iPhone won't sync contacts with icloud. How to sync and transfer data to iPhone with iCloud

If you have recently become the proud owner of a new iPhone model, then you have definitely encountered the problem of transferring contacts to iOS. Transferring elements manually is time consuming and not rewarding, especially if there are a lot of entries. Everything can be done fully automatically.

The main thing is to know the algorithm of how to sync iPhone contacts with iCloud. With the help of the "cloud" service, transferring items from iPhone to another device is as easy as shelling pears.

In this short instruction, we will take a step-by-step look at how to transfer contacts from iCloud to iPhone, how to create them and erase them from the gadget's memory.

First, let's define what this concept means.

Contacts is a stand-alone application as part of the operating system, which includes a list of entries for various subscribers. In essence, this is an ordinary phone book.

Just one element in an app can contain a lot of information, not just a phone number. Sometimes this information can be invaluable, and in such a situation, the loss of a device becomes a serious problem for its owner. Therefore, regular backups should become a habit for any iPhone owner. And the easiest backup is done just in iCloud. This procedure can be configured to be carried out in automatic mode and daily. It is extremely important that the copies were created not very long ago.

Create Contacts on iPhone

Creating elements with which synchronization will later be possible is done in the following ways:

  • on PC/laptop;
  • via the Internet (for example, via iCloud);
  • directly on your phone, tablet or player.

We are interested in a way to create a backup in iCloud on iPhone. This process is similar to taking notes in an address book on an iPhone (when unified).

So, to create a new contact in the "cloud" service, follow these steps:

  • On the appropriate resource, drive in your ID and password from the iCloud settings and proceed to the contacts application.
  • At the bottom of the page, click on the picture with a cross and select the item to create a new unit in the pop-up menu.
  • Fill in the required fields and click Finish.

In the process of simple actions, a new unit will be created in the address book, from which you can easily transfer in the future.

For those who are not in the know, we recall that in the Cloud you can also:

  • change the order of selection of elements according to various criteria;
  • change display types of elements;
  • change the types of display of postal addresses and phone numbers depending on the region;
  • set contacts as personal cards;
  • update items and much more.

Access to the above and any other functions is in the main menu.

Importing contacts: methods and instructions

You can perform this operation in several ways:

  • through the iTunes utility;
  • via iCloud
  • using a SIM card.

When working with the "cloud", the algorithm of actions will be as follows:

  • On your phone, go to iCloud settings and activate the switch next to the contacts icon.
  • All items uploaded to the "cloud" will be transferred to the iPhone. Now the entire list of elements is synchronized.

As you can see, the method is very simple. However, it is not without its shortcomings. The downsides are things like:

  • the need for a network;
  • you need to import contacts into the "cloud" before the procedure.

As you already understood from the instructions above, interaction with contacts can be carried out both on a PC / laptop without connecting to the network, or through it (in particular, using iCloud). Any of these methods allows you to easily form, modify and erase elements. So, there is a need to transfer these changes to the phone. However, there is no need to do all this manually - synchronization will help the user out in such a situation.

Synchronizing Contacts in iOS

This term refers to the exchange of data between a PC / laptop and an iOS device.

If we are talking about the interaction between iTunes and iPhone, then there is an exchange of elements from the address book stored in the PC's memory and in the contacts application on the phone. Here, the extremely important point is that the information located on the PC always has priority.

Sync iPhone Contacts with iCloud

After the user makes active the function of exchanging elements both in the "cloud" and in the Google account, the whole process will start automatically. Moreover, this will happen whenever the device is connected to the network via Wi-Fi. Nothing extra is required.

Delete contacts from iPhone

It happens that you need to erase any units from the phone's address book. And this operation is performed in one of 2 ways:

  • single removal;
  • deleting the entire list.

The algorithm of actions in this case will be as follows:

  • In the contacts application on your phone, you need to select the entry to be erased.
  • Click on the change button at the top right. The Edit Element page will open.
  • Scroll to the very bottom of the page and click on the delete contact section.
  • Confirm your decision.

Erasing a large number of elements one at a time is an extremely difficult thing. Yes, this does not need to be done when there is a simpler way. Sharing data with an empty address book will 100% clear the Contacts app on iPhone.

A full cleaning of the book can also be done by restoring the phone. But keep in mind that in this case all content will be irretrievably erased. "Jailbroken" devices are not subject to the usual firmware methods, if only through SemiRestore.

So, managing contacts on an "apple" smartphone is available in several ways. This can be done both from a PC / laptop and through applications on the network. And everything is done very easily - the main thing is to correctly configure the synchronization processes.

