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Last updated: July 24, 2026

How to automatically distribute contacts to Android devices? 

This guide explains how to automatically distribute organizational contacts to Android devices by configuring an Exchange ActiveSync profile, avoiding manual entry by users. Administrators create an Android profile under Device Mgmt > Profiles, configure Exchange ActiveSync settings, and ensure Contacts is selected under Sync Settings before saving. Once published, the profile can be distributed to specific devices or groups, automatically syncing corporate contacts to the native email client.

Description

In certain cases, you might want the user devices to contain vital contacts of the organizations. To add these contacts manually becomes cumbersome for Administratots. Using MDM, you can distribute contacts to Android devices by configuring Exchange policy.

Steps

  • On the MDM server, click on Device Mgmt from the top menu and select Profiles from the left pane. 
  • Click on Create Profile and select Android from the dropdown. Provide a name to identify the profile and click on Continue.
  • Select Exchange ActiveSync from the list of suported policies and configure the policy as explained here.
  • Before saving the profile, expand Settings and ensure you select Contacts from the Sync option, present under Sync Settings.
  • Save and Publish the profile. This profile can then be distributed to devices and/or groups.
 
 
 
 

 

Frequently asked questions

How do I get organizational contacts to automatically appear on users' Android devices?

Configure an Exchange ActiveSync profile in MDM and make sure Contacts is selected under Sync Settings before saving; the profile then syncs corporate contacts automatically once it's published to devices.

What do I need to check before saving the Exchange ActiveSync profile?

Expand Settings and confirm Contacts is selected in the Sync option under Sync Settings, otherwise contacts won't be included when the profile syncs.

Can I apply this contacts profile to a group instead of individual devices?

Yes. Once saved and published, the profile can be distributed to specific devices or to groups.