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How to Import Contacts

admin
Updated on 12/01/2026

5 min read

Importing contacts allows you to quickly add multiple recipients for bulk SMS messaging. This guide shows you how to import contacts from various sources into the SMSGatewayCenter mobile app on both iOS and Android.

Why Import Contacts? #

Benefits #

  • ✅ Save Time: Add many contacts at once
  • ✅ Bulk Messaging: Prepare recipient lists quickly
  • ✅ Organize: Group contacts for campaigns
  • ✅ Accuracy: Reduce manual entry errors

Import Methods #

Method 1: Import from Device Contacts #

Easiest Method:

  1. Access Import Feature:
    • Open SMSGatewayCenter app
    • Go to Bulk SMS or Contacts section
    • Look for “Import Contacts” or “Select Contacts”
  2. Select Contacts:
    • Tap “Import from Contacts” or contact icon
    • Device contact picker opens
    • Select contacts you want to import
  3. Select Multiple Contacts:
    • Tap contacts to select (checkboxes appear)
    • Select all contacts you need
    • Selected contacts are highlighted
  4. Confirm Import:
    • Tap “Done” or “Import” button
    • Contacts are imported
    • Numbers formatted automatically

Method 2: Import from CSV File #

For Large Lists:

  1. Prepare CSV File:
    • Create CSV file with phone numbers
    • Format: One number per line
    • Use international format: +[country code][number]
    • Example: +1234567890, +919876543210
  2. Save CSV File:
    • Save to device storage
    • Or save to cloud (iCloud Drive, Google Drive)
  3. Import in App:
    • Open SMSGatewayCenter app
    • Go to Bulk SMS or Contacts
    • Tap “Import from File” or “Import CSV”
    • Select CSV file
    • App imports contacts
  4. Verify Import:
    • Check imported contacts
    • Verify numbers are correct
    • Remove any invalid numbers

Method 3: Paste from Clipboard #

Quick Method:

  1. Copy Numbers:
    • Copy phone numbers from another app
    • Can be from spreadsheet, notes, etc.
    • Ensure numbers are in correct format
  2. Paste in App:
    • Open Bulk SMS screen
    • Tap recipients field
    • Long-press and select “Paste”
    • Numbers are added
  3. Format Numbers:
    • App may auto-format numbers
    • Or manually format if needed
    • Ensure international format

CSV File Format #

Required Format #

Simple Format (one number per line):

+1234567890
+919876543210
+441234567890

CSV Format with Headers (if supported):

Phone Number
+1234567890
+919876543210
+441234567890

CSV Format with Multiple Columns (if supported):

Name,Phone Number,Email
John Doe,+1234567890,[email protected]
Jane Smith,+919876543210,[email protected]

Format Requirements #

  • International Format: Always use +[country code][number]
  • One Per Line: Each number on separate line
  • No Spaces: Remove spaces, dashes, parentheses
  • UTF-8 Encoding: Save file as UTF-8

Step-by-Step: Importing from CSV #

Step 1: Prepare CSV File #

  1. Create File:
    • Use spreadsheet app (Excel, Google Sheets, Numbers)
    • Or text editor
    • Create list of phone numbers
  2. Format Numbers:
    • Ensure international format
    • Remove spaces and special characters
    • One number per line
  3. Save as CSV:
    • Save file as .csv format
    • Name file clearly (e.g., “contacts.csv”)
    • Save to device or cloud

Step 2: Import into App #

  1. Open Import Feature:
    • SMSGatewayCenter app > Bulk SMS
    • Or Contacts section
    • Tap “Import” or “Import CSV”
  2. Select File:
    • Choose file location:
      • Device storage
      • iCloud Drive (iOS)
      • Google Drive (Android)
      • Files app
  3. Select CSV File:
    • Browse to CSV file
    • Tap to select
    • App reads file
  4. Review Import:
    • App shows preview of contacts
    • Review numbers
    • Verify format is correct
  5. Confirm Import:
    • Tap “Import” or “Add”
    • Contacts are imported
    • Added to recipient list

Step 3: Verify and Use #

  1. Check Imported Contacts:
    • Review recipient list
    • Verify all numbers imported
    • Check for duplicates
  2. Remove Invalid Numbers:
    • Remove any incorrectly formatted numbers
    • Fix format if needed
    • Re-import if necessary
  3. Use for Bulk SMS:
    • Contacts ready for bulk messaging
    • Compose message
    • Send to all imported contacts

Platform-Specific Import #

iOS Import #

From Files App:

  1. Save CSV to Files app or iCloud Drive
  2. Open SMSGatewayCenter app
  3. Import > Select from Files
  4. Choose CSV file
  5. Import contacts

From Contacts App:

  1. Use contact picker
  2. Select contacts
  3. Import automatically
  4. Numbers formatted correctly

Android Import #

From Storage:

  1. Save CSV to Downloads or device storage
  2. Open SMSGatewayCenter app
  3. Import > Select from Storage
  4. Choose CSV file
  5. Import contacts

From Google Drive:

  1. Save CSV to Google Drive
  2. Open SMSGatewayCenter app
  3. Import > Select from Drive
  4. Choose CSV file
  5. Import contacts

Troubleshooting #

Import Fails #

Problem: CSV import doesn’t work or shows error.

Solutions:

  1. Check File Format:
    • Ensure file is .csv format
    • Check file encoding (should be UTF-8)
    • Verify file is not corrupted
  2. Check Number Format:
    • All numbers must be international format
    • Remove spaces and special characters
    • Ensure country codes included
  3. Check File Size:
    • Very large files may fail
    • Try importing in smaller batches
    • Split large files if needed
  4. Try Different Format:
    • Try simple format (one number per line)
    • Remove headers if present
    • Simplify file structure

Numbers Not Importing #

Problem: Some numbers don’t import or show as invalid.

Solutions:

  1. Check Number Format:
    • Ensure international format
    • Verify country codes
    • Remove invalid characters
  2. Check File Encoding:
    • Save file as UTF-8
    • Some encodings may cause issues
    • Re-save file with correct encoding
  3. Manual Review:
    • Check file for invalid numbers
    • Fix format issues
    • Re-import corrected file

Duplicate Contacts #

Problem: Same contact imported multiple times.

Solutions:

  1. Remove Duplicates:
    • App may have “Remove Duplicates” option
    • Or manually remove duplicates
    • Check recipient list before sending
  2. Clean File Before Import:
    • Remove duplicates from CSV file
    • Use spreadsheet to find duplicates
    • Clean file before importing

File Not Found #

Problem: Can’t find CSV file to import.

Solutions:

  1. Check File Location:
    • Verify file is saved
    • Check Downloads folder
    • Or Files app (iOS)
  2. Check File Permissions:
    • Ensure app has storage permission
    • Grant permission if needed
    • Try saving file to different location
  3. Use Different Method:
    • Try importing from device contacts instead
    • Or paste numbers manually
    • Use contact picker

Best Practices #

1. Prepare Files Correctly #

  • Use international format for all numbers
  • Remove spaces and special characters
  • Test with small file first
  • Verify format before importing large lists

2. Organize Contacts #

  • Group contacts by purpose
  • Use descriptive file names
  • Keep backup of contact lists
  • Update lists regularly

3. Verify Before Sending #

  • Always review imported contacts
  • Check for duplicates
  • Verify number formats
  • Remove invalid numbers

4. Keep Files Updated #

  • Update contact lists regularly
  • Remove inactive numbers
  • Add new contacts as needed
  • Maintain clean contact database

Related Articles #

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