3 Quick Methods to Sync Gmail Contacts to iCloud

You may want to sync Gmail contacts to iCloud for a backup or any other personal reasons. Here in this guide, you can get 3 ways to sync Gmail contacts with iCloud in every detail.

Demi

By Demi / Updated on April 18, 2024

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How can I sync my Gmail contacts to iCloud?

What is the best way to sync Gmail contacts to iCloud and my iPhone? Is there any way to copy them to iCloud without manually retyping all the contacts on my iPhone? Thanks in advance.

- Question from Apple Community

You may have several email addresses for different use, like Gmail for personal use, iCloud for Apple devices, Outlook for work, etc. If you intend to merge all contacts into one place, sync the contacts to iPhone or iCloud must be one of the wisest choices.

There, in this guide, are three methods available to satisfy your different needs when syncing Gmail contacts to iCloud.

Gmail To iCloud

For a sake of backup Gmail contacts only, way 1 introduces you to import Gmail contacts to iCloud via iCloud.com.

If you want to get access to Gmail contacts on iPhone as soon as possible, way 2 helps you transfer selective Gmail contacts to iCloud by FoneTool.

If you prefer an automatic resolution, way 3 offers you detailed steps to sync Gmail contacts to iCloud from iPhone Settings.

Way 1. Import Gmail contacts to iCloud via iCloud.com

The website of iCloud allows you to import Gmail contacts to iCloud directly. It enables you to choose selective instead of the whole Gmail contacts that will be synced to iCloud. Two steps to complete the sync process: First, export contacts from your Gmail account. Then, import the contacts to iCloud.

Step 1. Export Gmail contacts to computer
1. Open a web browser on your computer and go to Google Contacts to sign in with your Gmail account > Click Export from the left bar to export all contacts.

Optionally, Click Contacts > Check the contacts you want to export > Tap the three-dot > Choose Export.

Select Export

2. Make sure you have chosen all wanted contacts > Choose vCard (for iOS Contacts) > Click Export.

Export Google Contacts To Vcard

Step 2. Import Gmail contacts to iCloud
1. Go to the iCloud.com > Sign in with your iCloud account > Click the Contacts icon.

2. Click the Gear icon in the lower-left corner > Choose Import vCard... to select the contacts you just exported from Gmail.

Import Vcard

Way 2. Transfer selective Gmail contacts to iPhone/iCloud by FoneTool

When it comes to transferring Gmail contacts to icloud, FoneTool is highly recommended, helping you manage data on iPhone and iCloud account on Windows PC. After exporting Gmail contacts with the steps introduced in Way 1, free download FoneTool to your computer by clicking the icon below, and you can follow the steps to transfer contacts to iPhone or upload contacts to iCloud directly.

Download FreewareWin 11/10/8.1/8/7
Secure Download

Option 1. Transfer selective Gmail contacts to iPhone

One of the main reasons why you intend to transfer Gmail contacts to iCloud may be that it makes it more convenient for you to email someone on your iPhone or iPad. Therefore, why don’t you transfer Gmail contacts to iPhone first, and sync them to your iCloud in your spare time? The transfer function in FoneTool can do you a favor.

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to PC with USB > Tap Trust on your iPhone to let your PC get access to your iPhone files.

Step 2. Open FoneTool, click Phone Transfer on the left pane, and choose PC to iPhone. Click Start Transfer to continue.

Transfer To iPhone

Step 3. Click the plus icon to browse and add the contacts you exported from Gmail to the box > Click Start Transfer to start the process.

Click Transfer

The transfer process can be finished in seconds. Now, unplug your iPhone, and go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Switch on the toggle of Contacts to sync contacts to iCloud in the background.

Enable Contacts Sync

Option 2. Upload selective Gmail contacts to iCloud 

FoneTool also enables you to upload Gmail contacts to iCloud directly in one click. Different from its iCloud website counterpart, the upload process in FoneTool can be more stable and seamless.  Here are the steps you can follow.

Step 1. FoneTool on your computer, and click My iCloud on its homepage. Sign in with your iCloud account, and enter the verification code shown on your iPhone.

sign in icloud account

Step 2. Click Manage iCloud, and choose Contacts on the next page. Tap the Upload icon to get access to Gmail contacts you saved to computer.

upload contacts

Step 3. Finally, choose Gmail contacts you'd like to backup to iCloud, and click Open to begin the task.

start upload contacts

Way 3. Sync Gmail contacts to iCloud from iPhone Settings

You can sync all Gmail contacts to iCloud with the aid of the syncing function on iPhone. Here are the detailed steps to sync Gmail contacts to iCloud from iPhone Settings.

Step 1. On your iPhone, go to the Settings app > Locate and choose Account & Passwords > Tap Add Account > Choose Google to sign in with your account and password.

Choose Google

Step 2. Toggle on the Contacts option > Tap Save to get started.

Email Sync Contacts

Wait for Gmail to save the contacts to your iPhone. If you have enabled iCloud backup before, the contacts will be immediately saved to your iCloud account.

Conclusion

That’s all for the three ways to sync Gmail contacts to iCloud in detail. Hope you have found the most satisfying and workable way to start the sync process. You can sync all Gmail contacts from iPhone Settings. Alternatively, you can sync selective contacts via FoneTool or iCloud client, which make you a clear idea about the synced Gmail contacts.