Switching entirely from iPhone to Android, or trying to have a copy of your iCloud contacts on Gmail just to make it accessible on any Google contacts supportive devices. Here’s a quick tip on how to transfer contacts from iCloud to Gmail.
Seeing that iPhone contacts are stored on the device’s internal storage and automatically synced to iCloud if selected, you may think about making the transfer from the iCloud contact since it carries the updated list of your contacts, that’s absolutely right.
But since there’s nothing like export contacts VCF option in your iPhone setting, you might be doubting if it is even possible to export it successfully.
Transferring of contacts from one platform to another has now become easier than ever before. Actually, thanks to the emergence and advancement of modern technology that gives room for keeping contacts in cloud storage without paying a cent.
This new way of keeping contacts safe in cloud storage turned out to be an improvement to when we wrote down important contacts in a journal and diary. Latterly, network operators offer this service to customers but eventually, you might be charged an extra cost and totally become a mess if some contacts were omitted or many duplicate copies were made.
That’s why it’s advisable to get the process done either using manual method or automatic syncing to your Google contacts in order to make it available on any device your Gmail account is synced to.
Related: How to Email a Scanned Document On iPhone
Concerning the free allocated iCloud storage, you might choose Google contacts over iCloud and if you switch across both platforms often, that isn’t an obstacle since almost all devices now support Google services.
Fortunately, we’ve provided you with the quickest solution that answers your question about how to transfer contacts from iCloud to Gmail. This includes how to get the iCloud contact list updated by synchronizing the iPhone contacts list to iCloud and how to safely back up your contacts as Vcard (.vcf) to external drive.
Let’s dive in…….
How to Transfer Contacts from iCloud to Gmail
To transfer iPhone contacts to Gmail with error free, you either take the manual procedure i.e.To export the iCloud contacts file manually then import to your Google contacts, or use the automatic method by changing iPhone contacts default syncing account to Gmail after you’ve signed in.
Actually, you can get this done easily on your smartphone within any connection to external devices, so there is no need to fret if you don’t have your PC in place.
How to Transfer Contacts from iCloud to Gmail Manually
Using the manual method to transfer iPhone contacts to Gmail. Firstly, you’ll have to make sure your iCloud contacts carry the latest and updated list of the iPhone contacts in order to avoid omission of your latest update to the iPhone contacts i.e. it’s really important that all of your contacts in both (iPhone & iCloud) space are the same.
However, you can only ensure this by switching on the contacts sync button in the iCloud settings of your iPhone. To do this;
- Navigate to your iPhone Settings.
- Tap on the Apple ID profile which contains your username.
- Stroll up to locate and tap iCloud.
- From the iCloud services, swipe to find Contacts.
- Toggle on the switch right in front of the Contacts option.
In case the option is active already, just toggle it off and toggle it on again, then turn on your data connection to update the iCloud list automatically. This will have the list updated before you export it out manually.
Now to export your contacts from iCloud and import to your Google contacts;
- Open your device web browser, either on mobile or desktop.
- Visit iCloud website at www.icloud.com.
- Input your Apple ID and password as required to log in.
- Provide the authentication if prompted before letting you in.
- Tap Contacts from the services list.
- Click the settings icon in the bottom left corner of your screen.
- Firstly click on select all to mark all your contacts list.
- Then tap the settings icon again and click Export vCard.
- The contacts list will be downloaded to your drive or device storage in case you’re on mobile.
This makes the process half done and paves way to the second part which is importing the downloaded contacts file (.vcf) to your Google contacts. To do this;
- Launch your device web browser.
- Visit Google contacts at contacts.google.com.
- In case you’re on mobile, you can use the web version or the Google contacts App which is available on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
- With your Google account signed in, tap the option button to open the sidebar menu.
- Locate and click import from the menu options.
- You’ll be provided with a place card with the option to select the vCard file.
- Click Select file then locate and select the downloaded vCard file from your storage.
- Click open and finally Import to successfully save a copy on your Google contacts.
Note that the same procedure applies if you’re on mobile or tablet, Android, iPhone or iPad. With the successful importation of the vCard to your Google contacts, you can now have a copy of all your iCloud contacts on your Gmail which makes it accessible on all devices you’re signed in.
