How to Transfer Contacts from iPhone to iPhone

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Expert guide to transfer your contacts between iPhones

Co-authored by Josef Storzi

Last Updated: September 22, 2022 Tested

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This wikiHow teaches you how to transfer contacts data from one iPhone to another.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using iCloud

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1
Open the old iPhone's Settings.^{[1]
X
Research source} It's a gray app that contains gears (⚙️) and is typically located on the home screen.
- Both iPhones must be connected to a Wi-Fi network. To connect, tap Wi-Fi near the top of the Settings menu, slide Wi-Fi to the "On" (green) position, and tap a network from the list under "Choose a network..."
- Enter a password if prompted to do so.
2
Tap your Apple ID. It's the section at the top of the menu that contains your name and image if you've added one.
- If you are not signed in, tap Sign in to (Your Device), enter your Apple ID and password, then tap Sign In.
- If you are running an older version of iOS, you may not need to do this step.
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^{[2]
X
Research source} It's in the second section of the menu.
It's near the top of the "APPS USING ICLOUD" section and will turn green.
5
Scroll down and tap iCloud Backup.^{[3]
X
Research source} It's near the bottom of the "APPS USING ICLOUD" section.
- If it's not already green, slide "iCloud Backup" to the "On" position.
^{[4]
X
Research source} Doing so backs up your old iPhone's contacts to iCloud.
It's a gray app that contains gears (⚙️) and is typically located on your home screen.
8
Tap your Apple ID. It's the section at the top of the menu that contains your name and image if you've added one.
- If you are not signed in, tap Sign in to (Your Device), enter your Apple ID and password, then tap Sign In.
- If you are running an older version of iOS, you may not need to do this step.
It's in the second section of the menu.
It's near the top of the "APPS USING ICLOUD" section.
It's the round button on the face of your iPhone, below the screen.
It's a gray app that contains a darker gray silhouette and has letter tabs along the right side.
From the middle of the screen, swipe down slowly and hold until you see a spinning "refresh" icon above the contacts list, then lift your finger. The contacts from your old iPhone should now be available on your new iPhone.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using an iTunes Backup

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You can transfer your contacts to your new iPhone from your old one using iTunes or iCloud. iTunes is the recommended route, as it is a much faster process than transferring using an iCloud backup.
It should appear in the top row of buttons in the iTunes window.
This will open the Summary page.
This will create a backup of your old iPhone that will be saved to your computer. Creating the backup may take a few minutes to complete.
After the backup has been created, you can start setting up your new iPhone. Turn it on and follow the Setup Assistant prompts to setup your new device. Make sure to log in with the same Apple ID that you used on your old iPhone.
You'll be prompted to connect your new iPhone to your computer so that it can load the backup file from iTunes.
This may take several minutes as the data is copied from your computer to your new iPhone. Once the backup restore is complete, your new iPhone will have all of the contacts from your old one.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Sharing Contacts with Others

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You can also open the Phone app and select the "Contacts" tab.
You can send the contact details for any contact on your list.
This opens the "Share" menu.
This will open the app with your contact file attached. You can send the contact using Messages, Mail, or other messaging apps.
Your contact will be sent to the recipient in VCF format. If the recipient opens the message on their iPhone, tapping the VCF file will load the contact as a new entry in their Contacts app.

Join the Discussion...

Easiest ways to transfer my old iPhone data to new iPhone?

45

WikiLynxJumper585

I just got a new iPhone (yay) and now comes the task of transferring all my data over from my old phone (boo). Anyone have any quick tips for doi... Read More

WikiStoatWatcher436

You can transfer your iPhone using a few different methods:
1. You could Airdrop your info from one phone to another (go to settings > general... Read More

WikiChinchillaFlyer503

i don't want to pay for icloud so what else can i do... Read More

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Question

How do I use music as a ringtone?

Community Answer

Download the song to your Mac or PC, and use the free app Ringer to shorten and export the ringtone file. Export it to your phone using iTunes. Then you can embed it to your contacts.

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How do I retrieve info if my phone is stolen?

Community Answer

Use the Find my iPhone app on icloud.com or another iDevice. Apple id and password required.

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How do I restore my contacts from one iPhone to the other if the old one is dead and won't turn on?

Community Answer

If the old phone was connected to iCloud, and your contacts are on iCloud, then when setting up the new phone, the contacts should automatically transfer.

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