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Zak Attack Author

Level 1

15 points

Keep iCloud and Gmail contacts in sync

Trying to figure out how to keep both my iCloud and Gmail contacts in sync.

As of right now, I'm able to add a contact within Gmail, and it'll pop up on my Macbook, iPhone or iPad. However, doing it the other way around won't show the new contact in Gmail.

For example, I'll open contacts from my Macbook or iPhone, add a contact. It'll sync between devices, but it won't show when I refresh my Gmail contacts page.

How do I go about setting this up so its a 2-way sync as opposed to just one-way (Gmail to iDevices) like it is right now?

Thank you

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9.2)

Posted on Apr 21, 2014 4:10 AM

Top-ranking reply

Brian Conner4

Level 1

14 points

Posted on Nov 15, 2014 10:18 PM

I don't know. I just added Google with an application-specific password under System Preferences->Internet Accounts, checked on Contacts. Did this on both my desktop Macmini and my Macbook Pro laptop.

Signed into iCloud on both as well, with Contacts checked on in the iCloud Sys prefs.

I added a contact on my laptop in the Contacts app under "All Google".

It showed up on my mini under the "All Google" group.

I logged into my gmail account in a browser, went to contacts, and it showed up there as well.

I then added another contact while in the gmail contacts account online in the browser.

It showed up in both Contacts apps on the mini and laptop in the "All Google" group.

No third party app needed...or am I missing something?

Can't you just use Google contacts across the board and reap the iCloud sync benefits on your Apple machines?

Why bother making iCloud-only contacts at all?

View in context

31 replies

Apr 21, 2014 4:30 AM in response to Zak Attack

Yes.

Whichever account is set to default is the one new contacts are added to.

Zak Attack Author

Level 1

15 points

Apr 21, 2014 9:33 AM in response to dU2mDUifydkRa0E9ic5A

Will iCloud still actually update itself with the new contacts even if Gmail is set to the default?

Pan iT

Level 1

0 points

May 9, 2014 1:00 AM in response to Zak Attack

Go to contacts, groups and select show icloud and gmail contacts. Then select a contact and just merge the icloud and gmail contact cards in changes menu.

Supermat

Level 1

0 points

Jul 1, 2014 4:34 AM in response to Pan iT

Sorry, where did you find the "changes" menu? Don't seem able to find it...

Jul 15, 2014 5:41 PM in response to doogles

Any luck with this tool?

Aug 3, 2014 9:29 PM in response to Ai3d

"Contacts Sync for Google Gmail" works perfectly as well. I've been using it for over a year. Does exactly what you want it to (sync Gmail and iCloud contacts, including groups).

Ryan

Feb 5, 2016 12:24 PM in response to Brian Conner4

Thank you so much! This was exactly the info that calling up the help in my macbook should have provided regarding the subject. :-)

stewstev

Level 1

0 points

Mar 20, 2016 8:51 AM in response to RBSupport

Does it sync in the background (automatically) or do you have to keep going into the app to sync them?

stewstev

Level 1

0 points

Mar 20, 2016 8:52 AM in response to Ai3d

Does it sync in the background (automatically) or do you have to keep going into the app to sync them?

Jul 25, 2016 7:52 PM in response to Zak Attack

Yes, I also used the "Contact Mover & Account Sync for Exchange..." and it works great. Costs $3.99 for unlimited sync but it is well worth it.

Csound1

Level 9

60,033 points

Jul 25, 2016 7:54 PM in response to Zak Attack

iCloud and Google contacts don't sync, they are 2 different contact managers, so use whichever you like

Aug 27, 2016 7:29 PM in response to Ai3d

What's the difference between "Contacts Sync for Google Gmail" and "Contact Mover & Account Sync"?

Eric Root

Level 10

684,591 points

Aug 28, 2016 10:30 AM in response to slacker032

You might want to consider starting a new discussion. Since this one is a couple of years old, less people are likely to look at it. A new post would be much more visible. You can link to this one.

alexrazd

Level 1

12 points

Oct 17, 2016 6:05 AM in response to jonesr457

Excellent advise. Worked for me.

May 25, 2017 1:22 PM in response to Ai3d

It also worked for me. Thanks! This has been a huge frustration.

Keep iCloud and Gmail contacts in sync