Sidephone

Because Sidephone is de-Googled, data is transferred manually by exporting files from your old phone and sending them to Sidephone using LocalSend (AirDrop-like transfer). For ongoing contact/calendar sync, you can optionally use DAVx⁵ with your existing CardDAV/CalDAV provider.

What it is for: Contacts, photos, documents, PDFs, music, notes, or any files.

Install LocalSend on your existing device(s) (Android, iPhone, Mac, or Windows)

Install LocalSend on Sidephone via the App Library or another trusted source

Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network

On your old device, select the files you want to transfer (contacts, photos, etc.)

Select your Sidephone when it appears

Accept the transfer on Sidephone and wait for completion

1. Install LocalSend on your existing device(s) (Android, iPhone, Mac, or Windows)
2. Install LocalSend on Sidephone via the App Library or another trusted source
3. Connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network
4. On your old device, select the files you want to transfer (contacts, photos, etc.)
5. Tap Share → LocalSend
6. Select your Sidephone when it appears
7. Accept the transfer on Sidephone and wait for completion

Use this if you just want your contacts moved once.

Open Contacts → ⋮ → Export → .vcf file.

Send the <code>.vcf</code> file to Sidephone via LocalSend (Steps 1–7)

On Sidephone, open the file and import contacts.

1. Open Contacts → ⋮ → Export → .vcf file.
2. Save the file to your phone.
3. Send the <code>.vcf</code> file to Sidephone via LocalSend (Steps 1–7)
4. On Sidephone, open the file and import contacts.

Go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts → iCloud (ensure Contacts are synced)

On a computer, go to iCloud.com → Contacts → Select All → Export vCard (.vcf)

Send the <code>.vcf</code> file to Sidephone via LocalSend

1. Go to Settings → Contacts → Accounts → iCloud (ensure Contacts are synced)
2. On a computer, go to iCloud.com → Contacts → Select All → Export vCard (.vcf)
3. Send the <code>.vcf</code> file to Sidephone via LocalSend
4. Open and import on Sidephone

Ongoing sync (optional, advanced): DAVx⁵

Use this if you want your contacts/calendar to stay in sync over time.

Enter your CardDAV/CalDAV server details (e.g., Nextcloud, iCloud via bridge, Fastmail, etc.)

Enable Contacts (CardDAV) and/or Calendar (CalDAV) sync

Run an initial sync and confirm contacts appear in Sidephone

1. Install DAVx⁵ on Sidephone
2. Open DAVx⁵ → Add account
3. Enter your CardDAV/CalDAV server details (e.g., Nextcloud, iCloud via bridge, Fastmail, etc.)
4. Enable Contacts (CardDAV) and/or Calendar (CalDAV) sync
5. Run an initial sync and confirm contacts appear in Sidephone

Select photos/music/files on your old device

Confirm files appear in Sidephone’s file manager or gallery

1. Select photos/music/files on your old device
2. Send via LocalSend to Sidephone
3. Confirm files appear in Sidephone’s file manager or gallery

PDF files: Sidephone does not have a tool to open PDF files by default. This needs to be installed.

Music files: A music player must be installed on Sidephone to play mp3 and other music files. Our recommendation is Auxio. &lt;- This is not a typo.

No Wi-Fi available: Create a personal hotspot on your old phone and connect Sidephone to it before using LocalSend.

Large transfers failing: Send in smaller batches rather than all files at once.

Contacts duplicated: This can happen if you import multiple <code>.vcf</code> files—delete duplicates after import.

iMessage/RCS issues (texts): This guide does not transfer SMS history; disable iMessage/RCS separately before moving your number.

Google Drive backups: Cannot be restored automatically on Sidephone due to de-Googled system.

iCloud calendars: Require a CalDAV bridge or third-party service to work with DAVx⁵.

- PDF files: Sidephone does not have a tool to open PDF files by default. This needs to be installed.
- Music files: A music player must be installed on Sidephone to play mp3 and other music files. Our recommendation is Auxio. &lt;- This is not a typo.
- No Wi-Fi available: Create a personal hotspot on your old phone and connect Sidephone to it before using LocalSend.
- Large transfers failing: Send in smaller batches rather than all files at once.
- Contacts duplicated: This can happen if you import multiple <code>.vcf</code> files—delete duplicates after import.
- iMessage/RCS issues (texts): This guide does not transfer SMS history; disable iMessage/RCS separately before moving your number.
- Google Drive backups: Cannot be restored automatically on Sidephone due to de-Googled system.
- iCloud calendars: Require a CalDAV bridge or third-party service to work with DAVx⁵.

___________________________________________________________

Create a support ticket if LocalSend repeatedly fails to transfer files, or if contacts will not import from a valid <code>.vcf</code> file after multiple attempts on the same Wi-Fi network.

Are you coming from Android or iPhone?

Did you try LocalSend, <code>.vcf</code>, or DAVx⁵?

Were both devices on the same Wi-Fi network?

What data type failed (contacts, photos, files, calendar)?

Whether the <code>.vcf</code> file successfully transferred to Sidephone.

- Are you coming from Android or iPhone?
- Did you try LocalSend, <code>.vcf</code>, or DAVx⁵?
- Were both devices on the same Wi-Fi network?
- What data type failed (contacts, photos, files, calendar)?
- Exact error message shown (if any).
- Whether the <code>.vcf</code> file successfully transferred to Sidephone.

How to move contacts, photos, and files to Sidephone using LocalSend and optional ongoing sync with DAVx⁵.

Transfer data from another device

Find answers and get help from Intercom Support and Community Experts

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Transfer data from another device

Summary

Steps

Using LocalSend (fastest, simplest)

Contacts (one-time transfer via .vcf)

Transfer Contacts from Android

Transfer Contacts from iPhone

Ongoing sync (optional, advanced): DAVx⁵

Photos, music, and files (bulk transfer)

Considerations

When to Contact Support

What to Collect for Support