MobiKin

What If Contacts Didn't Transfer to New iPhone/iPad? [8 Solutions for You]

It is so exciting to get a new iPhone. (What to do when you get a new phone?) And the first thing you're going to do next could be the contact migration from your old iPhone to the new one. Yet, sometimes it doesn't go as well as you thought it would. According to Apple Support Community, many iPhone users complained that contacts didn't transfer to new iPhone when they made the copy with iCloud.

Well, if the predicament is facing you as well, just go through this easy tutorial with eight viable solutions. We hope it will get you up and running after reading.

 fix contacts didnt transfer to new iphone

Part 1: Why Didn't My Contacts Transfer to My New iPhone?

Before getting into the point, some may be interested in figuring out what is responsible for contacts not transferring to new iPhone. OK, here are the main reasons:

  • Different Apple Accounts: To move iPhone contacts to new phone via iCloud, the iCloud credential on two devices should be the same, or the contacts won't be transferred.
  • Poor Network Connection: Stable network connection is the premise of syncing contacts between iOS devices.
  • Contacts Syncing is Disabled: You need to ensure that the contacts syncing option has been enabled on your new iPhone. Otherwise, the transfer will be halted.

Click to Learn:

Part 2: How to Fix the "Contacts Didn't Transfer to New iPhone" Issue? (8 Solutions)

Solution 1: Ensure You Use the Same iCloud Account on New iPhone

Primarily, you have to sign in to iCloud with your old account or create a new one when getting a new iPhone. This will make it easy for you to use Apple Store, FaceTime, or other applications. One important thing is that you need to make sure you log in to the same iCloud account on the devices, which can largely avoid "contacts did not transfer to new iPhone". Here are the directions for checking your iCloud account:

  • Go to iPhone "Setting". If you have logged in, you ought to see your name.
  • Then you will find your Apple ID and your iCloud account.
  • Make sure you use the same account on old and new iPhone.
  • use the same icloud account on new iphone

  • If you haven't logged in to any iPhone, select "Sign in" to your device and enter your Apple ID and passcode. (Want to reset the iCloud password on iPhone/iPad?)

Solution 2: Reset Network Settings

An unstable network connection is accountable for "not all contacts transferred to new iPhone". Thus you need to make sure the WiFi network is strong enough on both iPhones. You can now follow the drill below to reset network settings:

  • Go to iPhone Settings > General.
  • Click on Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will reset your WiFi networks, passwords, as well as cellular Settings.

reset network settings on iphone

Solution 3: Set iCloud as the Default Account

If the new iPhone is with no contacts after the transfer, maybe the items are set to sync with other accounts like Gmail or Yahoo instead of iCloud. In this case, your contacts will keep transferring to those sources. And you can try to set the iCloud as the default account as follows:

  • Open the Contacts app > Tap on Groups at the top-left corner.
  • Uncheck everything except for the All iCloud option.
  • Tap Done. Your contacts will then only fetch contacts from your iCloud account.

Solution 4: Enable Contacts on iCloud

My contacts didn't transfer to my new iPhone. There's a slim chance that you didn't turn on Contacts on iCloud. It's easy to fix this issue. And all you need to do is enable Contacts on iCloud from your new iPhone. To do it, open the Settings app and tap your name. Next, tap on iCloud and enable the Contacts option.

enable contacts on icloud

Know More:

Solution 5: Check iCloud Storage

When you set up iCloud, you'll get 5GB of storage by default. You may encounter "contacts didn't sync to new iPhone" if your iCloud is running out of space. And you could bear the cost of additional space. Now, follow the steps to check the iCloud storage available on your iPhone:

  • Go to iPhone Settings > [your name] > iCloud.
  • For iOS 11 or later, click Manage Storage > Backup > check iCloud storage.
  • For iOS 10.3 or earlier, please tap on iCloud > Storage to view the storage available.

 check icloud storage to fix contacts not transferring to new iphone

Solution 6: Transfer Contacts via iTunes

iTunes, an alternative to iCloud, assists in transferring contacts from one Apple device to another. When contacts did not transfer to new iPhone, you could try iTunes instead. Yet, please note that it will put all the unnecessary stuff you don't want on your new device. Here's how to transfer contacts to new iPhone 13/12/11/XR/Xs/X/8 via iTunes:

  • To start with, download and install the latest version of iTunes on a computer.
  • Connect your source iPhone to your computer and run iTunes.
  • Click the Device section > Select This Computer.
  • Click Back Up Now, and wait for the backup to complete.
  • transfer contacts from one iphone to another via itunes

  • Disconnect the old phone and plug in your new iPhone.
  • Click Restore Backup… at the Summary tab on iTunes.
  • Finally, choose the backup that includes the contacts you want to transfer.
  • Click on Restore to make it.

