete all the crap that was imported into my contacts from Windows Contacts via HTC Sync? Then I can sync only my google contacts and just live with that.
how do I delete all contacts?

Importing phone contacts to gmail

I'm trying to finally switch over to a custom ROM but the only thing that is holding me back is that I cant find a way to import my contacts from the Stock OS over to my gmail account so that when I use the custom ROM, theyll be there. My auto sync is on and it refreshed but gmail is only showing email contacts.

You can save your contacts to your sd card and then import them back over. Contacts >> menu >> export to SD

When I click menu on the people's app/contacts I dont see that option. Am I in the wrong spot?

PawkChop said:
When I click menu on the people's app/contacts I dont see that option. Am I in the wrong spot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found it in Phone >> People >> Menu >> Import/Export

When I lick menu I only see the new contact button, search people, delete contacts, view, and sync exchange contacts

Theres an app (sry dont know the name as of right now) but it exports your entire contact list onto a CVS file or vCard - not that kind - and u can import all of them in gmail.
I believe there's another app that also converts all your current contacts to google contacts, so they sync automatically. I'll check the market later and post the names if u haven't found them already.
Edit: just use ExportContacts and import the cvs file in gmail. then sync them to your phone. after that just make sure when adding a number its a google contact.

kyouko said:
Theres an app (sry dont know the name as of right now) but it exports your entire contact list onto a CVS file or vCard - not that kind - and u can import all of them in gmail.
I believe there's another app that also converts all your current contacts to google contacts, so they sync automatically. I'll check the market later and post the names if u haven't found them already.
Edit: just use ExportContacts and import the cvs file in gmail. then sync them to your phone. after that just make sure when adding a number its a google contact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alright the app worked beautifully. Thank you so much and Ill take that advice. . Now just gotta relink to facebook :/

kyouko said:
Theres an app (sry dont know the name as of right now) but it exports your entire contact list onto a CVS file or vCard - not that kind - and u can import all of them in gmail.
I believe there's another app that also converts all your current contacts to google contacts, so they sync automatically. I'll check the market later and post the names if u haven't found them already.
Edit: just use ExportContacts and import the cvs file in gmail. then sync them to your phone. after that just make sure when adding a number its a google contact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What was the name of the one that just changes them from phone to "google" contacts? Ive found it once before but i cant for the life of me remember>.<

frostrunner said:
What was the name of the one that just changes them from phone to "google" contacts? Ive found it once before but i cant for the life of me remember>.<
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was called contactsync > Linky
Official Website - Found at bottom and I quote
WARNING: phone instability has been reported on HTC Hero. Use ContactSync at your own risk!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally I wouldn't use it as many people have reported that it messed up their hero. Its easier still to use "exportcontacts" and import the .cvs file in gmail and then sync them to your phone.

[Q] Syncronising Contact List via Microsoft My Phone

Hi there..
I'm going to ask you very simple question.
Is there a way to import contact list to android via Microsoft My Phone service?
I have more than 200 contacts in my contact list.
Its easy thing to do but kind'a waste of time..
How do the starters import their list for the very first time?
NOT: I also tried to syncronize my SD android via pimbackup data. I had it done once but the syncronisation thing.. i couldnt find where i should do it.
Just a newbie question
Thank You

I found no way to sync my android with myphone... sorry

Outlook exchange is easiest way for me. MyPhone is a WinMo application/service (Microsoft), and so won't run on android.
Can also use gmail, m:IQ (no idea, just read it somewhere else), myBackup (Again, just read it). Also search market for "contacts" will produce many apps to back them up to SD card.
Hope This Helps.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=630146
try that, it imports into google

Richy99 said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=630146
try that, it imports into google
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is what i couldnt success!
4. The extracted file should be BACKUP.CSC. Simply change the extension to .CSV and import the file to your gmail account.
All your contacts can now be imported to your phone through gmail
But how? There is no import/file upload menu in our gmal settings
That is where im stuck!
- just follow the instructions given in the phone's contact menu.

No Tmobile Contacts Acct With CM7, Help???

