How to Transfer Contacts from iPhone to iPhone [Detailed Guide]

You have finally got your new iPhone and can’t wait to get started! Sure, there is a rush of excitement, but you have still got to set it up and transfer your stuff from your old iPhone. If you have a lot of contacts to transfer and you are unsure of where to start, let us chip in and help you out here.

With the new iPhones that run iOS 10 or later, the option to use iCloud to backup your existing files should come up as soon as you power on your new device. If not, we’ve still got your back. Read on for more ways to transfer your contacts.

 QUICK TIP: If you choose this option to transfer your contacts to the new device, don’t forget to make sure your phone is connected to your Wi-Fi. Using mobile data might drain out your allowed usage limit pretty soon!

Let’s talk about how to transfer contacts from an existing iPhone to a new iPhone.

There are a few easy steps to follow when you are transferring your contacts to a new iPhone:

1. On the old iPhone you were using, make sure you are connected to your Wi-Fi. Now go to SETTINGS and check if you are logged in to your Apple ID. A quick way to check is to see if your name and/or picture appears at the top of your Settings app,

If not, you will have to log in to your Apple ID, which is the same email address and password that you use to get an app from the App Store or buy a movie or song from iTunes.

2. Once you’ve made sure that you are logged in, click on your name and then choose the option that says iCloud. Make sure that the “Contacts” toggle is ON and green.

Next, scroll down lower and look for an option that says “iCloud Backup”. Check that it’s ON.

You should be able to see a blue “Back Up Now” option. Tap on that.  The time that this will take varies and depends on how much data you’re backing up and also how what your internet speed is.

3. Once that is done, when you are setting up your new device, you will be asked for your Apple ID login details. Login using the same Apple ID that you used on your old phone.
4. When prompted to choose between “Restore from iCloud backup” or “Set up as a new iPhone”, choose the Restore from iCloud backup option. A list of recent backups may pop up. Choose the latest backup. How long this takes will again depend on how fast your wi-fi connection is. Once this is done, your phone will restart and be ready for you to use.

Transfer your contacts using iCloud

If you have already set up your new iPhone and just your contacts without having to reset your device and start over, you can use iCloud and get this done quickly.

1. Check to see that both your old and new phone are logged into the same Apple ID account. You can do this by checking the names and pictures on the top when you open the Settings app on your phones.
2. On both your phones, open the iCloud App by tapping on your name. Ensure that the Contacts toggle in on. Check the image above to see where the Contacts toggle button is.
3. A message will pop up asking about Merging contacts. Tap on Merge.

This process should synchronize both phones and contacts from your old phone will start appearing in your new iPhone now.

Using iTunes

Using iTunes to transfer your contacts is a relatively less used process because you’ll need a Computer and both your phones and a cable to plug your phone into the computer. If you choose to use this method, these are the steps you will need to follow:

1. Ensure that your laptop or PC has the latest iTunes version on it. Open iTunes.
2. After you plug in your old iPhone into the computer, Grant Access to your iPhone if a message pops up on your computer screen.
3. On the top toolbar, you will see an icon of a phone. Click on that icon.
4. On the left sidebar in iTunes, you will see an “Info” tab under Settings.
5. Now check the Sync Contacts box on the top part of the screen and then scroll down and click on the “Sync” button at the bottom.
6. After the sync is complete, unplug your old iPhone and plug in your new iPhone.
7. Repeat steps 3 & 4 with your new iPhone.
8. Ensure that the “Sync Contacts” box is checked.
9. Scroll down lower to the “Advanced” tab and click on Replace Information on this iPhone.
10. Next, click on “Contacts”. This will start the process of replacing the contacts you have now with the contacts that you had synched from your old iPhone.

Have You Lost or Broken Your Old Phone?

We’ve all been there, and accidents always happen. So if you’ve got a new phone only because you lost or broke your old one, does that mean that your contacts are lost? No Sir.

With any luck, your old phone will have been backed up to iCloud anyway. If you set up iCloud while setting up an iPhone, the device should have made a backup every night when you put your iPhone on the charge.

You could also log into your iCloud on a computer and see your contacts online.

Several third-party apps might be able to help transfer contacts too. However, they are not usually free and can become a more expensive option compared to the methods listed above. Only consider buying a third-party app on the rare occasion that the above-listed methods do not work for your device.