Apple contacts

<— Return to: https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/contacts-YwlLi3yhL6

<— Previous lesson: https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/android-contacts-8RDyPWRGSI

—> Next lesson: https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/google-contacts-3tc7A2uA48

—> Go deeper:https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/icloud-contacts-TBEaekYGYC


Getting your existing contacts on your new phone is helpful for a smooth transition. However, there are a few things to be aware of.

Privacy Concerns

If you are using your same SIM service, your cellular service provider will have a new record of texts/calls made from this phone and can see that you're contacting the same people. We suggest that everyone eventually move to communicating exclusively through encrypted communications services. Consider communicating with your friends & family to opt for private communication platforms too, like what an Above Phone and Above Privacy Suite offers.

Some apps (like Telegram & Signal) will request access to your contacts. Even if you are using a new SIM card and a new account on these applications, your contacts can be used to identify who you are.

Be careful before giving apps access to your contacts.

Exporting contacts from iOS

If you want to transfer your contacts from an iPhone, the recommended strategy will depend on your version and situation


iOS 16 or later

If your device is running iOS16 or later, you can (finally) just use the default Contacts app to export your contacts into a vCard file (.vcf).

After opening it, push on 'Lists' at the top left.

Hold down on All contacts or on a specific lists - this should give you an option to export all your contacts within that list.

This newly generated .vcf file can then be directly shared via different apps (be careful which apps you choose, as you may be giving your data to them!)

With all your contacts exported to a .vcf file, you can now transfer this file to the Above Phone and import your contacts directly.

Note: we don't necessarily recommend to update your operating system just for this, if you prefer running a lower version of iOS.


iOS 15

There is a free and privacy focused app for iOS 15 that allows to export and then share contacts in a similar way: Export Contacts Pro

Please be aware that there are other apps on Apple's App store which can export your contacts, but most of them will also harvest that data or cost extra money. Be very careful with the apps you install and give permission to your contacts, check the App Privacy section and read the Privacy Policy or Terms of usage before using!

 

Exporting contacts from macOS

If you have a macOS computer or MacBook, you may want to check whether your contacts were synced over already. Open your Contacts app on the computer and see what you can get from there.

To export, go to 'Edit' towards the top left, where you'll find the 'Export' functionality.

  1. Go to Contacts app on your macOS system.




  2. Select one of your contacts - it should highlight in blue.

  3. Now in the toolbar on the top left go to Edit > Select All 
    -> all your contacts should now be selected and highlighted in blue

  4. With all contacts selected, choose File > Export > Export vCard.

  5. You can now choose a location and what the exported file will be called - then click Save.
    Take note of both things to then easily find your .vcf file


This .vcf file can now be transferred and then imported on the Above Phone.




Exporting contacts from iCloud

After logging in to iCloud (from any device) all contacts that are listed in icloud.com/contacts can be exported into a .vcf file. We have a detailed guide with pictures for this process right here.

To transfer iCloud contacts directly from your Above Phone, check out this guide:
iCloud contacts

Quick process overview:

If you use a laptop / computer:

  1. Go to icloud.com

  2. Sign in with your Apple ID

  3. Once signed in, visit icloud.com/contacts or select contacts from your main dashboard

  4. In the second to left sidebar, look for the 3 dots inside a circle. Click it and then click 'Select all contacts'

     

  5. Now all your contacts should be selected - then click on the 'share' symbol towards the top right (blue box with upward arrow) and click on 'Export vCard'

     

  6. Save the vCard file to your computer

  7. Send the vCard file to your Above Phone (via USB file transfer, USB thumb drive, Email, Telegram, ...)