In addition to improving the ARKit engine, optimizing the system and several new features (some of which do not work in the CIS countries), the developers have added another long-awaited feature.

It's about syncing messages with iCloud. Apple has named this feature . They announced it at WWDC 2017, included it in the first releases of iOS 11, but then decided to refine it and Cloud Messages disappeared from subsequent releases.

What Cloud Messages Do

If you actively use SMS messages, they accumulate a little during the operation of one iPhone. And then you decide it's time to update your iOS device and buy a new iPhone.

But how to transfer SMS messages? After all, in the thousands of SMS streams there are many important notifications about bank payments, messages with statements, pin codes and other important information.

As it was before (before iOS 11.3). So, before the release of iOS 11.3, you could transfer messages only by creating a backup copy through iTunes. Users who care about SMS had to regularly create backups.

The funny thing is that you have an iPhone X, and you are forced to restore it with a backup from the iPhone 4. It was terribly infuriating and annoying.

How it will be now (with the release of iOS 11.3). "Messaging in the Cloud" unties the hands of those who like to send and receive SMS messages.

Now they sync with remote storage iCloud, tethered to account Apple ID, and you get several benefits at once:

  • Messages with attachments don't take up space on iPhone because attached media files are uploaded to the cloud;
  • Messages (both iMessage and regular SMS) can be accessed from iPhone, iPad, and Mac. And for this, it is quite simple to log in under your account.
  • By deleting messages on one device, you can be sure that they will be automatically deleted on other connected gadgets.

What can I say, with "Messages in the Cloud" saving SMS has become much easier and more convenient.

How to turn on Cloud Messages

First, you must install iOS beta 11.3. To do this, you need to take part in the open beta testing program by registering on the Apple website. Then install the tester profile on the iOS device and upgrade to iOS 11.3.

Second, if your Apple ID account uses two-factor authentication, Cloud Messages is enabled by default. You can read more about setting up two-factor authentication in.

If this authentication option is not enabled, you can activate Cloud Messages as follows:

Step 1. open Settings -> Apple ID(at the very top of the settings menu).

Step 2 Go to item iCloud.

Step 3 Activate the switch Messages.

Now you can not worry about the safety of all SMS and iMessage messages. They will securely sync to iCloud as they arrive.

Many iPhone owners and iPad notice that when syncing with iCloud in cloud service Not all contacts are saved. In some cases, out of hundreds of contacts in iCloud, only a couple of dozen become available. In this case, if the iPhone or iPad fails, most contacts will not be recoverable. Fortunately, this problem can be solved.

Step 1. Go to the menu " Settings» → iCloud.

Step 2. Toggle the " Contacts» to inactive position. In the window that opens, select " Leave on iPhone/iPad».

Step 4Close the app Settings” and wait 5-10 minutes.

Step 5. Go back to the menu " Settings» → iCloud and activate the switch " Contacts". In the window that opens, select " Merge».

Step 6. Go to the menu " Settings» → iCloud → « Backup copy».

Step 7. Click " Create a backup».

You can check iCloud, all your contacts have appeared in it. To do this, go to iCloud.com from your computer, log in with your Apple ID account and select the "Contacts" section.

If you were lucky enough to purchase , you probably have a problem with importing contacts to phone book iOS. Transferring contacts from an Android smartphone to an iPhone manually is a thankless task, especially if more than 100 entries are stored in the phone book. You can synchronize contacts between your Android smartphone and iPhone automatically, especially since this is quite simple to do.

In today's tutorial, we will look at working with contacts in iOS: how to transfer contacts to iPhone, how to synchronize, delete and restore them in case of loss.

iPhone Contacts represents separate application included with iOS, which contains a set of entries for each individual subscriber or, in short, a phone book.

A single entry in the iOS phone book includes a whole set of personal data:

As you can see, just one entry in the phone book can contain comprehensive contact information about a work colleague, acquaintance or loved one. Such information is extremely important for most people and sometimes its value exceeds the cost of the iPhone itself or any other. mobile phone. Hence, it is necessary to take care of backing up contacts to iPhone, keeping them up to date.

How to create contacts on iPhone?

There are several ways to create contacts, which can then be synchronized with an iOS device:

  • on the computer;
  • via the Internet: in Gmail from Google and in iCloud;
  • directly to iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.

How to create an iPhone contact on a computer?

