How to transfer contacts from iPhone to iPhone

Updating to a new iPhone is always exciting, but the upgrade can be ruined if you lose important data along the way.

There are many ways to transfer contacts from one iPhone to another iPhone, including some built into the iPhone itself.

Transfer contacts using iCloud Syncing

The simplest ways to send contacts use features already built into the iPhone, such as iCloud.

1. Make sure both iPhones are logged in to the same Apple ID and both are connected to a Wi-Fi network.
2. Tap Settings.
3. On iOS 9, tap iCloud and go to step 6.
4. On iOS 10 and later, click your name at the top of the screen.
5. Touch iCloud.
6. On the old iPhone with contacts, make sure that the Contacts slider is set to green / on.
7. On the new iPhone, repeat all these steps.
8. When the Contacts slider is moved to the on / green position, a menu will be displayed at the bottom of the screen.
9. Contacts will be downloaded from iCloud to the new iPhone and you will finish in a few minutes.

Transfer contacts from iCloud backup

In addition to synchronizing your contacts, iCloud also lets you back up all your iPhone data, and then restore it to your new iPhone.

1. Make sure you have a Wi-Fi connection.
2. On the old iPhone, tap Settings.
3. On iOS 9, tap iCloud and go to step 6.
4. On iOS 10 and later, click your name at the top of the screen.
5. Touch iCloud.
6. Choose iCloud Backup.
7. Move the iCloud Backup slider to the on / green position.
8. The iPhone will send data to iCloud, including contacts.
9. On the new phone, tap Settings.
10. Choose General.
11. Touch Reset.
12. Tap Erase all content and settings.
13. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup.
14. Log in to your iCloud account (it should be the same as an Apple ID) if you are asked to do so.
15. Choose a backup of your old iPhone from the Select backup menu.
16. Follow the prompts on the screen to finish restoring the iPhone and configuring it.

Transfer contacts using iTunes

If you prefer to back up your iPhone to a computer instead of a cloud, you can do virtually the same process as just described, but using iTunes instead of iCloud.

1. Connect the old iPhone to the computer you usually synchronize.
2. Open iTunes.
3. On the main management screen, make sure that this computer is selected in the Auto Backup section.
4. Click Create a backup now.
5. After finishing the backup, remove the old iPhone and connect the new one.
6. On the main management screen, click Restore backup.
7. Follow the prompts on the screen to select the backup you just created and place it on your new iPhone.

Transfer contacts using online tools from Google and Yahoo

iCloud is not the only cloud-based service that allows you to store and synchronize your contacts.

For detailed instructions on how to use these tools, read How do I sync my iPhone with Yahoo and Google Contacts.

Transferring contacts using third-party software

There is a rich landscape of third-party software that can help you transfer your contacts.

Programs are almost all paid for.

As with all software, the quality of these programs and their ability to do what they say is different.

Why can not I transfer contacts from iPhone to iPhone using a SIM card

If you have used other mobile phones or smartphones, you may be wondering if the easiest way to transfer your contacts is to use a SIM card.

Simple, right?

For a more detailed description of this problem, see How to back up contacts on the iPhone SIM.