How to Transfer Contacts from iPhone to iPhone via AirDrop

How to transfer contacts between iPhones via the AirDrop feature? Find details in this full guide! Or you can choose another alternative way like FoneTool to finish the transfer at one time.

Kathy by Kathy Updated March 14, 2025
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Your iPhone's contacts contain vital information needed to stay connected with family, friends, and colleagues, and manage essential social interactions. When transferring a small number of contacts between iPhones, using AirDrop is a practical choice. This guide provides step-by-step instructions and key tips for seamless transfers. If you need to move a large number of contacts or sync them during a new iPhone setup, you’ll also find reliable methods here.

AirDrop contacts

Method 1. How to transfer contacts from iPhone to iPhone via AirDrop

AirDrop is a built-in feature of Apple devices, that allows you to send contacts, photos, etc. between your iPhones wirelessly when they are using the same Wi-Fi network.

👉️Can you AirDrop all contacts from iPhone to iPhone? You can only airdrop 1 file at a time unless you create a new list of all the contacts you want to transfer. So if you need a better way to send all iPhone contacts, turn to Method 2.

Step 1. Launch Control Center by swiping from the bottom of your screen > Tap and hold the wireless control box to access more options > Hit the AirDrop icon and choose Everyone.

Step 2. Launch the Contacts app on your source iPhone > Choose a contact you want to share > Tap Share Contact > AirDrop > Choose your target iPhone once it's detected.

airdrop contacts from iPhone to iPhone

Step 3. On your targeted iPhone, tap from the pop-up window to accept the contact. Once the transfer is finished, the contacts will be saved in your Contacts app.

Method 2. Transfer contacts from iPhone to iPhone wirelessly [Easiest]

How to airdrop contacts from iPhone to iPhone? Compared with Apple’s built-in feature, FoneTool for iOS might be a better choice!

Features:
· Preview and choose all the contacts you need to transfer at one time.
· Various iPhone models and iOS versions are supported, even the latest ones.
· Unlike AirDrop, you can directly locate all your transferred files within the Transfer Records.
· The process doesn’t need a Wi-Fi network connection or consume any cellular data.
· You can also transfer contacts from iPhone to Android.

Now you can scan the code below on your iPhone and learn how to transfer all contacts from iPhone to iPhone.

download FoneTool for iOS

Step 1. Open FoneTool on both iPhones, then allow the application to use WLAN. (Just enable the Wi-Fi option and doesn't require any Wi-Fi connection.)

Step 2. Tap on Connect Device and click the device name on either device to create a connection.

Step 3. Then select the contacts you need. Tap Send on your source iPhone to share the contacts and tap Receive on your targeted iPhone to receive them.

send contacts via AirDrop

👉️ How to transfer everything from iPhone to iPhone? If you need to transfer all old iPhone data to your new iPhone, FoneTool also offer you a Windows version to make it in one click (Phone Transfer > iPhone to iPhone).
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transfer data from old iPhone to new iPhone

Method 3. How to transfer contacts to new iPhone with iCloud

If you want to add contacts to your new iPhone, iCloud will be a good helper to make it during the setup.

⚠️ Note: The contacts you moved with iCloud will erase your current contacts on your targeted iPhone. If you have already set up your device, it's better to back up iPhone contacts first.

Step 1. Confirm both iPhones are connected to Wi-Fi and are logging in with the same Apple ID.

Step 2. On your source device, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Enable the Contacts option and then repeat this action on your new iPhone.

transfer contacts to new iPhone with iCloud

Step 3. Then you will receive a message about merging the contacts on your device. Just choose Merge to finish the process.

Method 4. How to transfer contacts from iPhone to SIM

For older models like the iPhone SE, importing contacts from the SIM card to your new iPhone SE is available.

Step 1. Take out the SIM card from your old iPhone and insert it into your new iPhone.

Step 2. Tap Settings > Contacts > Import SIM Contacts.

Step 3. If asked, choose where you want to import your SIM card contacts. Once the process is finished, you can go to the Contacts app to check them.

FAQs about iPhone contacts transfer

1. How to transfer contacts from iPhone to iPhone via Bluetooth?

To transfer contacts from one iPhone to another via Bluetooth, ensure both devices have Bluetooth enabled (Settings > Bluetooth) and paired, then select the contacts you want to share, and send them via Bluetooth.

2. How do I export my entire contact list from my iPhone?

Go to the Contacts app on your device > Tap Lists at the top left > Touch and hold an existing list (or create a new list by tapping Add List) > Tap Export, select the fields you want to include, then tap Done > Choose a method to send or save the exported contact cards, such as Messages or Mail.

Conclusion

From this passage, you can know how to transfer contacts from iPhone to iPhone using AirDrop. Except for the built-in feature on iPhone, FoneTool can be a better AirDrop alternative to make it. It’s fast, easy, and allows you to send all the contacts you need at one time.

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