Where are the folders in the memory of the Samsung phone. Android: what and where is stored? How to find contacts on your smartphone
Quite often, people are interested in where contacts are stored in Android. This question arises mainly due to the fact that modern smartphones quickly become obsolete. When replacing them, you have to think about transferring all data from the SIM card and the device as a whole. Contacts often cause a lot of trouble. But if you prepare in advance for the process, you can easily transfer the phone book from Android to Android.
Where are located
First you need to understand where exactly contacts are stored. Are they located in a text file or in some database? The next steps will depend on the answer to this question.
Where are contacts stored in Android? Users claim that this information is located in the SQLite database. Initially, contacts are recorded here. However, they can be transferred to a SIM card or memory card. So the phone book will always be with its owner.
Directory search
All that remains to be done is to find a folder with the corresponding data on the mobile device. Where are contacts stored on Android? They will be located in the contacts.db or contacts2.db document. They will have to be searched on a mobile device.
Where are contacts stored in Android? In order to copy the phone book from the device, you need to find the document mentioned earlier. It is located in the data directory. You need to open the following chain of folders:
- data (2 times);
- com.android.providers.contacts;
- databases.
After that, in the last folder, you need to find contacts / contacts2. This is the phone book. It can be copied, deleted or transferred to another device. As a rule, this will require root rights. For example, with the help of specialized programs. Among them are iRoot and KingRoot.
About copying data
Now it is clear where the contacts are stored in the corresponding document, as a rule, you need to copy the phone book. easier than it seems. Especially when it comes to using the same OS builds.
As a rule, you can copy the phone book to the SIM card or Flash card as follows:
- On your mobile device, go to the "Contacts" menu.
- Open settings. In some phone models, you need to select the "More" menu item.
- Select the "Import/Export" option. Click on the line that is responsible for a particular operation.
- Specify a location to import or export data. As a rule, we are talking about a SIM card or a memory card.
This is the simplest solution. Knowing where contacts are stored in Android, you can copy this phone book file using a PC and transfer it to the desired directory on the new device. In addition, there are various programs and applications for transferring contacts. But among modern users, data synchronization with Google is often used. This technique will help you not to think about where contacts are stored in Android. If you have mail on Google, you can synchronize data without rooting or searching the phone book on your mobile device.
Actions in this case are reduced to the following algorithm:
- On an old Android phone, in the "Settings" - "Accounts" menu, go through Google authorization. Mark the "Contacts" section when entering the mail in the "Synchronization" section.
- Sign in to Google on your new phone. This will automatically sync your contacts.
Whatever the reason for searching for contacts on Android, they are easy to find in several ways. The article briefly describes where they are and what operations are available on them.
Where are the contacts
Smartphone contacts are localized in two places that are significantly different from each other. In the first case, these are application accounts that use contact book data as the basis for further work. The second point involves recording all contacts in one system document, which can store contact information from all accounts connected to the device. Most users are interested in this particular file, but below are more details about each way to find them and the extraction method.
App Accounts
Some apps collect your contacts and store them in their own phone book counterparts. This is how gadget manufacturers (Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, ASUS, etc.) do it already at the user setup stage at the first start, creating an account and offering it as an alternative place to store all contacts by default. Accounts of other applications that ensure the correct operation of the device, as well as access to their resources, collect phone book data. This is mostly a Google search engine account.
Among other applications, the book is copied or supplemented directly in the application environment manually, it can be noted:
File with contacts
Phone contacts can be pulled out not only from remote servers of various applications that can be installed on the device. There is a separate file located directly in the device itself, it can be modified, copied and viewed. It can be called contacts.db or contacts2.db .
Using a smartphone
The method will take some time, but will be justified for sure. Since you will find the file that is sensitive to data leakage, contacts.
Via computer
This is the easiest way to get contacts to use on a PC, requiring no special skills or time.
This completes the actions on the Android device, the following is performed on the PC.
Searches are often performed to transfer contact information to another device. There are few reasons for this, creating a backup on an external device or importing to another smartphone due to malfunctions.
Where phone numbers are stored, I can't find the folder, file. Contacts in android are stored in the SQLite database. And to do this, you just need to follow the specified link: /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contact2.db on your phone.
Gadgets have become quite an integral part of any person and if you lose your smartphone or it stops working, then you can lose important information, such as all contacts. It is important to prevent this problem in advance.
Do you want to copy the android phone book to your computer or make a backup? But don't know what folder are contacts stored on android? Read the Rootgadget website.
Where are android contacts stored
Path to the file where contacts are stored in android: directory /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/ all the phone book is in the contacts.db file, in some cases it might be contacts2.db. By the way, this file is a SQLite database.
