Why is this taking so long? You had time to develop a Crypto Wallet which very view people need but this basic feature is "Planned" since 5 years?
And don't come to me with that "It is a serious privacy issue". Just make it optional and the user can decide do sync it (and therefore make it visible to other apps) or not. it is as simple as that.

Can we get an update on this? It's a much needed feature

Just make your own mobile operating system with Proton tools at the core. All apps that are installed could come from Play store but act as some kind of container which is separate from the core OS. How awesome that would be!

It is indeed a difficult problem, if Proton insists on full local protection. Full protection at the device level may simply not be possible, but security/privacy and convenience are always a tradeoff, and in my opinion, the pros of contact integration far outweigh the cons. As long as Proton is transparent about the compromises made, and give users plenty of control over what data is shared, I think these compromises would be perfectly acceptable.

As things are now, people are having to rely on Google and iCloud to store their contacts anyway because the features in question are so essential. Even if Proton did the bare minimum and integrated contacts the same as Google or iCloud, Proton users would still be strictly better off; on their local device, their data would be no worse off than it was with Google/iCloud, but it would be more secure in Proton's cloud, and users would benefit from the significant convenience gain.

In my opinion, Proton should NOT be holding back this feature due to privacy/security concerns. Sometimes compromise is necessary when it comes to privacy and security. What's important is having the knowledge and tools to maintain a proper balance for each individual's needs. Even without full on-device protection, Proton could offer users a lot of control over their data that they don't have with Google or Apple.

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.

This is critical for the Proton suite to be a replacement for Google?Microsoft/Apple tools

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

Without this feature the Contacts feature is almost useless.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Or Proton could at least act like a "contact provider" in the accounts category, to let any contact app fetch (decrypted) contacts from it.

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.

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...).

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.

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.

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.

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.