How to Sync and Upload Your iPhone Contacts to iCloud

PDF download Download Article
A user-friendly guide to syncing and using iCloud to store your iPhone contacts
PDF download Download Article

Do you want to transfer your iPhone contacts to iCloud? This can help keep your contact information safe if anything happens to your phone. You can even access your contacts on other Apple devices, such as an iPad or a Mac. If your iCloud contacts won't sync, you can easily troubleshoot it. This wikiHow will show you how to sync your iPhone contacts to iCloud.

Things You Should Know

  • Go to "Settings" → tap your Apple ID → "iCloud" → "Show All" → toggle on "Contacts".
  • When you sync contacts to iCloud, any changes you make to your iPhone contacts will reflect on other devices.
  • If iCloud won't sync, check iCloud's status, update your device, and check Date & Time settings.
Section 1 of 2:

Syncing to iCloud

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f9\/Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This is the grey cog icon.
    • When you back up your iPhone contacts into iCloud, you can access them from other iOS devices, such as your iPad or Mac.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/45\/Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/45\/Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Tap your Apple ID . It's the section at the top of the menu that contains your name and image, if you've added one. [1]
    • If you are not signed in, tap Sign in to (Your Device) , enter your Apple ID and password, then tap Sign In .
    • If you are running an older version of iOS, you may not need to do this step.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can find this below Subscriptions .
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/82\/Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/82\/Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    This will expand the list of available apps.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-5.jpg\/v4-728px-Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The switch should be green.
    • Your iPhone contacts will be synced to iCloud . If you make any changes to the contacts on your iPhone, it will also reflect in iCloud.
    • If you have existing contacts in iCloud, you may be prompted to tap Merge to finish syncing.
    6. Advertisement
Section 2 of 2:

Troubleshooting

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/29\/Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-6.jpg\/v4-728px-Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Check iCloud's status . Visit Apple's System Status page and look for iCloud . If there are any outages, you'll see Unavailable next to it. [2]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-7.jpg\/v4-728px-Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Update your iPhone. Software updates include important bug fixes and, most times, stronger security features. Updating your software can fix newer issues while protecting your device further.
    • Go to Settings → General → Software Update → Download and Install.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-8.jpg\/v4-728px-Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Make sure you're logged into the correct Apple ID . If your iPhone contacts aren't appearing in your iCloud, ensure you're using the same Apple ID. You can check this in Settings .
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-9.jpg\/v4-728px-Sync-iPhone-Contacts-to-iCloud-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Sometimes, your Date & Time settings can affect the way iCloud syncs. Do the following:
    • Go to Settings → General → Date & Time → toggle on Set Automatically .
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I start the iPhone contacts sync? Only new contacts added after turning on sync are getting synced. How do I sync the old contacts to iCloud?
    Minorite
    Community Answer
    iCloud will sync all contacts that are in "On my 'Device'" group. Make sure that these contacts are not saved in Gmail account or similar.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 46 Helpful 17
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Create a Group Chat on WeChat
      How to
      Hard Reset an iPhone
      Apple ID Sign Out Unavailable? Here's How to Fix It
      How to
      Fix the “iPhone Unavailable” Message: Explanation and Fixes
      10 Simple Ways to Fix an iPhone or Android That Won’t Send Pictures
      Turn Off Location Sharing on an iPhone Without Anyone Knowing
      2 Ways to Get a Still Image from Video on iPhone or iPad
      How to
      Fix "Notifications Silenced" on iPhone Messages
      How to
      Use the iPhone Hidden Album to Hide Private Photos
      How to
      Turn On MMS Text Messages on an iPhone
      6 Easy Steps to Reload Your Cash App Card at the Store
      4 Ways to Find Your Lost iPhone When It’s Offline or Dead
      Where to Find the Clipboard on an iPhone: 4 Simple Steps
      How to
      Automatically Forward Text Messages to Another Phone
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-gb/guide/icloud/mm2e5b1c6686/1.0/icloud/1.0
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203521

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open Settings.
      2. Tap your name.
      3. Tap iCloud.
      4. Turn on Contacts.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 77,767 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement