How to Transfer Contacts from Outlook to iPhone: 5 Top Ways

Whether you're backing up data, sharing contacts, or needing to reach important connections, exporting your Outlook contacts to your iPhone might be necessary. This guide provides detailed, step-by-step instructions to help you achieve this, whether you prefer to do it directly on your iPhone or through your computer.

1. How to transfer contacts from Outlook to iPhone directly

You can transfer Outlook contacts directly to your iPhone in just a few taps.

Step 1. Add Your Outlook Account. Launch the Settings app on your iPhone and scroll to Contacts (or Mail, Contacts, Calendars if using iOS 8 or older). Tap Accounts > Add Account.

Step 2. Sync Contacts. Select Outlook (or Exchange for older setups), log in to your account and toggle the Contacts switch to ON. Choose Keep on My iPhone to retain copies locally, then tap Save to confirm.

Step 3. Automatic Sync. Your Outlook contacts will automatically sync to your iPhone’s address book. Open the Contacts app to verify they’ve been added.

2. How to export contacts from Outlook to iPhone via the app

If you use the Outlook app on your iPhone, you can easily save your Outlook contacts to your iPhone’s built-in Contacts app. Just sign in to your Outlook account and follow these steps:

Step 1. Open the Outlook app on your iPhone > Tap your profile icon (top-left corner), then select the gear icon (Settings).

Step 2. Choose your Outlook account and turn on the Save Contacts option > A confirmation message will pop up > Make sure your iPhone has enough battery (or is charging) to avoid interruptions, then tap Save to my iPhone.

Step 3. Wait for the sync to finish. Your Outlook contacts will now appear in your iPhone’s Contacts app.

3. How to transfer Outlook Contacts to iPhone without iTunes [Easily]

If you need to transfer a large number of Outlook contacts to your iPhone, consider using professional transfer software like FoneTool on your Windows PC to streamline the process.

Now you can follow the guidance below to export your contacts from Outlook and import them to your iPhone via a USB cable.

Step 1. Sign in to your Outlook account on the computer > Click the people icon in the bottom left corner > Choose Management > Click Export Contacts > Click Export and your targeted contacts will be saved on your computer in CSV format.

Step 2. Launch FoneTool > Connect your iPhone to the computer > If asked, tap Trust to continue.

Step 3. Go to Phone Transfer > Choose PC to iPhone and click Get Started.

Step 4. Click the Contacts icon and choose the specific items from the PC to transfer.

Step 5. Confirm the data you need to transfer and click Start Transfer to begin the task.

4. How to import contacts from Exchange to iPhone

If your iPhone is connected to an internal corporate network and you are using an Exchange account (common in corporate settings), you can follow the steps below to make it.

Step 1. Launch the Settings on your iPhone > Scroll down and select Mail.

Step 2. Tap Accounts > Add Account > Microsoft Exchange > Key in your Outlook (Exchange) email address and tap Next > When asked, input your password and other details.

Step 3. When your account information is verified, ensure that the Contacts toggle is switched on > Tap Save. Then your Outlook contacts will be synced to your iPhone’s Contacts app.

5. How to import contact from Outlook to iPhone via iCloud

Syncing contacts from Outlook to iPhone via iCloud is also possible, but this method will sync all your data, not just contacts.

Step 1. Download and Install the iCloud Control Panel on your computer.

Step 2. Open the program and sign in with your Apple ID and password.

Step 3. Check the box for Mail, Contacts, Calendar, and Tasks.

Step 4. All the information stored in your mail account, including Outlook, will automatically sync to your iPhone.

FAQs about how to copy Outlook Contacts to iPhone

1. Why are Outlook Contacts not syncing with iPhone?

If your Outlook contacts aren't syncing with your iPhone, ensure both devices are using the latest software, check your iCloud settings, confirm Outlook has access to your contacts, and verify sync settings within both the Outlook app and your iPhone's settings.

2. Why are iPhone contacts not syncing with Outlook 365?

If your iPhone contacts aren't syncing with Outlook 365, ensure your Outlook app has permission to access contacts in Settings > Privacy > Contacts, and that Save Contacts is toggled on within Outlook for iOS settings.

Conclusion

From these 5 ways, you can know how to transfer contacts from Outlook to iPhone. You can finish the process on iPhone directly, or rely on FoneTool, iCloud, etc. to make it. To transfer a large number of contacts, it’s better to use FoneTool to export your contacts to your iPhone.