Hi
Since some time new contacts have been stored on my iPhone rather than in iCloud. The iCloud sync option in Settings is enabled.
This happens when I store phone numbers from apps such as Messages or Safari.
Is there any way to force my iPhone to store new contacts in iCloud automatically?
iPhone 15, iOS 26.3.
The iPhone has been restarted.
Kind regards,
Anders
I figured out how to solve it, and it wasn't obvious, so here's what I did:
1. I turned on contacts for another one of my accounts, in this case, one of my Gmail accounts.
2. That enabled me to set a default, which I set to iCloud.
3. I turned off the Gmail account and removed the contacts that had started to sync from there.
Now, when I add a new contact, it correctly goes into iCloud.
I figured out how to solve it, and it wasn't obvious, so here's what I did:
1. I turned on contacts for another one of my accounts, in this case, one of my Gmail accounts.
2. That enabled me to set a default, which I set to iCloud.
3. I turned off the Gmail account and removed the contacts that had started to sync from there.
Now, when I add a new contact, it correctly goes into iCloud.
Go to Settings/Apps/Contacts, scroll to the bottom and change Default Account to iCloud.
a classic UX failure:
From a design standpoint, Apple could fix this in several ways:
Thisworkaround is valuable because it demonstrates that the problem isn’t with iCloud synchronization at all—it’s with a hidden preference that users can’t access until they temporarily add another contacts-capable account.
darmitage wrote:
• a classic UX failure:
The system hides a control because it believes it’s unnecessary.
• But the underlying state can still be wrong.
• Once the control is hidden, the user has no way to correct the state.
From a design standpoint, Apple could fix this in several ways:
If there’s only one contacts account, automatically make it the default• .
Or continue to show Default Account• even when there’s only one choice (perhaps disabled with explanatory text).
• Or, if the default points to a non-visible local store, automatically migrate it to the sole available account.
Thisworkaround is valuable because it demonstrates that the problem isn’t with iCloud synchronization at all—it’s with a hidden preference that users can’t access until they temporarily add another contacts-capable account.
Please suggest it to Apple→Product Feedback - Apple
In Settings/Apps/Contacts tap Accounts, and then on iCloud, and turn on the switch for Contacts. Or for a different email server if you prefer.
Hi Lawrence
Thanks for your answer. Unfortunately there is no such option. It says “Import SIM Contacts” on the bottom.
When I search for “Default account” there is a result in Apps>Contacts. When I press the result I come to Providers and the text “Enable applications to extend their functionality to add their own contacts.”
I don’t understand what to do. Can you help me any further?
Kind regards,
Anders
Good morning, Lawrence
Once again I thank you for your support. However, that option was already active.
Do you think that Apple scan this forum and might provide an answer?
//Anders
Hello @afromnewbridge, i'm getting the same problem as you, THATS PRETTY WEIRD.
New contacts on iPhone 15 saving to iPhone, not iCloud
