How to sync contacts from iMac to iPad and to iPhone

Question

Level 1

13 points

How to sync contacts from iMac to iPad and to iPhone

I did clean up and complete my Contacts on iMac (version 10.11.6) and then tried several times to sync these (81 cards) with Contacts on my iPad and iPhone (SE).
Every time I do this (using iTunes) I do not get all 81 cards on the other devices and my correct Contacts on my iMac become changed.

I just installed iCloud but the mess only gets larger.

If possible I would prefer using iTunes for this operation.

I can not find any clear "step-by-step" advice how to do this.

Only a lot of talk and advices that only increase my confusion.

I wonder whether it would not be best to first of all remove all Contacts from iPad and iPhone and then "move" (how?) my Contacts from iMac to iPad and iMac.

But I don't even manage to remove the Contacts from iPad and iPhone in "one action" I prefer not to remove these addresses one by one.

Please be so kind as to help and be aware that I am far from being a software specialist, so I prefer simple "step-by-step" advice.

Thank you very much!

Harry

Posted on Sep 28, 2016 12:04 AM

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Answer 1

anonyme4321

Level 6

17,275 points

Sep 28, 2016 12:13 AM in response to Muizen

Hi Muizen,

The official "Apple Way" now is really to use iCloud.

I would export all your contacts from your iMac like so: http://osxdaily.com/2015/07/14/export-contacts-mac-os-x/

Then delete every contacts from every devices that you have

Then enable iCloud contacts on all of those devices

Then reimport your previously exported contacts to your iMac and it should sync everywhere.

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Answer 2

Muizen Author

Level 1

13 points

Sep 28, 2016 3:31 AM in response to anonyme4321

Hallo Anonyme:

Thank you for your advice.
I have the following questions

You are writing:

1) Then delete every contacts from every devices that you have

- Should I delete all contacts in iMac, IPad and iPhone?

- How can I delete these contacts if possible in one go?

2) Then enable iCloud contacts on all of those devices

How can I enable iCloud on my three devices?

3) Then reimport your previously exported contacts to your iMac and it should sync everywhere.

a) I seems logica that I connect iMac with IPad and iPhone via USB before importing the Contacts back to iMac.

b) Or should this be handled through Wifi. And if so in what way?

For me it seems more easy to apply "a)"

Sorry to bother you with the above questions, but I am really an user and not a programmeur of Apple devices.

Harry

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Answer 3

anonyme4321

Level 6

17,275 points

Sep 28, 2016 3:41 AM in response to Muizen

1) Then delete every contacts from every devices that you have

- Should I delete all contacts in iMac, IPad and iPhone? Yes

- How can I delete these contacts if possible in one go? I'm afraid you can't "in one go" on iOS devices

2) Then enable iCloud contacts on all of those devices

How can I enable iCloud on my three devices? Settings>General>Icloud>tick contacts

3) Then reimport your previously exported contacts to your iMac and it should sync everywhere.

a) I seems logical that I connect iMac with IPad and iPhone via USB before importing the Contacts back to iMac.

b) Or should this be handled through Wifi. And if so in what way? Just tick the contacts box in iCloud settings on every devices, it will sync through the internet

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Answer 4

Muizen Author

Level 1

13 points

Sep 28, 2016 6:03 AM in response to anonyme4321

I applied your advise and managed to get my Contacts without a problem in all three devices (iMac, iPad and iPhone)

What I didn't follow was your advise for removing all data from Contacts in the iPad and iPhone before importing the data.

Apparently removing the addresses etc. from Contacts in these devices was not necessary.

All is fine now!

Thanks very much for your help!

Harry

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