How to Sync Contacts from iPhone to iPad: Top 3 Ways

How to transfer contacts from iPhone to iPad? You can use iCloud, AirDrop or the professional iPhone data transfer tool to easily make it!

Kathy

By Kathy / Updated on September 14, 2024

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After getting a new iPad, you may need to sync iPhone to iPad to copy important data especially the contacts. Since the contacts are needed if you want to send iMessages or make a Facetime call. Here in this guide, I’ll show you how to import contacts from iPhone to iPad using iCloud, AOMEI FoneBackup, or AirDrop.

  • If you want to sync all contacts, you can turn on the Contacts sync in iCloud.
  • If you want to transfer selected contacts or need to move multiple files between different Apple IDs, AOMEI FoneBackup can help you a lot.
  • If you just want to share one or two contacts, AirDrop is the quickest way.

Method 1. How to sync contacts from iPhone to iPad using iCloud 

iCloud is the official cloud storage service to help users store iOS data as well as sync data across Apple devices. If you want to copy all contacts, then you can use iCloud.

Once you have turned on the Contacts in iCloud, all your iPhone contacts will be synced to iCloud server. If you turn on Contacts on other devices that log in with the same Apple ID, the contacts on that device will also be merged to iCloud. When you add or update a contact, iCloud makes the change everywhere.

On your iPhone: Go to Settings > Tap [your name] > iCloud > Turn on Contacts > When you're asked if you want to Merge or Cancel, tap Merge.

Enable Contacts Sync

On your iPad: Do the same above to turn on the Contacts in iCloud.

Once the contacts on iPhone are syncing to new iPad, you can go to the Contacts app and pull down from the top of the screen to refresh the contacts.

🌟 Why aren't my Contacts syncing from iPhone to iPad?

Make sure you're signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID on all of your devices. Then check you've turned on Contacts, Calendars and Reminders in your iCloud settings. Check that the date and time settings on your device are correct for your current location. If all things are right, then you may need to choose another way to finish the process.

Method 2. How to transfer contacts from iPhone to iPad with different Apple ID

iCloud only allows you to sync all contacts from iPhone to iPad with the same Apple ID. So here comes another free iPhone data transfer tool - AOMEI FoneBackup to help you transfer selected & multiple contacts between iPhone and iPad with different Apple IDs.

AOMEI FoneBackup
Fast iPhone Data Transfer Software
  • Transfer unlimited contacts between iPhone/iPad and PC.
  • 1000 + contacts can be moved within minutes.
  • Easily preview and select data you need to transfer.
  • Various iPhone/iPad models are supported (iPhone 16/iPad 10).

Now you can download the tool on your PC and follow the steps below to get how to copy contacts from iPhone to iPad.

  • Firstly, you need to move contacts from iPhone to your PC.
  • Then you can transfer contacts from PC to your iPad.

Step 1. Launch AOMEI FoneBackup > Connect your iPhone to computer via the USB cable > Tap Trust on the home screen to let your computer access the iPhone data.

Step 2. Click Phone Transfer on the main interface. Move the mouse to iPhone to PC. Click Get Started.

transfer to computer

Step 3.  Go to the Contacts option > Select contacts you want to transfer and click OK to confirm.

select contacts

Step 4. Check the data you need > Change storage location from the Transfer Settings option > Click Start Transfer to begin.

start transfer iphone contacts

Step 5. Unplug the iPhone and connect the iPad to computer. Go to PC to iPhone and choose targeted contacts to move.

start transfer contacts from PC to iPad

💡 Tip: With AOMEI FoneBackup, you can also export contacts from iPhone/iPad to csv/vcf/Excel.

Method 3. How to transfer contacts from iPhone to iPad wirelessly

If you just like to share one or two contacts from iPhone to iPad, the quickest way is using AirDrop. Turn on the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on both iPhone and iPad. If either of the devices has a Personal Hotspot on, please turn it off. See the steps below to share contacts from iPhone to iPad via AirDrop.

Step 1. Turn on AirDrop on iPhone & iPad

Open Control Center > Press and hold on the wireless control box > Tap AirDrop and choose Contacts Only, or Everyone. Or you can go to Settings app > General > Find AirDrop and turn it on.

Access AirDrop

⚠️Note:
  • If you choose “Contacts Only”, only your contacts can see your device. If you choose “Everyone”, all nearby Apple devices using AirDrop can see your device.

Step 2. AirDrop contacts from iPhone to iPad

On your iPhone: Go to Contacts app > Find and tap the contact you’d like to share > Tap Share Contact option > Choose AirDrop > Choose your iPad.

Share Contact

On your iPad: Hit Accept on your iPad to receive the contact > Go to the Contacts app to check the shared contacts.

💡 Tip: If the AirDrop feature stuck during the process, find solutions in this Airdrop stuck on waiting guide.

Conclusion

That’s all for how to sync contacts from iPhone to iPad. iCloud, AOMEI FoneBackup, and Airdrop can perform this. If you prefer a flexible way to transfer needed contacts, then AOMEI FoneBackup can be the best choice. It lets you preview and select the contacts you want to transfer to your iPad even if they are using different Apple IDs. Besides contacts, it also lets you transfer photos, songs, videos and ringtones. 

💡 Tip: iPhone X and later models support eSIM. And iPhone 14 and later models in the USA even removed the SIM card slot. If you need to transfer contacts from SIM to eSIM, to avoid any error occurring, you can use AOMEI FoneBackup to backup your iPhone contacts to computer.
Kathy
Kathy · Editor
Kathy is an editor of AOMEI FoneBackup, who is professionally trained and guided in mobile backup and data transfer, as well as skilled in solving iOS-related issues. She enjoys traveling, and finding relaxation in being close to nature. She is also enthusiastic about engaging in social activities and spends much of her free time with her friends.