How to download your contacts from Google on a computer or Android device

Getting a copy of your Google contacts is always a good practice to maintain.

That way, you'll be much more likely to keep them over the long-term even if, say, you somehow forget your account login information, or you switched to another account.

Here's how to get it done on your computer or Android .

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Google Pixel 3 (From $799.99 at Best Buy)

How to download your contacts from Google on a computer

1. Go into Google Contacts .

2. If you want to select certain contacts to download, hover your cursor over their name and tick the box that appears; otherwise, in the left sidebar, select "Export."

1 HOW TO DOWNLOAD CONTACTS GOOGLE Devon Delfino/Business Insider

3. Tick whichever download option fits your situation or needs, for example: Selected contacts, Starred contacts, Frequently contacted, or My Contacts.

2 HOW TO DOWNLOAD CONTACTS GOOGLE Devon Delfino/Business Insider

4. Choose your exporting method.

3 HOW TO DOWNLOAD CONTACTS GOOGLE Devon Delfino/Business Insider

5. Click "Export."

How to download your contacts from Google on an Android phone

This is a pretty straightforward process. But keep in mind that, unlike the computer method, you won't be given the option to select from your contacts, you'll simply get all of them downloaded:

1. Open the Contacts app.

2. Tap the three bars in the top-left corner of the screen to get into the menu.

3. Select "Settings."

4 HOW TO DOWNLOAD CONTACTS GOOGLE Devon Delfino/Business Insider

4. Scroll down and tap "Export."

5 HOW TO DOWNLOAD CONTACTS GOOGLE Devon Delfino/Business Insider

5. If necessary, give permission to access your data, like photos and videos.

6 HOW TO DOWNLOAD CONTACTS GOOGLE Devon Delfino/Business Insider

6 . Choose where to save your contacts by clicking the three lines in the top-left corner of the screen you can save to your downloads folder or your Google Drive and tap "Save" when complete.