Connect Google Contacts to Shift so you can merge all your web apps into your browser
Download ShiftWhat is Google Contacts?
Google Contacts is a cloud address book tied to your Google Account that stores and syncs names, phone numbers, email addresses, photos, and custom fields across devices and Google services. Individuals, Android and Gmail users, and Google Workspace organizations can import/export contacts, merge duplicates, label groups, back up device contacts, and search domain profiles. Developers and admins can automate contact workflows with the People API and directory endpoints for batch operations, change tracking, and programmatic CRUD. The web UI groups “My Contacts,” “Other contacts,” photos, and labels for quick access, while device-level sync settings let you control what’s stored on a phone or restored after a reset. In Shift, Google Contacts complements your communication and productivity tools so you can pull up, update, or reference contact details without leaving your organized workspace.
How Google Contacts works in Shift
Adding Google Contacts to Shift keeps address books accessible alongside email, calendar, and other tools in one structured window, reducing tab clutter and context switching. Shift’s multi-account capability lets you stay signed into multiple Google Contacts accounts at once, copy or compare entries, and avoid repeated sign-ins. Use Spaces to preserve the same apps and contacts per project. Custom layouts and side-by-side views let you open a contact next to a draft email or CRM entry for faster lookups and edits. Session persistence and Smart Links prevent duplicate tabs and keep contact workflows ready after restarts. Batch workflows and People API access remain available through the integrated web view.
Alternatives to Google Contacts
- Salesforce Sales Cloud — A full-featured CRM platform offering advanced contact management, sales automation and integration capabilities targeted at businesses needing scalable CRM functionality.
- Zoho CRM — A cloud CRM that provides contact management plus automation, analytics and integrations across the Zoho suite, aimed at teams that need more workflow and analytics than a simple address book.
- HubSpot CRM — A user-friendly CRM with marketing automation and a notable free tier, positioned for small businesses and teams that want integrated contact, marketing, and sales tools.
- Insightly — A CRM that combines contact management with project and pipeline management features, suited for teams that want contacts connected to projects and customer workflows.
FAQ
1. How does Google Play services for contacts handle your data?
Google Play services manages device-level contact sync and permissions, letting contacts back up and sync to your Google Account. Data handling follows Google’s privacy policies and your account settings. You control which accounts sync and can disable contact sync per device.
2. Can I export my contacts from Google Contacts?
Yes. You can export contacts as CSV or vCard files from the web interface for use in other apps or backups. Workspace admins can also export organization directory data using admin tools or APIs.
3. How do I merge duplicate contacts?
Use the “Merge & fix” tool on the Google Contacts web or mobile app to find and merge duplicates automatically, or manually select and combine entries. The People API also supports programmatic detection and merging.
4. Can I use Google Contacts with multiple accounts in Shift?
Yes. Shift supports logging into multiple Google Accounts simultaneously, so you can open separate Google Contacts views for work and personal accounts without signing in and out. Place each account in its own Space for quick context switching.
5. Is Google Contacts free to use?
Google Contacts is free for anyone with a Google Account. Basic sync and contact management require no payment; some enterprise directory features and admin controls are tied to Google Workspace subscriptions.
