Can't transfer contacts

[kirrwed]

I had a Samsung Note 4. Got a new Moto G4 with Marshmallow 6. I successfully exported my contacts from the Samsung to a Contacts.vcf file. I then connected phone to Mac and used Android File Transfer to drag the vcf file to my desktop. Then I connected the Moto G4, and it REFUSES to see the vcf file, even after I dragged it into the Downloads folder.

When I go into Contacts/Import, it gives me the option to import from the Downloads folder. But when I open that folder - no vcf file shows up EVEN THOUGH I can see it in the Downloads folder in Android File Transfer. I can even see a downloaded MP3 in the same folder both in AFT and on the Moto G4 contacts app. But no vcf.

Help

 

[B. Diddy]

Would you object to importing your contacts to your Google Contacts on the web? Once they're imported, they'll sync automatically with the new phone. More importantly, they'll be safe in the cloud, so if something happens to the phone, you won't lose that important data forever.

 

[kirrwed]

I am not opposed to that, however, when I go to Export on my Note 4, it only offers export to Storage or to SIM.

 

[B. Diddy]

Right, so export it to storage, then upload it to your Google Drive in the cloud (or copy it to your computer via USB connection). Then go to the Google Contacts website and import that file.

 

[zuben el genubi]

What if you do object? I have friends that absolutely HATE Google. I wouldn't feel right putting their phone numbers into Google anything.

I can dial independently instead of contacts.

 

[B. Diddy]

Well then, you can try importing the contacts to the local Phone account, which doesn't sync anywhere. The risk is that if something happens to the phone, you lose all of that data (unless you are in the habit of backing the data up somewhere, which many people forget to do or just don't bother to do).

If it's not detecting VCF files, then perhaps it's looking for a CSV file. Are you able to export the contacts as a CSV file?

 

[zuben el genubi]

I do have VCF and SIM. I back up to computer.

 

[B. Diddy]

Sorry, are you saying that the contacts only export as VCF, and the phone won't import a VCF file?

 

[zuben el genubi]

No, I'm saying there is no separate phone from Google on the Moto.
It just wants all permissions and I deny them.

About contacts:

www.xda-developers.com/setting-up-android-marshmallow-without-google/

from article:
Hopefully someone will make a standalone version of the AOSP Contacts app, just like the Calendar one above.

I am using a smart phone for certain apps, not socialization. Astronomy apps are great, but do need speed to run well. The same for many birding apps. I love having all of it in one easy to access location. That's why I don't use a dumb phone.