How do you import contacts if you didn't export from old OSX Address Book?

Question

Level 2

382 points

How do you import contacts if you didn't export from old OSX Address Book?

I have a bootable backup of my old PowerBook's system, but I did not export the contacts into one of the formats needed for import. And the bootable backup will not boot my new PowerBook.

I can find no method to import contacts after the fact.

1.67 GHz 17 PowerBook G4 Hi-Res DL/DVD, Mac OS X (10.4.4), The Best and Last. Au Revoir, PowerBook.

Posted on Feb 7, 2006 8:39 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Feb 7, 2006 10:20 AM in response to AppleZilla

Which OS X version was your old PowerBook running?

Reply

Answer 2

AppleZilla Author

Level 2

382 points

Feb 7, 2006 11:19 AM in response to Allan Sampson

Old system was 10.4.2
New is 10.4.4

Reply

Answer 3

Feb 7, 2006 11:53 AM in response to AppleZilla

With the Address Book quit on your new PowerBook, locate the AddressBook folder on your backup of the old system which is located in your Home folder/directory at Home > Library > Application Support > AddressBook.

Copy the backup copy of the AddressBook folder and place the copy at Home > Library > Application Support on your new Mac. If there is an existing AddressBook folder within the Application Support folder on your new Mac, this will replace it.

Launch Address Book on your new Mac and all Address Book contacts should be completely restored along with the list of Previous Recipients in Mail.

Reply

Answer 4

AppleZilla Author

Level 2

382 points

Feb 7, 2006 12:10 PM in response to Allan Sampson

That did it. Thanks, much.

Reply

Answer 5

Feb 7, 2006 12:29 PM in response to AppleZilla

You're welcome.

For future reference, the Address Book includes a backup Address Book feature.

I always use if immediately before making a number of changes to existing contact information, etc. or after adding contacts.

If a problem occurs that requires recovering from the backup file, use Revert to Address Book Backup from the Address Book selecting the backup file created and all contacts will be restored.

Reply