Save Contacts

The contact saving feature allows you to easily save contacts from digital business cards shared by other Launchpad users. This guide will walk you through the platform-specific process of saving contacts on both Android and iOS devices.

Quick Tip

The save contact feature works seamlessly across all devices, but the experience varies between Android and iOS due to different operating system capabilities.

Understanding VCF Files

Before diving into the platform-specific instructions, it’s important to understand what VCF files are and why they’re used.

What are VCF Files?

VCF (Virtual Contact File) is a standard file format used to store and exchange contact information. Also known as vCard files, they contain:

• Contact names and titles
• Phone numbers (mobile, work, home)
• Email addresses
• Physical addresses
• Company information
• Profile pictures
• Social media links
• Custom fields

Are VCF Files Safe?

✅ Completely Safe

VCF files are plain text files that only contain contact information. They cannot execute code or install software on your device.

🔒 Industry Standard

VCF is an internationally recognized standard (RFC 6350) used by all major contact management systems including Google Contacts, Apple Contacts, and Outlook.

🌐 Universal Compatibility

VCF files work across all platforms - Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and web-based contact managers.

How to Save Contacts

📱 Android Devices

On Android devices, Launchpad downloads a VCF file containing the contact’s information to your device’s Downloads folder.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Open the Digital Card

   • Visit the digital card of the person you want to save
   • This can be through a shared link, or QR code scan

2. Tap “Save Contact”

   • Look for the “Save Contact” button on the digital card
   • Tap the button to initiate the download

3. VCF File Download

   • A .vcf file will automatically download to your device.
   • You’ll see a download notification in your notification panel.
   • The file is typically saved in your Downloads folder.

4. Import the Contact

   • Open your device’s File Manager or Downloads app
   • Locate the downloaded VCF file (usually named something like contact-name.vcf)
   • Tap on the VCF file
   • Your Android device will prompt you to choose how to open it

5. Choose Contact App

   • Select your preferred contacts app (Google Contacts, Samsung Contacts, etc.)
   • The contact information will be automatically imported
   • Review the information and tap “Save” or “Import”

Android Tip

If you have multiple contact apps installed, Android will ask which app you’d like to use to import the contact. Choose your primary contacts app for the best experience.

Alternative Method:

• Google Contacts Web: You can also open contacts.google.com on your phone’s browser, tap the menu, select “Import,” and choose the downloaded VCF file.

🍎 iOS Devices (iPhone/iPad)

iOS devices have superior VCF support, making the contact saving process much more streamlined and user-friendly.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Open the Digital Card

   • Visit the digital card through Safari, Chrome, or any iOS browser
   • Access via shared link, QR code scan, or direct exchange

2. Tap “Save Contact”

   • Locate and tap the “Save Contact” button on the digital card

3. Native Contact Registration

   • iOS will immediately open the native Contacts app
   • A “New Contact” screen will appear with all information pre-filled
   • The contact details (name, phone, email, etc.) are automatically populated

4. Review and Customize

   • Review all the imported information
   • Add additional details if needed
   • Choose which account to save to (iCloud, Gmail, etc.)

5. Save the Contact

   • Tap “Done” in the top-right corner
   • The contact is instantly saved to your chosen account
   • It will sync across all your Apple devices if using iCloud

iOS Advantage

iOS users get the most seamless experience as the contact information appears directly in the native Contacts app without needing to download or manage files.

Platform Comparison

Feature	Android	iOS
Contact Saving Method	VCF File Download	Native Contact App
Steps Required	4-5 steps	2-3 steps
File Management	Manual import required	Automatic import
User Experience	Good	Excellent
Customization Before Save	Limited	Full editing available

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Android Issues

VCF File Won't Open

Solution: Ensure you have a contacts app installed. Try opening the file with Google Contacts or your device’s default contacts app.

Can't Find Downloaded File

Solution: Check your Downloads folder using the Files app. The file will be named with the contact’s name and have a .vcf extension.

Contact Information Missing

Solution: Re-download the VCF file and ensure you’re importing it into your primary contacts app.

iOS Issues

Contacts App Doesn't Open

Solution: Ensure you’re using Safari or another compatible browser. Some third-party browsers may have limitations.

Contact Not Syncing

Solution: Check your iCloud settings and ensure Contacts syncing is enabled in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.

Best Practices

For All Users

1. Review Before Saving

   • Always review contact information before saving
   • Ensure phone numbers and emails are correctly formatted
   • Add additional notes or categories if needed

2. Organize Your Contacts

   • Use groups or labels to organize business contacts
   • Add company information and job titles when available
   • Include relevant tags for easy searching

3. Keep Contacts Updated

   • Regularly update contact information as it changes
   • Remove duplicate contacts that may result from multiple saves
   • Sync contacts across your devices for consistency

Security Considerations

Privacy Note

While VCF files are completely safe, always ensure you trust the source of the digital card before saving contact information. Only save contacts from verified Launchpad users or trusted business connections.

Advanced Features

Bulk Contact Management

• Android: Use Google Contacts web interface for advanced bulk operations
• iOS: Use the Contacts app on Mac for advanced editing and organization

Contact Synchronization

• Cross-Platform: Use Google Contacts as a universal sync service
• Apple Ecosystem: iCloud provides seamless sync across all Apple devices
• Business Users: Consider Microsoft 365 or other enterprise contact solutions

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Need Help Saving Contacts?

If you’re having trouble saving contacts or need assistance with the process, our support team is here to help.

Learn About Contact Exchange

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