How to download my contacts from iphone

When you get a new iPhone, one of the things you'd want to do is import your contacts list from the old phone. 

As long as you've been backing up your device frequently with iCloud or iTunes, it's not that hard. You can retrieve your contacts at any time, even if you've lost your old iPhone.

Here's how to transfer contacts between iPhones, in three ways.

How to transfer iPhone contacts to a new iPhone using iCloud syncing

If you have both your old iPhone and your new phone and both are working, then it's easy to load the contacts onto the new phone. Just make sure you're somewhere with a stable Wi-Fi network when you do so.

1. Connect both phones to the Wi-Fi network and log into the same Apple ID account on both.

2. On the old phone, open the Settings app. 

3. Tap on your Apple ID profile (your name and picture at the top of the Settings page).

The Settings app on iPhone, with the Apple ID highlighted.

Tap your Apple ID to go to the Apple ID page.Stefan Ionescu

4. Tap iCloud.

The Apple ID screen on iPhone, with the “iCloud” option highlighted.

Tap iCloud.Stefan Ionescu

5. Tap the toggle next to Contacts.

6. When the pop-up "What would you like to do with existing local contacts on your iPhone?" appears, tap Merge.

7. On the new phone, open the Phone app.

8. Tap Contacts in the bottom menu.

The Phone app on iPhone, with the “Contacts” option in the bottom menu highlighted.

Go to your contacts page in the Phone app of your new iPhone.Stefan Ionescu

9. Drag your name down and release it – you'll feel a subtle vibration when it's time to release – to refresh the contacts list.

How to transfer iPhone contacts to a new iPhone using an iCloud backup

If iCloud syncing didn't work, or if you don't have your old phone anymore (or it's not working properly), you can use the contacts backed up to your iCloud account to load contact information onto a new iPhone.

To do this, however, you'll need to have backed them up beforehand.

Note: For the record, this method also works fine if the old phone is operable and is right there with you.

1. Turn on the new iPhone and follow the steps to join a Wi-Fi network.

2. When the Apps and Data screen loads, tap Restore from iCloud Backup.

3. Log into your Apple ID using the same email and password you used with your old phone.

4. Apple will send a passcode to any other Apple Device you have, or you can opt to have it texted to you as well. Retrieve it and enter it in the pop-up prompting you for the passcode.

5. Agree to the Terms and Conditions by tapping Agree.

6. Choose the most recent backup from the list of backups.

7. Tap Continue and the backup, and your contacts — along with everything else on the backup – will be installed. The completion of the process will depend on the size of the backup and the speed of your network.

8. Follow the next set of instructions to finish setting up the new phone.

Quick tip: If you've already set up the newer phone, or if it's not a brand new iPhone, you can reset the phone and then restore it using an iCloud backup.

Whichever way you do it, it can't be undone, unless you have another backup to load onto the phone.

How to transfer contacts from one iPhone to another with iTunes

You can also sync contacts to your new phone using iTunes.

1. With the new iPhone connected to your computer, open the iTunes desktop app.

2. Click the iPhone icon in the top left corner of the screen.

The iTunes desktop app, with the iPhone icon highlighted.

Click the iPhone icon.Stefan Ionescu


3. In the left side menu, click Info.

The iTunes desktop app, with the “Info” option highlighted.

Click “Info” in the left side menu.Stefan Ionescu

4. Click the checkbox for Sync Contacts.

The iPhone info screen in the iTunes desktop app, with the “Sync Contacts” checkbox highlighted.

Make sure “Sync Contacts” is checked.Stefan Ionescu

5. Click Apply in the bottom right corner.

The iPhone info screen in the iTunes desktop app, with the “Apply” button highlighted.

Apply the changes you've made.Stefan Ionescu

Steven John

Freelance Writer

Steven John is a freelance writer living near New York City by way of 12 years in Los Angeles, four in Boston, and the first 18 near DC. When not writing or spending time with his wife and kids, he can occasionally be found climbing mountains. His writing is spread across the web, and his books can be found at www.stevenjohnbooks.com.

How can I export all my Contacts from my iPhone?

In Contacts on iCloud.com, select one or more contacts in the contacts list. in the sidebar, then choose Export vCard. If you select multiple contacts, Contacts exports a single vCard containing all of them.

How do I download my Contacts from iPhone to computer?

Here are the detailed steps..
Step 1: On your iPhone, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud, and turn on Contacts..
Step 2: On your computer, open a browser, visit iCloud.com, and sign in with the Apple ID and password. ... .
Step 3: Choose Contacts among the options and select the items you want to copy from iPhone to PC..

How do I export my entire contact list?

Export contacts.
Go to Google Contacts..
Select one of the following: A single contact: Check the box next to the contact name. ... .
In the top left, click More actions. Export..
To back up your contacts, select Google CSV..
To save your file, click Export..

How do you import all Contacts from iPhone?

Make sure you're signed into the same Apple ID on both devices (Settings > [your name]). On both iPhones, open Settings > [your name] > iCloud. Enable the Contacts toggle on both devices. Wait until the message about merging contacts appears and tap Merge.