The Workflow
You've exported hundreds of leads from WhatsApp Web using WaVault. Now you want them on your phone so you can call or message them directly. Here's how to complete the workflow.
Step 1: Export as VCF from WaVault
Make sure you choose VCF (vCard) as your export format in WaVault. This creates a .vcf file that phones and email clients can read natively.
Pro tip: Use WaVault's granular selection to export only the contacts you actually want on your phone. Don't dump your entire WhatsApp list — select the specific leads or group members you need.
Step 2: Transfer the File
Email the .vcf file to yourself, or upload it to:
- iCloud Drive (for iPhone)
- Google Drive (for Android)
- OneDrive (for Outlook integration)
Step 3: Import on iPhone (iOS 17/18)
- Open the .vcf file on your iPhone (from Mail, Files, or AirDrop)
- iOS will automatically recognize it as a contacts file
- Tap "Add All X Contacts"
- Choose which account to save to (iCloud, Gmail, etc.)
- Done — all contacts are now in your address book
Step 4: Import on Android (Google Contacts)
- Open the Google Contacts app
- Tap the menu → "Fix & Manage"
- Select "Import from file"
- Browse to your .vcf file and select it
- Choose the Google account to save contacts to
- Done — contacts sync across all your devices
Step 5: Import to Google Contacts (Web)
You can also import directly via the Google Contacts website:
- Go to contacts.google.com → "Import"
- Upload your .vcf file
- Contacts are added and synced to all devices using that Google account
Step 6: Import to Outlook
- Open Outlook → File → Import/Export
- Select "Import a vCard file (.vcf)"
- Navigate to your exported file
- Contacts are added to your Outlook address book
Why VCF Over CSV for Phone Import?
While you can technically import CSV files to Google Contacts, VCF is the native standard for contact files. It preserves phone number formatting and is recognized instantly by iOS, Android, and desktop clients without any column-mapping step.
If you need data analysis, use Excel. If you need phone import, use VCF. Read our full format comparison guide.
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my exported WhatsApp contacts onto my new iPhone?
First, use WaVault to export your target WhatsApp contacts in VCF format. Email or explicitly send that .vcf file to your iPhone, tap on the file, and iOS will automatically prompt you to 'Add All Contacts'.
Do I need a Google Account to import VCF contacts to Android?
While a Google Account is the easiest way (via Google Contacts web import), you can also send the .vcf file directly to your Android device, open it, and the native Contacts app will handle the import locally.
Will importing a VCF file delete my existing phone contacts?
No. Importing a VCF file simply appends the new contacts to your existing address book. If duplicate names or numbers exist, most modern smartphones will automatically link or merge them.