This wikiHow teaches you to transfer contact information from one iPhone to another.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using iCloud
Step 1. Open the old iPhone's settings
This is a gray app with a gear (⚙️) that is normally on the home screen.
- Both iPhones must be connected to a Wi-Fi network. To connect, tap Wifi at the top of the settings menu, slide Wifi to the on position and tap a network from the list under Choose a network…
- If prompted, enter a password.
Step #2. Tap on your Apple ID
This is the part at the top of the menu that contains your name and, if you've added it, your photo.
- If you're not signed in, tap Sign in to (your device), enter your Apple ID and password, then tap Sign in.
- If you're using an older version of iOS, you may not need to take this step.
Step #3. Tap on iCloud
It is the second item on the menu.
Step #4. Slide Contacts to the on position
It's near the top of the Apps using iCloud section and will turn green.
Step 5. Scroll down and tap on iCloud Backup
It's at the bottom of the Apps using iCloud section.
If it isn't already green, slide iCloud Backup to the on position
Step 6. Tap Back Up Now
This will back up your old iPhone to iCloud.
Step 7. Open the settings of the new iPhone
That's a gray app with a gear (⚙️) that is normally on the home screen.
Step 8. Tap on your Apple ID
This is the part at the top of the menu that contains your name and, if you've added it, your photo.
- If you're not signed in, tap Sign in to (your device), enter your Apple ID and password, then tap Sign in.
- If you're using an older version of iOS, you may not need to take this step.
Step 9. Tap on iCloud
It is the second item of the menu.
Step 10. Slide Contacts to the on position
It's near the top of the Apps using iCloud section.
Step 11. Press the home button
That's the round button on the front of your iPhone, below the screen.
Step 12. Open Contacts
This is a gray app with a dark silhouette and letter tabs on the right.
Step 13. Swipe down and hold
Swipe down from the center of the screen slowly, hold until you see a spinning refresh icon above the contacts list, then lift your finger. The contacts from your old iPhone should now be available on your new iPhone.
Method 2 of 3: Using an iTunes backup
Step 1. Open iTunes on your computer
You can transfer your contacts from your old to your new iPhone using iTunes or iCloud. iTunes works best because it's a much faster process than transferring with an iCloud backup.
Step 2. Connect your old iPhone to your computer via USB
It should appear in the top row of buttons in the iTunes screen.
Step 3. Select your iPhone in iTunes
This opens the summary page.
Step 4. Choose My Computer and then click Back Up Now
Your old iPhone will be backed up and stored on the computer. Creating the backup may take a few minutes.
Step 5. Begin the installation process on your new iPhone
After the backup is complete, you can start setting up your new iPhone. Turn it on and follow the installation assistant's instructions to set up your new device. Make sure you sign in with the same Apple ID you used on your old iPhone.
Step 6. When asked if you want to restore a backup, choose iTunes Backup
You will be prompted to connect your new iPhone to your computer so that the iTunes backup can be loaded.
Step 7. Wait for the backup to load
This may take a few minutes as the data will be copied from the computer to your new iPhone. Once the backup is complete, your new iPhone will have all the contacts from your old one.
Method 3 of 3: Share contacts with others
Step #1. Open the Contacts app on your iPhone
You can also open the Phone app and select the Contacts tab.
Step #2. Tap on the contact you want to send to someone
You can send the contact details of any contact in your list.
Step #3. Tap on Share Contact
This opens the Share menu.
Step 4. Choose the app you want to use for sharing
This will open the app with your contact file. You can share the contacts with Messages, Mail, or other messaging apps.
Step 5. Tap the name of the person you want to share the contact with
Your contact will be sent to the recipient in VCF format. When the recipient opens the message on their iPhone, tapping the VCF file adds the contact to their Contacts app.