As you know, using the iTunes media combiner, you can sync contacts between your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad with your computer on Windows base or Mac OS X. After synchronization, all available contacts on the PC are imported into the iPhone address book (aka Contacts) and become available directly from the device.

iTunes allows you to sync contacts to iPhone with Microsoft Outlook and Windows Contacts. Consider creating an iPhone contact in inner component Windows OS - Windows Contacts.

  1. From the main Start menu, left-click on your account name Windows entries. The Computer application window opens with the contents of the Users system folder for your account. Generic Method: in Windows Explorer(aka Computer) follow the path: \Users\(username)\Contacts\.

  1. In the main menu of the program, click on "Create Contact" and fill in the required fields for the contact and click on OK. Will be created separate file with .contact extension.

The contacts created in this way in the "Contacts" folder on the PC can be easily transferred to the iPhone via iTunes.

There is an easier way to create contacts that can later be imported into the iPhone address book - via the Internet. Using the web application interface from Google and Apple, you can create and sync contacts with iPhone online.

How to create contacts for iPhone in Gmail?

Gmail web app from Google allows you to create, manage, delete and synchronize contacts with Android smartphones or iPhone online. The application allows you to transfer contacts from one smartphone to another completely automatically, and various platforms are supported, including Android OS and iOS.

In order to get access to working with contacts in Gmail, you need to have a Google account and we will assume that you have one.

  1. On the start page google.com, go to the Mail app (aka Gmail) and sign in to your account.
  2. From the Gmail dropdown under the Google logo, select "Contacts". The Gmail Address Manager opens.

  1. Click on " new contact” and fill in the required fields for a new contact and click “Add”. Gmail address book will be created new entry.

Users Mac computers can export contacts created in Gmail to Mac OS X address book in vCard (.vcf) format.

  1. Highlight the created contacts in Google Contacts(Gmail) and click the Advanced button. Select "Export" from the drop-down list.

  1. In the window that appears, select which group of contacts you want to export and in the "What export format" list, select the "vCard format" item and click on "Export". Your selected contacts will be exported to a file that will be available in your downloads folder.

Windows users can export contacts from Gmail to CSV format, which can then be imported into Microsoft Outlook or another contact program. The procedure is similar.

How to create contacts for iPhone in iCloud?

Creating and managing contacts through the iCloud web app is exactly the same as creating entries in the iPhone address book (unification). To create a new iCloud contact:

  1. On icloud.com, enter your Apple ID and password from your iPhone's iCloud settings and go to the Contacts web app.

  1. At the bottom of the page, click on the “+” image and select “New Contact” from the menu that appears.

  1. Fill in the required fields and click Finish.

As a result of simple operations, a new entry will be created in the address book, which can later be easily imported to the iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad.

iCloud is not limited to creating entries in the address book.

The iCloud web app "can":

  • change the sort order of contacts by Last Name or First Name;
  • change the display type from "First Name, Last Name" to "Last Name, First Name";
  • change the format of the postal address and phone number depending on the country;
  • establish a contact as a personal card;
  • import vCard contacts (download .vcf files from hard drive in iCloud)
  • export vCard contacts (download selected contacts to a .vcf file from iCloud to your hard drive);
  • update contacts.

All the features of the Contacts app in iCloud are available from the main menu.

How to create a contact directly on iPhone?

  1. On an iPhone, launch the Contacts app or tap on Phone and tap on the Contacts icon in the app's bottom menu.

  1. In the right upper corner tap on the “+” program, fill in all the required fields and tap on “Done” again. A new entry will appear in the address book.

Let's say you have entries on your computer, Gmail address manager, and the Contacts web app in iCloud that you want to import to iPhone. The way you import contacts depends on how you created them.

In order to demonstrate how to import contacts to iPhone, you will have to keep your jailbreak intact.

How to import contacts to iPhone?

There are several ways to import contacts to iPhone:

  • via iTunes;
  • via iCloud and Gmail;
  • from a SIM card.

How to import (transfer) contacts from SIM card to iPhone?

  1. On iPhone, go to Settings -> Mail, Addresses, Calendars -> Contacts section.
  2. Tap on "Import SIM contacts". Ready.

The fastest and easiest procedure to transfer contacts to iPhone, but not without drawbacks:

  • limited sim card capacity. Depending on card type and operator cellular network, can contain from 100 to 250 entries of 14 to 25 characters. And this, in the current conditions, as you yourself understand, is too little;
  • high risk of loss of contact mechanical damage or software failure sim cards;
  • Contacts may not transfer correctly.

How to transfer contacts to iPhone via iTunes?

