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'.

FreeAgent mobile app hamburger menu with Contacts highlighted.JPG

If you’re adding your first contacts to FreeAgent, select ‘Import from your contacts’.

Blank_slate_import_from_your_contacts_button.png

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.

IMG_0859.jpg

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’.

Single_contact_Import__contacts_area_.png

Enter any remaining relevant information for the contact and select ‘Save’ to complete the process.

IMG_0860.jpg

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.

Single_contact_import_-_Insufficient_fields_alert__1_.png

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.

Screenshot_2023-04-11_at_08.54.56.png

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.

Can_t_import_more_contacts_alert.png

Import successful

If the import was successful, you’ll see a green message to advise that all of the contacts have been imported.

Success_Message.png

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.

Partial_success.png

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’.

Insufficient_contact_info_error__1_.png

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’.

Technical_error.png

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.

Did you find this article useful?