Android is easier than iPhone here, because Google Contacts on the web reads CSV files directly. If your phone syncs with a Google account and your CSV is tidy, you may not need a converter at all.
When the phone doesn't use Google, the CSV has odd column names, or you'd rather not upload the list, convert it to VCF and import it from the phone's storage.
Google maps standard column names (First Name, Mobile Phone, E-mail Address). Columns it doesn't recognise can end up in notes or be skipped, so check a few contacts afterwards.
Convert the CSV to VCF first, with Google Contacts' vCard export or Magic Soft CSV to VCF Converter (choose vCard 3.0 or 4.0, single file). Then copy the VCF to the phone by USB, email or cloud storage.
Google Contacts app:
Samsung Contacts app:
Menu names vary a little between Android versions and phone makers, but the import option always sits under contact management.
This is the step people regret skipping. Android asks where to save imported contacts:
With a Google account and a clean CSV, import it at contacts.google.com. Otherwise convert to VCF and use Import from file on the phone, saving to your Google account. Problems with names or numbers? See the fixes guide. Moving to iPhone instead? See CSV contacts to iPhone.
The phone's Contacts app imports VCF, not CSV. Import the CSV at contacts.google.com instead and it syncs to the phone.
Contacts > menu > Manage contacts > Import or export contacts > Import.
Google, in most cases. Contacts saved only to the phone are lost if it's reset or replaced.
Rows without a name or with broken quotes in the CSV can be skipped. Fix them in Excel and convert again.
Android reads vCard 3.0 and 4.0. Use 3.0 if you're unsure.
