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. Show
How to Transfer Contacts From iPhone to iPhone With iCloudThe 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.
How to Transfer iPhone Contacts by Restoring an iCloud BackupBeyond 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:
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 iTunesIf you prefer to back up your iPhone to a computer, use iTunes instead of iCloud. Here's what to do:
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 ToolsiCloud 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 SoftwareThere'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 CardIf 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
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