How to Back Up iPhone Contacts: 11 Steps (with Pictures)

Apple iPhones store gigabytes (GB) of data, including music, photos, contacts, mail, notes and calendars. However, you need to set up a backup procedure to ensure you don’t lose important contacts if your iPhone is damaged or lost. Read the instructions below to learn how to backup iPhone contacts using two different methods. Most IT experts suggest that you use both methods to improve your chances of securing important data.
STEPS
METHOD 1 OF 2: ITUNES BACKUP

1

CONNECT YOUR IPHONE TO YOUR COMPUTER. Plug in the cable that came with your iPhone into your phone and your personal computer.
Ensure that your Windows/Mac Computer contains the iTunes application before you connect your phone.
Use your Apple 30-Pin to USB cable or the Apple Lightning to USB cable that arrived with your iPhone. The Lightning to USB cable contains a smaller charger port and is only available on newer iPhones.

2

OPEN THE ITUNES APPLICATION ON YOUR COMPUTER.

3

FIND AND SELECT YOUR IPHONE DEVICE FROM THE LEFT COLUMN IN ITUNES.
For example, it may read “Jim Sharp’s iPhone,” if you have previously set up your Apple ID.

4

CHOOSE THE “INFO” TAB AT THE TOP OF THE IPHONE PAGE. This is the tab located between “Summary” and “Apps.”
Find the section entitled “Sync Contacts.” Select the option to sync contacts, if it is not already selected.


If the Sync Contacts section says “Your contacts are being synced with your iPhone over the air,” this means you are currently set up for iCloud backup. You can either change the setting on your iPhone for manual backup or move on to the next method.

5

RETURN TO THE SUMMARY PAGE. Click the “Back Up Now” button under the “Backups” section.
You can also right click on the iPhone device in the left hand column. #Select “Back Up” from the list of options.
Repeat this method every few days, if you do not use iCloud, or repeat it every week to month if you do use iCloud backup.
METHOD 2 OF 2: ICLOUD BACKUP

1

SET UP YOUR APPLE ID, IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY. iCloud should be installed on all iPhones when you set up your new device.
You receive 5GB of iCloud storage free with your Apple ID account.
Make sure your iPhone is running the latest operating system. You can check for updates in the “App Store” application.

2

GO TO THE “SETTINGS” APPLICATION ON YOUR IPHONE. Look for “iCloud” and select it.

3

ENTER YOUR APPLE ID. Once you sign in, you will be able to control the iCloud settings on your phone.

4

SELECT THE OPTION TO “USE ICLOUD.”
If you opt not to use iCloud, you will need to backup your contacts using the first method.

5

CLICK ON THE ICLOUD OPTION IN YOUR SETTINGS APPLICATION. Look for “Contacts.” Slide the button to “On,” if it is indicated as “Off.”
Peruse the list of other data that iCloud can backup. Slide the button to “On” for anything you would like to backup regularly and automatically.

6

WAIT FOR THE ICLOUD TO BACKUP AUTOMATICALLY. It should backup regularly without needing to prompt it.
Select the “Storage and backup” option from the bottom of the iCloud settings. Scroll to the bottom of the page. At the very bottom, you will see the last date and time of backup. If it only shows a time, it has already backed up the contacts and other iPhone data today.


You can force a backup by clicking the “Back Up Now” button just above the latest backup time.


THINGS YOU\'LL NEED
Apple 30-pin to USB cable
Apple Lightning to USB cable
iTunes application
Latest version of iOS
Apple ID
TIPS
Apple suggests that the best way to backup your iPhone contacts is through the iCloud application. It is designed to work with your applications to automate the process.
SOURCES AND CITATIONS
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1296
http://www.everythingicafe.com/how-to-backup-iphone-contacts/2012/03/19/
http://osxdaily.com/2012/06/14/how-to-back-up-your-iphone-contacts/
ARTICLE INFO
Categories: IPhone
Recent edits by: CJ_Blardony, Maluniu, Kmparks
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