How to import Google contacts to iPhone

Asya Karapetyan
Content marketer, who specializes in Mac how-to guides
May 31, 2024
7 minutes to read

If you want to have all your contacts in one place, you may need to sync Google with your phone. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps to transfer Google contacts to your iPhone.

Import Google contacts to iPhone

Contents:

  1. Tips before you sync contacts
  2. How to import contacts from Google to iPhone
  3. FAQs

Before we start

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Tips before you sync Google contacts with your iPhone

There are several reasons why you may want to import your Google contacts to your iPhone. Some of the most common reasons include:

  • Switching from an Android phone to an iPhone
  • Wanting to have all your data in one place
  • Needing to access your Google data on your iPhone
  • Wanting to backup your Gmail data on your iPhone

No matter the reason, importing your Gmail contacts to your iPhone can save you time and effort in the long run. But before you start the process, we recommend that you ensure your Google contacts are well-organized with complete and consistent information. This will make them easier to manage on both platforms. Also, follow the tips below:

Back up your data

It’s always a good idea to back up contacts on an iOS device before any major changes. This will safeguard against any potential data loss. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap on your Apple ID at the top.
  3. Select iCloud.
  4. Find Contacts and toggle it on.
  5. To create a full backup, turn on iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now.
iPhone screens showing how to turn on contacts backups

Decide how to sync data

Decide if you want to merge your iPhone contacts with your Google contacts or keep them separate. Merging can create duplicates, so be sure to clean up your data beforehand if that’s your choice.

Get rid of duplicate contacts

Remove firstly duplicate items. Use Google Contacts’ built-in tool to find and merge duplicate entries. This will ensure a smoother sync and avoid a cluttered contact list on your iPhone.

Check your Internet connection

Before syncing Google contacts with your iPhone, ensure you have a stable internet connection and that you’re signed into the correct Gmail account. Also, it’s important to check that you have the latest iOS version installed for compatibility.


How to import Google contacts to iPhone

Step 1: Download contacts from Google

  1. Go to https://contacts.google.com and log in to your account.
  2. Select the list of your contacts.
  3. Click on the three dots icon in the top left corner and select Export from the menu.
  4. Select vCard (for iOS) as the export format.
  5. Click on Export and save the file to your computer.
export contacts

Step 2: Import Google contacts to iCloud

  1. Go to https://www.icloud.com and log in to your iCloud account.
  2. Scroll down and click on the Contacts icon.
  3. Click the Plus icon in the top right corner and select “Import vCard” from the menu.
  4. Select the vCard file you exported from Google Contacts and click on Open.
  5. Wait for the import to complete. This may take a few minutes depending on the number of list you are importing.
import contact

Step 3: Sync Google contacts with iPhone

Now that your Google contacts are imported to iCloud, the final step is to sync them with your device. To check this, open Settings on your iPhone → tap on your name at the top → go to the iCloud section, and ensure the Contacts toggle is turned on.


Other ways to share contacts to iPhone

There are also several third-party apps available on the App Store that can help you sync Google contacts to iPhone. Some popular options include:

These applications are not free; however, they can save you time significantly. Simply download and install them on your iPhone, log in to your Gmail account, and follow the instructions to import your contacts.


Conclusion

Importing your Google contacts to your iPhone is a simple process that can save you time and effort in the long run. Whether you’re switching from an Android phone to an iPhone or simply want to have all your data in one place, following the steps outlined in this article will help you easily download Google contacts to your iPhone.



FAQs

How to merge duplicate contacts on an iPhone?
How to delete unnecessary contacts on iPhone?
How to add contacts to iPhone?
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