How to Transfer Contacts from Your iPhone to Your Computer

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: August 11, 2022

Using iTunes

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Using iCloud

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Video

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Q&A

You can use iTunes or iCloud to transfer your iPhone contacts to your computer. If you're using iTunes, contacts will be synced like your other iTunes content. If you're using iCloud, contacts will be updated automatically on your computer when they're updated on your iPhone, and vice versa.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using iTunes

1
Tap the Settings app on your iPhone.
2
Tap Contacts.

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3
Tap Import SIM Contacts.
4
Tap On My iPhone. Any contacts stored on your SIM card will be added to your iPhone's memory, which will then be synced to your computer.^{[1]
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- If "iCloud" appears in the menu instead of "On My iPhone," your contacts are currently being synced through your iCloud account. You'll be able to sync them to your computer by signing into iCloud on it.
5
Connect your iPhone to your computer.
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Open iTunes if it doesn't start automatically.
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Click the button for your iPhone. You'll find this at the top of the iTunes window.
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Click the Info option.
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Check the Sync contacts with box. This will not be available if your iPhone is set to sync contacts with your iCloud account. See the Using iCloud section for details.
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Click the drop-down menu to select where to sync to. You can sync with Windows contacts, Outlook, Google, or any other account you may have set up on your computer.
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Click Selected groups if you only want to sync certain contacts. This will allow you to choose which group of contacts you want to sync. By default, all contacts will be synced with your computer.
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Click Apply to begin syncing. Your contacts will be transferred from your iPhone to your chosen contacts location on your computer.
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Find your newly-added contacts. You'll be able to access your contacts from whatever program you synced them to. For example, if you added them to Outlook, you'll find them in the Contacts section of Outlook.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using iCloud

1
Tap the Settings app.
2
Tap iCloud.
3
Tap Sign In if you aren't signed in with an Apple ID. In order to sync your contacts to your computer wirelessly with iCloud, you have to be signed in with your Apple ID on your iPhone.
- If you're already signed in, you'll see your Apple ID at the top of the menu, and the iCloud settings beneath. Make sure you're signed in with the correct Apple ID.
4
Tap the Contacts slider to toggle it on.
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Tap Merge if prompted. Any duplicates from your iPhone's storage will be combined with the contacts already stored on your iCloud account.
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Tap < Settings to return to the Settings menu.
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Tap the Contacts option.
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Tap Import SIM Contacts.
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Tap iCloud. Your SIM contacts will be added to your iCloud account so that they are included with your other contacts.
10
Sign into iCloud on your computer. The process for this varies for Mac and Windows:
- Mac - Click the Apple menu and select System Preferences. Click the iCloud option. Sign in with your Apple ID. Toggle "Contacts" on.
- Windows - Download iCloud for Windows from Apple. Run the installer and log in with your Apple ID. Check the box for "Mail, Contacts, Calendars, and Tasks."^{[2]
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Find your contacts on your computer. After signing into iCloud and syncing your contacts, you'll find them on your computer in your regular contacts location. For example, on your Mac you'll find them in the Contacts app. In Windows, you'll find them in Outlook.^{[3]
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Community Q&A

Question

Why do phone companies make transferring contacts so hard? They made the SIM card; can't they make a user card?

Community Answer

It is very easy to transfer contacts from one Apple device to another. You just need to turn on Contact Sync in Settings -> iCloud -> Storage and Backup. Make sure Contacts is on, and click Backup.