Find and Manage Your Gmail Contacts List

How to Find Your Google Contacts List

You can access your Google Contacts using any web browser on your desktop or with an app on your mobile device.

Access Google Contacts on Your Desktop

There are four simple ways to view your contact list on the web.

Gmail Side Panel

1. Visit Gmail on the web and sign in.
2. Click the Contacts button in the side panel on the right.
3. If you don’t see the side panel, use the arrow on the bottom right to display it.

You’ll then see your contact list in a sidebar.

Google Contacts Website

1. Visit the dedicated Google Contacts site in your web browser.
2. Sign in with your Google account.
3. Select a contact to view their details.

You can also use the menu on the left to navigate the page or create a new contact.

Google Apps Button

1. Visit any Google website such as Gmail.
2. Click the Google Apps button (dot grid) on the top right.
3. Select Contacts.

You’ll then be directed to the dedicated website to see your list.

Google Account Page

1. Visit any Google website.
2. Click your profile icon on the top right and pick Manage your Google Account.
3. On the Google Account page, select People & sharing on the left.
4. Choose Contacts below.

You’ll then be directed to the dedicated website.

Access Google Contacts on Mobile

If you’re an Android user, you’ll find the (Google) Contacts app on your device.

But, if you use an iPhone, your best bet is to use the built-in (Apple) Contacts app. Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as telling Siri, “Show me my contact list,” but don’t worry, we’ll walk you through it!

On Android

1. Open your app list by swiping up on the Home screen.
2. Tap the Contacts app to open it.
3. Select a contact to view their details or tap Organize for available actions.

If you don’t see the app on your device, you can install Contacts from Google Play for free.

On iPhone

1. Open Apple’s Contacts app from your Home screen or using the App Library.
2. Tap Lists on the top left.
3. Select the Gmail or Google account, if you have more than one.

You’ll then see only that contact list.

If you don’t see your Gmail or Google account in the app, you may need to enable contact syncing or connect your account using these steps:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Select Contacts.
3. Choose Accounts.
   • If you see your Gmail or Google account, select it and turn on the toggle for Contacts.
   • If you don’t see your account, tap Add Account and follow the prompts to connect it, including syncing Contacts.

Where is the Gmail Address Book?

Slightly different from Google Contacts is your Gmail address book. While you can see and insert a contact from it, the address book also contains people who you’ve communicated with that aren’t yet in your contact list.

You can find your address book with Gmail on the web by following these steps:

1. Open the Compose window as if you’re creating a new email.
2. Click To in the recipient field.
3. In the pop-up window, use the My Contacts drop-down on the right to choose All Contacts.

You’ll then see everyone in your address book.

Add an Email Address to Contacts

To add someone from the address book to your contact list, do the following:

1. Follow the above steps to open All Contacts in the pop-up window.
2. Select a contact and click Insert.
3. When they appear on the To line of the email, click their name or email address.
4. In the tiny pop-up window that appears, click the Add to contacts button (contact with plus sign) on the right.

That person should then appear in your Contacts list.

How to Manage Your Google Contacts

Managing your contact list is key to a productive flow when you want to message, call, or text someone. But along with viewing names and details are other actions you may want to perform such as sorting or sharing the list.

How to Sort Google Contacts

Unfortunately, you have limited options for sorting your list. It appears in alphabetical order by default, but you can choose to sort by first name or last name.

1. Open the Settings menu(gear icon) on the top right.
2. Pick More settings.
3. Choose First name or Last name below Sort By.
4. Click Save.

You should see your list refresh with the new sort order.

Personally, rather than sort my Contacts list of names, I use the Search box at the top to find the person. So, consider giving this a try too!

How to Share Google Contacts

To share your contact list, you can either export it or create a PDF that you can then send or print. The quickest and easiest way to do both is using the Google Contacts website, so head there and sign in.

Export Your Google Contacts

1. Select all of your contacts or the ones you would like to export.
2. Click the three dots(More actions) in the top right and pick the Export button (up arrow ).
3. Choose the list to export in the drop-down menu.
4. Select the file type below Export as.
5. Click Export.
6. Follow the subsequent prompts per your web browser to download the file.

Create a PDF to Share or Print Your Contacts

1. Pick the Print button (printer) on the top right.
2. Choose the list in the drop-down menu.
3. Click Print.
4. When the preview displays in a new browser tab, choose Save as PDF next to Destination.
5. Make any adjustments per your preference and click Save.
6. Follow the prompts for your web browser to download the PDF to share or print.

Wrap-Up

Working with your Gmail contacts list isn’t necessarily difficult but can be a bit challenging depending on what you’re trying to accomplish. Keep Clean Email in mind for quick email management actions, simple settings, and consistency across all your devices.