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Help How to setup contacts sync to GMail

M

malibu3105

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I am coming from using in iPhone 4s. I set it up to use my GMail Contact list. It would sync in real time with Google, meaning that any add, edit, or delete done on either the phone, or on Google would be reflected almost instantly on the other device.

Is there any way to do this with a Galaxy S5? If I create a new contact in my GMail contacts, it does seem to get to my phone after a while, but not vice versa. Creating a contact on my phone does not go to Google.

I want 100% Contacts from Google. Phones can be lost, stolen, replaced, etc. Contacts can last forever.

Any one have a solution to this?
 
If it wont go to Google account you will need to check your account sync area it must have a red flag in either contacts or people
 
No, no red flags or any other indication.
For Contacts / Settings / Accounts I only have my google and facebook account. No other accounts.

When editing the contact in the top left under Cancel it says 'Phone'.
 
How, tapping it does nothing. I can not find any option to change it.
Maybe because it's a new OS on a Galaxy 5.
Very frustrating.
 
I'm not sure how much different the S5 is to the S4 but go to MENU>SETTINGS> ACCOUNTS...... Under MY ACCOUNTS tap Google. Then tap your gmail account name. In there you will find your sync settings for the phone. Make sure the box with contacts is checked.

Other then that there might be settings for sync in gmail it's self, but I don't think they give you a time to increase.

That's just how Android works. Not everything is at the moment refreshing.
 
I spoke with Verizon about this. Apparently there are many such issues with the Galaxy, much related to the new OS and 3rd parties not updating their apps etc. Contacts being a big one of them as well as issues with using an SDCard.

I am going with Verizon Cloud to backup my phone contact to ensure not loosing anything.
Bottom line, I should have done more research before buying a phone that just came out. Or new OS depending on how you look at it. I wanted to give Android a try again, it failed me two years ago with my Motorola Droid 2, while the Sumsung S5 is an awesome phone and I can do many more things than with an iPhone, I am giving up the security of a stable phone where pretty much everything just works all the time.

I have had the phone 2 months and already starting to have to restart it every day or so due to it not responding. Dejavu as they say.
 
malibu3105 said:
I spoke with Verizon about this. Apparently there are many such issues with the Galaxy, much related to the new OS and 3rd parties not updating their apps etc. Contacts being a big one of them as well as issues with using an SDCard.

I am going with Verizon Cloud to backup my phone contact to ensure not loosing anything.
Bottom line, I should have done more research before buying a phone that just came out. Or new OS depending on how you look at it. I wanted to give Android a try again, it failed me two years ago with my Motorola Droid 2, while the Sumsung S5 is an awesome phone and I can do many more things than with an iPhone, I am giving up the security of a stable phone where pretty much everything just works all the time.

I have had the phone 2 months and already starting to have to restart it every day or so due to it not responding. Dejavu as they say.
Click to expand...

Kit Kat is a different OS and the app makers will be upgrading their stuff if they have not done so.

There are way too many of these S5 phones providing excellent service to just decry it as a 'poor phone choice'.

I am using only Verizon Cloud as a backup for my contacts, in fact that is my preference because it has "always been there" for 15 years+ and never lost anything. It used to be called "Backup Assistant" and can be edited online from a PC. In fact, when using a PC you can export the contacts to the PC if you wish.

If you are having to do restarts, there must be an app interaction of some sort. Have you got rid of the bloatware? Especially Amazon Suites and Amazon named anything. Horrible battery drain and interaction issues.

I've had my phone since 4/11 and excepting my training issues have had no problems with it at all. I went from OS 2.2.3 straight to Kit Kat and took a knuckle thumping getting used to it.
 
I can't disagree that the Galaxy S5 is a bad phone, I do enjoy the phone, and the freedom of apps etc. on a non Apple OS. It's just buggy. I don't have a lot of bloatware. I think the issue is because I purchased the flip cover that supports wireless charging. If I open and close the cover several times, then I can get it to respond. It isn't all the time, maybe once or twice a day. Sometimes not at all. But it's frustrating if I need the phone.
I went with wireless charging because of the charge cover that after opening and closing that a bunch of times doesn't seem to close at tight. I may go with a solid back that supports wireless charging, but will have to figure out a case that will work with it.

I would be more excited about the Galaxy if Samsung support was more interested in fixing issues, and communicating with their customers. Apple support is almost a pain in that they won't leave you alone once you open a ticket until you convince them you are satisfied, and everything is perfect. A nice way to be treated.

I may post a new separate thread on the wireless charging issue. My guess is that its a common problem with the case, and with the LED light staying on.

Thanks for your reply, and candor. I will say the screen, camera, video on the S5 is insane good!! Battery on mine is also good.
 
Well, I found that some of my contacts now have 3, 4, even up to 5 contacts linked, usually one may or may not be a google, and the others are all "Phone".
Total mess.
Solution - doing a line by line audit. If the phone does not match Google contacts exactly, I write down the contact information making sure to only copy the accurate part, delete all of those contacts from my phone, and then creating a new contact in Google contacts.
That single contact then syncs perfectly with the phone both directions with no issues which is what should have been the case in the first place.

Lesson: Do not create any contacts with the phone. ALL new contacts MUST be created from Google Contacts.
 
malibu3105 said:
Well, I found that some of my contacts now have 3, 4, even up to 5 contacts linked, usually one may or may not be a google, and the others are all "Phone".
Total mess.
Solution - doing a line by line audit. If the phone does not match Google contacts exactly, I write down the contact information making sure to only copy the accurate part, delete all of those contacts from my phone, and then creating a new contact in Google contacts.
That single contact then syncs perfectly with the phone both directions with no issues which is what should have been the case in the first place.

Lesson: Do not create any contacts with the phone. ALL new contacts MUST be created from Google Contacts.
Click to expand...

sorry you are having so much trouble...

but, as I mentioned before a couple months ago, I am not using Google Contacts at all. I refuse to allow contacts on Google or any other service that wants to house my contact list. (single exception is Verizon Backup Assistant)

My entire contact list is only on the phone itself and I have never had one single problem with it since getting rid of all the multiple sync copies of the contact list.

Locally on my PC I used Kies 3.0 to backup contacts once in a while.
 
I used to just keep them on my phone also. And Verizon backup worked fine. But back then it was just basic info. Now there is more information, and with Google I can manage them easy. Just logging into Verizon is slow, and then editing them on Verizon doesn't work well.

Having them on Google, means if I loose my phone or buy a different brand, even leaving Verizon which I am sure I will never do, I can just sync to Google and have them back.

It worked perfect when I had a Motorola Droid 2, my guess is that with android updates it just got messy. I am up to the H's so almost half done and its clean and everything is syncing. I am finding a lot of old contacts I don't need.

Glad its working for you. I am in IT, and I just believe software should work correct and companies that don't make sure of it before selling a product are just out for the money. Companies that are serious about their product try and make sure customers are happy, and try to fix issues. I have found with Sumsung support this is not the case. I have figured out work arounds for the other issues, including rebooting. so its fine for now.
 
I agree that Verizon's online editing software stinks.
The only thing I do with it is to print out a hard copy or to a spreadsheet, which I actually did right after I got the S5 and all of those multiple contacts showed up.

And, as you said, with VZW, you get name/number and that is all. Pictures, anything else is lost.

I just have a personal dislike for Google's penchant for wanting to know everything about my life. I like anonymity.... doing a google search for my real name comes up with nothing, and it will stay that way for as long as I can control it.
 
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