You can copy or read this file if you have root rights on your device. How can I check if I have them? We read in this mini article with video.
Getting root is not difficult, use the site search, if we don’t have your mobile device model, then search on Google or leave us a request, if possible, we will add information to the site on how to get root on your smartphone model. I hope that after reading our article it will not be difficult for you save contacts android to a computer or somewhere on removable media.
This instruction is relevant for all versions of Android:
- 2.3.3 - 2.3.7 Gingerbread
- 4.0.3 – 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich
- 4.1.x - 4.3 Jelly Beans
- 4.4 KitKats
- 5.0 Lollipop
- 6.0 Marshmallow
- 7.0–7.1 Nougat
- 8.0 Oreo
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- which folder stores phone book contacts on android
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One of the most sensitive places on a smartphone is the contact list. It is being leaked. Therefore, it is important to know the place where this weighty information is stored. Android has a file called contacts.db.
If this does not exist, there should be a similar file - contacts2.db. Contacts in Android are stored in the directory /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/, this is where all contacts are stored.
Some options for using contacts.
Let's assume that the smartphone breaks down, but the memory continues to function, in this case, all contacts can be moved from Android. If working with Google servers does not inspire confidence in you, you can automatically set up a backup of all contacts from your smartphone to a desktop computer using an SSH server.
The best option for moving contacts from Android would be a stationary application that successfully copes with both downloading and transferring contacts, while working with the VCard format.
Where to "search" contacts on android
So, contacts on android devices are stored in a special directory /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/, which has a file called contacts.db. /data/ is a special folder where, as a rule, applications installed by the user and his personal settings are located. In order to read the above file, you will need to get root rights. Root rights give users the right to do whatever they want with the operating system of their gadget (in this case, android OS) - delete, copy, change files (even system files), and so on. The procedure for obtaining these rights on each device is different. It will be enough for someone to install a special application, and someone will need a special program. The main thing is that without these rights, the contacts.db file. cannot be read.
Why you need to know where contacts are stored on your phone
Why do you need to know where contacts are stored in android? There is a fairly simple answer to this question. For example, the phone is broken (which is not uncommon), but its internal memory may still function normally, allowing the user to export their contacts to a new phone. Or, knowing where the contacts file is located, you can set up synchronization with your home computer (you can do this using an SSH server). Then, in the event of a breakdown, you can view the contact book directly through the computer. In this case, you don’t need to figure out how - it’s more convenient to do it on a PC.
In addition, you can synchronize contacts stored on android devices with Gmail. To do this, you will need to find the “Accounts” item in the phone menu and check the box next to the line with the name “auto-sync”. After this procedure, the contacts should appear in the user's mail. In case of unforeseen situations, it will be possible to go to the Gmail mail assigned to a specific device and view all the contacts available there.
Quite often, people are interested in where contacts are stored in Android. This question arises mainly due to the fact that modern smartphones quickly become obsolete. When replacing them, you have to think about transferring all data from the SIM card and the device as a whole. Contacts often cause a lot of trouble. But if you prepare in advance for the process, you can easily transfer the phone book from Android to Android.
Where are located
First you need to understand where exactly contacts are stored. Are they located in a text file or in some database? The next steps will depend on the answer to this question.
Where are contacts stored in Android? Users claim that this information is located in the SQLite database. Initially, contacts are recorded here. However, they can be transferred to a SIM card or memory card. So the phone book will always be with its owner.
Directory search
All that remains to be done is to find a folder with the corresponding data on the mobile device. Where are contacts stored on Android? They will be located in the contacts.db or contacts2.db document. They will have to be searched on a mobile device.
Where are contacts stored in Android? In order to copy the phone book from the device, you need to find the document mentioned earlier. It is located in the data directory. You need to open the following chain of folders:
- data (2 times);
- com.android.providers.contacts;
- databases.
After that, in the last folder, you need to find contacts / contacts2. This is the phone book. It can be copied, deleted or transferred to another device. As a rule, this will require root rights. For example, with the help of specialized programs. Among them are iRoot and KingRoot.
About copying data
Now it is clear where the contacts are stored in the corresponding document, as a rule, you need to copy the phone book. easier than it seems. Especially when it comes to using the same OS builds.
As a rule, you can copy the phone book to the SIM card or Flash card as follows:
- On your mobile device, go to the "Contacts" menu.
- Open settings. In some phone models, you need to select the "More" menu item.
- Select the "Import/Export" option. Click on the line that is responsible for a particular operation.
