Question: Permanently Add Gmail Contacts to iPhone & iCloud

Question

Level 1

(4 points)

iPhone

Question: Permanently Add Gmail Contacts to iPhone & iCloud

I have added contacts from Gmail to my iPhone. However, if I uncheck All Gmail under Contacts>Groups, those contacts no longer show up until I check All Gmail, again.

How do I get my Gmail contacts over to my iPhone and iCloud permanently so that even after unchecking All Gmail, those contacts remain there on my iPhone?

This has been a very frustrating experience. I have imported contacts from exported vCards from Gmail to iCloud and still the contacts appear to remain linked to Gmail on my iPhone. If I was to drop Gmail, I lose all those contacts and would have to reenter them in some other fashion.

iPhone 11 Pro

Posted on Apr 21, 2020 12:02 PM

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Answer 1

Joseph_S.

Community Specialist

Apr 23, 2020 7:16 AM in response to WildcatRay In response to WildcatRay

Hello WildcatRay,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities!

I understand from your post that you would like your contacts that are currently stored in Gmail to be stored in iCloud. This article will provide you with steps on how to import your contacts to www.icloud.com which will then sync to your iPhone:

Import a contact on iCloud.com - Apple Support

Best Regards.

Apr 23, 2020 7:16 AM

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Answer 2

WildcatRay

Level 1

(4 points)

iPhone

Apr 23, 2020 7:34 AM in response to Joseph_S. In response to Joseph_S.

Thanks Joseph_S. Unfortunately, I have already done that and regardless of having my Gmail account on or off my iPhone (that is the account removed from my iPhone), I am still have the issue I state in my OP.

My contention is that once I add contacts from any account, Gmail or otherwise, whatever I do with that account, those contacts should remain on my iPhone unless I specifically say to remove them.

Again, thanks.

Apr 23, 2020 7:34 AM

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Answer 3

IdrisSeabright

Level 10

(117,886 points)

iPhone

Apr 23, 2020 8:11 AM in response to WildcatRay In response to WildcatRay

WildcatRay wrote:

Thanks Joseph_S. Unfortunately, I have already done that and regardless of having my Gmail account on or off my iPhone (that is the account removed from my iPhone), I am still have the issue I state in my OP.

Then it sounds as if you the transfer of contacts from your Gmail account to your iCloud account wasn't successful. I'd suggest trying the process again.

My contention is that once I add contacts from any account, Gmail or otherwise, whatever I do with that account, those contacts should remain on my iPhone unless I specifically say to remove them.

Although I understand that's how you would like it to work, it's not how it actually works. Contacts are associated with an account and synced to your phone. If you remove the account, they are removed from the phone.

What kind of computer do you have, Mac or Windows? I think, if you import the contacts from Gmail to contacts on your computer and then sync them to the phone via USB, you might be able to do what you want.

Sync contacts and calendars between your Mac and iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Sync app info from your PC to devices with iTunes - Apple Support

Apr 23, 2020 8:11 AM

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Answer 4

WildcatRay

Level 1

(4 points)

iPhone

Apr 24, 2020 7:22 AM in response to IdrisSeabright In response to IdrisSeabright

I have tried to import my Gmail contacts to iCloud several times including using iTunes. On my windows computer and using my browser, I see the imported contacts in iCloud. However, they never get uploaded to my iPhone despite it being set up to use iCloud. And, yes, I have switched Contacts off and back on saying to keep and merge, respectively.

This is very frustrating because you are telling me that Apple does not respect my wishes for what I want to do with my data. My contacts are my data and I should not a slave to whether or not I continue to have my Gmail account on my iPhone.

See all the "mys" there. Apple needs to wake up and fix this

Where do I compl..., er, provide my feedback to Apple to correct this oversight?

Apr 24, 2020 7:22 AM

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