Uncle Joe
Level 1 (12 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Shared vs. Local Contacts

I just started sharing contacts with colleagues via an iCloud account. I want to keep my personal contacts from syncing with said account and remain locally in an "On My Mac" account. Unfortunately, despite selecting do not merge with my contacts, all my contacts ended up on the Cloud. I've also noticed that the "On My Mac" account no longer exists in the sidebar in Contacts. How do I bring that back so I can move my personal contacts off the cloud and into it? I can't seem to find a function for creating local addressbook entries.

Posted on Aug 29, 2016 9:14 AM

by Uncle Joe,Apple recommended
Uncle Joe Uncle Joe
Level 1 (12 points)
Mac OS X
A:

Solved it myself:

 

- While still connected to iCloud, selected just my personal contacts from all the contacts then exported as vCards

- After export, delected them from shared iCloud contacts

- Disabled (unchecked) iCloud account from the Contacts / Preferences / Accounts

- "On My Mac" account reappeared in sidebar

- Created a new group in "On My Mac" at the recommendation from another discussion here

- Enabled iCloud account from the Contacts / Preferences / Accounts

- Click "On My Mac" and imported vCards

 

This time all the local contacts remained and didn't sync with the online, shared contacts

Posted on Aug 29, 2016 1:28 PM

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Uncle Joe

Q: Shared vs. Local Contacts

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Aug 29, 2016 9:49 AM in response to Uncle Joe
    Level 9 (69,599 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 29, 2016 9:49 AM in response to Uncle Joe

    Try exporting your personal contacts as vCards using Contacts/File Export. Go to System Preferences/iCloud and uncheck Contacts syncing. Do not keep the contacts. Quit and reopen contacts. Import the vCard. When things are as you want them, go back to System Preferences/iCloud and recheck syncing. Then delete your personal contacts from iCloud.

  • by Uncle Joe,

    Uncle Joe Uncle Joe Aug 29, 2016 9:54 AM in response to Eric Root
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 29, 2016 9:54 AM in response to Eric Root

    Will doing this delete all the contacts on the cloud others have added?

  • by Uncle Joe,

    Uncle Joe Uncle Joe Aug 29, 2016 10:32 AM in response to Uncle Joe
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 29, 2016 10:32 AM in response to Uncle Joe

    It seems as if the moment I sign back into iCloud the "On My Mac" account vanishes not matter what I do.

  • by Uncle Joe,Apple recommended

    Uncle Joe Uncle Joe Aug 29, 2016 1:28 PM in response to Uncle Joe
    Level 1 (12 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 29, 2016 1:28 PM in response to Uncle Joe

    Solved it myself:

     

    - While still connected to iCloud, selected just my personal contacts from all the contacts then exported as vCards

    - After export, delected them from shared iCloud contacts

    - Disabled (unchecked) iCloud account from the Contacts / Preferences / Accounts

    - "On My Mac" account reappeared in sidebar

    - Created a new group in "On My Mac" at the recommendation from another discussion here

    - Enabled iCloud account from the Contacts / Preferences / Accounts

    - Click "On My Mac" and imported vCards

     

    This time all the local contacts remained and didn't sync with the online, shared contacts