- Specify a location to import or export data. As a rule, we are talking about a SIM card or a memory card.
This is the simplest solution. Knowing where contacts are stored in Android, you can copy this phone book file using a PC and transfer it to the desired directory on the new device. In addition, there are various programs and applications for transferring contacts. But among modern users, data synchronization with Google is often used. This technique will help you not to think about where contacts are stored in Android. If you have mail on Google, you can synchronize data without rooting or searching the phone book on your mobile device.
Actions in this case are reduced to the following algorithm:
- On an old Android phone, in the "Settings" - "Accounts" menu, go through Google authorization. Mark the "Contacts" section when entering the mail in the "Synchronization" section.
- Sign in to Google on your new phone. This will automatically sync your contacts.
Contacts are the most sensitive to leakage from your gadget. Therefore, it is important not only to protect your device from scammers and viruses, but also to know where and how data is located on Android.
It is possible to use the contacts folder only in two cases. In one of them, you can resort to exporting contacts in case of a breakdown of your Android phone. This is feasible if the memory of the broken device is still functioning.
The second case is suitable for an audience that does not trust Google servers and has not synchronized contacts with them. To save contacts to a second smartphone or any other device, you will need to use an SSH server and know the path to the file with the necessary information in the Android OS.
How to find the contacts folder
Finding the folder where important data is stored will not be difficult. You need to look for a file called contacts.db. If you suddenly do not find this, then you need to look for the second option contacts2.db. In order to find the necessary file with contacts, you must specify the following path: /data/data/com.Android.providers.contacts/databases/.
This way you will find the desired folder with all your contacts. They are stored and updated constantly, as soon as certain changes occur with the data.
But you can open it or copy it only if you have it. You can check if your Android device has root rights using special and simple applications that are located on Google services.
After successful installation and verification of rights, you can copy the contacts folder to a computer or other device. Transferring a folder is easy with an appropriate cable or wirelessly. After sending or copying, do not forget that the files are stored in the public domain.
In this case, you will know exactly the location of the copied contacts. In addition to transferring data, you can also import the contacts you need using the same application. This way you will save a lot of your time and will have the same book with all your contacts.
In general, working with contacts on Android is both easy and difficult at the same time. The thing is that most people use applications installed by the manufacturer, and these can be either standard ones from the Android supply, or programs as part of proprietary shells. So to begin with, let's consider the general situation using one of the examples.
Android contacts are in the application of the same name. As a rule, shell developers for Google OS put it on the first home screen, so it is not difficult to find it.
The interface of the Contacts application is simple and intuitive. At the top there is a menu of Phonebook sources, icons for searching and creating a new contact, as well as the menu of the application itself.
By swiping left and right, you can quickly go to contact groups, the speed dial screen, and even the call log.
The phone book sources menu allows you to choose which contacts to show in the application. There are options: SIM, Skype and other instant messengers, accounting and the actual phone book of the device. The user can check or uncheck the boxes next to each source. Useful advice: if it annoys you that Android pulls up email addresses, nicknames from Skype and turns the phone book into a mess, then just turn off the corresponding sources.
The search for contacts in the application has auto-selection. To find the right person, it is not necessary to type his full name. It is enough to specify the first letters and the application will select all matches.
When creating a contact, the user selects its location, then indicates the number (you can choose from 6 options), e-mail. A contact can be added to a group. In addition, for each contact, you can specify additional fields: from a birthday or other significant events to an arbitrary note.
The application menu includes eight items. We will dwell on some of them later. The settings mainly concern the way contacts are displayed in the app. You can also set up synchronization with accounts, view the capacity of the SIM card, and select the tabs that will show when you scroll left and right.
How to Transfer Contacts from Android to Android
Unlike iOS, Android offers a large selection of native options by default for transferring contacts from one device to another.
Every Android smartphone is linked to a Google account. To transfer contacts using Google, you just need to make sure that synchronization of contacts with your Google profile and Gmail is enabled on your old smartphone. To do this, go to Settings - Account and Sync - Google - Gmail. Next click on the title account and then select Contacts. Depending on the settings made earlier, they will be synchronized automatically or when clicked. Further, on the new device, it is enough to do the same for the contacts to appear on it. It is important that the gadgets are connected to the Internet.
You can also transfer contacts from Android to Android using a SIM card or VCard file. To do this, in the Contacts application, go to Menu - Manage Contacts - Import / Export Contacts. Here you can export contacts to the SIM card, memory card or phone memory.
Then the SIM is inserted into a new phone, you can also rearrange the memory card there. On the new device, the same actions are performed, only instead of Export, you need to select Import from the appropriate location.
