5 Ways to Transfer Contacts from iPhone to Computer | Free

Learn how to transfer contacts from iPhone to computer. This article explores 5 free and effective methods to download contacts from iPhone to computer easily.

By @Clara Last Updated December 3, 2024

When it comes to managing your contact information, it's important to know how to transfer contacts from iPhone to computer for free. Whether you need to back up, switch devices, or just want to organize your contacts, this guide will show you six effective methods. The comparison table below will help you choose the best method.

Comparison of 5 Ways to Transfer Contacts from iPhone to Computer
Method Speed Internet Required Advantages Best For
FoneTool Fast No Easy to use, quickly transfers all contacts at once Quick and full data backups
iCloud Moderate Yes Wireless, syncs automatically Keeping contacts synced across devices
iTunes Moderate No Works offline Users familiar with iTunes
Email Slow Yes Convenient for single contacts Sharing specific contacts
AirDrop Fast No Quick wireless sharing Apple users with Mac computers

How to Transfer Any/All Contacts from iPhone to Computer - 6 Ways

Next, we will introduce you to 5 simple methods to export contacts from iPhone to PC in detail in the table, each of which is suitable for different settings and situations. Let's take a look!

Way 1. [Easy & Fast] Transfer Contacts from iPhone to PC with FoneTool

FoneTool is a powerful data transfer tool. It is designed with user-friendly interface, provides fast speed, and ensures that no data is lost during the transfer process.

Why choose FoneTool to transfer iPhone contacts? This reliable tool provides a one-click solution to transfer contacts, photos, videos, and more. You can preview and select the data you need in advance, or transfer all contacts to the computer at once.

FoneTool - Best Contacts Transfer Tool
  • Preview and select specific contacts to transfer.
  • It only takes a few seconds to transfer 100 contacts from iPhone to PC.
  • Transfer all (unlimited) contacts in one click without data loss.
  • Support multiple file types, like transferring photos, music, videos, messages, ringtones.
  • USB connection provides stable transfer process, no Internet required.
  • Customize settings and change storage location on PC.

Now, you can download FoneTool and follow the below guide to transfer contacts from iPhone to computer.

Step 1. Open FoneTool > Connect your iPhone to your computer with a USB cable > Tap Trust on your iPhone.

Step 2. Go to Phone Transfer option from the left pane> Choose iPhone to PC > Click Get Started to continue.

★Tip:
If you want to transfer files from PC to iPhone without iTunes/iCloud, you can go choose the PC to iPhone option on the page.

Step 3. Preview and select the contacts you want to transfer from iPhone, or you can check the Select All button to move all files > Then tap OK.

Step 4. Confirm the data you selected and set a storage path on Transfer Settings > Click Start Transfer to begin the process.

If necessary, you can choose to export iPhone contacts to CSV/vCard as you like from the Transfer Settings > Contact Settings. When you switch to a new iPhone, you can import CSV contacts to iPhone with FoneTool directly.

Way 2. Sync Contacts from iPhone to Computer via iCloud

iCloud is Apple's built-in cross-device data synchronization solution. With iCloud, your contacts are automatically backed up and accessible on your computer.

 Notes:

  • Requires an active internet connection.
  • Limited free storage space (5GB).
  • Changes made to contacts on your iPhone will be reflected in the synced version.

Before doing this, you need to confirm that the contacts on your iPhone have been uploaded to iCloud (Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Enable Contacts option).

Then, you can follow the steps below to learn how to download contacts from iPhone to computer.

Step 1. On your computer, log in to iCloud.com > Sign into your Apple ID (Same with the account you log in iPhone).

Step 2. Select and hit the Contacts icon to locate all your uploaded contacts.

Step 3. Tap on the Settings button from the address book > Click Select All > Choose Export vCard.

Step 4. After that, you can get a vCard file of your iPhone contacts on your computer.

By the way, FoneTool provides a smarter way to manage iCloud contacts or other data easily. You can downloa, upload and delete iCloud data, the speed is faster than iCloud’s web.

Way 3. Move Contacts to Computer from iPhone by iTunes

Using iTunes is another way for you to sync contacts. It allows you to backup iPhone data, including contacts, to your computer directly.

Here is the guide to show you how to move contacts from iPhone to computer:

Step 1. Download and install the latest iTunes on your PC > Launch iTunes > Connect your iPhone to your computer.

Step 2. Choose the Device tab > Select Info.

Step 3. Check the Sync Contacts with option > Tap on the desired option to continue.

Step 4. Tap on the All Contacts > Hit on the Sync option to export contacts from iPhone.

Way 4. Send Contacts from iPhone to Computer via Email

When you only need to share a few contacts, using email is a simple and easy way to do it. Please refer to the following steps to transfer your contact data via email with an active Internet connection. The transferred data will be presented in vCard (VCF) format.

Step 1. Open Contacts app on your iPhone > Find and choose the contact you want to transfer.

Step 2. Tap Share Contact option > And choose Mail.

Step 3. Enter your email address and send it. And the contact will be attached as .vcf format from the email.

Step 4. On your computer, sign in the accounts > Check the email and then you can download the VCF contacts on your computer.

Way 5. Transfer iPhone Contacts to Computer with AirDrop

For those using iPhone and Mac, you can also enable AirDrop to share data. This feature uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for fast file sharing without an internet connection.

Make sure both devices are in close proximity, then learn how to save contacts from iPhone to PC.

Step 1. On your iPhone, open the AirDrop icon from the Control Center > And ensure it available for Everyone.

Step 2. On your Mac, turn on the AirDrop feature > Select Everyone as well.

Step 3. Go to Contacts app on the iPhone > Choose the contacts you want to share > And tap on Share Contacts.

Step 4. From the options, select your Mac and begin to transfer.

Step 5. On the computer, click Accept to download contact from iPhone.

Conclusion

That’s all about how to transfer contacts from iPhone to computer. This article provides 5 different methods. Among them, FoneTool is the first choice for users with its speed, ease of use and comprehensive functions. Unlike iCloud, iTunes, Email, AirDrop and other methods, which involve more steps or limitations.

Hopefully you can choose the method that best suits your needs to complete the transfer of contacts.