Limited support for contact labels (groups/categories)

TRInvictus

Hello,

I'm looking for a possibility to import all my contacts to GOS with support of labels (groups, categories).

The stock contacts app in GOS does not support import/export labels. Same applies to google's contacts app. Labels are not imported from .vcf file (vCard) and existing labels aren't exported too.

I've tried using "simple contacts" app from "simple mobile tools". This app supports import/export labels and creating new labels. Problem is, any imported or created label is not recognized by stock contacts app, also not in google's contacts app. Same applies to contact scopes, any imported/created label isn't available.

Creating a new label, with both stock contact app, and google's contact app, works. These labels are recognized by both apps, and also usable in contact scopes.

My problem is, that I would like to use labels in contact scopes (for example "private" or "work" etc.). Up to now, I am not able to import my contacts to GOS with labels. I would have to create labels and assign contacts from scratch in GOS, that's a lot of work, that would not be need if I could import the lables as is from existing vCard.

To me, contact labels is the key to use contact scopes. Assigning contacts one by one, for each app, is very cumbersome. Being able to import/export contacts, with labels, is a key feature of keeping contacts managed.

Does anybody know a solution to this issue?
Is it possible/planned to make GOS import labels correctly? - I assume this won't happen as the stock contact app is the AOSP version, and even google's "official" contacts app just ignores any labels for both import and export.

Is there a solution using only an app (I haven't found yet)? Or do I have to setup/use a cardDAV server, to get my contacts onto the phone, and get them back off to somewhere else?
I'm really trying to avoid any use of / connect to G to get this done. Logging into a G account isn't an option. Can I use DAVX5 to import my contacts from G, without actually establishing a direct connection to G servers from GOS?

Thank you very much for any help/idea/suggestion. Much appreciated.
Best regards

Murcielago

TRInvictus
Interesting idea to use the contact scopes with labels, I like it!

I store my contacts on a cardDAV server (Nextcloud) and also use the stock contacts app on my phone. I synchronize them with DAVx5.

I have just tested it - labels that I have created in the Nextclouds Contacts app are also displayed on my phone.

I can't remember whether you can transfer the data with labels from Google to Nextcloud.

Maybe you want to give the mentioned setup a try - if you like it, you'll have to bite the bullet again and enter the labels in Nextcloud one more time- but then it will automatically synchronize with your phone.

Jirafa

TRInvictus

Have a look into the workaround I found, I hope is working for you. It is the only way to work with Imp/Exp WoW with contacts and labels.

https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/15920-label-in-contacts-how-to-manage-it-through-profiles

boldsuck

Murcielago I store my contacts on a cardDAV server (Nextcloud) and also use the stock contacts app on my phone. I synchronize them with DAVx5.

Me too. In addition to labels, you can also create several address books on Nextcloud. (personal,work,...)

The nice thing about NextCloud is that I can integrate additional NC servers and my FTP servers. This way I can easily make backups.

TRInvictus

Murcielago Interesting idea to use the contact scopes with labels, I like it!

Honestly, I don't see any other usage without labels ;-) Adding each contact/number one by one manually, and that for every app, that's nothing else than very cumbersome.

Thank you both for the advise with NextCloud. I don't know NextCloud currently, I hope it's something that can be self-hosted, no need for any accounts etc. just FOSSy...?

Meantime, I did some tests. First I set up a radicale DAV server on my PC. Connecting it with Thunderbird works perfectly. But no way to connect with DavX5 on my phones (GOS and other android). Absolutely no clue why DavX5 doesn't connect to it....?

Then I tried connecting DavX5 with google contacts - not with my new GOS phone of course. That way, it requires a permission by G, and G stores the device that aquired the permission. That's not a solution, as I'm going degoogled. Didn't even try, if synching labels/groups would work. G's not an option, period.

Have to search for another self-hosteable DAV server to get that sync managed with DavX5.
Any suggestions (besides radicale I already tried unsuccessfully)?
Thank you

BTW, anyone with contact to AOSP/google devs, that might convince them, to finally add proper support for import/export labels? CATEGORIES tag is defined in the spec (RFC 6350), it's a shame it's being ignored in import/export.

TRInvictus

Update:

I was now able to connect my self-hosted radicale server on my PC with DAVx5 (my silly fault why it didnt work previously).
Contact sync works, labels/groups too with stock contact app and GOS contact scopes :-)

It's a pretty extensive workaround to missing support for labels/groups in AOSP .vcf import/export tho.
Hopefully, AOSP is going to adopt for an easy and entry-level-user-friendly solution...

Murcielago

TRInvictus

I'm glad you were able to solve it.