How to Convert CSV to vCard on Mac, Windows & Mobile

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Sarah Miller
Updated on October 15, 2024 Preview 19.4K Preview 2
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vCard and CSV are common formats to store contact information. Some services and apps, like iCloud, only accept vCard. Therefore, if you want to import contacts to such a service or app from a CSV file, a conversion is needed.

This article provides detailed instructions on how to convert CSV to vCard on computers and phones using different methods.

 

Method 1. How to convert CSV to vCard using a contact converter app

There are desktop and mobile apps that can help you with this conversion. Unlike online tools, these apps work offline, making them a better choice for users who care about privacy. This part discusses two apps (for Mac, Windows, and Android) and provides instructions on how to use them.

Use Cisdem ContactsMate

Applies to: Mac, Windows

Mac or Windows users can use Cisdem ContactsMate, the best contact manager for computer , to easily convert individual .csv files to separate .vcf files or convert multiple .csv files to a single .vcf file. This app also supports other common formats, making it easy for you to convert contacts between different formats.

Steps on Mac:

1. Download and install ContactsMate.

Free Download

2. When you open it for the first time, click OK in the message that appears.

a message displaying an OK button

3. In the sidebar on the left, control-click (right-click) On My Mac and then choose New Group.

control-clicking On My Mac brings up a New Group option

4. Control-click New Group and then choose Import. Import the CSV file that you want to convert.

5. The Field Mapping Selection dialog will appear, allowing you to map your CSV file columns to vCard fields. Click OK.

the Field Mapping Selection dialog

6. Control-click New Group and then choose Export.

control-clicking New Group brings up an Export option

7. In the conversion dialog that appears, click Save.

the conversion dialog showing a Save button and a Format dropdown menu with vCard being the default export format

Now the conversion is done. (To delete the contacts imported into ContactsMate from the CSV file, click New Group in the sidebar, select all contacts in this group with Command-A, press the Delete key, and confirm by clicking Delete in the pop-up that appears.)

Note: Field mapping (as in step 5) is important. It makes sure that each column in the CSV file (like name, email, or phone number) matches the correct vCard field, ensuring accurate conversion. ContactsMate offers automatic field mapping and also lets you map the fields manually.

 

Steps on Windows PC:

On Windows PC, it requires that you have a Google or Outlook account.

1. Download and install ContactsMate.

Free Download Windows 11/10/8/7

2. Open the app. Add your Google or Outlook account.

add account

3. Click Manage contacts in the top right corner and choose Import contacts.

Manage contacts

4. In the Import contacts dialog, click Label > New Tags and create a tag called Convert. Now click Browse to import your CSV file.

Import contacts dialog

5. In the left sidebar's Tags section, click Convert. Select all contacts under this tag.

Tags section

6. Click Manage contacts > Export contacts.

7. In the dialog that appears, choose Selected contacts in the Contacts from this folder menu, and choose vCard in the Export as menu. Click Export.

in the Export as menu

 

Use CSV to VCF Converter

Applies to: Android

This app is free to use, but it has two disadvantages: no automatic field mapping and a limit of 100 contacts. If that’s acceptable to you, it could be a good choice.

1. Install CSV to VCF Converter. Open it.

2. This app automatically displays CSV files stored on your device. Tap the CSV file that you want to convert.

the CSV Files tab showing three CSV files

3. In the Map CSV Fields screen, manually map the fields.

4. Tap Create VCF File.

5. Go to the My Conversions tab to find your converted .vcf file.

 

Method 2. How to do the conversion for free using an online CSV to vCard converter

If you don’t mind uploading your contacts’ information online, using an online CSV to vCard converter can be a good choice. Such online tools are easily accessible and usable. All you need is a web browser (and therefore this method is available for both computers and phones).

Use fileconverts.com

Applies to: Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone

Online tool fileconverts.com is dedicated to converting files between different formats. It’s free to use and supports tons of formats including .csv and .vcf. It’s easy to use and customizable enough and supports relatively large CSV files.

1. In a web browser,visit fileconverts.com/csv/csv-to-vcard/.

2. Click Choose CSV File and upload the CSV file that you want to convert.

the interface of the online CSV to vCard converter showing Choose CSV File, CSV Input Options, Process and some other buttons

3. Optionally, click the CSV Input Options dropdown menu to customize settings as needed. Leave them as default unless the customization is really needed.

4. Click Process. The vCard Options section will appear, allowing you check the automatic field mapping. Manually map CSV columns to corresponding vCard fields if needed.

5. Click Build.

6. When the conversion is complete, click Save to download the VCF file to your device.

The conversion may take some time for large CSV files.

