How to extract iPhone contacts to CSV file from iTunes

Posted by Winston

Friday, 30 November 2012 09:15

OK, so you have a load of contacts on your iPhone ... Yes, they're pretty safe on your iPhone and you have a backup on your iTunes, but what if you something happens to your phone? How will you get your contacts back?

In this article, we will show you how to export your iPhone contacts and save it to a CSV format (comma separate values).

iTunes 10 users click here

iTunes 11 users click here

This format is viewable using Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet applications, and be used to import into other email platform such as Gmail (we will show you how in another article).

Follow these simple steps ...

Step 1: Using iTunes 10.x to backup and sync your iPhone contacts

1_itunes

Click on the device
Select "Info"
Check the box "Sync contacts with" ...
Select "Windows Contacts"
Click "Sync"
(You iPhone contacts will be saved in a folder called "Contacts" within your Windows profile - See Step 2)

Using iTunes 11 (or above) to backup and sync your iPhone contacts

itunes_11a

Connect your iPhone and click on the device (as circled above)

itunes_11b

Click on "Info" as shown above

itunes_11c

Once you clicked on "Info" the aobe page will be displayed
Check "Sync contacts with" ...
Select "Windows Contacts"
Click "Sync"
(You iPhone contacts will be saved in a folder called "Contacts" within your Windows profile - See Step 2)

Step 2: Export your contacts

2_windows_contacts

Locate your "Contacts" folder in your Windows profile
Select "Export" (top right hand corner)
Select "CSV (Comma Separated Values)"
Click on "Export"

3_export_contacts

Click "Browse" and then choose the folder you want to save the file to
Enter a file name ...
Click "Save"

That's it ... all done! Now you have a copy of your contacts in CSV format saved in a folder of your choice. This file is viewable using Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet applications, and be used to import into other email platforms such as Gmail for active sync'ing. Click on the link ... and we will show you how it's done!