One of the most reliable and proven ways to transfer contacts from computer to iPhone is with iTunes.

  1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and launch iTunes, select the model of your device from the Devices menu, and go to the Information page in the navigation bar.
  1. Check the box next to "Sync contacts with:" and select "Windows Contacts" from the drop-down list. You can synchronize both all contacts and separately created groups.

  1. At the very bottom of the "Info" page, in the "Advanced" section, in the "Replace the following information on this iPhone" list, check the box next to "Contacts" and click on the "Sync" button.

After the synchronization is completed, the contacts on the iPhone will be replaced with entries from the Windows Contacts folder on the PC.

How to transfer contacts to iPhone from Gmail?

Google Contacts (Gmail address manager) allows you to transfer contacts to iPhone without using a computer. Entries saved in Google Contacts are easily transferred and synced with address book iPhone when it is connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi. In order for the process to be carried out without user intervention, you need to set up a Gmail account in the iPhone settings.

If you don't use Gmail to work with email, you need to create a separate CardDAV account to sync contacts from Google Contacts.

  1. On iPhone, go to Settings -> Mail, Addresses, Calendars and in the Accounts section, tap on Add Account.

  1. Because we are creating a special account to sync only contacts, on the page with pre-installed accounts, tap on "Other".

  1. In the "Contacts" section, tap on "CardDAV Account".

  1. In the appropriate fields, enter: server -> google.com, user -> Google email address, password -> password from e-mail box Google, description -> label for the account (can be arbitrary). Tap "Forward".

  1. After verifying the entered data and connecting to the server, the contacts from Google Contacts will be transferred to the iPhone and become available in the Contacts application.

If you have a Google account and use Gmail for your email, you don't need to create a separate account to sync your contacts, just an account is enough. google records turn on contacts synchronization in the device settings (Settings -> Mail, addresses, calendars -> turn the "Contacts" switch to the "On" position).

Disadvantages of the method:

  • you must have a Google account;
  • you must first import contacts into Gmail;
  • Internet connection required.

Transfer Contacts to iPhone from iCloud

This method of importing contacts to iPhone is the easiest.

  1. On an iPhone, go to Settings -> iCloud and turn on the toggle next to Contacts.
  2. All contacts uploaded to iCloud will be transferred to iPhone.

Disadvantages of the method:

  • Internet connection required;
  • You must first import your contacts to iCloud.

As you already know, you can work with contacts both on your computer in offline mode and online in Google Contacts and iCloud. Each of these methods allows you to create, edit and delete contacts, and therefore it becomes necessary to apply the changes on the iPhone. There is no need to manually create, edit or delete contacts on iPhone again, this is what syncing contacts is for.

Sync Contacts in iOS

iPhone sync is the process of exchanging data between a computer and iPhone.

Synchronization of contacts between iTunes and iPhone is understood as the process of exchanging entries from the address book stored on the computer and in the Contacts application on the iPhone. And what is important, the priority always remains with the data stored on the PC.

Sync iPhone Contacts to iTunes

  1. Connect your iPhone to your computer, launch iTunes and select the model of your device from the "Devices" menu.

  1. In the navigation bar, go to the "Information" tab and check the box next to "Sync contacts with:".
  2. In the drop-down list, select the program on the computer with which you want to synchronize iPhone contacts, it can be Microsoft Outlook or Windows Contacts (for Windows 7) and click on the "Apply" button.

After the process is completed, the contacts in the program selected during synchronization and the iPhone address book will become identical.

If in Microsoft program Outlook and Windows Contacts do not have entries in the address book and in iTunes start synchronization, all contacts on the device will be deleted from the iPhone.

Advice: The iPhone perceives Outlook and Windows Contacts as a library from which to take data. If you delete data in Outlook, then the iPhone will perceive this as updating the library to 0 and will erase all data in itself during synchronization. In this case, when a warning pops up confirming the command, it is better to click the "combine data" button. Then the device is synchronized with the PC in both directions.

In case you have set up synchronization of iPhone contacts with iCloud, synchronization of the address book via iTunes will not be available. On the Info page, in the Sync Contacts section, a message will appear: “Your contacts are being synced from iPhone via wireless network with iCloud.

Sync iPhone Contacts to iCloud, iPhone to Gmail

Once you turn on the iCloud and Google account contacts sync feature, contacts are automatically exchanged between iPhone and iCloud, iPhone and Gmail whenever your device connects to the Internet via Wi-Fi. No additional steps need to be taken.

