Transfer Contacts from iPhone to Mac and from Mac to iPhone

It seems that many iPhone users are unable to transfer contacts from iPhone to Mac or vice versa import them from Mac to iPhone. Actually, there are several ways to do such import/export operation contacts. For example, it is possible to use iCloud or “iPhone Manager” software capable of managing contacts and copying them from iPhone to Mac or vice versa from Mac to iPhone. Below we will analyze some of these solutions in order to give you the opportunity to choose the one you think is simplest and safest to adopt.

Part 1. How to Transfer Contacts from iPhone to Mac

As mentioned above, there are several ways to export contacts from iPhone to Mac:
1. FoneTrans
2. iCloud
3. Directly from IPHONE TO MAC via dr.Fone
4. Via ITUNES BACKUP

How to Transfer Contacts from iPhone to Mac with FoneTrans

Fonetrans is a small but useful program that allows iPhone users to transfer files from iPhone to Mac and from Mac to iPhone in a simple and intuitive way. Among the types of data that can be transferred and managed with this program there are also CONTACTS. Let’s see in detail how it works. First download and install FoneTrans (Mac) from the following button:

Proceed with the installation and open the application on your Mac. Here is the main screen of the program:

Use a cable USB to connect iPhone to Mac. Once the connection is made, the program should automatically detect the iPhone and immediately afterwards the name of the iPhone connected to the program should appear, and other information such as iOS version, iPhone model, etc…

From the left of the program you can access all types of files on your iOS device. By clicking on CONTACTS you will also be able to see the list of your contacts, saved on the iPhone.

To export and transfer contacts from iPhone to Mac, simply select the contacts in the address book and click on the button at the top IMPORT/EXPORT –> Expor Selected Contacts and finally choose the format between CSV and vCard (based on the use you will make of it and the application into which you will then have to import these contacts)

With this program you will be able to selectively export contacts from iPhone to Mac. You will also find various formats to synchronize contacts in Outlook, in the Windows Address Book, on Hotmail / AOL, on Gmail, Yahoo, etc… In addition to transferring contacts from iPhone to Mac, you can obviously also do the reverse operation and IMPORT a contacts file (in CSV or vCard format) from your Mac onto your iPhone.

How to Transfer Contacts from iPhone to Mac via iCloud

iCould It is the default service that Apple offers to sync contacts from iPhone to Mac. Here are the steps to transfer contacts from iPhone to Mac via iCloud. First, connect your iPhone via Wi-Fi.

On your iPhone then go to Settings > Go to iCloud. Sign in with your Apple ID. If you don’t have an Apple ID yet then create an account. Find the option “Contacts” and press the button to set contacts to “Hon” (the button turns green).

There are two places where you can save iPhone contacts on your Mac: the Address Book or in a vCard file on the local drive on your Mac.

#1. Saving contacts from iPhone to Mac Address book: If you have set up iCloud on your computer, you may have associated your address book with iCloud. In this case, you can check your address book to see whether your iPhone contacts are already in it or not. If you don’t have your address book enabled in iCloud you need to set it up first. Click the small icon at the top left of your Mac and choose “System Preferences.” Find iCloud and double-click to open it. Sign in with your Apple ID. Click on Address book and other services you want to activate. Finally you will be able to see that all your iPhone contacts will be transferred to Mac

#2. Saving iPhone contacts on Mac to a vCard file: Open a web browser on your Mac and sign in to iCloud.com. Then sign in with your Apple ID. Click the “Contacts” icon. Click the settings icon at the bottom left and select “Export vCard”.

How to Transfer Contacts from iPhone to Mac Directly via Dr.Fone

If you are among those people who don’t like using iCloud to transfer contacts from iPhone to Mac for security reasons then you can try the solution proposed below.

Step 1. Download and Install Dr.Fone for iOS (Mac)

Download and install dr.Fone for iOS (Mac). It is the software that will help you copy contacts from iPhone to Mac directly, without using iCloud or iTunes. Run the program on your Mac and connect your iPhone to your Mac via a USB cable. Click on the “ tab aboveRecover from iOS device“.

Dr.Fone for iOS (Mac) Home Screen:

Step 2. Start scanning your iPhone

After selecting the Data Recovery function, start the scan (make sure you have first selected the “Contacts” box among the data to search).

Step 3. Transfer contacts from iPhone to Mac

After the scan you will be able to see the contacts from your iPhone in the relevant category, accessible from the left sidebar. You can view all contacts that have been found on the iPhone (even those that may have been deleted in the past). Choose the desired Contacts and finally click on “Recover” to save them directly to your Mac.

How to Transfer Contacts from iPhone to Mac via iTunes Backup

If you want to transfer contacts from an iPhone backup file (iTunes backup) to Mac, you can use the Dr.Fone for iOS (Mac) program already seen in the previous procedure. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1. Download Dr.Fone for iOS (Mac)

Download and install Dr.Fone for iOS (Mac) on your Mac. Run it and choose to recover data from “iTunes backups“. All iTunes backup files saved on your computer will automatically appear. If there are more than one backup file of your iPhone, select the one with a more recent date and click “Scan” to start extracting the contents of the backup file.

Step 2. Extract iPhone contacts to Mac Address Book

When the scan finishes you will be able to view the entire contents of your contacts. Select the desired contacts and click “Recover” to save them on your Mac. Now open your Mac’s Address Book, select all the vcf contacts (previously exported) and drag them into the address book. Ok, you have successfully transferred contacts from iPhone to Mac address book.

Part 2. How to Transfer Contacts from Mac to iPhone

The easiest way to transfer contacts from Mac to iPhone is to use iCloud. And it is also the default way that Apple offers to transfer contacts from Mac to iPhone. If you don’t like using iCloud you can upload your contacts to Gmail and transfer contacts from Gmail to iPhone via your Mac. However, let’s take a look on how to use iCloud to sync contacts from Mac to iPhone.

Step 1. Install iCloud on Mac

Click on the apple icon at the top left of your Mac and select “System Preferences“. She finds and opens iCloud. Sign in with your Apple ID. Select the address book contacts you want to transfer.

Step 2. Transfer contacts from iPhone to Mac via iCloud

Connect your iPhone via Wi-Fi. Click Settings > Go to iCloud on your iPhone. Sign in with your Apple ID. Set the Contacts button to Hon. That’s all! Contacts will be copied from Mac to iPhone.