 

Use Google Contacts

Applies to: Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone

Google Contacts is an online contact manager from Google. You can use it as long as you have a Gmail account. Since Google Contacts supports both CSV and vCard, you can use it as a CSV to vCard converter.

1. In a web browser, visit contacts.google.com.

2. Sign in with your Gmail account.

3. On the left, click Import.

4. In the Import contacts dialog, click Select file and import your CSV file.

the Import contacts dialog

5. Go directly to the upper right part of the screen and click the Export icon .

6. In the Export contacts dialog, select vCard (for iOS Contacts) and click Export.

the Export contacts dialog

 

Method 3. How to convert .csv to .vcf using the built-in contact manager

Almost all operating systems have a built-in contact manager. Windows 11, 10, 8, 7 and Vista have Windows Contacts; macOS has Contacts. Both apps can help users with the conversion. Since the contacts app is included with the operating system, this method is free.

Use Windows Contacts

Applies to: Windows

With Windows Contacts, the conversion takes quite a few steps.

Note: If your CSV file contains only one contact, you will get one vCard. If it has, for example, 50 contacts, you will get 50 individual .vcf files. If you prefer to have all converted contacts in a single vCard, this tool is not suitable.

1. In the search box on the taskbar, type “wab.exe”.

2. Click the “web.exe Run command” result, which will open Windows Contacts.

3. Click the Import option in the toolbar. If you can’t see this option, click the arrow icon to find it.

clicking the arrow icon bringing up Import, Export, New folder and some other options

4. In the Import to Windows Contacts dialog, choose CSV (Comma Separated Values) and click Import.

the Import to Windows Contacts dialog

5. In the CSV Import dialog, import your CSV file and click Next.

6. In the Map the fields you wish to import section, adjust the automatic field mapping if needed. Click Finish. Now Windows Contacts is displaying all the contacts stored in the CSV file.

7. Create a new folder on your desktop.

8. In the toolbar, click the Export option.

9. In the Export Windows Contacts dialog, choose vCards (folder of .vcf files) and click Export.

the Export Windows Contacts dialog

10. In the Browse For Folder dialog, select Desktop and then the folder created in step 7.

11. Once the conversion is complete, go to the new folder to find the .vcf files.

 

Use Mac’s Contacts app

The Contacts app can help users get the conversion done. But it may not be that convenient to use because you need to backup your current contacts first.

1. Open the Contacts app on your Mac.

2. From the Contacts menu bar, choose File > Export > Contacts Archive.

the Contacts menu bar

3. Delete all the contacts.

4. From the Contacts menu bar, choose File > Import.

5. Select the CSV file you wish to convert and click Open.

6. Optionally, customize the automatic field mapping if necessary. Click OK.

7. From the Contacts menu bar, choose File > Export > Export vCard.

8. Delete all the contacts.

9. Import the archive file exported in step 2.

 

2 tips: What to do if the conversion is not successful

  • If a tool tells you that your CSV file is invalid or unsupported, try this tip. Use an app like Excel or Google Sheets to open your file and then save it as a .csv file.
  • If you can’t import the vCard converted from your CSV file into a certain service or app, check vCard version. There are three versions of vCard: 2.1, 3.0 and 4.0, with 3.0 being the most common. Some services and apps support all versions, while others may only support certain ones. For example, iCloud doesn’t support vCard 2.1. If you convert CSV to vCard for iCloud and the vCard is in version 2.1, you will see the “Could Not Import Some Contacts” error message when you import this vCard to iCloud. Luckily, you can manually change the version using a text editor.

 

Conclusion

This article discusses three methods to convert CSV to vCard, recommending multiple converters for each method and providing step-by-step instructions. No matter if you are looking for a simple free conversion tool or if you need a professional converter, the article can be helpful. With these tools, converting your contacts can be very easy.

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Sarah Miller

With a passion for tech and writing, Sarah joined Cisdem, where she focuses on creating articles about using utility tools to enhance file management and simplify contact management.

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  • Heyes

    Just wanted to drop a quick comment to say thank you. The step-by-step instructions were spot-on, and I appreciate the inclusion of multiple methods. I tried Method 1 and was happy with how easy it was. Keep up the excellent work!

    1 years ago commonReply

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  • Real Person

    I searched for what seemed like forever to find a solution for converting my Yahoo contacts to iCloud. I looked at free and paid versions and nothing worked until I downloaded this Cisdem ContactsMate software. I used the free version and was able to convert almost 150 contacts successfully. 11/10!!

    1 years ago commonReply

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