This article explains how to transfer contacts from one iPhone to another.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using iCloud
Step 1. Open the Settings of the old iPhone
Look for the app with the gray icon with gears (⚙️); usually found on the main screen.
- Both iPhones must be connected to a Wi-Fi network. To activate the connection, press "Wi-Fi" at the top of the Settings menu, slide the button Wifi to "On" (green), then press one of the networks in the list, under "Choose a network …";
- Enter your password if asked.
Step 2. Press your Apple ID
This is the section at the top of the menu that contains your name and an image if you have added one.
- If you are not logged in, press Log in to (your device), enter your Apple ID and password, then press Log in;
- If the iOS version is not the latest, you may not need to complete this step.
Step 3. Press iCloud
You will find this item in the second section of the menu.
Step 4. Slide the "Contacts" button to "On"
It is located at the top of the "APPS USING ICLOUD" section and should turn green.
Step 5. Scroll down and hit iCloud Backup
You will see this button at the end of the "APPS USING ICLOUD" section.
If it's not already green, slide the "iCloud Backup" button to "On"
Step 6. Press Back up now
This way you save a copy of your old iPhone's contacts to iCloud.
Step 7. Open the Settings of the new iPhone
Look for the app with the gray icon with gears (⚙️), which is usually found on the home screen.
Step 8. Press your Apple ID
This is the section at the top of the menu that contains your name and an image if you have added one.
- If you are not logged in, press Log in to (your device), enter your Apple ID and password, then press Log in;
- If the iOS version is not the latest, you may not need to complete this step.
Step 9. Press iCloud
You will find this item in the second section of the menu.
Step 10. Slide the "Contacts" button to "On"
You will find it at the top of the "APPS THAT USE ICLOUD" section and it should turn green.
Step 11. Press the Home button
This is the round button on the front of the phone, below the screen.
Step 12. Open Contacts
The app icon is gray, with a dark silhouette and letters on the right side.
Step 13. Scroll down and hold your finger steady
From the center of the screen, slowly swipe down, then hold your finger until you see the rotating update icon appear above the contact list, then release. The contacts from the old iPhone should appear on the new one.
Method 2 of 3: Using iTunes Backup
Step 1. Open iTunes on your computer
You can transfer your contacts from an old iPhone to a new one using iTunes or iCloud. iTunes is the recommended solution, because it is much faster than iCloud.
Step 2. Connect your old iPhone to the computer via USB
It should appear in the top row of buttons in the iTunes window.
Step 3. Select your iPhone in iTunes
The Summary page will open.
Step 4. Select "This Computer", then click "Back Up Now"
This will create a backup of the old iPhone on the computer. It may take a few minutes to complete the operation.
Step 5. Start the setup process on the new iPhone
After creating the backup, you can start setting up your new phone. Turn it on and follow the Setup Assistant directions. Make sure you log in with the same Apple ID you used on the old iPhone.
Step 6. Select "Backup from iTunes" when asked if you want to restore a backup
You will be asked to connect your new phone to your computer, so that you can upload the backup files from iTunes.
Step 7. Wait for the backup to load
It may take a few minutes to copy the data from the computer to the phone. At the end of the operation, in the new iPhone you will find all the contacts of the old one.
Method 3 of 3: Share Contacts with other People
Step 1. Open the iPhone Contacts app
You can also open the Phone app and press the "Contacts" tab.
Step 2. Press the contact you want to send to someone
You can do this for all numbers in your address book.
Step 3. Press Share Contact
The "Share" menu will open.
Step 4. Choose the app to share the contact with
The program will open with the contact file attached. You can use Messages, Mail or other applications.
Step 5. Enter the name of the person you want to share the contact with
The information will be sent to the recipient in VCF format. If the message is opened with an iPhone, just press the file to upload the contact as a new entry in the address book.
