How Can You Transfer Contacts from iPhone to iPhone [2025]

Clara Prescott Published on November 14, 2025Transfer Data3-min reading

One of the biggest concerns when getting a new iPhone is often not the complexity of the setup interface, but what to do with your contacts. Whether it's work numbers, family phone numbers, or years of accumulated social connections, no one wants to input them manually one by one. The good news is that transferring contacts between iPhones is actually very simple. You can use one-click synchronization, and there are even ways to complete it without an internet connection. If you are preparing to switch phones or want to know how to transfer contacts from iPhone to iPhone, this guide will help you find the easiest and safest way to do it.

Part 1. What to Prepare Before Transferring Contacts

Before officially starting the process, many people are concerned about one question: why didn't my contacts transfer to my new iPhone? In fact, most issues of 'contacts not transferring successfully' are due to oversights during the preparation stage. To ensure seamless contact synchronization, the following points are crucial to check:

Maintain a good connection

Ensure that both your iPhones are connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and have sufficient battery power. A stable network and power supply are prerequisites for success, regardless of which transfer method you use later.

Make sure contacts are synced

Check whether the sync feature on your old iPhone is enabled. If you prefer to back up manually, you can also export the contacts file in advance to prepare for the subsequent transfer.

Back up data in advance

Whether using iTunes, iCloud, or third-party transfer software, backing up your contacts in advance is a crucial step to prevent data loss.

Once these preparations are complete, the subsequent transfer process will become simpler and more efficient. Whether you plan to transfer wirelessly or manually import contacts to the new device, the migration can be completed in a secure environment.

Part 2. How to Transfer Contacts from iPhone Using AirDrop

If you only want to know how to export contacts from iPhone to iPhone and don't need the entire address book, AirDrop is one of the most convenient methods. It doesn't require the internet or logging into an account; as long as the two iPhones are close to each other, data transfer can be completed.

Open the Contacts app on the new iPhone to confirm that the received contact is displayed correctly. If it doesn't appear, you can try again or check if AirDrop permissions are restricted. If it was accidentally deleted, you can also easily retrieve the AirDrop files.

AirDrop is suitable for transferring a small number of contacts, but if you want to know how to transfer all contacts from iPhone to iPhone, its efficiency is limited.

Part 3. How to Transfer Contacts from iPhone via iCloud

If you want to transfer your entire contact list to a new device at once, iCloud is the most common and reliable method. It can automatically sync data between devices without manual operation or the need to use a computer.

iCloud transfer is convenient, but it requires using the same account. If you forget your Apple ID password and cannot log in, it could be quite troublesome.

Part 4. How to Copy Contacts from iPhone Through iTunes

When you can't use iCloud or want to manually control the backup process on your computer, iTunes is a reliable alternative. It can not only help you copy iPhone contacts to another iPhone, but also back up all your data before transferring, ensuring your information is safe and secure.

The advantage of iTunes is that it can upload contacts from iPhone to iPhone in an offline environment, which is suitable for users who do not want to rely on the cloud.

Part 5. Best way to Transfer All Contacts and Other Data

For users who want to complete data migration in just a few minutes, imyPass iPhone Transfer is currently the most direct and comprehensive solution. It not only helps you easily migrate contacts from iPhone to iPhone, but also supports syncing other file types, truly achieving a seamless transition when switching devices.

Conclusion

The biggest fear when switching to a new phone is often not resetting it but worrying about not being able to fully transfer your contacts. Fortunately, today's iPhones have made data transfer easier than ever. Professional tools like imyPass iPhone Transfer not only solve the question of how can you transfer contacts from iPhone to iPhone but also elevate your phone-switching experience to a new level. Give it a try now!