You can save a contact to an iPhone by entering the details yourself, reviewing a suggested contact, receiving someone’s details with NameDrop, or importing information from a file, SIM, or directory. If you want the contact to appear in a particular service or sync to another device, check which account will store it.
Choose a method based on what you have
| What you have | Method | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| A person’s name and details | Add the contact manually | One contact, with no file or sharing setup |
| Contact details suggested from app activity | Review a contact suggestion | When iPhone offers details you would otherwise type |
| The other person is nearby with a compatible device | NameDrop | Receiving details or exchanging selected details |
| A .vcf file in email or a message | Import the vCard | Saving the contact represented by the file |
| Contacts on a GSM SIM | Import from the SIM | Bringing SIM-stored contacts into Contacts |
| Access to a GAL, CardDAV, or LDAP directory | Save a directory result | Adding someone listed in an available organization or server directory |
| A Google, Exchange, Yahoo, or other supported account | Enable its contacts | Making that account’s contacts available and choosing where new contacts go |
The first six options are ways to add or import a person’s details. Enabling an account is different: it connects an address book to Contacts and can affect where new entries are stored.
1. Add a contact by hand
Manual entry is the straightforward choice when you have a name and number but no contact card or import source.
- Open the Contacts app.
- Tap Add or the add-contact button.
- Enter the person’s name and any details you have, such as a phone number, email address, or company.
- Tap Done.
2. Review a suggested contact
iPhone may suggest contact details based on information in apps such as Mail and Calendar. Suggestions are not guaranteed to appear, and you should check the proposed name and details before saving them.
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To review suggestion controls, open Settings > Apps > Contacts > Siri. Depending on the iOS interface, the controls may appear under Apple Intelligence & Siri. Options such as Show Contact Suggestions and Learn from this App control whether suggestions are shown and whether Siri can learn from app activity.
3. Receive or exchange details with NameDrop
NameDrop lets two people share new contact information while their devices are close together. Hold the top of your iPhone near the other person’s iPhone or supported Apple Watch and wait for the NameDrop prompt.
- Choose whether to receive the other person’s contact information only or to share and receive.
- If you are sharing your own contact, select the card fields you want to send.
- Wait for the transfer to finish. Moving the devices apart or locking the iPhone before completion cancels the exchange.
NameDrop does not update an existing contact. Apple’s Personal Safety guide, published in October 2024, says NameDrop requires iOS 17.1 or later on both iPhones, or watchOS 10.1 or later for an Apple Watch. The guide lists Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), Series 7 and later, and Apple Watch Ultra models as supported. It describes the shared information as the name, selected phone number or email address, and Contact Poster information—not other card fields such as a home address or birthday. Because compatibility can change, check Apple’s current guidance if a device does not show the prompt.
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4. Save a vCard attachment from Mail
A vCard is a contact file, commonly identified by the .vcf extension. If an email contains a .vcf attachment, tap the attachment and follow the import prompt to add its contact details to Contacts. Review the imported information for accuracy.
5. Save a vCard attachment from Messages
If someone sends a .vcf contact attachment in Messages, tap the file and follow the on-screen import steps. This uses the same basic vCard import process as an email attachment; the difference is where you received the file.
6. Import contacts from a GSM SIM
This option applies when contacts are stored on a GSM SIM. A SIM or carrier may not have contacts available to import.
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- Open Settings > Apps > Contacts.
- Tap Import SIM Contacts.
- Follow any prompt to choose where to import the contacts.
7. Save a person from a directory
If your iPhone has access to a Global Address List (GAL), CardDAV, or LDAP directory, you can find a person there and save their information.
- Open Contacts and tap Lists.
- Select the available directory.
- Search for the person, then tap their name to save the information.
This option depends on the relevant directory being configured or available on your iPhone. If no directory appears in Lists, ask your organization or account administrator whether you should have access.
8. Add or enable an account’s contacts
Connect an account when you want its address book available in Contacts. This is account setup, not a guaranteed one-tap way to save a particular person.
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- Open Settings > Apps > Contacts > Contacts Accounts.
- Add an account, such as Google, Exchange, or Yahoo, or select an account already listed.
- Turn on Contacts for that account.
To choose which account receives new contacts, open Settings > Apps > Contacts > Default Account and select an account. Labels and menu locations can vary by iOS version and locale.
Check where a new contact is stored
Contacts can use several accounts, including iCloud, Exchange, Google, and Yahoo. If a new person does not appear in the service or on the device where you expected to find them, check Settings > Apps > Contacts > Default Account. The selected account determines where new entries are saved; it does not necessarily change the account used for contacts that are already there.
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