How to Add a Contact to Your Phone or Computer

What "adding a contact" means

Adding a contact means storing someone's name, phone number, email address, or other information in your device so you can reach them later without looking up the number each time. When you add a contact, your phone or computer saves that information in a built-in address book — sometimes called Contacts, People, or Address Book depending on your device.

Once you add someone, you can call or text them by tapping their name instead of typing their number. You can also add multiple ways to reach the same person — a work phone, a personal phone, an email address, or a home address all in one place.

Key Takeaways

On an iPhone, open the Contacts app, tap the plus sign, and fill in the person's name and phone number or email address.
On an Android phone, open Contacts, tap the plus sign, enter the name and number, then save.
On a Windows computer, open the People app or Outlook and create a new contact with the same basic information.
You can add multiple phone numbers or email addresses for the same person by tapping "add field" or a similar button.
Contacts sync across your devices if you use the same account — for example, adding a contact on your iPhone updates it on your iPad and Mac if they share an Apple ID.

Adding a contact on an iPhone

Open the Contacts app (the icon that looks like a person's silhouette). Tap the plus sign in the upper right corner. Type the person's first and last name in the fields provided.

Tap "add phone" and enter their phone number. If you want to add an email address instead of or in addition to a phone number, tap "add email" and type it in. You can add as many phone numbers or email addresses as you need — tap "add field" to add a home address, birthday, or other details.

When you are finished, tap "Done" in the upper right. The contact is now saved and will appear when you open Messages, Phone, or FaceTime.

Adding a contact on an Android phone

Open the Contacts app (usually a person icon or labeled "Contacts"). Tap the plus sign or "Create contact" button. Enter the person's name and phone number in the fields that appear.

To add an email address, tap "add field" or look for an email option in the form. You can add multiple numbers or addresses by tapping the plus sign next to each field. When you are done, tap "Save" at the bottom of the screen.

The contact now appears in your list and is ready to use when you open Phone, Messages, or Gmail.

Adding a contact on a Windows computer

Open the People app (search for "People" in the Windows search box) or use Outlook if you have it installed. Click "New contact" or the plus sign. Type the person's name, phone number, and email address in the fields provided.

You can add a home address, birthday, or notes by clicking "add field" or scrolling down to see more options. When you are finished, click "Save" or "Done." The contact is now stored and will appear in your email program and other apps that use your contacts.

Adding a contact on a Mac

Open the Contacts app (look in the Applications folder or search for "Contacts"). Click the plus sign in the lower left corner. Type the person's first name, last name, phone number, and email address.

To add more information, click "add field" and choose what you want to add — a home address, birthday, or notes. When you are done, close the contact window. The contact is automatically saved and syncs to your other Apple devices if you use the same Apple ID.

Syncing contacts across devices

If you use the same account on multiple devices, your contacts sync automatically. On an iPhone, iPad, and Mac, contacts sync through iCloud if you are signed in with the same Apple ID. On Android phones and tablets, contacts sync through your Google account.

If you add a contact on your phone, it appears on your tablet and computer within a few minutes. If syncing is not working, check that you are signed in to the same account on both devices and that contact syncing is turned on in your settings.

Editing or deleting a contact

To change a contact's information, open the Contacts app, find the person's name, and tap or click on it. Tap "Edit" (on iPhone or iPad) or look for an edit button (on Android or Windows). Change the information you need to update and save the changes.

To delete a contact, open it and look for a delete button — usually a trash icon or a "Delete" option at the bottom of the screen. Confirm that you want to delete it. The contact is removed from your device and, if you use syncing, from your other devices as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a contact without a phone number?

Yes. You can add a contact with just a name and email address, or just a name and home address. You only need to fill in the fields that matter for that person.

What happens if I add the same person twice by accident?

Most devices let you merge duplicate contacts. On an iPhone, open one contact, tap "Edit," scroll down, and tap "Link Contacts." On Android, open one contact, tap the menu, and look for "Merge." On a computer, right-click the contact and choose "Merge" if available.

Can I import contacts from another phone or email account?

Yes. Most phones and computers can import contacts from a file or from another account. On an iPhone, you can import from a vCard file. On Android, you can import from a Google account or a file. On Windows, Outlook can import from Gmail or another email service.

Do I need to add a contact to text or call someone?

No. You can text or call anyone by typing or pasting their number directly into the Phone or Messages app. Adding a contact just makes it faster and easier to reach them again later.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.