5 Easy Ways to Add New Contacts to Gmail

Gmail automatically remembers users when you send them an email, but you can add contacts manually using the Google Contacts website or with the app (Android). Alternatively, if you're using Gmail on the web, you can add contacts from an email with a few simple clicks. This wikiHow will show you how to add someone to your contacts list in Gmail and sync your contacts using your computer, iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

Quick Steps

Open Gmail on your computer.
Open an email sent by someone that you want to add to your contacts.
Hover your mouse over the sender's name for a few seconds.
Click the plus symbol to add them to your contacts.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Adding from a Gmail Message

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1
Go to https://mail.google.com/ in your web browser. This will open your Gmail inbox if you're already signed into your Google account in your web browser. If you're not signed in, follow the on-screen instructions to do so now.
- You can only do this using Gmail.com on a computer—it's not possible in the Gmail mobile app.
The contents of the message will appear.

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It's at the top of the message. After a few moments, a small pop-up window will appear.
4
Click the "Add Contact" icon. It's the outline of a person with a plus symbol at the top-right corner of the right panel. This immediately adds the sender to your Gmail contacts.
- If you see a pencil icon instead, the person is already in your contacts list. You can click this icon to manage and edit your contacts.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Using Google Contacts

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1
Go to https://contacts.google.com in a web browser. You can do this in any web browser on your computer, phone, or tablet. If you have an Android, you can opt to use the Google Contacts app instead of your web browser, which has a blue icon containing a white outline of a person.^{[1]
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- Some Androids come with a different Contacts app. To make sure you're using the right app, open the Play Store, search for "Google Contacts," and tap Install on the Contacts app by Google. If the app is already installed, great! Open the Google Contacts app to use it.
- If you're not already signed in, you'll be prompted to do so before you can continue.
2
Click or tap the +. It's the plus sign at the bottom-right corner on a phone or tablet, or + Create contact at the top-left corner on a computer.
- If you're using an Android, this should automatically open the "Create new contact" window.
3
Click or tap Create a contact (computer and iPhone/iPad only). This opens the "Create new contact" window. If you're using an Android, skip to the next step.
- You can also import contacts into Gmail from another email service (e.g., Yahoo).
4
Enter the person's contact information. Enter their first name, last name, phone number, and email address in each appropriate field, though they might be pre-filled if that contact's Gmail information is correct.
- Click or tap See more to expand more options, such as the option for phonetic spellings, nicknames, addresses, and more.
- Feel free to leave anything blank. For example, if you just want to enter an email address for a contact, there's no need to enter a phone number or anything else.
5
Click or tap Save. You can find this on the right side of the new contact header. This saves your new contact to your Gmail contact list.^{[2]
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- If you delete any contacts accidentally, you can always restore them.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Syncing Contacts (Windows)

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Click the Start menu, and then click the cog icon to open Settings.
This will be next to a person icon.
You can find this on the left sidebar.
A new window will open.
You may need to scroll down to find this option.
Enter your username and password to log into your Google account.
You must allow the proper permissions to sync your account.
Your contacts will be synced.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Syncing Contacts (Mac)

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Click the Apple menu, and then click System Settings. On Mac Monterey and older, this will be System Preferences.^{[3]
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You can find this in the left sidebar.
This will be on the bottom-right.
A new window will open.
Enter your username and password to log into your Google account.
This will ensure your Google contacts sync to your device.
Your contacts will be synced.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Syncing Contacts (iOS)

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1
Open the Settings app. This is the grey cog icon. Make sure to update your iOS.
- Use this method to sync your Google Contacts with your iPhone or iPad.^{[4]
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You can find this towards the middle of the page.
A new page will open. If you don't have any accounts currently synced to your device, skip this step.
This will open a new page.
You can also add contacts from another email provider here.
You'll need to enter your email address and password to log in.
This will allow your phone to sync your Google Contacts with your device and vice versa.
This will apply your changes.
9
Open the Contacts app. You can find this on your home screen or in the App Library.
- When you launch the Contacts app, your contacts will start syncing. ^{[5]
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Community Q&A

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Question

I received an email from someone. I want to reply to that person and also add another person to the response so that the different contact can view the entire conversation. How do I perform this task?

Community Answer

When you click reply, at the top where it says "To:" add the new person's email. Then when you send the email to the person that sent it to you, it should also send to the other person as well with the whole conversation.

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Question

How can I delete a contact?

Community Answer

Log into your Gmail account. In the top left corner, click Gmail > Contacts. Find the contact you wish to delete. Click the three dots to the far right of the contact to be deleted, then click delete.

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Question

What if I click "Add New Contact" but there's no response?

Community Answer

At the top left, click Gmail > Contacts, then click More > Export. Choose whether to export all contacts or only one group. Select the format in which you'd like to export your contacts' information. To transfer contacts between Google Accounts, use the Google CSV format. This is the recommended way to back up your Google Contacts.

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Tips

If you don’t want Gmail to automatically save contacts when you write to people, go to https://mail.google.com/mail#settings/general in a web browser, scroll down to "Create contacts for autocomplete," and select I'll add contacts myself.

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If you send someone a message in Gmail, the contact will be saved automatically. Contacts are also saved automatically when you interact with people using other Google products, such as sharing a file in Google Drive or a photo in Google Photos.

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To find your contacts while looking at Gmail in a web browser, click the 3x3 grid icon in the top right corner, then scroll down to find and select "Contacts."

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