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Import contacts from an Excel sheet to an iPhone

iOS imports contacts from vCard files, not from spreadsheets. So the job is: Excel → .vcf → iPhone.

Updated 2026-10-26 · 5 min read

1. Prepare the sheet

  • One row per contact, a header row.
  • Separate First name / Last name columns if possible.
  • Phone numbers in international format (+44 7700 900123) avoid wrong country codes later – Cardmend can convert them for a chosen country.
  • Save as .xlsx or CSV (UTF-8).

2. Convert to VCF

Open the file in Cardmend, map the columns (first name, last name, mobile, work phone, email, company…) – header names in several languages are recognised – check the preview and export vCard 3.0.

3a. Import via iCloud.com (all at once)

  1. On a computer, go to icloud.com › Contacts.
  2. Click + (or the gear menu) › Import Contact › choose the .vcf.
  3. Make sure Contacts sync with iCloud is on for the iPhone (Settings › your name › iCloud › Contacts).

3b. Or open the VCF on the iPhone

Email or AirDrop the .vcf to yourself, open it on the iPhone and tap Add All Contacts. Works without iCloud sync.

Fix your contact file in the browser. Cardmend converts contacts between vCard (.vcf 2.1/3.0/4.0), Excel and CSV (Google, Outlook, generic), merges duplicates with a review screen, normalises phone numbers and splits or joins VCF files – in your browser, nothing is uploaded. Preview, duplicate review and phone check are free for the whole file; exports are free up to 50 contacts, and a $9 lifetime license removes the limit.

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Questions and answers

Can I import a CSV directly on iPhone?

No, iOS Contacts doesn't import CSV.

Will it create duplicates?

If the contacts already exist, yes. Run duplicate review in Cardmend against an export of your current contacts first.

Sources and product names: Apple iCloud User Guide: import contacts (vCard) on iCloud.com; iOS Contacts behaviour with .vcf attachments. iPhone and iCloud are trademarks of Apple Inc.; Google Contacts and Gmail of Google LLC; Outlook and Excel of Microsoft. Cardmend is independent and not affiliated with them.