importing contacts into EE hub

[heelisp]

Hi

I have been trying to import contacts in vcard format into my hub. Apart from manually entering them in to the phones, this is the only way. However I get an error "invalid data CHOP3-903"

I have checked the format by opening in a text editor and it conforms to the standard vcf file format. So I do not know where to go from here

As anyone successfully imported contacts. Would it be possible for them to post an example vcard that imported (after anonymising of course).

[Gelert5]

@gibbylinks 
I feel your pain...!

Although... I'm a bit of a 'tech-head' - so I treat 'defeating the evil machine' as an enjoyable challenge - in a masochistic way (!?*^&%$£)

Yes - many have commented that you can only Import Contacts to the EE Smart Hub.
And many have also commented that a 'standard' .VCF from Android, IOS, or even an 'old' BT Hub will not load at the first attempt.

I must confess that, when I explored my Mobile's Android Contacts via Notepad++, I discovered a whole load of them which had been randomly designated as 'Cell' or 'Mobile' by Android - when they were quite clearly 'Landline' telephone numbers - and vice-versa...
So, from an 'accuracy perspective', the time I spent on this eventually felt 'slightly justified'....

Still - at least you found the reason(s) why your file wouldn't import properly.

And thank you for spending further (unpaid!) time, providing input to this thread.

Ciao,
Louis.

[humeka]

I recently migrated from BT to EE and changed hubs from a BT Smart Hub 2 to the EE Smart Hub Plus. I have the same problem importing contact VCARD info in a .vcf file .

The exported contacts from the Smart Hub contain CRLF on every line  , although all the names are transferred the telephone numbers do not appear in the directory on a Digital Voice  Alexa Advanced phone.

I tried using the exported contacts .vcf file from my Samsung Galaxy mobile phone and that fails with the previously reported CHOP error.

I have raised a fault report with EE and also included the lack of an EXPORT function of contacts . The EE guide kept insisting there was  an EXPORT facility , because his documentation said so , but had no practical experience himself because he didn't have a landline/digital voice.🤣

I questioned what happens when "The Guides" request a factory reset on a Hub (which I've been asked to do in past) , he said we tell the the customer to EXPORT their contacts 🤣

I'll keep this post updated when I get a response , but don't hold your breath because it appears this issue has been around for over 12 months  and EE didn't know about it !!!!!!!

I h  

[Gelert5]

@humeka

If CRLF is at the end of the telephone number, then it doesn't get transferred.
See my posts(s) of this and other 'opportunities for SNAFUs' earlier in this thread.

Hope this helps?

Ciao,

Louis.

[JimM11]

@humeka As you are in the posting and finding out mode how good the EE Smarthub+ is NOT so smart, then there will be many other oops that you will find along your journey, and if you think that EE are not aware then do not waste your time, more than likely you will find it posted on the Forum, just some times difficult to pin it down what you are looking for.

[cerf-volant]

Yes - I fully agree with juiceof2limes !

I do recommend Notepad++ to edit as it clearly shows the CRLF after each line - including the phone number(s)

Importing into Notepad showed Tabs highlighted; I deleted them all. The end result looks like the example above.

I had found one of my entries didn't have 'cell', 'work' or 'home' but 'none' and this was a problem as no number was displayed!

I have read that apostrophies don't work (in the name) and I agee - remove any!

I also replaced any + with 00 and removed spaces and ( or ) from numbers; if only for an easy life.

To create/add to my contacts list, I use Excel fine tune using the above rules and then paste into Notepad++ for a final check & then save as .vcf

[humeka]

Great NEWs ..... EE have finally fixed the IMPORTING of CONTACTS

I had a weird message on my ALEXA DIGITAL PHONE yesterday after powering off/on my EE router  ... Updating s/w will take upto 20 mins... then said 40% complete and failed will try again later .... So this morning checked my router and i'm on

r3.8.11-R-1414606-PROD-83002  APP VERSION 2.36.9

Not sure if this new but I suspect it is .... So tried importing the old SMARTHUB 2 .vcf contact file and BINGO after awhile it completed the import and I now have my contacts back .... so 18 months later it's fixed ... PITY NO ONE TOLD ME !!!!!

Not totally Great News ... because they still haven't added an EXPORT function  , so if you want to save your contacts use your mobile file for any updates and hopefully you can import a .vcf file from it.

[JimM11]

@humeka Just the heads up for the FW date, so you do have the latest and greatest at this point, as for export someday maybe!

FW: r3.8.11-R-1414606-PROD-83002 and the gui is at App version 2.36.9. 23/06/2025

[runcornboy0611]

 

[humeka]

That's what I used to get ... but no more .... check your versions

Although I may have use a .vcf file I exported from my SAMSUNG phone because I've just got a new mobile and had to export/import for the mobile using my PC.... but that didn't used to work either without editting

Finally I do have contacts on Digital Voice though

[runcornboy0611]

Might be a issue with my vcf I think I followed some instructions on  this forum to edit it to try and make it work , might be the fact I’m uploading on a iPhone I  am on the latest firmware I think, r3.8.11-R-1414606- 
PROD-83002 .. 

[Mod Edit - removed image as shared personal info, but added firmware version to post]