Hello,
Having big problem with contacts. I flashed Cm last night and when I went to my contacts they were not there...so I thought no big deal I would just goto Acct & Sync and then Manage acct and use tmobile...but its not there.
When I click on "add account"...there is no tmobile. Please someone help with a fix. I dont understand what to do...please keep in mind, Im kinda still new to this so if you have ideas please explain in simple terms.
Thanks in advance,
Brian
PS: am I the only one with this issue, if so why?

fst2011 said:
PS: am I the only one with this issue, if so
why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are not the only one with the issue. All of Cyanogen's ROM are AOSP (android open source project). They do not have this feature. That is a feature added to the MySense that T-Mo bloats this phone with.
There is really nothing you can do unless you mind using a MySense based ROM.

wait...so how do all these people add the contacts back on their phones....I dont understand...there must be an easy way.

fst2011 said:
wait...so how do all these people add the contacts back on their phones....I dont understand...there must be an easy way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
most, if not all, of our contacts on on our Google account. and when we log into the google account [on the phone] it automatically pushes the contacts that are on our account to the phone.
it's a "no touch" method. We just log in and Google takes care of the rest.
If it is possible to extract the contacts from the t-mo website as a .cvs file you may be able to bulk import them to your google account but i dunno. I used Google Sync on my blackberry prior to owning an Android so i never had that problem.

I went to tmobile site and from what I see there is no cvs...but I could be wrong. Aside from that...how can I get my contacts back to the phone...?

fst2011 said:
I went to tmobile site and from what I see there is no cvs...but I could be wrong. Aside from that...how can I get my contacts back to the phone...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
manually enter them?

neidlinger said:
most, if not all, of our contacts on on our Google account. and when we log into the google account [on the phone] it automatically pushes the contacts that are on our account to the phone.
it's a "no touch" method. We just log in and Google takes care of the rest.
If it is possible to extract the contacts from the t-mo website as a .cvs file you may be able to bulk import them to your google account but i dunno. I used Google Sync on my blackberry prior to owning an Android so i never had that problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
here is a way to export to csv...dont know how well it works...
http://yincrash.livejournal.com/188605.html

I just used the UiA Backup Contacts app from the market on my wifes phone, and imported the csv output into her Google account...
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

This is hopeless....I cant believe what a problem this is turning into. I might be able togo back to the Ice rom and get my contacts but the problem Im have then is...I cant get the contacts to sync with google.
Meaning....for example...I have my wifes phone, which is not flashed yet so as a practice run, I tried to sync her contacts to gmail/google and it will not take...if I can get this to work, they I might be able to fix this.
Any ideas on getting atleast my wifes phone to sync with google?

This is a pain to do, but it may help...
You can print your T-mo contacts from the T-mo website. If you install a pdf printer driver (neevia docuprinter), you can print the contacts to pdf. You can then select the data on the pdf, and cut and paste into a csv, and import into your Google contacts.
You will only get the basic information, like name, cell number, email, etc...
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App

First thing I did when I got this phone was disabled tmo sync so all my numbers default to google. Sorry, man. I feel your pain. You sure there's no way to export contacts from the tmo website? I bet there is.
Sent from my HTC Glacier

If we did bet you would have lost...Lol, here is the problem
I spent about 1 hour on the phone with a tmobile smart phone tech...we both logged into my tmobile acct and looked at the contacts, which were about 250. He was shocked...as was I, that there was NO export...only import. We both dont understand why they would make it this way but its dumb.
ok...so he had me do one method which didnt work well but I will post it here, maybe someone might be able to fine tune it.
So, the tech had me goto my "manage contacts" page. Then look for an option to print, once that window opens you hold down ctrl+A...this will highlight all your contacts. The right click and copy.
Next, open up excel and paste into the first column "A1". Then you have to adjust each column just a little to make the names and numbers fit.
Next, you goto save as, and choose "CSV (Comma delimited) (*.csv)"
Next you goto gmail and choose import and browse to the file you just created. This will add all your contacts however here comes the part, maybe someone else can figure how to fix...when you import the contacts, it doesnt put the numbers in the right spot...it puts them in the "Notes" section.
So you would then have to goto each name and copy and paste into the correct section...yes I know thats alot of work, but it beats entering in each number by hand.
Also, I'm not some tech...Im still new and make no claim to be smart with this...so save the put down remarks.
The other option which I did...was I just flashed back to my first rom "Ice"...then I Exported contacts to SD card...next you flash the rom you want...go thru the steps the guides tell you, when done, setup google and sync...this will add all contacts.
*** Make sure thu, that when you add NEW contacts to your phone that you create under the google acct. Meaning, when you open up the new contact window, you add the name of person and then (depending on custom rom) you can choose to create under tmobile or google...you want to choose google.
And thats it...
Brian

