How to get contacts from old iphone to new iphone

In this guide, we detail five ways to transfer contacts between iPhones: via iCloud, an iCloud backup, iTunes, web-based tools, and third-party software. Instructions in this article apply to iPhones with iOS 9 and up.

How to Transfer Contacts From iPhone to iPhone With iCloud

The easiest methods to transfer contacts use features that come with the iPhone, such as iCloud. Since iCloud can keep data synchronized across all your devices, using it to sync contacts from iPhone to iPhone makes it an easy choice.

  1. Ensure that both iPhones are signed in with the same Apple ID and are connected to Wi-Fi.

  2. On both phones, open Settings, tap your name, then tap iCloud.

  3. Move the Contacts slider to on/green.

    How to get contacts from old iphone to new iphone
    How to get contacts from old iphone to new iphone

    This step will upload your contacts to iCloud if they're not already there. If lots of contacts need to be backed up, it might take a while to finish.

  4. If a message appears about merging the contacts, choose that option so that none of the contacts are deleted.

    Because data from both phones first uploads to iCloud and then syncs to both phones, you have to sync all of your contacts to both devices.

How to get contacts from old iphone to new iphone
How to get contacts from old iphone to new iphone

Alex Dos Diaz / Lifewire

How to Transfer iPhone Contacts by Restoring an iCloud Backup

Beyond the contact syncing process from the last section, iCloud can also make a backup of the data on your iPhone and then restore that backup onto a different iPhone. Here's how:

  1. Connect the iPhone to Wi-Fi.

    Backing up to iCloud requires lots of data. Use Wi-Fi instead of the cellular data included with your phone plan.

  2. On the iPhone with the contacts on it, tap Settings > [your name]. If prompted, log in with your Apple ID.

    Older devices may not display your name on this screen.

  3. Tap iCloud > iCloud Backup.

  4. Move the iCloud Backup slider to on/green, then select Back Up Now.

    If you see a message about your iPhone no longer backing up to your computer automatically when you sync with iTunes, tap OK.

    How to get contacts from old iphone to new iphone
    How to get contacts from old iphone to new iphone

  5. The iPhone uploads your contacts and other data to iCloud. This backs up the entire iPhone, so it will take a while.

    You may need to upgrade your iCloud account to have enough storage for the full backup.

  6. On the new phone you want to have the iCloud backup added to, follow the standard new iPhone setup procedure. On the Apps & Data screen, choose Restore from iCloud Backup and follow the prompts to finish restoring the iPhone backup and copy your old contacts to the new phone.

If your new iPhone has already been set up, restore the backup data onto it by erasing the content and settings and choosing to restore from an iCloud backup when prompted.

How to Transfer iPhone Contacts Using iTunes

If you prefer to back up your iPhone to a computer, use iTunes instead of iCloud. Here's what to do:

  1. Connect the old iPhone to the computer you normally sync it with.

  2. Open iTunes and access the screen that shows your iPhone. If it doesn't open automatically, click the Phone icon.

    How to get contacts from old iphone to new iphone
    How to get contacts from old iphone to new iphone

  3. In the Backups section, click This Computer, then click Back Up Now.

    How to get contacts from old iphone to new iphone
    How to get contacts from old iphone to new iphone

    If you're asked about encrypting the backup to make your iPhone more secure, either do so with the Encrypt Backups button. You can decline by selecting Don't Encrypt. You can change this setting later.

  4. Wait while the iPhone backs up to the computer. To monitor the progress, watch the blue progress bar at the top of iTunes.

    How to get contacts from old iphone to new iphone
    How to get contacts from old iphone to new iphone

  5. When the backup is complete, eject the old iPhone and plug in the new one.

  6. To restore the new iPhone from the backup, select Restore Backup and follow the prompts.

If iTunes explains that you have to first disable Find My iPhone in order to restore the backup, do so through the iCloud > Find My iPhone option in the Settings app.

How to Transfer iPhone Contacts Using Web-Based Tools

iCloud isn't the only cloud-based service that stores and syncs contacts. Google and Yahoo are two other examples.

How to Sync iPhone With Yahoo and Google Contacts

How to Transfer iPhone Contacts Using Third-Party Software

There's a robust world of third-party software that transfer contacts, usually rather quickly since they don't deal with iTunes or iCloud. My Contacts Backups is one example of a contact list backup app that works by having you email the contact list to yourself so that you can copy the contacts to your new iPhone. Just open your mail on the new phone, select the attachment, and import the list.

Why You Can't Transfer iPhone Contacts Using a SIM Card

If you've used other phones that can transfer contacts from the SIM card, you might be wondering if you can do the same on your iPhone. This method backs up contacts to the SIM card and then you move the old SIM to the new phone to use the backup.

It's not so simple for the iPhone because the feature isn't supported with the iPhone SIM card. Learn more in How to Back Up Contacts to iPhone SIM.

FAQ

  • How do I transfer contacts from Android to iPhone?

    To transfer contacts from an Android to an iPhone, go to Settings > Account and enable Sync Contacts on your Android. On iPhone, go to Settings > Passwords & Accounts and select your Gmail account. Move the Contacts slider to the On (green) position, and the contacts you added to your Google account will sync to the iPhone.

  • How do I transfer contacts from iPhone to Android?

    To transfer contacts from iPhone to Android use iCloud. On the iPhone, go to Settings > your name > iCloud and turn on Contacts. On your Android, select and download a third-party app like Sync for iCloud Contacts.

  • How do I download contacts from iPhone to Mac?

    To sync contacts from iPhone to Mac, go to Settings > select your name > iCloud and turn on Contacts on the iPhone > Merge. On the Mac, select Apple icon > System Preferences > Apple ID > Contacts.

    How do I transfer contacts from old iPhone to new iPhone without iCloud?

    All you need to do is connect your iPhone to the system, launch iTunes, and go to its “Info” tab. From here, you can choose to sync your contacts from your iPhone to your iTunes. Choose to sync all contacts and click on the “Sync” button to make them available on iTunes.

    Can I just transfer my contacts to my new iPhone?

    To transfer contacts from an old iPhone to a new one, you can use iCloud syncing. You can also use an iCloud backup to sync contacts to a new iPhone during its initial setup. Another option to transfer contacts to a new iPhone using an iCloud backup is to sync them with iTunes.

    How do I transfer my contacts from my old phone to my new phone?

    Restore contacts from backups.
    Open your phone's Settings app..
    Tap Google..
    Tap Set up & restore..
    Tap Restore contacts..
    If you have multiple Google Accounts, to choose which account's contacts to restore, tap From account..
    Tap the phone with the contacts to copy..