---
title: "Importing Contacts"
slug: "import-contacts"
updated: 2026-07-30T13:21:06Z
published: 2026-07-30T13:21:06Z
canonical: "docs.mapp.com/import-contacts"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.mapp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Importing Contacts

## Goal​

Import contacts and profile attribute data into a group from a CSV, XML, or text file.

---

## Prerequisites​

1. The group you want to import contacts into already exists.
2. The file must be in CSV, XML, or text format, with a maximum size of 50 MB, and follow the required formatting rules.
3. Each contact must be uniquely identified by one of the following: Contact ID, Email address, Mobile phone number, Mobile app alias. You can also use an external identifier from a CRM system. For instructions, see [Update Contacts with External Identifier](/v1/docs/update-contacts-with-external-identifier).
4. Ensure you have the necessary group and system permissions for the chosen import mode (for example, adding members, inviting new members, editing profile data, or removing members). See [Group Permissions List](/v1/docs/group-permissions).

---

## Background Information

- This procedure is recommended for one-time imports of up to 1 million contacts. To reduce manual effort, automate recurring imports with [System Whiteboards](/v1/docs/system-whiteboards)
- This procedure cannot be used to add system users. To add them, see [Create Mapp Engage System User](/v1/docs/create-mapp-engage-system-user).
- To send notifications or invitations via SMS, make sure the relevant system message is enabled for the SMS channel. For more information, see [System Messages via SMS](/v1/docs/system-messages-via-sms).
- For file formatting rules and time zone handling, see [CSV Format for Contact Imports](/v1/docs/csv-format-for-contact-imports), [XML Format for Contact Imports](/v1/docs/xml-format-for-contact-imports), and [Time Offset in Imports](/v1/docs/time-offset-in-imports).

---

## Procedure

### Video

Please watch this short video to see how the import process is done.

[Groups & Contact- Loading Contacts Data - Sandra](https://player.vimeo.com/video/1010578745?badge=0&autopause=0&player_id=0&app_id=58479)

### Detailed Steps

1. Go to *Audience > Group Management > Groups*.
2. From the context menu next to the target group, select **Members**.
3. Click **Import**.
4. Click **Choose File** and upload your file.
5. Select the **File Type**. For CSV files, enter a separator in the **Separator** field if you use something other than the default comma.
6. Choose the encoding.
7. Select one of the following import modes:
  - **Add**: Add contacts as members.
  - **Update Current Members**: Update existing members.
  - **Add and Update All**: Add new contacts and update existing ones.
  - **Add and Update (Exclude Current Members)**: Add new contacts only, without modifying current members.
  - **Replace All**: Replace all existing group members with the new list.
  - **Remove from Group**: Remove contacts from the group.
  - **Add Contact (With Notification and Invite)**: Add contacts with a notification or invitation, even if they are already members.
8. (Optional) Apply **Synchronization Qualifiers** to refine the process. Some qualifiers are applied automatically, depending on the selected mode.
9. (Optional) Expand **Advanced Options** and configure as needed:
  - **Time Zone**: Sets the time zone for date attributes, used only if the file’s date values lack a time zone.
  - **Use External Identifier**: Matches contacts by unique ID instead of email or mobile number. Requires the external-identifier import procedure.
  - **Set Read Mode System-wide**: Applies the file’s read mode to all contacts, overwriting per-contact read mode in all groups. Available only with the add modes: "Replace," "Update Members Only," "Add and Update Non-members Only," and "Add and Update All."

> [!NOTE]
> **Note:**
> 
> Mapp Engage requires ISO-8601 date formats (`YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss+/-GMT`). Example: `2012-12-25T15:15:15-05:00`. Deprecated formats are not fully supported.
10. Click **Import** to start the process.

---

## Removing Members from a Group

- Use the **Remove** import mode to delete contacts from a single Mapp Engage group. Other group memberships for those contacts are not affected.
- Removed members are not contacted for confirmation and are not counted as unsubscribes in statistics.
- When a contact is removed from a group, group-specific data, such as member attributes and group membership statistics, is deleted. All other profile data remains unchanged.
- The prerequisites mirror those for importing contacts: a correctly formatted CSV, XML, or text file up to 50 MB, with each contact uniquely identified by email address, mobile number, mobile app alias, or an external identifier. If using an external identifier, follow the dedicated procedure in [Update Contacts with External Identifier](/v1/docs/update-contacts-with-external-identifier).

The procedure is the same import flow described under *Procedure* above — follow the identical steps and set the import mode to **Remove**. There is no separate set of steps to repeat.

## Related

- [Group Members: Import](/import-contacts-window.md)
- [Automate Contact File Import](/automate-contact-file-import.md)