Delete contacts from iPhone

There are times when you need to delete contacts from the iPhone address book, there are two ways to do this:

  • removal one by one;
  • delete all contacts at once.

How to delete a contact from iPhone?

  1. On iPhone, in the Contacts app, select the entry you want to delete.
  2. In the upper right corner, tap on "Edit". The Edit Contact page opens.
  3. Scroll to the bottom of the page, tap on "Delete contact" and confirm the deletion.

Delete a large number of records one at a time is difficult, especially if there is a way to delete contacts from the iPhone all at once.

How to delete all contacts from iPhone?

In order to delete all contacts from iPhone "in one fell swoop" you need to sync it with an empty Outlook address book or Windows Contacts. The iPhone will perceive such synchronization as zeroing the address book and all entries will be erased from the Contacts application.

  1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and launch iTunes.
  2. In the "Devices" menu, select the model of your iOS device and go to the "Information" tab.
  3. Check the box next to "Sync contacts with:" and in the drop-down list, select the program in which there are no entries in the address book. You can first create a backup copy of your Outlook address book and delete all contacts from the program.
  4. At the very bottom of the "Info" page, in the "Add-ons" section, in the "Replace the following information on this iPhone" list, check the box next to "Contacts" and click on "Sync".

Synchronizing with an empty address book on your computer will reset the Contacts app on your iPhone.

You can completely clear the phone book through, however, in this case, all user content from the iPhone will be deleted. For the jailbroken iPhone recovery the regular method is contraindicated, only through.

As you can see, you can manage contacts on iPhone in various ways, both from a computer and through web applications, and doing this is quite simple, the main thing is to set up synchronization of contacts on iPhone.

If you have any difficulties or problems in setting up iPhone sync with iCloud, Gmail or iTunes, write to us in the comments, we will try to help you.

In this post, I have explained how to create and sign in to iCloud. What is it for and how can you restore your iPhone with it.

What is iCloud

iCloud is cloud storage Apple, through which information is automatically synchronized between your devices. For example, contacts and notes between iPhone and iPad.

If iCloud has enough free space, then iPhone stores a backup copy of photos and other information there.

You get iCloud storage automatically when you sign up for an Apple ID, which is required to use Apple technology.

By default, iCloud has 5 GB of free space. Of course, this is not enough to backup the phone even with 16 GB of memory. Therefore, I recommend expanding iCloud to at least 50 GB.

50 GB - $0.99 per month;
200 GB - $2.99;
2 TB - $9.99.

How to sign into iCloud on iPhone

You can sign in to iCloud directly on your Apple device. To do this, enter your Apple ID in:

Settings ▸ Sign in on iPhone

Sign in to iCloud with iPhone settings. You will need an Apple ID for this.

How to access iCloud through a browser

If your phone breaks down or you lose it, you can always access your photos and contacts through the web version of iCloud.


If you enter iCloud through a browser, you can see your mail, contacts, photos and other information

If in Apple ID, then to enter through the browser you need to confirm your identity with a digital code that will come to your other Apple devices or via SMS to the main and backup phone numbers.

How to set up iCloud backup

Default backup disabled in iCloud. It only makes sense to turn it on when you have bought an additional 50, 200 or 2000 GB storage space.

Settings ▸ Apple ID ▸ iCloud ▸ iCloud storage ▸ Change storage plan


By default, you only have 5 GB in iCloud. Additional space can be purchased in the "Change storage plan" tab

You can also enable iCloud backup in the settings:

Settings ▸ Apple ID ▸ iCloud ▸ Backup


You can enable iCloud backup of your iPhone in Settings. But, for this you should have enough free memory in iCloud itself

Such a backup will store absolutely all data from the phone, including photos, contacts and videos.

With an iCloud backup, you can completely restore your phone if your old iPhone is broken, you lost it, or you just bought a new one.

How to set up sync settings via iCloud

Even if you haven't purchased additional iCloud space, your iPhone will still be able to store calendars, contacts, and other settings in it. And also synchronize this information between your devices.

You can set up apps that have access to iCloud in:

Settings ▸ Apple ID ▸ iCloud


Check iCloud settings for apps that can sync their settings and data between yours. Apple devices

Remember

  1. iCloud storage is given automatically. Standard volume - 5 GB;
  2. iCloud is needed to automatically synchronize settings and data between your devices;
  3. If you buy more iCloud space, you can back up to it. copies of the iPhone and other devices.
  4. Additional iCloud space will also allow you to free up space on your phone.
  5. If you lose your phone, you can access all of its information through iCloud on the web.
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