What is a VCF (vCard) file?

A VCF file, also called a vCard, is a small file that holds someone’s contact details: name, company, phone numbers, email addresses and so on. It’s a standard format, so almost every phone, email app and contacts app can open it and save the details as a contact.

How CloudCard uses it

When someone taps Save contact on your card, CloudCard creates a VCF file from your card’s details and their phone downloads it. The file is named after you and ends in .vcf.

Opening the file adds you to their contacts in a couple of taps, so they don’t have to type anything. See What “Save contact” saves to someone’s phone for exactly what’s in it.

Opening a VCF file

• iPhone: the contact usually opens straight away. Tap Create New Contact.
• Android: tap the downloaded file, then choose your contacts app.
• Computer: double-click the file to open it in Outlook, Apple Contacts or a similar app. You can also import it into Google Contacts.

If a phone saves the file to its downloads instead of opening it, open the Files or Downloads app and tap the .vcf file.

Is it safe?

Yes. A VCF file is plain text containing contact details only. It can’t run programs or change anything on your phone.