Solution 7: Sync Contacts to New iPhone with AirDrop

If not all of my contacts transferred to new iPhone, you can try AirDrop, the built-in function on iDevices, to copy contacts over. However, this feature fully relies on the Internet connection, and your security might be compromised. Next, let's see how to do it via AirDrop. (What if AirDrop is not working on iPhone?)

  • Open Control Center on the old iPhone and enable AirDrop.
  • Do the same on the new iPhone as well.
  • Open the Contacts app from the source phone and select the contacts you want to transfer.
  • Press Share Contact.
  • sync contacts to new iphone with airdrop

  • Choose your new iPhone's name and your contacts to trigger the transfer.

Solution 8: Transfer Contacts to New iPhone with Transfer for Mobile

You are probably baffled by the "new iPhone, not all contacts transferred", or even no data moved over. And chances are that You just wish to get the job done quickly without minimum effort. Then MobiKin Transfer for Mobile (Win and Mac) could be your go-to solution. This program is in a position to transfer data between cellphones without respect to the OS they are running.

Main features of MobiKin Transfer for Mobile:

  • Transfer contacts from iPhone to iPhone, Android to iPhone, iPhone to Android, Android to Android.
  • Work for such data types as contacts, text messages, call records, photos, videos, calendars, music, notes, bookmarks, and more.
  • Easy to handle, clean interface, quick transfer, etc.
  • Run smoothly on various iOS and Android devices, including iPhone 14/13/13 Pro (Max)/13 mini/12/12 Pro (Max)/12 mini, iPhone 11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max, iPhone X/XR/Xs/Xs Max, iPhone 8/8 Plus, iPhone 7/7 Plus, iPhone 6/6S/6 Plus, iPod touch, iPad, Samsung, Xiaomi, Motorola, Sony, LG, Google, Huawei, HTC, etc.
  • It won't divulge your privacy.

win phone transfer mac phone transfer

How to transfer contacts to a new iPhone with Transfer for Mobile?

Step 1. Launch the software

Install and start the program on your computer after the download. Then connect your two iPhones to this computer with two USB cords.

launch transfer for mobile

Note: To let the program recognize your iPhones, you're required to tap "Trust" when prompted. If the popup refuses to display, you can follow the prompts on the program screen to achieve just that.

Step 2. Check the positions of your iPhones

After the recognition, ensure your iPhone with contacts to be moved is the source phone, and the other one, the destination. If they are misplaced, click "Flip".

connect two iphones to computer

Step 3. Transfer contacts to the new iPhone

Mark the "Contacts" tab and click on "Start Copy" to transfer contacts from one iPhone to another. The transfer will be done at short notice.

transfer contacts to new iphone with transfer for mobile

Last Part

Well, are you still haunted by contacts not transferring to the new iPhone? Honestly, it is tedious and time-consuming to try all avenues one by one. Often, many may not want to attempt any of the workarounds above for a possible outcome. For simplicity and efficiency, MobiKin Transfer for Mobile can surely be included in your preferred solution. Finally, welcome to share this post on social media if you find it valuable.

win phone transfer mac phone transfer

Related Articles:

How to Sync Google Contacts with iPhone 14/13/12/11/X/8 Plus/8/7/6S?

[4 Ways] How to Transfer Contacts from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud?

How to Import VCF to iPhone 14/13/12/11/11 Pro/11 Pro Max/X? (Productivity Tips)

2 Efficient Methods to Backup and Restore iPhone without iTunes

How to Transfer Contacts from Computer to iPhone 14/13/12/11/11/XR/Xs/X?

[Updated] How to Print Contacts from iPhone? It's a Cinch!

Sara Arnot
Sara ArnotSenior Editor
 
Sara Arnot earned a bachelor's degree in engineering in 2016 and spent 2 years on software testing. Passionate on writing, she joined MobiKin Team, specializing in Mobile Phone Transfer, HEIC Converter, and Virtual Location. As an all-rounder, she often conducts training for new employees. Alongside excelling in post writing, she stays tuned to tech news to offer her audience top-notch services.
Home> Resource> Mobile Phone Transfer> What If Contacts Didn't Transfer to New iPhone/iPad? [8 Solutions for You]
Feedback

FeedbackHelp us make our website better for you

Please select your question type and we'll guide you to the right service team.