How to Share Google Contacts

Published on 10th of February, 2025

Google Contacts is the foundation of communication for businesses using Google Workspace. Having all contacts stored in one place, integrated with Gmail, Calendar, and Drive, makes it easy to connect with colleagues, clients, and partners. From automatically saving new contacts to keeping them accessible across different Google services, this tool plays a great role in organizing business interactions.

However, despite its many advantages, Google Contacts has some limitations - particularly when it comes to sharing. While Google excels at making information available within its ecosystem, it doesn’t provide an obvious way to share contact lists among different users or accounts, and even if there's something offered, it's not what users can really benefit from.

This article explores three practical ways to do just that: exporting a CSV file, using Google’s delegation feature, or opting for a specialized tool like Shared Contacts Manager.

Sharing Google Contacts with a CSV File

Exporting contacts as a CSV file might seem like a complex process, but it’s actually quite straightforward. A CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file is essentially a spreadsheet containing contact details such as names, emails, and phone numbers. This method has been around for a long time and remains a viable option for sharing contacts in bulk.

How to Export Contacts

To share your Google Contacts via a CSV file, follow these steps:

1. Open Google Contacts.

2. Select a contact label, choose specific contacts, or opt to export all contacts.

3. Click the Export button on the right.

4. Select Google CSV as the format and proceed with the export.

Once the file is ready, you can send it via email, store it in the cloud, or share it using any preferred method. This approach works well for one-time transfers or collaborative projects, but it has its downsides. CSV files don’t sync automatically, meaning any changes made to the original contacts won’t reflect in the shared file. Additionally, this method doesn’t allow direct sharing between Google accounts, making it less ideal for ongoing team collaboration.

Google Delegation Feature: Does It Work?

For those looking for a more integrated way to share contact access, Google’s delegation feature provides an alternative. This function allows one user to grant another person access to their Google Contacts, enabling them to view, modify, or even delete contact details as needed.

Setting Up Contact Delegation in Google

To share contacts using Google’s built-in delegation feature, follow these steps:

1. Open Google Contacts.

2. Navigate to the Settings menu.

3. Find the Delegate Access section.

4. Enter the email address of the person you want to share contacts with.

5. Click Invite delegate to provide them with access.

This method can be beneficial for teams that need shared access without repeatedly sending files back and forth. However, it comes with certain restrictions. Google’s delegation feature doesn’t offer granular permission controls, meaning you can’t customize access levels. It also works only within the same Google Workspace domain, therefore making it less useful for collaborating with external partners or clients.

Sharing Google Contacts Directly Between Accounts

If CSV exports feel too cumbersome and Google’s delegation feature too restrictive, Shared Contacts Manager offers a much more versatile solution. This Google Workspace app allows to share contacts across accounts easily, even if they belong to different organizations or domains. This tool enables smooth collaboration without limitations whether you’re working with suppliers, clients, or even external team members.

One of its important features is customizable permission settings. Instead of providing blanket access, you can specify who can view, edit, or manage your shared contacts. If you need to assign administrative roles, you can grant full management permissions to specific users while keeping sensitive data secure.

Additionally, Shared Contacts Manager keeps everything up to date by syncing contact details in real time. Any changes made to a shared contact are instantly reflected for all authorized users, eliminating the need for manual updates. The tool also integrates with Google Workspace apps, and contacts appear in Gmail’s autocomplete suggestions, Google Calendar invitations, and file-sharing options in Drive, improving collaboration even more.

Choosing the Best Contact Sharing Method

Each of these methods offers a different level of flexibility and control. If you only need to share contacts occasionally, exporting a CSV file may be enough. If you’re looking for internal team access, delegation might work - provided everyone is within the same domain. But for businesses needing a scalable, real-time, and fully integrated solution, Shared Contacts Manager is the best choice. By choosing the right method, you can keep your contact management organized and accessible to everyone who needs it.