How to Sync Contacts Between an iPad & an iPhone Without a Mac

Use iCloud to sync your data between your iOS devices.
... Justin Sullivan/Getty Images News/Getty Images

You don’t need iTunes installed on a Mac or PC to sync contacts between your iPad and iPhone. Use iCloud to wirelessly sync contacts between your iOS devices automatically whenever your devices are connected to the Internet. Configure your iPad, iPhone and any other iOS devices you would like to sync to use iCloud with your Apple ID. The syncing process is seamless and automatic. The iCloud settings panel enables you to choose which data to sync with iCloud on each device.

Tap the “Settings” icon in the iOS device home screen.

Tap the “iCloud” entry. The Apple ID prompt opens.

Enter your Apple ID and password. If you do not have an Apple ID, click “Create iCloud Account," then type your desired iCloud email address. The new iCloud email address becomes your new Apple ID. The iCloud settings panel displays.

Slide the “Contacts” toggle switch to “On.” Enable other syncing options as desired. You can also enable syncing for additional features, such as Find My Phone, Calendar, Mail, Reminders, Bookmarks and Notes from this screen.

Repeat these steps on each iOS device you wish to sync. Once all devices are configured, iCloud is enabled to sync your contacts across all of your your iOS devices.

  • Information provided in this article applies to devices running iOS 7. Instructions may vary slightly or significantly for other versions of iOS.
  • All of your iOS devices must use the same Apple ID for the iCloud account in order to sync in the cloud.
  • To disable the iCloud account on a device, tap “Settings,” then tap “iCloud.” Scroll to the bottom of the iCloud settings panel and tap “Delete Account.”

Randall Blackburn has worked for several Fortune 1000 companies as a technical writer over the past seven years. He has produced a wide variety of technical documentation, including detailed programming specifications and research papers. Randall has also acquired several years' experience writing web content. Randall lives and works in Austin, TX.

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