If the user has exported contacts to the phone's memory, then he will then need to transfer the VCard file from there. This can be done by connecting the phones to a computer - most Android phones are defined as removable drives, either emailed to itself (but it's more logical to use the Gmail sync described above) or transferred via Bluetooth. Then, on the new phone, you need to repeat the steps already described for importing contacts.
You can also transfer contacts from phone to phone using Bluetooth. True, this method is only suitable for a small number of entries - and once you can send no more than 10 pieces. To do this, go to the Contacts application menu and select the Send contacts option. Then mark the necessary entries with a checkbox and then select the sending method - Bluetooth. You must first establish a Bluetooth connection between the phones.
Also, the Send contacts item allows you to send them by e-mail, using SMS or MMS, but these methods are not relevant when transferring contacts from phone to phone.
How to Transfer Contacts from iPhone to Android
There are two ways to transfer contacts from iPhone to Android, syncing with Gmail and using a VCard file. Both will require some effort.
Contacts+
- Developer: Contact Plus team
- Grade: 4,1.
- Number of installations: 50 million.
Makes contacts more fun. All contacts are presented with avatars. This representation simplifies calling the desired subscriber - choosing by faces is faster. There are advanced search functions: you can search not only by name or phone, but also by mail, SMS, etc.
Supported themes and various options phone book design. Contacts+ also have a call log and SMS.
Contacts are stored in encrypted form.
The application has a separate backup function. True, in the free version, you can only save up to 2000 contacts, calls or SMS. Copying is configured separately for each category of information.
Save contacts to TXT
- Developer: Viked.
- Grade: 4,3.
- Number of installations: 15 thousand.
On Android, contacts can be exported in vCard format. This application allows you to save them in txt. You can save all contacts, individual entries or several in a text file.
It also allows you to customize which fields will be saved in the file.
In the future, the file can be used at the discretion of the user. You can also send it by email.
Simpler Contacts Dialing
Applications for exporting and importing contacts in Excel files. Excel is importable to Outlook.
The application allows you to customize which fields will be exported to Excel. You can transfer all contact fields, including a photo. The only exception is a personal ringtone assigned to a contact.
The application also automatically converts encodings according to the requirements of Windows and Microsoft applications so that names in contacts are displayed correctly.
The exported file can be stored on a memory card, sent by mail, uploaded to cloud services.
The limitation of the free version is that you can only export the first 300 contacts. You will have to pay for a larger phone book.
Conclusion
Working with contacts in Android is well organized. There is practically no need to turn to third-party applications if you read our guide. With Android tools, you can perform all possible actions with contacts.
However, if you want to decorate and diversify the dialer or phone book, then there are enough applications in the Play Market. True, you need to be careful when choosing them. It's all about personal data.
18 May 2015 Where are contacts stored on Android? Comments: 0 One of the most sensitive places in a smartphone is the contact list. It is being leaked. That's why it's important...
18 May 2015 Where are contacts stored on Android? Comments: 0 One of the most sensitive places in a smartphone is the contact list. It is being leaked. That's why it's important...
The need to find out where SMS are stored in Android is rare for the average user. However, if text messages contain important information and you are afraid of losing it due to a system failure, virus attack, or for other reasons, the SMS database file can be saved on an external microsd card or in a folder on a PC. In this case, even after the failure of the mobile phone, using the created copy, you can completely restore SMS or read them on a computer.
How to find SMS storage on Android
SMS storage in Android is carried out on the internal memory of the device in a protected area. To access it, you will first need to unlock the Superuser profile on your smartphone and install a file manager that can work with the system directory.
To activate the superuser mode, you can use the KingRoot application:
Now, having root access and knowing where SMS are stored on Android, they can be found and copied to the desired location. To do this, use the ES Explorer program:
After you managed to save SMS messages, they can be restored at any time by simply transferring the existing file to the databases folder using the same ES Explorer. Also, if necessary, you can view and modify the contents of the mmssms.db file directly on the PC using the SQLite Database Browser application.
Programs for recovering deleted SMS
If for some reason important correspondence was erased on your gadget, and you didn’t know where text messages are stored in Android (that is, you don’t have a backup copy), you can return the lost SMS on your phone using special software.
Among the resuscitation programs, the most effective are:
- SMS Backup And Restore;
- GT SMS Recovery.
As an example, consider how to recover deleted SMS stored in the databases folder using Mobikin Doctor For Android:
After you managed to save SMS on your computer, you can open and copy them from there important information. It should be noted that restoring SMS in this way does not allow you to return them back to the phone in the databases directory, because the format of the executable file will be different.