How to Transfer Contacts from iCloud to Gmail Automatically
Trying to workaround the automatic method. To transfer iPhone contacts to Gmail automatically, This involves changing the iPhone default syncing account from iCloud which is the default to your signed in Gmail account.
Read Also: Why is my iPhone 13 Getting Hot? Easy Tips to Fix
Firstly you’ll have to make sure your iPhone has the updated version of the iCloud contacts by ensuring the sync contacts option on your iCloud settings is enabled. To confirm, navigate the iPhone Settings >> Apple ID >> iCloud >> swipe to locate Contacts and toggle it on. Then move to the next step.
How to Change iPhone Contacts Default Account
- Open the iPhone Settings.
- Swipe up to locate Contacts.
- Tap Contacts.
- Click Default Account from the option list.
- With the default settings, iCloud will be selected.
- Tap on Gmail to switch the iPhone default account to signed in Gmail account.
Note: By doing this, all the new contacts saved to the iPhone will automatically sync with the Gmail account which will probably leave out the default iCloud account i.e changes made to your iPhone contacts might not reflect on other iCloud connected devices.
Bonus Tip:
How to Transfer Contacts from iCloud to Gmail using Google Drive
In addition, here’s yet another automatic workaround to get your iPhone contacts to Gmail without any software or connection to PC. This process involves installing Google Drive App on your iPhone. To do this;
- Open the iPhone App Store.
- Search and install Google Drive.
- Launch the App and sign in if required.
- Tap the menu icon and select Settings.
- Locate and tap Backup.
- Make sure the Contacts option is On.
- Then finally tap Start Backup to have the copy of your iPhone contacts on Gmail.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I sync iCloud to Gmail?
Syncing iCloud to Gmail to have the same updated contact list on both cloud storage is now possible unlike before.
You can easily do this by turning on the sync contacts access for your Gmail in the iPhone by navigating to Settings >> Contacts >> Accounts if your Gmail account is already signed in, just tap it and toggle on the switch that adjacent Contacts. In case you’re not signed in, tap Add Account, select Google from the account list, sign in then turn on the contact option.
However, there are also some free third-party applications that get the task of syncing contacts to Gmail done easily with a click. Like the Contacts Sync for Google Gmail which enables quick and easy syncing of Google or Outlook contacts with iPhone, giving you access to your contacts wherever you go.
Can I save my iPhone contacts to Google?
Yes, by switching the iPhone contacts Default Account to Gmail, all newly saved contacts will now be stored and sync to your Gmail account. With default, iPhone saves contacts to internal storage and syncs with signed iCloud since that’s the default account set in the Contacts settings. To change this;
Navigate to your iPhone Settings >> swipe up to locate Contacts >> Default Account then tap on Gmail to switch from the default iCloud to Gmail.
Does iCloud automatically Backup Contacts?
Yes, seeing that iPhones choose iCloud as default contact account, all contacts will back-up automatically to the iCloud account on the iPhone.
Are all iPhone Contacts stored on iCloud?
Basically, all iPhone contacts are stored on the device local drive but once you set up iCloud for Contacts by switching on Contacts option in the iCloud settings of your iPhone, your contacts will now be stored on the iCloud instead of internal storage i.e. the default contacts will be set to iCloud automatically. You can follow the steps mentioned above about how to change the iPhone default contacts account.
How do I export my entire contact list from iCloud?
You can only get access to export your entire contact list from iCloud using the iCloud webpage. Open your web browser and visit www.icloud.com.
Login with your Apple ID details, Navigate to the Contacts section of your account and Export out the contacts vCard (.vcf), you can revert to the section of this post that emphasized more on how to export contacts from iCloud successfully.
How do I export Contacts from an iPhone without iCloud?
There are numerous ways to export iPhone contacts to another platform or another iPhone without iCloud. This includes using a Google Drive App on the iPhone, Sharing selected contacts to another nearby iPhone with AirDrop, or transferring the contacts from iPhone to iPhone with iTunes software on PC.
Conclusion
Hope you found this post helpful. In a simple word, transferring of contacts from iPhone to Gmail is now possible unlike before.
Changing your device from iOS to Android and you wish to transfer your contacts from your old iPhone (iCloud) to Google contacts, adopt any of the workaround mentioned above and let’s know which one works for you.
Having issues with any steps above, you let us know in the comment section below.
