Sync contacts with phone address book
Sync the Protonmail contacts with the phone address book (contacts app) and vice versa.
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Golliwog commented
In Proton's defence, this is a very hard problem to solve. Contacts are deeply integrated into the Android OS where Google Play Services reside with root privileges. It is like trying to keep the chickens safe from a fox who resides IN the hen house.
I would assume it is almost impossible to accomplish this without users switching to an alternate OS like GraphineOS. Even then, it would be very hard to achieve. -
Anonymous commented
This is critical for the Proton suite to be a replacement for Google?Microsoft/Apple tools
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Rascal6693 commented
I'd be thrilled to see the ProtonSync feature expanded to Android, iPhone, and Linux (specifically Debian) platforms! The services you've already offered have been top-notch, but having this feature available on multiple platforms would take Proton to the next level.
Additionally, I think it's crucial that you also prioritize replacing Google's monstrous data collectors with a decentralized alternative. Many users are already looking for alternatives to Google's invasive tracking practices, and having Proton offer a comprehensive solution in this regard could be a major draw. Let's make Proton not only a great email client but also a champion of user privacy
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Patrick commented
Without this feature the Contacts feature is almost useless.
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Anonymous commented
Where the heck is this feature, Proton? Seriously, stop releasing new stuff! We do not need a Proton AI, we do not need a Bitcoin wallet, we need basic features implemented that are years overdo, namely this one!
It is getting ridiculous how long it is taking to get any word on this critical feature. This feature is a BIG DEAL. It needs to be a PRIORITY.
It really rubs me the wrong way to see Proton announce a freaking AI assistant and Bitcoin wallet while this basic piece of core functionality is still lacking. Get the basics finished first!
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Robin Stone commented
Amazing! This is one of the most cumbersome things about the Proton environment. I want all my data with Proton, but the contacts management is not functional enough to make this a possibility. It would be great if users could sync with the mobile phone app and access a contacts interface on the computer. My ideal is to not require Google Contacts at all.
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Joshua commented
It's incredible. This should be a critical core requirement. It's necessary to enable to move away from Google's hold on the phone. Without this, my main contacts app will continue to be Google's because that's how I can make calls, texts, etc. and that means I neglect updating my Proton contacts, which makes using ProtonMail less convenient than a Google app. Meanwhile, Proton throws out far less useful (but very ethically questionable) features like AI. Proton, we need you to focus on completing the core, basic requirements of your existing apps and features. Instead of letting these core requirements languish for years, please support your clientele properly and JUST GET THEM DONE.
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Kieran commented
Just realised that this request has been open since 2017, and 'planned' since 2019. That's too long for the word 'planned' to mean anything if it's not supported by something tangible, like a roadmap. The Proton team has clearly been doing other things in the meantime, so I am assuming that this just isn't a priority and isn't going to happen any time soon.
Genuinely tempted to abandon my switch to the Proton suite and go back to the myriad services I used before; at least they had all the basic functionality one would expect.
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Anonymous commented
I think that making a standalone contacts app would probably be unnecessary, perhaps even impractical. I cannot speak for Android, but for iOS users to be able to fully utilize their contact data with all iOS functionality, Proton will probably need to integrate with the iOS contacts app, allowing users to sync the iOS contacts app with Proton just like how you can sync with Google, Outlook, iCloud, etc..
Making a standalone app would take more time and money both to implement and to maintain, and would likely be unable to provide basic features like Caller ID on iOS.
Anyway, I would love if Proton could provide a status update on this. If there's something blocking progress on this feature, as a customer I would love to know what's going on. This feature has been planned for a long time, and many people, myself included, consider it very critical. Being left in the dark is honestly as bad as, or worse than not having the feature, especially as brand new services like Proton Docs continue to be added to the Proton suite. Transparency builds trust.
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John commented
Or Proton could at least act like a "contact provider" in the accounts category, to let any contact app fetch (decrypted) contacts from it.
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Kieran commented
I want to commit to switching to Proton Mail from Fastmail, and this is the main hindrance. I don't want to have to maintain two separate contacts lists.
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Anonymous commented
This really really needs to happen.
I just imported all my contacts via iOS, totally broke the Proton Mail app (unusable during upload). Now I find out that I cannot even bulk delete contacts (to stop the upload and use the mail app again) on iOS, only on the Mac app or browser.
Irritating. A contacts app needs to be separate from the rest, and also actually have good functionality (like sort by surname, not first letter of whatever is first, i.e. first name or company name...). -
Anonymous commented
I think Proton is doing good work and I understand how things sometimes fall to the sidelines. I don't think they deserve the hostility being directed at them in this thread. Keep in mind that every single suggestion on this forum is absolutely critical to somebody.
That said, I do strongly agree that this feature is long overdue. It is, in my personal opinion, the single most critical missing feature across the entire Proton suite. With this functionality added, Proton Mail would functionally replace Gmail completely.
I really hope we get an update on this soon.
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Richard Romo commented
Wtf, this hasn't been addressed for over 6 years??? Protonmail, get your **** together and fix basic features of core products instead of constantly releasing new ones that are half done.
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M Gervais commented
I think Proton contact app should replace phone adress book. If you only sync your contact with the phone adress book, you still leave your info to Google, Samsung or others.
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Bas commented
Very important feature to finally and indefinately say goodbye to google. Requirement: to be able to sync with mobile device like Andoid, Ubuntu Touch, iPhone. and also with mailclients like outlook, thunderbird etc.
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Jeromejv commented
This is a critically important feature...that' has been for very long requested AND for very long PLANNED FOR by Proton team....WITHOUT any progress towards being implemented....
??? WHY ????
Any answer here from a Proton team member would be appreciated, IF it differs from the already known and deceiving :
"we have planned to propose this feature and will add your vote to it but we can't give you any prospect about a release date"....Please at least show that you care about it, dear proton team, and please act upon it
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Erik commented
High on my wish list. This is the final requirement to completely switch over from google contacts/apple contacts….or develop a phone app for iOS and android? (No clue if this helps)
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Dan commented
Finding that this is not supported functionality in ProtonMail has put the migration of my family to PM on hold. This is a core need for a gradual migration away from Google products.
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lj commented
Absolutely this is core functionality.
Regarding the privacy/security aspects of syncing an encrypted contact set with a phone contact app - those that don't care are fine with giving up that aspect of privacy for convenience and already do, while those that do care are already using GrapheneOS and missing an important feature.