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contacts not syncing between devices

Hi - am using a 2020 iMac, an M1 MacBook Air, 3rd gen 12.9 inch iPad Pro, and an iPhone 15 Pro Max. My contacts are not syncing across these devices. All are set up to sync with the cloud, but it isn’t happening. All of my other apps are fine, and I have no trouble with photos, Notes, or any of the Apple apps syncing, but contacts haven’t been doing it for a while. All devices are up to date on their OS updates and all have syncing enabled for contacts. Contacts is the only one that is problematic. Any thoughts or assistance would be greatly appreciated. Apparently I have to tag my device below, but it is the same across all of them.



iMac 27″, macOS 14.6

Posted on Aug 18, 2024 4:11 PM

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6 replies

Aug 21, 2024 8:22 AM in response to bensrose

You need to see the article If your iCloud Contacts, Calendars or Reminders aren't syncing - Apple Support specially point 4 in the article .

The contacts should be created in Mac address book , under section All iCloud , select the contact ( use command and A keys ) , copy it ( use command and C keys ) , and paste ( use command and V keys ) to a group created .

Groups don't sync , this will stop syncing those particular contacts to the second Mac / other devices .


Aug 21, 2024 7:55 AM in response to bensrose

You can't sync Mac and iPhone , iPad with different Apple ID , for that you need to have exactly same Apple ID signed in between Mac / iPhone / iPad on the same network .

Say if Apple ID example1@icloud.com is signed in Mac system preferences and a different Apple ID is signed in iPhone ( just open system preferences using Mac spotlight ) , you will see your Apple ID signed in address .

You can change Apple ID from Mac , by signing in with its credentials at appleid.apple.com see the steps , the Apple ID of your iPhone has to be established in Mac Change your Apple ID - Apple Support , now both Apple ID are signed as same but other steps are to be followed what to do when Apple ID is changed What to do after you've changed your Apple ID or password - Apple Support 

Once done the contacts box must be turned as on in iPhone / Mac Set up and use iCloud Contacts - Apple Support 

Those contacts will be reflected in www.icloud.com see View contacts on iCloud.com - Apple Support

See this thread also Get Contacts data back on Mac ? - Apple Community


Aug 21, 2024 8:10 AM in response to tygb

Thank you for your response. I should have said - all of the devices use the same Apple ID and are all logged into the same network. I also use the same ID in iCloud. There was a time when they did all synchronize, and ALL of my other apps sync - messages, mail, etc. Only the contacts are not syncing properly. That's why I asked - I was wondering if anyone else had the same experience. I have also tried altering contacts in iCloud to see if they synced back to the phone or other devices. They didn't.

Aug 22, 2024 8:09 PM in response to bensrose

I did just notice that a test contact in Contacts I put into my Macbook air this morning showed up on my iPhone in my contacts, but the one on my iPhone didn't come over to my Macbook. Calendar seems to work, and gmail (I don't use the native mail or Safari). Not sure what they did, but I just noticed it since the latest software updates a few weeks ago.

contacts not syncing between devices

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