CardDAV / Vcard: Improve Compatibility By Changing Type=mobile To Type=cell

Apr 26, 2025 by ADMIN 76 views

CardDAV / vcard: Improve compatibility by changing type=mobile to type=cell

Introduction

In the world of contact management and synchronization, compatibility is key. When it comes to CardDAV and vCard, a widely used standard for exchanging contact information, ensuring that different clients and servers can communicate effectively is crucial. Recently, a user reported an issue with GroupOffice contacts being synced to an Android phone via DAVx5, highlighting a compatibility issue that can be resolved by making a simple change to the type attribute in vCard. In this article, we will explore the issue, its implications, and the solution.

The Issue: TEL;TYPE=mobile vs. TEL;TYPE=cell

The user in question created a contact in GroupOffice with the following vCard:

BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:3.0
UID:59374-somethign--something.com
LANGUAGE:en
PRODID:-//Intermesh//NONSGML Group-Office 6.7.78//EN
N:LastNameTest2;NameTest2;;;
FN:NameTest2 LastNameTest2
REV:20250328T063335Z
TITLE:
[EMAIL;TYPE=work:test2@test2.com](mailto:EMAIL;TYPE=work:test2@test2.com)
TEL;TYPE=mobile:+11122233344
NOTE:
X-GO-GENDER:
END:VCARD

As you can see, the contact has a phone number with the type attribute set to mobile. While this is technically valid and works in some cases, it is not the recommended way to describe a cellphone number according to the vCard standard. The standard recommends using type=cell instead.

The Problem with TEL;TYPE=mobile

When DAVx5 syncs a contact with TEL;TYPE=mobile, it treats the value as an unknown type and categorizes it as "Other". This is because mobile is not a recognized value for the type attribute in vCard. On the other hand, when a user creates a contact on Android with type=cell, it is well recognized by GroupOffice as a cellphone/mobile number when synced via CardDAV by DAVx5.

The Solution: Changing TEL;TYPE=mobile to TEL;TYPE=cell

To improve compatibility with clients, we can simply change the type attribute from mobile to cell in the vCard. This will ensure that the contact is correctly categorized and recognized by different clients and servers.

Benefits of Using TEL;TYPE=cell

Using TEL;TYPE=cell instead of TEL;TYPE=mobile has several benefits:

Improved compatibility: By using a recognized value for the type attribute, we can ensure that the contact is correctly categorized and recognized by different clients and servers.
Better synchronization: When syncing contacts between different devices and servers, using TEL;TYPE=cell will help to ensure that the contact information is accurately transferred and displayed.
Enhanced user experience: By providing a consistent and accurate representation of contact information, we can enhance the user experience and make it easier for users to manage their contacts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, changing TEL;TYPE=mobile to TEL;TYPE=cell in vCard can improve compatibility with clients ensure that contact information is accurately transferred and displayed. By following the vCard standard and using recognized values for the type attribute, we can enhance the user experience and make it easier for users to manage their contacts.

Implementation

To implement this change, you can simply replace TEL;TYPE=mobile with TEL;TYPE=cell in the vCard. For example:

BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:3.0
UID:59374-somethign--something.com
LANGUAGE:en
PRODID:-//Intermesh//NONSGML Group-Office 6.7.78//EN
N:LastNameTest2;NameTest2;;;
FN:NameTest2 LastNameTest2
REV:20250328T063335Z
TITLE:
[EMAIL;TYPE=work:test2@test2.com](mailto:EMAIL;TYPE=work:test2@test2.com)
TEL;TYPE=cell:+11122233344
NOTE:
X-GO-GENDER:
END:VCARD

By making this simple change, you can improve compatibility with clients and ensure that contact information is accurately transferred and displayed.
CardDAV / vcard: Improve compatibility by changing type=mobile to type=cell - Q&A

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the importance of using the correct type attribute in vCard to improve compatibility with clients. Specifically, we highlighted the issue with using TEL;TYPE=mobile and recommended changing it to TEL;TYPE=cell. In this Q&A article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about this topic.

Q: What is the difference between TEL;TYPE=mobile and TEL;TYPE=cell?

A: While both TEL;TYPE=mobile and TEL;TYPE=cell are used to describe cellphone numbers, they are not exactly the same. TEL;TYPE=mobile is a non-standard value that is not recognized by the vCard standard. On the other hand, TEL;TYPE=cell is a standard value that is recommended by the vCard standard.

Q: Why is TEL;TYPE=mobile not recognized by the vCard standard?

A: The vCard standard does not recognize TEL;TYPE=mobile because it is not a widely accepted value for describing cellphone numbers. While some clients may recognize it, others may not, which can lead to compatibility issues.

Q: What are the benefits of using TEL;TYPE=cell instead of TEL;TYPE=mobile?

A: Using TEL;TYPE=cell instead of TEL;TYPE=mobile has several benefits, including:

Improved compatibility: By using a recognized value for the type attribute, we can ensure that the contact is correctly categorized and recognized by different clients and servers.
Better synchronization: When syncing contacts between different devices and servers, using TEL;TYPE=cell will help to ensure that the contact information is accurately transferred and displayed.
Enhanced user experience: By providing a consistent and accurate representation of contact information, we can enhance the user experience and make it easier for users to manage their contacts.

Q: How do I change TEL;TYPE=mobile to TEL;TYPE=cell in my vCard?

A: To change TEL;TYPE=mobile to TEL;TYPE=cell in your vCard, simply replace the mobile value with cell. For example:

BEGIN:VCARD
VERSION:3.0
UID:59374-somethign--something.com
LANGUAGE:en
PRODID:-//Intermesh//NONSGML Group-Office 6.7.78//EN
N:LastNameTest2;NameTest2;;;
FN:NameTest2 LastNameTest2
REV:20250328T063335Z
TITLE:
[EMAIL;TYPE=work:test2@test2.com](mailto:EMAIL;TYPE=work:test2@test2.com)
TEL;TYPE=cell:+11122233344
NOTE:
X-GO-GENDER:
END:VCARD

Q: Will changing TEL;TYPE=mobile to TEL;TYPE=cell affect my existing contacts?

A: No, changing TEL;TYPE=mobile to TEL;TYPE=cell will not affect your existing contacts. The change only applies to new contacts that you create or update.

Q: Can I use both TEL;TYPE=mobile and TEL;TYPE=cell in the same vCard?

A: No, you should use both TEL;TYPE=mobile and TEL;TYPE=cell in the same vCard. Using both values can lead to compatibility issues and make it difficult for clients to accurately categorize the contact information.

Conclusion

In conclusion, using TEL;TYPE=cell instead of TEL;TYPE=mobile in vCard can improve compatibility with clients and ensure that contact information is accurately transferred and displayed. By following the vCard standard and using recognized values for the type attribute, we can enhance the user experience and make it easier for users to manage their contacts.