How to sync contacts from iPhone to iPad

In this guide, we will explore 3 ways to sync contacts from iPhone to iPad without iCloud or iTunes or using iCloud if you like. You can even transfer contacts from iPhone to iPad if you don’t have your iPhone anymore!

➕ We are also describing a way to transfer contacts from iPad to iPhone if this is what you need to do at the end of this guide.

Choose one of the methods to import contacts to iPad from the list below and let’s get started!

• How to sync contacts from iPhone to iPad
• How to transfer contacts from iPhone backup to iPad
• How to sync contacts from iPhone to iPad with iCloud
• How to transfer contacts from iPad to iPhone

Sync contacts from iPhone to iPad

The easiest and fastest way to transfer contacts from iPhone to iPad, a selected few or all of them at once! Use CopyTrans Contacts to move contacts from different sources (iPhone, iCloud, Outlook, and Gmail) to another device. The method will also help if you’re wondering how to import contacts from iPhone to iPad with a different Apple ID.

For Step 1 we will need to export contacts from iPhone to PC as .vcf files. After that we will import them to iPad.

Export contacts from iPhone

1. Download and install CopyTrans Contacts:

   Download CopyTrans Contacts

   If you need help, please refer to the installation guide.

2. Run CopyTrans Contacts and connect your iPhone to the PC. You will see a loading icon: the program is retrieving all your contacts, messages, calendars, and notes. Wait until the loading is finished, only then proceed to Step 3.

   ➕ If your iPhone is encrypted, you may be asked for an iPhone backup password. What password?

   

3. Select the contacts you wish to copy to your PC.

   ➕ To select several entries, hold down Ctrl while clicking on each contact.
   ➕ To select all contacts at once, check the box on top of the contact list OR press Ctrl+A.

   

   TIP: If you don’t see your contacts in the CopyTrans Contacts interface, follow this troubleshooting guide.

4. Click Export selected:

   

5. After that, select iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch (multiple .vcf files):

   

6. Select the destination folder. I’ve created a new folder on my desktop for this purpose. Click OK:

   

Import contacts to iPad

1. Halfway there! Let’s connect the target device. In my case, the device is empty, and so is the CopyTrans Contacts interface. But not for long… Click Import contacts:

   

2. Find where you saved your contacts, select all the .vcf files (Ctrl+A), then click Open:

   

3. All the contacts you’ve selected will now be imported to your iPad:

   

How to transfer contacts from iPhone to iPad

From iTunes or iCloud backup

Did you know that you can restore your iPhone contacts to a new device even if your older iPhone has been broken or stolen? If you don’t have your old iPhone, CopyTrans Backup Extractor will still fight to retrieve your contacts.

We will sync contacts between iPhone and iPad in two steps: we will retrieve contacts from an iTunes, iCloud, or another backup first, and then we will import them to iPad.

Retrieve contacts from backup

1. Download and install CopyTrans Backup Extractor:

   Download CopyTrans Backup Extractor

   For help with the installation, follow the installation guide.

2. Run the program and log in to iCloud if you want to find more backups. Once ready, click Find Backups.

   We care about your online safety: your credentials go directly to Apple through a secure SSL connection.

   

3. Wait for the backup hunt to be complete. You will see a list of all available backups: choose the latest backup which contains your contacts.

   ➕ If you are restoring from an iTunes backup, you may be asked for a backup password. What password?

   ➕ iCloud backups will be marked with a cloud icon (☁️) and they are never password-protected.

   

4. From the list of items to restore, choose Contacts and press Next. You will be prompted to select the destination folder.
   
5. Voila! Choose Go to folder to open the directory with your Contacts. They are now ready to be imported to your iPhone.

   

Import contacts to iPhone

1. Now, let’s start importing! For that, we will need CopyTrans Contacts. If you haven’t downloaded it yet, now is a good time:

   Download CopyTrans Contacts

   If you already have it installed, let’s move to the next step.

2. Launch CopyTrans Contacts and connect your iPad to the PC. Give the program time to load your data, then select Import contacts.

   

3. Choose to import contacts from a file:

   

4. Choose the folder where you previously extracted your contacts to and select all or part of contacts for import.

   

5. Enjoy your newly imported list of contacts! And do not forget to back up your device from time to time.

So, here is how to get contacts on iPad without iTunes or iCloud. If you’d prefer a more traditional solution, read on.

Transfer contacts from iPhone to iPad

using iCloud

If you’re not put off that easily, here’s how to transfer contacts to iPad using iCloud sync:

1. Both should be connected to Wi-Fi.
2. Make sure the contacts on your older device are synced with iCloud: go to Settings > click on your Apple ID at the top > iCloud > make sure the Contacts toggle is on:
3. If you aren’t logged in on the iPhone you want to transfer the contacts to, open Settings > tap Sign In to your iPhone > enter your Apple ID & Password > Enter the code Apple will send you to the main device > Enter your iPhone Passcode > Click ‘Merge’ to upload and merge your contacts with iCloud:
4. Now, wait until all the contacts are synced with your new iPhone. That’s all!
5. You might have some contacts that haven’t been transferred over. It means that those contacts are not in iCloud: most likely, they are contacts that have been created on the device and weren’t pushed to iCloud. You can use CopyTrans Contacts to transfer iPhone contacts to iCloud.

TIP: iPhone contacts not syncing to iCloud? Follow this troubleshooting guide by Apple.

How to transfer contacts from iPad to iPhone

The process is fairly similar to what we’ve done in the first part of the guide. First, we will copy contacts from iPad to PC and then we will move them to iPhone.

1. Download and install CopyTrans Contacts:

   Download CopyTrans Contacts

2. Run the app and connect your iPad to the PC. Let the app load your data. Select the contacts you wish to copy to your PC from the list.

3. Click Export selected. After that, select iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch (multiple .vcf files). Select the destination folder. Click OK.

4. Connect your iPhone to the PC. Click Import contacts. Find where you saved your contacts, select all the .vcf files (Ctrl+A), then click Open. All the contacts you’ve selected will now be imported to your iPhone!

For detailed instructions, please navigate to the beginning of the article.

This guide covers three ways of importing contacts to iPad: 1. transferring selected contacts, 2. restoring contacts from a backup, and 3. with the help of iCloud. It also describes a way to transfer contacts from iPad to iPhone. Hope we could help you out! If you have questions, shoot us a comment below.