iphone contacts won't sync to MacBook air

Question

Level 1

4 points

iphone contacts won't sync to MacBook air

I can't get my iPhone contacts app to sync with my MacBook air. I followed all the directions. Both devices are on same wifi network. Both devices have contacts toggled on.

iPhone 15, iOS 18

Posted on Aug 13, 2025 01:47 PM

Reply

Answer 1

sberman

Level 10

271,474 points

Aug 13, 2025 02:07 PM in response to BayRocket21

What does “sync” mean exactly?
Where are your contacts housed?
- On your iPhone?
- On your Mac?
Why would you not Simply keep them in iCloud?

If your iCloud Contacts, Calendars, or Reminders won’t sync - Apple Support

Set up iCloud for Contacts on all your devices - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 2

BayRocket21 Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 13, 2025 02:36 PM in response to sberman

I keep my contacts on my iPhone contacts app. I want them to auto sync to my MacBook Air the same way my photos and calendar do. When I add a new contact to my contacts app on iPhone that new contact will not appear on my MacBook Air.

Reply

Answer 3

sberman

Level 10

271,474 points

Aug 13, 2025 03:16 PM in response to BayRocket21

BayRocket21 wrote:

I keep my contacts on my iPhone contacts app.

What do you see on your iPhone at Settings > Apps > Contacts > Contacts Accounts? If iCloud is not the only contacts-enabled entry there, follow the advice in the second article I linked above.

Reply

Answer 4

BayRocket21 Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 13, 2025 04:13 PM in response to sberman

There are four contacts-enabled entries. 1) iCloud; 2) An email address I have through a client; 3) a Yahoo email address; 4) My primary email address through Google mail. All 4 show contacts toggled ON in green. I followed the instructions in the second link you sent me to the T to no avail. Thank you for you assistance but I believe this to be a hopeless endeavor.

Reply

Answer 5

sberman

Level 10

271,474 points

Aug 13, 2025 11:33 PM in response to BayRocket21

BayRocket21 wrote:

I followed the instructions in the second link you sent me to the T

In that case, as the linked article states:

”All the contacts that you see in the Contacts app are now stored in iCloud.”

Therefore, your issue will be solved when:

You set up iCloud as your Contacts account on all your Apple devices; and
You make sure iCloud is the only account supplying Contacts to your Apple devices.

Reply