fst2011 said:
If we did bet you would have lost...Lol, here is the problem
I spent about 1 hour on the phone with a tmobile smart phone tech...we both logged into my tmobile acct and looked at the contacts, which were about 250. He was shocked...as was I, that there was NO export...only import. We both dont understand why they would make it this way but its dumb.
ok...so he had me do one method which didnt work well but I will post it here, maybe someone might be able to fine tune it.
So, the tech had me goto my "manage contacts" page. Then look for an option to print, once that window opens you hold down ctrl+A...this will highlight all your contacts. The right click and copy.
Next, open up excel and paste into the first column "A1". Then you have to adjust each column just a little to make the names and numbers fit.
Next, you goto save as, and choose "CSV (Comma delimited) (*.csv)"
Next you goto gmail and choose import and browse to the file you just created. This will add all your contacts however here comes the part, maybe someone else can figure how to fix...when you import the contacts, it doesnt put the numbers in the right spot...it puts them in the "Notes" section.
So you would then have to goto each name and copy and paste into the correct section...yes I know thats alot of work, but it beats entering in each number by hand.
Also, I'm not some tech...Im still new and make no claim to be smart with this...so save the put down remarks.
The other option which I did...was I just flashed back to my first rom "Ice"...then I Exported contacts to SD card...next you flash the rom you want...go thru the steps the guides tell you, when done, setup google and sync...this will add all contacts.
*** Make sure thu, that when you add NEW contacts to your phone that you create under the google acct. Meaning, when you open up the new contact window, you add the name of person and then (depending on custom rom) you can choose to create under tmobile or google...you want to choose google.
And thats it...
Brian
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your post
I recently flashed cm7.2 and I lost my tmobile sync and tried to get my g1 to sync but there was no sync so i had to figure a way to do it.
I took what you posted in the tmobile conversation and copied the contacts and saved as a cvs file. Than i exported a google file to see their format. copied and past my cvs info to the google export file and got the name to number to match. Thanks! will use google for now on for contacts!

Wow.... This was a old post of mine and really glad I was able to help you out. Take care
Brian
profen said:
Thanks for your post
I recently flashed cm7.2 and I lost my tmobile sync and tried to get my g1 to sync but there was no sync so i had to figure a way to do it.
I took what you posted in the tmobile conversation and copied the contacts and saved as a cvs file. Than i exported a google file to see their format. copied and past my cvs info to the google export file and got the name to number to match. Thanks! will use google for now on for contacts!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

google sync issues

my phone has stopped syncing from phone> gmail (at least as far as contacts go) gmail>phone works fine. if i change a last name, add a phone number to a contact on the phone it does not update the contact list in gmail. in fact gmail will override the changes on the phone and put it back the way it was. is there a setting somewhere where the 2 actually sync?

that happen to me to im tryin to find that out to

Glewis21 said:
that happen to me to im tryin to find that out to
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
stupid samsung... i'm trying to flash a rom and i'm afraid i'm gonna lose numbers now

Well.... how are you saving contacts on your device? When you create a new contact on the device, are you selecting Google or Phone?
If you select Phone, then it won't sync over to Google because the contacts are locally saved.
If you select Google, then everything is saved on their servers and then replicated to your device.
murso74 said:
stupid samsung... i'm trying to flash a rom and i'm afraid i'm gonna lose numbers now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To export your contacts on your phone, the breadcrumbs are: Contacts > Menu key > Import/Export > Export to SD card.
After that you can import those directly into Google contacts on the webpage.
If you don't want to use Google, then just import that export file into contacts on your device after your flash.
You could use a backup application like Titanium Backup or MyBackup Root.

murso74 said:
stupid samsung... i'm trying to flash a rom and i'm afraid i'm gonna lose numbers now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Under contacts hit menu and export contacts to sd card. You can also export them to your gmail. Then always choose google as a save option when adding phone numbers.
Do you BONSAI?