Couldn't import vCard. The format isn't supported

atti_simon

Hello!

Running a Pixel 8 with the latest GraphenOS.

I tried to import a .vcf file that I exported 4 months ago from a Pixel 7a running GrapheneOS, using the Contacts app, however I got the following error:

Couldn't import vCard.
The format isn't supported

I did a bit of string manipulation, as I had a lot of consecutive duplicate lines and all sorts of fields, as this contact list is one that I have been merging and saving from different platforms.
I used the uniq linux command to remove the consecutive duplicate lines, I also tried to sanitize the contact list with a linux app called vCard Studio. All this was ok, my .vcf was smaller and cleaner, however it was still rejected by the default Contacts app.

I ended up installing a third party contacts app from f-droid which I knew of having a minimal permissions approach and used it to import the .vcf file. After a successful import, I ran an export to a new .vcf file using the same app, removed the contacts from the phone and tried the default Contacts app to import the new .vcf file. Everything worked fine this time, so I am positive that my contact list is now sanitized.

I wanted to post this for anyone having the same problem.
The third party app is called "Simple Contacts Pro" by Tibor Kaputa, can be found on f-droid, just search for "vcf". You may find it on playstore too.

Dumdum

atti_simon The third party app is called "Simple Contacts Pro" by Tibor Kaputa, can be found on f-droid, just search for "vcf". You may find it on playstore too.

This app is no longer by Tibor. He sold it to an ad company so you should not use (or recommend) Simple Contacts or any of the "Simple Mobile Tools" apps. If you wish to use them, you can use the Fossify forks instead.

atti_simon

Dumdum
Thanks for the information, I wasn't aware about the sale. That's so sad, some of Tibor's apps were really nice and useful.

I have installed the Simple Contacts Pro app from F-Droid, where it still appears under Tibor Kaputa as author, last version is 6.22.7 on 2023 Sep 25.

Now I checked on Playstore and the Simple Mobile Tools website, there is no mention of Tibor, the App support address is in Tel Aviv, Israel, not Slovakia as it was before. The version number is the same as on F-Droid, but the date is different: 2023 Sep 5, not 25.

That is not to say that the F-Droid version is safe, but it is different for sure. After resolving the issue I had with the .vcf file, I don't really need the app anymore, however, I will have to search for a new Calendar app, I used to use Simple Calendar in the past - at the moment I have no calendar on my latest GrapheneOS setup.

Off topic, but do you guys have any recommendations for a calendar app? I remember Etar was not really recommended in the GrapheneOS community.

Edit: I checked out the Fossify website and saw that it is a fork of @SimpleMobileTools, so at least those apps can still be used, but feel free to recommend a calendar app anyway :) Thanks!

Carlos-Anso

This is a handy app for sms, contact and call log import and export
https://github.com/tmo1/sms-ie

Dumdum

atti_simon That's so sad, some of Tibor's apps were really nice and useful.

I will have to search for a new Calendar app, I used to use Simple Calendar in the past - at the moment I have no calendar on my latest GrapheneOS setup.

Off topic, but do you guys have any recommendations for a calendar app?

Like I said before, you can use the Fossify forks. They include most of the Simple Mobile Tool apps (see here for breakdown of app availability). The Calendar can be installed from the Play Store, Github (via the APK file) or from FDroid if you wish to use that.

Jojojo

atti_simon Yeah, the Simple Apps Suite was bought out and now includes insane monetization practices in the PlayStore versions. That's the entire business model of the company that bought them: buy popular app projects and then turn up monetization to 11. The F-Droid versions were promised to be left untouched, but unfortunately that also means no further updates. The best alternatives are the Fossify apps, which are spiritual successors to the Simple apps and work exactly the same while still having updates support. On that note, I recommend the Fossify Calendar app. It's simple, private, and truly free. Personally, I use the Fossify apps as replacements for any of the default GOS that don't suit me.

atti_simon

Dumdum
Jojojo
Thanks for the advice. Fossify looks good. I saw that some if not all Fossify apps are also offered on IzzyOnDroid. I just read their info page (https://apt.izzysoft.de/fdroid/index/info), so I have an idea about how those apps are put into that repo. But I still want to ask for some advice, what is your take on that IzzyOnDroid?

Edit: now I saw Obtainium also, seem to make it easier to get the apks directly from the source repository. Haha! Too many options now :-)

Jojojo

atti_simon I do think IzzyOnDroid is a bit sketchy security-wise. Because of this, I typically don't install anything from there that isn't already available on F-Droid. I basically only use it to get faster updates of apps I would have otherwise downloaded from the F-Droid repo.
As for Obtainium, I don't care nor have the time and patience to figure it out. I'm content with just F-Droid and my current crop of repos. Haha.

Dumdum

atti_simon what is your take on that IzzyOnDroid?

If you want apps to be updated faster than Fdroid, then its fine to use the Izzyondroid repo (or bypass Izzy altogether with Obtainium). Frankly, the Izzy repo is only necessary for apps that aren't on Fdroid and also don't have APKs on some git page or website somewhere, which not many apps are like that.

Jojojo As for Obtainium, I don't care nor have the time and patience to figure it out. I'm content with just F-Droid and my current crop of repos. Haha.

Obtainium is very easy to use, but people are free to use Fdroid if its more suitable for them.

atti_simon

Jojojo I do think IzzyOnDroid is a bit sketchy security-wise.

I added the IzzyOnDroid repo to F-Droid, just so I have it there for backup. I like how clearly it is displayed when an app is available in multiple repos.

Dumdum Obtainium is very easy to use.

Out of curiosity and not to forget about it, I installed Obtainium too, together with AppVerifier and added another app to the list, one that is offered to be installed from GitHub on its official webpage.

Thanks for all the help! 🙏