Importing contacts from Android - VCF works, very easy

Hi guys.

I read a bunch online about how to import contacts from android to L5 and there is a lot of noise out there. Here is how it is done, super easy:

1) Export contacts on android to VCF file format.

Details: VCF is just a text file with formatted text structured in a specific way.

2) Transfer VCF file to your L5.

Details: You can email it to your self, SCP it, mount your file system over SSHFS, etc., tons of ways to do it.

3) Insert a new line after each END:VCARD line.

Android formats the VCF files like this:

BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:2.1
N:Firstname;Lastname;;;
FN:Firstname Lastname
TEL;CELL:1-555-555-5555
TEL;CELL:1-555-555-5555
ORG:Company
END:VCARD
BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:2.1
N:Firstname;Lastname;;;
FN:Firstname Lastname
TEL;CELL:1-555-555-5555
TEL;CELL:1-555-555-5555
ORG:Company
END:VCARD
BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:2.1
N:Firstname;Lastname;;;
FN:Firstname Lastname
TEL;CELL:1-555-555-5555
TEL;CELL:1-555-555-5555
ORG:Company
END:VCARD

It needs to be formatted like this:

BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:2.1
N:Firstname;Lastname;;;
FN:Firstname Lastname
TEL;CELL:1-555-555-5555
TEL;CELL:1-555-555-5555
ORG:Company
END:VCARD

BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:2.1
N:Firstname;Lastname;;;
FN:Firstname Lastname
TEL;CELL:1-555-555-5555
TEL;CELL:1-555-555-5555
ORG:Company
END:VCARD

BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:2.1
N:Firstname;Lastname;;;
FN:Firstname Lastname
TEL;CELL:1-555-555-5555
TEL;CELL:1-555-555-5555
ORG:Company
END:VCARD

Any text editor should let you search / replace the new line quickly after the END:VCARD part.

4) Use syncevolution program to import the contacts file.

Details:

a) Install syncevolution with apt.

b) The following command will import it into the default contacts database: syncevolution --import contacts.vcf backend=evolution-contacts database=Personal

c) Review the docs on https://syncevolution.org/ on how to use syncevolution properly, especially if you have some custom contacts configuration.

Hopefully this helps some noobs trying to make the transition.

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Importing VCF files is supported by the default Contacts app

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