How to Sync Contacts from iPhone to Mac without iCloud

How do I export contacts from an iPhone to a Mac? You can use Wi-Fi or a USB or USB-C cable to sync your iPhone contacts to your Mac and make sure your Mac has the most recent, updated version of your contacts. Here's how!

Related: What Is iCloud & How Does It Work? Apple iCloud Basics

Want to keep your iPhone contacts updated and available on all your devices? Let's go over how to import contacts from an iPhone to a Mac without iCloud. You'll need an internet connection and an Apple ID, and can then use AirDrop or the Finder. AirDrop lets users share contacts from an iPhone to a Mac using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Finder lets users sync contacts through a USB or USB-C cable. For this article, we used an iPhone running iOS 15 and a Mac running macOS Catalina (macOS 10.15.7). Check out our free Tip of the Day for more great Mac tutorials.

Discover your iPhone's hidden features

Get a daily tip (with screenshots and clear instructions) so you can master your iPhone in just one minute a day.

How to Sync Contacts from iPhone to Mac with AirDrop

If you only have a few contacts to export, you can use AirDrop. You can share one contact at a time from your phone to your computer if you enable AirDrop.

How to Enable AirDrop on iPhone

1. First, you need to make sure your Bluetooth is enabled. Open the Control Center and tap on the Bluetooth icon to enable it.
   
   
    
2. Open the Settings app.
   
   
    
3. Tap General.
   
   
    
4. Tap AirDrop.
   
   
    
5. Check Contacts Only or Everyone so you can send contacts to your Mac.
   
   

How to Enable AirDrop on Mac

You'll also need to make sure that AirDrop is enabled on your Mac; here's how.

1. Click on the Bluetooth icon on the top menu to make sure it's on.
   
   
    
2. Click Turn Bluetooth On if it's not already.
3. Click AirDrop in the Finder menu.
4. Click the caret next to Allow me to be discovered by: and make yourself discoverable by Contacts Only or Everyone.
   
   

How to Share an iPhone Contact Using AirDrop

1. Open the Contacts app on your iPhone.
   
   
    
2. Choose the contact you want to share, then tap Share Contact.
   
   
    
3. Tap AirDrop and choose your Mac's name, or tap your Mac's name directly if it appears in the row above.
   
   
    
4. The contact should pop up on your Mac screen. Tap Open.
   
   
    
5. Click Add to add the imported contact to your Mac contacts.
   
   

How to Transfer Contacts from iPhone to Mac Using Finder or iTunes

If you have already used iCloud to sync contacts from your iPhone to your Mac, your contacts will already be automatically synced. You can only sync iPhone contacts via Finder or iTunes if you don't have iCloud enabled for Contacts.

1. Begin to sync your contacts from your iPhone to your Mac by connecting your iPhone to your Mac using a Lighting cable.
2. Open Finder (Mac OS Catalina or later) or iTunes (Mac OS Mojave and earlier) and click your iPhone under Locations.
   
   
    
3. Click Info.
   
   
    
4. Choose Sync Contacts option and click Apply.
   
   

If you enjoyed this tutorial, you may also want to learn how to let favorite contacts call you when Do Not Disturb is on, and the fastest way to share a contact from your iPhone.