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Import & export

Add many contacts at once from a CSV, your phonebook, or WhatsApp Web groups — and export a backup when you need one.

5 steps 5 tips Updated Aug 21, 2026

At a glance

Overview

  1. 1 Open WhatsApp Suite → Contacts (Manage Contacts).
  2. 2 Click Upload / Export in the toolbar, then choose Upload Contacts.
  3. 3 In Import contacts, pick one of the three methods: Upload CSV, Import from Phone, or Import from WhatsApp.
  4. 4 Follow that method’s steps below, then confirm the import.
  5. 5 To back up later, open the same Upload / Export menu and choose Export as CSV or Export as Excel.

Step by step

How to import contacts

Pick a method and follow its flow.

Option 1: Upload CSV

Best for bulk lists and migrations. CSV only (max 5MB). Preview runs before anything is saved.

  1. 1 Choose Upload CSV in the dialog.
  2. 2 Download the sample CSV template and fill the name and phone number columns (with country code, no +), plus optional group name, notes, and dates.
  3. 3 Upload or drag-and-drop your CSV, then click Continue.
  4. 4 Click Preview and process to scan for new contacts, duplicates, and invalid rows.
  5. 5 Review the preview, then click Confirm & Import to finish.

Option 2: Import from Phone

Best on mobile. Uses your phone’s contact picker — no spreadsheet needed.

  1. 1 Open Manage Contacts on your phone (Chrome on Android or Safari on iPhone).
  2. 2 Open Upload Contacts → Import from Phone.
  3. 3 Tap Upload Contacts from Phonebook and allow access when the browser asks.
  4. 4 Select the contacts you want — they are added to your account right away.

Option 3: Import from WhatsApp

Pull members from WhatsApp Web groups with the official UpScaleUp.io Group Importer extension.

  1. 1 Choose Import from WhatsApp, then download the extension and unzip it.
  2. 2 In Chrome or Brave: Extensions → turn on Developer mode → Load unpacked → select the unzipped folder.
  3. 3 Stay logged in to UpScaleUp.io in the same browser, open WhatsApp Web, and wait for chats to load.
  4. 4 Open the UpScaleUp.io extension, pick a group, and click Import to UpScaleUp.io. Contacts appear in Manage Contacts automatically.

Tips

  • CSV phones: include country code without + (e.g. 91… for India). Dates use DD-MM or DD-MM-YYYY.
  • Download a fresh sample CSV after you add custom fields so column headers stay in sync.
  • Phone import isn’t available on desktop browsers — use CSV there instead.
  • The WhatsApp extension only sends names and numbers from groups you’re in to your UpScaleUp.io account.
  • Export requires permission to view full phone numbers.

Related guides

Contacts overview Create contacts, search, and navigate Manage Contacts. Groups & bulk actions Pin groups, bulk edits, and auto un-subscribe. Custom fields Define fields used in forms, CRM, and campaigns. Cleanup Tools Merge duplicates, name updates, undeliverable contacts.

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Contacts overview

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Groups & bulk actions

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