[100% Working] 4 Amazing Ways to Import CSV Contacts to iPhone

Axel Nash

Written By Axel Nash |

"I am unable to open the CSV contact on my iPhone. Is there any other way to import contacts to iPhone from Excel?"

Yes, this article will show you the different ways of importing contacts from excel to iPhone.

CSV or Comma-Separated Values file is a delimited text file storing contact information like names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and more. And it is supported by many contacts management software and email client address books. Unfortunately, The iPhone's Contacts app isn't one of them; you can't import contacts directly from a CSV file onto your iPhone. On both Mac and Windows, there are thankfully a few ways to get the files imported.

Here is how to import CSV contacts to the iPhone effectively.

import csv to iphone

Part 1: Import Contacts from Excel to iPhone Directly [Best Choice]

By default, your iPhone cannot identify the contact information stored in the CSV file, not to mention import these contacts to your iPhone contact list. Therefore, you need a great contact management tool to help you with this.

MobileTrans is a data transfer tool that can transfer contacts, text messages, photos, music, and videos between most smartphones. And with the new contact management tool, MobileTrans can help you easily import, export, and merge contacts. Therefore, you can count on MobileTrans to import CSV to your iPhone directly.

MobileTrans - Contact Management

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  • • You can import CSV/VCF Contacts to Android and iPhone
  • • Users can import contacts from Outlook directly
  • • MobileTrans can merge duplicate contacts on mobile devices
  • • Users can export contacts, transfer contacts, and backup contacts
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Step 1: Install and run MobileTrans on your PC and opt for the More option.

After that, connect the iPhone to the PC using a cable.

Step 2: Under More, you will see the Contact Management tool. Click it to proceed.

click on more to proceed

Step 3: Click on the Import button (at the bottom right) and select to import the CSV file from the multiple options

click on the import button

Step 4: Choose the CSV file and import it to your iPhone. It will take a few seconds to let the process finish.

That's it. You successfully CSV to iPhone contacts. Try MobileTrans now.

Part 2: Import Contacts into iPhone from Excel with iCloud

Although iCloud does not support CSV files, there is still a workaround. For importing contacts from excel to iPhone, you can use iCloud and Google Contacts for help. Follow the steps listed under to get this job done.

Step 1: Go to Google Contacts website and click on the Import option.

click on the import option

Step 2: If you click Select File, please upload the CSV file containing the contacts you want to import into your iPhone.

Note: The CSV contacts are imported along with the import date.

Step 3: On the left, select Export, select the correct label from the dropdown list, and click the Save button.

Step 4: Select vCard (for iOS contacts) under Export and then click Export. The CSV contacts will then convert to a vCard file.

select vcard

Step 5: log into your iCloud account on the iCloud website.

Step 6: Click Contacts, click the settings icon in the corner and choose Import vCard.

choose import vcard

Step 7: Sync your iCloud contact list to your iPhone.

Note: Your iPhone contacts need to sync with iCloud, or you cannot see the imported contacts on your iPhone.

Part 3: Import CSV to iPhone Contacts with iTunes

iTunes can sync Outlook contacts to the iPhone. You can import excel data to Outlook first and sync contacts to the iPhone via iTunes. We provide the detailed steps on using Outlook to import contacts from excel to iPhone. Let's read on.

Step 1: Open Outlook on your PC, select File > Open & Export > Import/Export, and then click Next.

Step 2: Select Comma Separated Values and click Next. Click Browse > Select the CSV file > Choose Open > Next As the destination, choose Contacts, and click Next.

Step 3: Custom fields may be defined if you want. Click Finish, and the CSV contacts will get imported to Outlook Contacts. 

click finish

Step 4: Connect your iPhone to your computer via lightning cable and launch iTunes.

Step 5: click on the device tab > click info.

Step 6: To sync contacts to iPhone, tick Sync Contacts with Outlook > select > click Apply.

click apply

Part 4: Import CSV to iPhone via Mac Contacts

As mentioned earlier, iPhone does not support the CSV format. But you can import CSV files to Mac and sync contacts between Mac and iPhone to get this job done.

Before proceeding, you must confirm that the CSV file is formatted correctly. You need to delete line breaks, ensure addresses have the same number of fields, and a tab or a comma separates fields. You can also go to the Apple support page to find more info.

Now, let's find out how to import CSV contacts to iPhone with the help of the Mac Contacts App.

Step 1: Launch the Contacts App on Your Mac

Step 2: Click on File Option and choose Import from the drop-down list.

click on file option

Step 3: Select and import the CSV file.

Step 4: Toggle on iCloud contacts.

  • Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences.
  • Click Apple ID.
  • Make sure your contacts sync across all Apple devices.

toggle on icloud contacts

Step 5: You can view the imported contacts on your iPhone now.

Conclusion

Thus, these were the best methods to efficiently import CSV contacts to the iPhone. CSV files are often helpful for saving or exporting contacts from email clients and other sources. You can either import CSV contacts with iTunes or Mac Contacts to your iPhone. Or you will have to convert CSV to VCF before importing CSV to iPhone.

Lastly, you can save time and try MobileTrans to import contacts into iPhone from CSV directly.

MobileTrans - Contact Management

Easily import contacts from VCF or CSV files to your mobile devices. Merge duplicate contacts in one click.

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Axel Nash

Axel Nash

staff Editor