How to download contact from iphone to pc

iPhones and iPads work independently these days, not requiring a PC or iTunes to perform tasks like OS updates (remember those days?) and content management. They can automatically back themselves up to iCloud and you can buy apps, games, music, movies, books and more on the iDevice itself.

However, if you need to copy all your contacts from your iPhone to your PC, there are several options available. We’ll explain the simplest of the bunch, which doesn’t involve installing any software and won’t cost any money: iCloud.

In fact, it’s a similar process to transferring photos from your iPhone to a PC.

Of course, you can use iTunes, or any number of third-party apps which can copy stuff from your iPhone to your PC.

How do I turn on iCloud?

First, you’ll need to enable iCloud on your iPhone, or just double-check that contacts are already being synced with iCloud.

To do this, open the Settings app and tap on your name right at the top. If you’re running an older version of iOS, you’ll have to scroll down or search settings for iCloud.

Assuming you have a recent version of iOS, after tapping your name you’ll see iCloud about halfway down the screen. Tap it, then in the ‘Apps using iCloud’ section, check that the toggle next to Contacts is enabled.

It’s worth pointing out that you do not need iCloud backup to be enabled for contacts to be synced.

Next, open a web browser on your PC. Go to iCloud.com and log in with your Apple ID. You might be prompted to enter a verification code (which you’ll get from your iPhone) if two-factor authentication is enabled on your account.

If so, tap Allow on the prompt on your iPhone, then enter the code displayed and choose to ‘Trust this browser’.

You’ll see all the available iCloud apps, with contacts second from the left. Click on it and you should see all the contacts stored on your iPhone.

This may be all you need, but if you want to copy those contacts to another application or service, you’ll need to export them.

To export iCloud contacts, first click on a contact in the list. Then press Ctrl-A to select all contacts (it will look like the screen above).

Now click on the cog icon at the bottom-left corner and choose Export vCard…

This brings up a window where you can choose an application with which to open the file (such as Outlook) or you can save the file on your hard drive.

If you wanted to import the contacts to Outlook, choose that first option. If it’s another service or an application that isn’t listed the choose to save the file.

Go to the app or webmail (such as Gmail) where you want to copy the contacts and look for an import option.

If Gmail, contacts are somewhat hard to find on the web version. You need to click the nine dots icon in the top-right to show Google Apps, then click on Contacts. The site opens in a new tab, and you’ll then need to expand the ‘More’ section to find the Import option.

Now choose the CSV or Vcard file option, browse to the file you just downloaded from iCloud and your contacts will be added to Gmail.

You might also like our guide on how to get videos off your iPhone to your PC.

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• Using iTunes
|
• Using iCloud

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.

1. 

   1

   Tap the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. 

   2

   Tap Contacts.

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3. 

   3

   Tap Import SIM Contacts.

4. 

   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]

   • 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. 

   5

   Connect your iPhone to your computer.

6. 

   6

   Open iTunes if it doesn't start automatically.

7. 

   7

   Click the button for your iPhone. You'll find this at the top of the iTunes window.

8. 

   8

   Click the Info option.

9. 

   9

   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.

10. 

    10

    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.

11. 

    11

    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.

12. 

    12

    Click Apply to begin syncing. Your contacts will be transferred from your iPhone to your chosen contacts location on your computer.

13. 

    13

    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.

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1. 

   1

   Tap the Settings app.

2. 

   2

   Tap iCloud.

3. 

   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. 

   4

   Tap the Contacts slider to toggle it on.

5. 

   5

   Tap Merge if prompted. Any duplicates from your iPhone's storage will be combined with the contacts already stored on your iCloud account.

6. 

   6

   Tap < Settings to return to the Settings menu.

7. 

   7

   Tap the Contacts option.

8. 

   8

   Tap Import SIM Contacts.

9. 

   9

   Tap iCloud. Your SIM contacts will be added to your iCloud account so that they are included with your other contacts.

10. 

    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]

11. 

    11

    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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Add New Question

• Question

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

  

  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.

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