What "adding a contact" means

Adding a contact means storing someone's phone number, email address, or other information in a way your device can find it later. When you add a contact, you create a record that your phone or computer remembers. The next time that person calls or emails you, their name appears instead of just a number or address you don't recognize.

Most devices come with a built-in app or program for storing contacts. On iPhones, it's called Contacts. On Android phones, it's usually Contacts or People. On Windows computers, it might be called Contacts or Mail. On Macs, it's Contacts. The steps are similar across all of them, though the exact buttons and menus look slightly different.

Key Takeaways

  • You add a contact by opening your device's Contacts app and creating a new entry with the person's name and phone number or email.
  • Most phones let you add a contact directly from an incoming call or text message without opening the Contacts app first.
  • You can store multiple phone numbers or email addresses for the same person — like a work number and a home number.
  • Contacts you add are usually stored on your device itself, though some devices can sync them to a cloud account like iCloud or Google.

Adding a contact on an iPhone

Open the Contacts app (the icon looks like a person's head and shoulders). Tap the plus sign (+) in the top right corner. A blank contact form appears. Type the person's first name in the first field and their last name in the second field. Tap the phone number field and enter their number, or tap the email field and enter their email address.

You can add both a phone number and an email address to the same contact. If the person has multiple numbers — a work phone and a personal phone, for example — tap "add phone" to add a second number. When you're done, tap "Done" in the top right corner. The contact is now saved.

Adding a contact on an Android phone

Open the Contacts app or People app (the exact name depends on your phone's manufacturer). Look for a plus sign (+) or a button that says "Create contact." Tap it. A blank form appears. Enter the person's first and last name, then tap the phone number field and type their number. You can also add an email address by tapping the email field.

If you want to add a second phone number for the same person, look for a button or link that says "add phone" or "add field." Tap it and enter the second number. When you're finished, tap "Save" or "Done." The contact is now stored on your phone.

Adding a contact from a call or text message

You don't have to open the Contacts app to save someone's information. If someone calls you and you want to save their number, look at the call screen. You should see an option that says "Add to Contacts" or a plus sign. Tap it. A contact form opens with their phone number already filled in. Type their name and tap "Save."

The same works for text messages. If you receive a text from a number you don't recognize, tap the number or the sender's name at the top of the conversation. An option to add them as a contact should appear. Tap it, enter their name, and save.

Adding a contact on a Windows computer

Open the Mail app or the Contacts app (both come built into Windows). In the Contacts app, look for a button that says "New Contact" or has a plus sign. Click it. A form appears with fields for first name, last name, phone number, and email address. Fill in the information you have and click "Save."

If you're using the Mail app, you can also right-click on an email address in a message and select "Add to Contacts." A contact form opens with the email address already filled in. Add the person's name and any other details, then click "Save."

Adding a contact on a Mac

Open the Contacts app (you can find it in the Applications folder or by searching with Spotlight). Click the plus sign (+) in the bottom left corner. A new contact card appears. Type the person's first name, last name, phone number, and email address in the fields provided. You can add multiple phone numbers or email addresses by clicking the plus sign next to each field.

When you're done entering information, the contact is automatically saved. You don't need to click a "Save" button — Macs save contacts as you type.

What information you can store in a contact

Most contact apps let you store more than just a name and phone number. You can usually add a physical address, a birthday, a website, or notes about the person. Some apps let you add a photo of the contact, which appears when they call or text you. To add extra information, look for buttons or links that say "add field" or "add more info." Tap or click them to see what options are available.

You don't have to fill in every field. If you only know someone's name and email address, that's enough. You can always edit the contact later and add more information when you have it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a contact if I only have their email address and not their phone number?

Yes. Open your Contacts app, create a new contact, enter their name and email address, and save. You can add their phone number later if you get it. Most contact apps don't require you to fill in every field.

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

Most devices let you merge duplicate contacts. On iPhones, open Contacts, select one of the duplicate entries, tap "Edit," scroll down, and look for a "Link Contacts" option. On Android, open Contacts, tap the menu, and look for "Merge Contacts." On computers, right-click a contact and look for a merge option.

If I add a contact on my phone, will it appear on my computer too?

Only if your phone and computer are synced to the same account. If you use iCloud on an iPhone and Mac, or Google on an Android phone and Windows computer, your contacts sync automatically. If they're not synced, contacts stay only on the device where you added them.

Can I organize my contacts into groups or folders?

Most contact apps let you create groups. On iPhones, open Contacts, tap "Groups" at the top left, and tap "New Group." On Android, open Contacts, tap the menu, and look for "Create Label" or "Create Group." You can then assign contacts to these groups to keep them organized.

What if I want to delete a contact I added by mistake?

Open your Contacts app, find the contact you want to remove, tap or click it, and look for a "Delete" button or option. On most devices, you can also swipe left on a contact (on phones) or right-click it (on computers) to see a delete option. Once deleted, the contact is removed from your device.