How to import contacts using the FreeAgent mobile app
This article explains how to use the FreeAgent mobile app to import contacts from your mobile device into FreeAgent.
Alternatively, you can add a contact manually.
Please note that:
- the contacts on your mobile device must have at least a first and last name or an organisation name, in order to successfully import into FreeAgent. If your contacts don’t have these, the import might fail.
- any changes you make using the FreeAgent mobile app will be reflected in the desktop version of FreeAgent.
How to import a contact
Open the FreeAgent mobile app on your iOS or Android device and log in using your FreeAgent login details if prompted. If you’ve accessed the app recently, you may be logged in automatically.
Tap the three-lined 'hamburger' icon at the top-left of the FreeAgent mobile app and select 'Contacts'.
If you’re adding your first contacts to FreeAgent, select ‘Import from your contacts’.
If you already have existing contacts in FreeAgent, tap the '+' at the top-right of the screen and select ‘Import from your contacts’ from the menu.
You can import a single contact or multiple contacts.
Import a single contact
Select the contact that you’d like to import from the contacts list on your mobile device and tap ‘Done’.
Enter any remaining relevant information for the contact and select ‘Save’ to complete the process.
If the contact on your device doesn’t have a name or organisation, you’ll be prompted to enter the necessary details. The contact must have at least a first and last name or an organisation name, in order to be successfully imported into FreeAgent.
Import multiple contacts
Select the contacts that you’d like to import from the contacts list on your mobile device.
Please note that the option to select multiple contacts will only be available if you import contacts from the ‘Contacts’ area. If you’re importing contacts as part of the process of creating an expense, bill, estimate or invoice, you’ll need to import each contact individually.
Select ‘Done’ in the top-right to complete the process.
Please note that if you try to import additional contacts whilst the current import is in progress, an alert will appear asking you to wait for the current import to be completed first.
Import successful
If the import was successful, you’ll see a green message to advise that all of the contacts have been imported.
Import partially successful
If the import was only partially successful, you’ll see a yellow message to advise that one or more of the contacts couldn’t be imported. Make sure that all of the contacts you’re trying to import have a first and last name or an organisation name, and then try importing the remaining contacts again.
Import unsuccessful
If the import was unsuccessful, you’ll receive a red error message. An import will fail if the contacts don’t contain all the required information or if there is a technical problem. Please see below for more details on how to resolve each error.
Reasons an import might fail
Required information missing
In order for a contact to be successfully imported into FreeAgent, the contact on your mobile device must have at least a first and last name or an organisation name. If any of the contacts you’re trying to import don’t contain these details, you’ll receive an error message advising there was ‘Insufficient contact information’.
The table below lists the different combinations that will cause the import to be successful (✅) and unsuccessful (❌).
Contact details provided | Import status |
---|---|
First and last name, no organisation | ✅ |
First name and organisation, no last name | ✅ |
Last name and organisation, no first name | ✅ |
Just organisation, no first or last name | ✅ |
Just first name | ❌ |
Just last name | ❌ |
Technical problem
If there is a technical problem on the API or FreeAgent mobile app, you’ll receive a red error message advising that the contacts ‘Failed to import’.
If the contacts on your device have the required information listed above, please try importing them again. If you continue to receive the error message, please contact our support team at support@freeagent.com and they’ll investigate the issue for you.