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How to Transfer Contacts from iPhone to iPhone: A Complete Guide
Transferring contacts from one iPhone to another can seem tricky, but with the right methods, it’s easy to accomplish. Whether you’re upgrading to a new iPhone or simply switching devices, your contacts are one of the most important pieces of information to transfer. Luckily, Apple and third-party software both offer several options to help you move contacts between iPhones without losing any data. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it.
1. Using iCloud: The Most Seamless Option
One of the easiest ways to transfer contacts from one iPhone to another is by using iCloud. As long as both devices are signed into the same Apple ID, your contacts will sync automatically to iCloud, making it easy to move them to your new iPhone.
Steps to Transfer Contacts with iCloud:
- On the old iPhone:
- Go to Settings > tap on [Your Name] at the top > iCloud.
- Toggle Contacts to the ON position. This will sync your contacts with iCloud.
- Ensure the iPhone is connected to a Wi-Fi network to upload the contacts to iCloud.
- On the new iPhone:
- Set up your new iPhone by following the on-screen instructions.
- When prompted, sign in to the same Apple ID that was used on your old iPhone.
- Go to Settings > tap on [Your Name] > iCloud.
- Toggle Contacts to the ON position. The contacts will start syncing automatically from iCloud to your new iPhone.
Once the sync is complete, all your contacts will appear on your new device.
2. Using iTunes or Finder: For a Full Device Transfer
If you’re transferring a lot of data, including your contacts, apps, and other information, using iTunes or Finder (on macOS Catalina or later) to back up and restore your iPhone is a great option.
Steps to Transfer Contacts with iTunes/Finder:
- On the old iPhone:
- Connect your old iPhone to your computer.
- Open iTunes (on Windows or macOS Mojave or earlier) or Finder (on macOS Catalina or later).
- Select your device and click on Back Up Now to create a full backup of your device, including contacts.
- Ensure you back up to This Computer (not iCloud) for a complete transfer.
- On the new iPhone:
- Turn on your new iPhone and start the setup process.
- When prompted, select Restore from iTunes Backup (or Restore from Finder Backup).
- Choose the backup that you made from the old iPhone and wait for the restore process to complete. Your contacts, along with all other data, will be transferred to your new device.
This method is perfect for users who want a complete transfer of all their data, not just contacts.
3. Using AirDrop: For Quick Transfers
If you just need to transfer a few contacts and want to do it quickly, AirDrop is a great option. It’s a fast and efficient way to move individual contacts between iPhones.
Steps to Transfer Contacts with AirDrop:
- On the old iPhone:
- Open the Contacts app and select the contact you want to transfer.
- Scroll down and tap Share Contact.
- From the sharing options, choose AirDrop and select the new iPhone from the list of available devices.
- On the new iPhone:
- Accept the AirDrop transfer when it pops up on the screen.
- The contact will automatically be added to your Contacts app.
AirDrop is best when transferring just a few contacts. It doesn’t require an internet connection and works quickly, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a simple solution.
4. Using a Third-Party App: For More Control(Selectively Transfer Supported)
If you want more control over your contact transfer or need to back up your contacts before switching devices, the third-party app SD iPhone Transfer is a great alternative. It lets you transfer contacts from one iPhone to another directly with connecting both devices to a computer.
SD iPhone Transfer lets you transfer the contacts, photos, messages, notes
Steps to Transfer Contacts Using SD iPhone Transfer
Download SD iPhone Transfer.
Prepare your computer. iPhones and the matched cables. Then install the app on it.
Step 1. Connect your both iPhones
Launch the app and connect both iPhones to your computer using the matched cables.
To allow the app to detect your iPhones, unlock each device using its passcode after connecting it to your computer.
When you see the ‘Trust This Computer?’ prompt on your iPhone screen, tap Trust.
Step 2. Turn off iCloud Contacts on both iPhones to ensure faster transfer speed
On the top of the screen, choose one iPhone by the name. The screen should prompt the steps to let you turn off the iCloud contacts for faster transfer speed.
Go to Settings > tap your Apple ID. Scroll down and locate the Contacts. Toggle the switch to off.
On the top of the screen, choose the other iPhone by the name. Then repeat the steps on the other iPhone.
Step 3. Start transferring the contacts
At the top center of the screen, select the iPhone that contains the contacts. Choose the 32× loading speed, and you’ll see all the contacts appear.
If you plan to transfer all contacts from one iPhone to another, click Select All. You can also transfer specific contact groups or select several contacts manually by ticking the boxes next to their names.
Then, select the other iPhone at the top of the program as the receiving device. Click Transfer, and the process will begin immediately. The entire transfer should complete in about one minute.
Step 4. Check the contacts on the receiving iPhone
Then you can check all transferred contacts on the received iPhone when they are the entire contacts or the selectively specific contacts.
Besides contacts, if you’d like to transfer the photos, music, videos, messages, books, notes, calendars, Safari, eBooks and more, you can also use the SD iPhone transfer software.
If you have other questions about the program, you can leave a comment below.
Video Tutorial:
5. Using the SIM Card: A Simple but Limited Method
If both iPhones are using the same carrier, you can transfer contacts from one device to another using the SIM card. However, this method is limited to basic contact information like phone numbers, and it won’t transfer other details like email addresses or notes.
Steps to Transfer Contacts Using SIM Card:
- On the old iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Contacts > Import SIM Contacts.
- Wait for the contacts to be saved to the SIM card.
- On the new iPhone:
- Insert the SIM card from the old iPhone into the new iPhone.
- Go to Settings > Contacts > Import SIM Contacts.
- The contacts from the SIM card will be imported to the new iPhone.
This is a simple method, but it doesn’t provide a complete transfer, as it only moves basic contact data.
6. Pros and Cons of the Above Solutions Comparison
Here’s a table summarizing the pros and cons of each method for transferring contacts between iPhones:
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| 1. iCloud | – Automatic sync across all Apple devices. – No cables required. – Seamless setup with same Apple ID. – Secure and backed up. | – Requires a stable Wi-Fi connection. – Both devices must use the same Apple ID. – Limited iCloud storage. |
| 2. iTunes/Finder | – Complete data transfer (contacts, apps, photos, etc.). – No internet required (USB transfer). – Safe backup option. | – Time-consuming process, especially with large data. – Requires a computer. – Can be complex for some users. |
| 3. AirDrop | – Fast and easy for a few contacts. – No internet required (uses Bluetooth/Wi-Fi direct). – Simple setup. | – Limited to transferring a few contacts at a time. – Devices must be in close proximity. – Limited contact details. |
| 4. SD iPhone Transfer (Third-party App) | – Full control over selective transfer. – No need for iCloud. – Can transfer other data (photos, messages, etc.). | – Requires a computer. – Trusting a third-party app with personal data. – May require a paid version. |
| 5. SIM Card | – Simple and easy to use. – No internet or computer required. – Free (uses SIM storage). | – Limited to phone numbers (no emails or notes). – Limited SIM storage. – Carrier dependency. |
Conclusion
Transferring contacts from iPhone to iPhone is a simple process, and there are several methods available to suit your needs. Whether you prefer using iCloud for automatic syncing, iTunes for a full device backup, or AirDrop for quick transfers, you can easily move your contacts to your new iPhone. For those who want more control, the third-party app SD iPhone transfer provide additional options. Choose the method that works best for you, and you’ll have your contacts transferred in no time!
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