# iCloud contacts **<— Return to:** @[https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/apple-contacts-4wY0ZMSbZe](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/apple-contacts-4wY0ZMSbZe) --- **<— Previous lesson:** @[https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/apple-contacts-4wY0ZMSbZe](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/apple-contacts-4wY0ZMSbZe) # Syncing iCloud contacts :::warning **Privacy disclaimer:** It is possible to keep using your synced address books and calendars provided by Apple, even when you keep your phone 'de-googled' otherwise. Please consider the implications of you providing sensitive data to a big tech giant like Apple. Consider [exporting iCloud contacts](/doc/icloud-calendars-HiLfjlMK5F#h-exporting-icloud-calendars) instead. ::: :::tip Note that it is also possible to have contacts / calendars synced in more private ways by using decentralized & open source solutions, like CardDAV and CalDAV. We provide this service to subscribers of [__Above Suite__](https://abovephone.com/products/suite). :::   :::info You can use the following guide to setup a connection to your synced calendars provided by Apple. You can also opt to then migrate your data directly onto your phone device or onto a different platform that can offer you syncing. ::: With newer versions of DAVx5 it is now possible to sync contacts (and calendars) from an iCloud account. The process is described by [DAVx5 on their website](https://www.davx5.com/tested-with/icloud) ## Generating an app-specific password A crucial part to point out is that in order to be able to access iCloud from a non-Apple device or app, the user is asked to **generate an app-specific password** and use that instead of the general user password. The idea is to not expose the actual password to a potentially untrustworthy party (from Apple’s point of view). Generating an app-specific password for an iCloud account can be done on the site [account.apple.com](https://account.apple.com) ![Generating an app-specific password](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzL2NhOWNmOTRhLWU0MGEtNDc5YS1iOTlmLTIwMDgzNGNhOTc5My9hY2RlMjIzZC0yNDMzLTQ0MzAtOTM2ZS02MjI5NTM1YWQ4NmUvaWNsb3VkX2p1bmUyMDE3X2FwcF9wYXNzd29yZC5wbmciLCJ0eXBlIjoiYXR0YWNobWVudCIsImlhdCI6MTc5NDEyMzkwMCwiZXhwIjoxNzk0MjEwMzAwfQ.IvxJEewR_mF9LzBfT_SaPIQprVllpBGv_Dq0Tgyv6z0 " =1280x720") There, head over to ***Security*** tab and the option to ***Generate Password***. :::info Here is Apple’s own guide for how to do this: ::: ## DAVx⁵ settings for iCloud accounts If you don't have the app installed, you can get it via [F-Droid](https://f-droid.org/). 1. **Open** ***DAVx⁵***  If this is the first time you're opening the app, it will ask you to set up the required permissions for it     >  on 'Tasks support' you can select '*I don't need task support*' tasks support is integrated into the *Fossify Calendar* apps (green calendar icon) ![](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzL2NhOWNmOTRhLWU0MGEtNDc5YS1iOTlmLTIwMDgzNGNhOTc5My9iNTMzYWE1Yi1mMjlmLTRkNTctODQ1OS02NTg4MTU1NDZkZjQvZGF2eDAyLnBuZyIsInR5cGUiOiJhdHRhY2htZW50IiwiaWF0IjoxNzk0MTIzOTAwLCJleHAiOjE3OTQyMTAzMDB9.CgjvvErf2I9mhU8XrVuoa3JZmYrZIyuu4dibdIQtss4 " =257x570") 2. On the *Permissions* screen, be sure to check all the sliders. On the first one '*Keep permissions*' it will forward you to the ***App info*** page of *DAVx5* and **toggle OFF** '*Manage app if unused*' ![](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzL2NhOWNmOTRhLWU0MGEtNDc5YS1iOTlmLTIwMDgzNGNhOTc5My9mOGZmOGM4Yi1iMTUzLTRhZjMtOTExNC1mZjI3ZTBjOGRmYWYvZGF2eDAzLjMucG5nIiwidHlwZSI6ImF0dGFjaG1lbnQiLCJpYXQiOjE3OTQxMjM5MDAsImV4cCI6MTc5NDIxMDMwMH0.NFjQ7s9CBJsOPFAmFWRMUBHdTMZiIIPc0HpW9MzcNRQ " =257x570")     > on '*Regular sync intervals*', you can toggle on the slider and allow ***DAVx5*** to run in the background. This will ensure seamless syncing. ## Add the account ![](https://learn.above.im/api/files.get?sig=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJrZXkiOiJ1cGxvYWRzL2NhOWNmOTRhLWU0MGEtNDc5YS1iOTlmLTIwMDgzNGNhOTc5My8yNzFmNDZiZC0zNzc4LTRlNTQtOTE1NC0xZTFlYzYwODc1NDEvZGF2eDA1LnBuZyIsInR5cGUiOiJhdHRhY2htZW50IiwiaWF0IjoxNzk0MTIzOTAwLCJleHAiOjE3OTQyMTAzMDB9.nx5JHQd_DR4cljl9njunGmi0_wsgesDrIdXeaLNgkdQ " =257x570") **__Case A: __**if your iCloud account **ends** with **@icloud.com:** 1. Choose ***Login with email address*** 2. **Email address:** your iCloud account, e.g. `example@icloud.com` **Password:** app-specific password (see above) **__Case B: __**If your iCloud account **__does not__ end** with **@icloud.com:** 1. Choose ***Login with URL*** 2. **Base URL:** `https://icloud.com` **User name:** your iCloud account, e.g. `user@host.example` **Password:** app-specific password (see above) **Contact group method:** groups are separate vCards ## Known problems 1. Sometimes, the `icloud.com` DNS entries (SRV records) for CalDAV/CardDAV seem to have problems. In this case, only calendars/only contacts are found by DAVx⁵. Most times, it should be enough to delete the account from within DAVx⁵ and then set it up again. # Export iCloud contacts This guide is for anyone who has contacts synced on iCloud and wants to directly download and import those contacts to the Above Phone. Note that it should be possible from any device to get access to iCloud in a similar way.  **Note:** If your contacts are not synced to iCloud and only stored locally on the iPhone, you can only export them individually or use a 3rd party app like [AnyTrans](https://www.imobie.com/anytrans/) to do it in bulk. In this tutorial we'll be using Vanadium as our web browser, which comes preinstalled with GrapheneOS. __Prerequisites:__ * Working internet connection on your devices * Check whether your Contacts are actually synced * You'll need your Apple ID credentials (Email & password) * You may need access to your old Apple device (iPhone, iPad) 1. Open Vanadium and type [icloud.com](https://icloud.com/?ref=kb.above.im) into the URL bar. 2. Now log in with your Apple ID to the website. To finish logging in you may be asked about a Security code, which will be displayed on your old Apple device. **NOTE:** if you don't see the number fields for the code on your Above Phone, just try pressing the numbers on the keypad. Sometimes the number fields are out of view, but they keypad still works. After successfully logging in, you should see your personal iCloud page with some of the data you have stored on it. Now, unfortunately for phones, iCloud.com will not display the *Contacts* section on the mobile version of their site - so to work around this, we'll want to change it to a ***Desktop site***: Push on **the three dots towards the top right**, then turn on **Desktop site** ![](https://kb.above.im/content/images/2024/02/Screenshot_20240108-120117.png " =190x422") Now we can actually find and select *Contacts*. You should see it inside the box towards the bottom left, where it shows the different services iCloud provides: ![](https://kb.above.im/content/images/2024/02/Screenshot_20240108-120228-2.png " =190x422") After tapping on contacts, it should take you to this page: [icloud.com/contacts/](https://icloud.com/contacts/?ref=kb.above.im) Here you will see all the contacts that have been synced with your iCloud account. ![](https://kb.above.im/content/images/2024/02/Screenshot_20240108-120502.png " =190x422") To export them, we first want to select them. Look for the **blue circle with three dots inside** of it. This will open a small box where you get the option to ***Select All Contacts***. ![](https://kb.above.im/content/images/2024/02/Screenshot_20240108-120510.png " =190x422") The selected contacts will light up blue. It will also show you the number of contacts you have selected. Next we will export them. ![](https://kb.above.im/content/images/2024/02/Screenshot_20240108-120515.png " =190x422") To export all the contacts into a single vCard file (.vcf), look for the *sharing* button. It is a **blue box with an arrow pointing upwards**, next to the + button towards the top right of the screen: ![](https://kb.above.im/content/images/2024/02/Screenshot_20240108-120524.png " =190x422") In the small box that shows up, push on **Export vCard.** This will bring up a window to download the file. ![](https://kb.above.im/content/images/2024/02/Screenshot_20240108-120635.png " =190x422") You can change the name of the vCard file, and the destination folder if you like. By default it will put it inside the *Downloads* folder. ![](https://kb.above.im/content/images/2024/02/Screenshot_20240108-120645.png " =190x422") You can now swipe down from the very top of the screen to get to the notification section. You should see the successfully downloaded **.vcf** file there. Go ahead and tap on it to import them. ![](https://kb.above.im/content/images/2024/02/Screenshot_20240108-120728.png " =190x422") Sidenote: if you have an account with [Above Suite](https://abovephone.com/suite), you can choose to directly import the contacts into your synced CardDAV account. We have a dedicated guide to help you setting up DAVx5 with Above Sync. ![](https://kb.above.im/content/images/2024/02/Screenshot_20240108-120824.png " =190x422") :::success **That's it!** To verify that all the contacts have successfully been imported, you can navigate to your ***Contacts*** app, where you should see them all listed! ::: --- **Documents** - [Getting Started](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/getting-started-2PIp21MpGq) - [Application Guides](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/application-guides-jAjlxuCIBy) - [Above Essentials](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/above-essentials-KkbCdqt7F7) - [Profiles](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/profiles-UiYjt5uT5E) - [Migrating from other devices](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/migrating-from-other-devices-h0cJeSFPOe) - [Backup & Restore](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/backup-restore-8eA0cmjC3G) - [FAQs](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/faqs-HUNU8JOych) - [Privacy Strategies](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/privacy-strategies-uHCZH7KxdC) - [Older Above Phones](https://learn.above.im/s/12aef602-75ec-4367-b619-07ad051e2a6f/doc/older-above-phones-fG3zUVbYnS)