Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB Silver - Transfer contacts

Moving your contacts to a new iPhone is simple and can be done using various methods, such as iCloud, Quick Start, importing from an Android device, or using a SIM card. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for each method to ensure your contacts transfer successfully.

Transfer contacts using iCloud

iCloud makes transferring contacts between Apple devices easy by syncing your data securely.

1. Go to Settings on your old iPhone, tap your name at the top, and select iCloud. Toggle on Contacts to sync them with iCloud.
2. In iCloud settings, tap iCloud Backup, then tap Back Up Now to save your contacts to iCloud.
3. Turn on your new iPhone and log in with the same Apple ID.
4. During setup, choose Restore from iCloud Backup, or toggle on Contacts in iCloud settings to sync them to your new device.

iOS 16 offers better iCloud encryption than earlier versions, adding stronger data protection to contact transfers.

Transfer contacts from another iPhone using Quick Start

Quick Start makes transferring data between iPhones quick and efficient.

1. Turn on your new iPhone and place it near your old iPhone.
2. A prompt will appear on your old iPhone asking if you'd like to set up the new device. Tap Continue and follow the instructions.
3. Use Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode to authenticate, then select Transfer Data to move contacts and other data.
4. Keep both devices close together until the transfer finishes. Your contacts will now appear on your new iPhone.

Newer iOS versions offer faster transfer speeds compared to older versions, but the process is consistent across all iOS versions.

Transfer contacts from an Android device

Switching from Android to iPhone? The Move to iOS app simplifies the process.

1. Download the Move to iOS app from the Google Play Store on your Android device.
2. During the setup of your new iPhone, select Move Data from Android.
3. Open the Move to iOS app on your Android phone and follow the instructions to connect both devices via Wi-Fi.
4. Select Contacts and any other data you'd like to transfer, then tap Next to begin the transfer.
5. Finish setting up your iPhone. Your contacts will now appear in the Contacts app.

For Android 11 and Android 12, Move to iOS offers improved performance and faster transfers compared to older versions.

Transfer contacts via SIM card

If your previous phone stored contacts on a SIM card, you can easily import them to your iPhone.

1. Insert the SIM card with your contacts into your new iPhone.
2. Go to Settings, then tap Contacts.
3. Scroll down and select Import SIM Contacts.
4. Open the Contacts app to ensure the transfer was successful.

Dual-SIM iPhones, like the iPhone XR or iPhone 11, allow you to import contacts from both physical SIMs and eSIMs.