How to Move Your iPhone Contacts Supposedly Synced with Gmail to iCloud

With the increasing shift towards cloud storage, many of us have been managing contact databases on different platforms, ensuring that updates and changes are in sync across devices. I am an Apple enthusiast, using an iPhone 6, iPad Air, and a late 2013 MacBook Air, all running the latest Apple operating systems. Managing contact lists in this ecosystem has become much simpler, thanks to cloud storage solutions. However, there are some nuances to be aware of when syncing contacts with both Apple and Google services.

While I have my Gmail and ATT contacts synced with my Mac, there are differences in the field names used across the contact databases. For instance, iCloud uses field names such as Home, Work, Fax, Main, iPhone, and Others, while Google uses Home, Work, and Other. These specialized fields can sometimes lead to inconsistencies. To ensure the best possible experience, it is recommended to treat your Apple devices and iCloud as the master database. Making changes here will help maintain consistency across all your devices.

Here are some common issues and how to resolve them:

1. Field Mismatch and Sync Issues

Depending on the platform, field names can differ, leading to inconsistencies in how contact data is stored. For example, if you add a new field in Google Contacts, it might not map directly to the existing field in your iCloud database. This can result in newly added contacts not appearing in the appropriate field in iCloud.

2. Best Practices for Syncing

The most straightforward way to manage your contacts is by syncing with iCloud and using it as the primary source. Making changes on your iPhone or iPad will ensure that all your devices are in sync. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Syncing Contacts with iCloud and Gmail on Your iPhone

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Tap Mail, Contacts, Calendars.

3. Under Accounts, select the account you use for Gmail or ATT.

4. Scroll down and tap Choose Mail Contacts.

5. Ensure that Contacts is turned on.

6. Tap iCloud Contacts and turn it on if it is not already.

Step 2: Syncing Contacts with iCloud and Gmail on Your iPad

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.

2. Tap Mail, Contacts, Calendars.

3. Under Accounts, select the account you use for Gmail or ATT.

4. Scroll down and tap Choose Mail Contacts.

5. Ensure that Contacts is turned on.

6. Tap iCloud Contacts and turn it on if it is not already.

Step 3: Syncing Contacts with iCloud on Your Mac

1. Open the System Preferences app.

2. Click on iCloud.

3. Ensure that Contacts is toggled on.

4. Add your Gmail or ATT account by clicking on the button and selecting your account.

Final Thoughts

If you follow these steps, you should be able to sync your contacts seamlessly across your devices. However, keep in mind that any changes you make directly in Gmail or ATT contacts will sync but may not map perfectly to the field names in iCloud. To avoid these issues, it is recommended to use iCloud as the primary source for your contact data.

For those interested in visual aids, here are some screen shots of my settings:

iPad Air Sync Settings: iCloud and Gmail contacts syncing. iPhone 6 Sync Settings: iCloud and Gmail contacts syncing. Late 2013 MacBook Air Internet Account Settings: iCloud, Gmail, and ATT contacts syncing. MacBook Air Contacts App

Hope this helps you manage your contacts more effectively and seamlessly across your devices.