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Ask HN: In 2024 what's the best way to manage contacts?

46 points raleighm | 2 comments | 19 Oct 24 04:41 UTC | HN request time: 0.442s | source

How do people sync and manage contacts across so many apps and contexts?

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UPDATE: Thanks for the comments so far. To clarify my situation:

My main use cases are: Gmail (personal): For personal contacts. Gmail (work): For professional contacts related to my role. Outlook (work): For internal and external business communication. LinkedIn: Managing professional connections. Messaging apps (WhatsApp, Messenger, etc.): Keeping in touch with a wide range of contacts.

I’ve tried syncing across these platforms using Google Contacts, vCard exports, and a few automation tools, but the results have been inconsistent. Either the syncing doesn't work as expected, or there’s a lot of manual cleanup involved—especially when contacts change roles or details across different apps.

I’m wondering if anyone has found a more seamless way to manage contacts across all these different contexts? I’d love to hear any recommendations for more advanced tools, automations, or strategies that have worked for you.

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tensorfloww ◴[22 Oct 24 01:37 UTC] No.41910335[source]▶
Word of warning: I tried Marissa Mayer's Sunshine contacts and it nuked my phone's contacts. Luckily I had a backup vcard export from way back I could restore from.

Others I've tried:

* Clay (https://clay.earth) is a great option for "batteries included". Based on what you described, it can pull from Google/Outlook, Linkedin, and messaging apps. Doesn't get all the duplicates but gets close enough, and they offer carddav for 2-way sync to phone.

* Monica (http://monicahq.com) works for more barebones and self-hosted. They were working on a new version, not sure if it was ever merged into main product. I tried it once and it ended up being more of a gift and birthdays-focused notes app for me, but YMMV.

* Otherwise a Notion doc or spreadsheet might be enough! Especially if you start with an export from something else.

replies(2): >>41910378 #>>41911325 #
1. jeanlucas ◴[22 Oct 24 01:47 UTC] No.41910378[source]▶
are you somehow related to any of these products?
replies(1): >>41910419 #
2. tensorfloww ◴[22 Oct 24 01:55 UTC] No.41910419[source]▶
Some of my team worked with Marissa at Google, and I worked with the former CTO of Sunshine which is why I originally tried it.