"GO Contacts" App: Where are contacts stored?

PeteCress · Aug 3, 2013

After managing to hose my contacts syncing to Google, I went to saving contacts only on the device.

Now I need to migrate to another device.

I have tried the "Export To .VCF" route, but I lose all my Groups.
Same with trying to synch back to a Google account: groups get hosed.

Are GO Contacts' contacts embedded in some multi-purpose Android System DB?

Or is it as easy as copying the right file to the new Android device?

Petrah · Aug 3, 2013

Add your contacts to Gmail from a PC. Then ensure that synching is enabled for your Gmail and Contacts on your phone via System Settings > Accounts > Google > Tap email address.

Once you've done that you're golden, and contacts are stored on the Google servers. You'll not lose them again.

Be sure to either combine duplicates, or remove the ones saved on the device. Otherwise you'll have two sets.

PeteCress · Aug 3, 2013

Petrah said:
Add your contacts to Gmail from a PC. Then ensure that synching is enabled for your Gmail and Contacts on your phone via System Settings > Accounts > Google > Tap email address.

Once you've done that you're golden, and contacts are stored on the Google servers. You'll not lose them again.

Be sure to either combine duplicates, or remove the ones saved on the device. Otherwise you'll have two sets.

Is that to say that newly-created Groups and the contacts assigned to them will be preserved?

I'm not wild about entrusting all my email addresses to Google... but so far that seems like the only alternative.

But Groups are the sticking point so far. We're talking 1,800+ contacts assigned among 25+ Groups.

Hadron · Aug 3, 2013

PeteCress said:
Are GO Contacts' contacts embedded in some multi-purpose Android System DB?

Or is it as easy as copying the right file to the new Android device?

I'm pretty sure it uses the standard address book (a database file in /data/data - I can dig out the full address if you want, but wouldn't bet on copying it to a different phone model, and you need root to access it). And if you are rooted, Titanium Pro can do it.

PeteCress · Aug 3, 2013

Hadron said:
I'm pretty sure it uses the standard address book (a database file in /data/data - I can dig out the full address if you want, but wouldn't bet on copying it to a different phone model, and you need root to access it). And if you are rooted, Titanium Pro can do it.

I'm rooted and I think I will try that just for CYA - the caveat about different phone/model noted.

Can you cite the menu heirarchy in TItanium? I have Titanium installed, but have found the UI somewhat arcane for the user that only uses it about once a year.

Since coming to Android from IOS almost a year ago, I've found AddressBook and heirarchical lists to be major stumbling blocks.

Heaven forbid somebody should write a Contacts app that has the basic functionality and just saves the data to a "Contacts.DB" file that can be copied/backed up/ported to any other device running the same app.

dvhttn · Aug 3, 2013

Have you looked at MyPhoneExplorer? Has a client on the PC that allows you to sync between either itself and the phone, or a email client such as Outlook or Thunderbird. You can also back up your phone and download the backup to a "new" phone.

Dave

Hadron · Aug 4, 2013

Sorry, think I misremembered. I've had a look at my Ti backup and while a number of system items are in xml (SMS, call log, WiFi) Contacts don't seem to be. Guess they assume Google sync handles that.

Not sure whether other backup apps (MyBackup, Helium) preserve group info.

I think the thing is that third party Contacts apps use the phone's database because otherwise you end up with 2 sets of contacts which get out of sync, as well as it being a lot more work for the dev.

chanchan05 · Aug 4, 2013

You can sync it via a Samsung account on your Note.

PeteCress · Aug 5, 2013

PeteCress said:
Is that to say that newly-created Groups and the contacts assigned to them will be preserved?

Well, I tried it using another gMail account and it works as advertised:

- Populate the gMail account's Contacts from scatch by importing

- With a virgin tablet, link to gMail and synch.

Now, as long as nobody harvests my email addresses for their spam lists....

ABCUS1987 · Nov 6, 2013

Good advice to start Petrah. (phone is not rooted) Here's my issue: I want to move two separate contact accounts into groups. One account is Gmail the other is business. I go to my contacts and decide what group to put them in like family, friends, vendors, clients etc. So now I have 3 groups of contacts with duplicates and triplicates. What's the best way to move them into groups? Also I think syncing is part of the problem. I'm not sure when to sync or not to sync. I have tried several apps: DeleteBlank contacts, DW dialer, dw contacts are the newest ones to remedy the problem. Never had this issue with BB!

"GO Contacts" App: Where are contacts stored?

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