How Can You Export iPhone Contacts to CSV Quickly?

Part 1: Can You Export iPhone Contacts to CSV?

Q: Export iPhone contacts to CSV? I wish to export all my iPhone contact data to a single excel worksheet. Is there a way to export the data to a csv format (not separate csv files for each contact)? I have the contacts in both my iTunes and the iCloud, but iCloud allows export as a vCard only.discussions.apple.com

This is a typical iPhone contacts export issue. However, the purpose the above user wants to achieve is not so simple: he wants to export iPhone contacts to a certain file form – CSV. What is CSV? Please see the following content.

A Brief Introduction of CSV

CSV, the abbreviation of comma-separated values, is a kind of file which stores tabular data such as numbers and text data in plain text. Because many programs support variations on the CSV format for data import and export, CSV file is widely used by the consumer, business, and scientific applications.

For instance, a user needs to exchange information from a database program which stores data in a proprietary format to a spreadsheet which is totally different in format.

If the database program can export its data to CSV, then the exported CSV file can be imported by the spreadsheet program. So, this may be the reason of exporting iPhone contacts to CSV.

If you want to export iPhone contacts to CSV, you must have searched this issue on the internet and try to find a possible solution. Do you really get what you want?

To make this issue easier, we will remind you that an iPhone data extractor can do this job for you. Which software is the best iPhone data extractor?

Here, we strongly suggest using the dedicated but free iPhone contacts exporter – MiniTool Mobile Recovery for iOS. For you who never heard this software before, please read part 2 to learn about it.

Part 2: MiniTool Mobile Recovery for iOS Profile

MiniTool Mobile Recovery for iOS is developed by MiniTool Solution Ltd. It has three modules – Recover from iOS Device, Recover from iTunes Backup File and Recover from iCloud Backup File.

All of these three modules can export all kind of iOS data including deleted and existing ones on the iPhone and its backup files. And iPhone contact is the supported data type.

Fortunately, when you save the iPhone contacts to the computer via this software, these items will be kept as three forms – .csv, .html, and .vcf. You can see that CSV file is included. So, this software is able to do iPhone contacts export fully.

In addition, this tool is completely compatible with the current commonly-used Windows Operating Systems (OS).

The Free Edition of this software allows you to export 10 pieces of iPhone contacts each time. Why not try this freeware to export your iPhone contacts to CSV?

MiniTool iOS Recovery on WindowsClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Part 3: How to Export iPhone Contacts to CSV

Since this software has three modules and they all can export your iPhone contacts to CSV, we will present them to you one by one as follows:

Way 1: Export Contacts from iPhone to CSV Directly

If you want to export contacts from iPhone to CSV directly, Recover from iOS Device module is recommended.

To make this module work normally, you need to install iTunes application to your computer in advance.

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to the computer and make the software scan it

Open the software to enter its main interface. Next, you should connect your iPhone to the computer via USB cable. Then, this software will begin to recognize your device automatically. When you get the interface as follows, you need to click on the round Scan button to continue.

Step 2: Select the iPhone contacts from the scan result interface

It will take some minutes to finish the scan process. After that, you will enter this scan result as follows. To view the contacts, please click on Contacts from the left list.

Then, you can see that all the deleted and existing contacts on the device are shown. That is to say, you can also export the deleted iPhone contacts to CSV if you want to. Then, you can check the iPhone contacts you want to export and click on Recover button to continue.

Here, you should note that if you need to recover the deleted iPhone contacts with this software, you should stop using your iPhone device as soon as possible. Otherwise, the deleted iPhone contacts may be overwritten by new data and this software will be unable to detect them then.

Step 3: Specify a path on the computer to save these iPhone contacts

After step 2, you will see a pop-out window which shows you a default storage path for the checked iPhone contacts.

Of course, if you want to save them to your wanted location, you can click on Browse button in this window to select another path on your computer to save these iPhone contacts.

After these three simple steps, your iPhone contacts are exported to the specified path in three forms (see the following picture).

Because you want to use the CSV file, please click on the csv folder to open it, and then you will see the contact.csv excel.

Open it, and you will discover that the iPhone contacts are kept on the same CSV file.

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Since this free software only enables you to export 10 pieces of iPhone contacts each time (see limitation in this Free Edition), if you want to export more than 10 items to the same CSV file at a time, you’d better upgrade this freeware to an advanced edition.

Way 2: Export Contacts from iTunes to CSV

You know that you are unable to open and view your iTunes backup file directly. However, if the iPhone contacts are backed up to iTunes and you want to export them from iTunes to CSV, you can use Recover from iTunes Backup File module to achieve your aim.

Before you extract iPhone contacts to CSV with this software, there are two things you need to know:

• Although iTunes application is not necessary to enable this module, you need to guarantee that the iTunes backup file you are going to use is saved on the computer you are going to operate.
• During the operation of this software, you need to make sure that the iTunes application is closed. Otherwise, this software may not work successfully.

The step-by-step guidance is as follows:

Step 1: Choose the target iTunes backup file to scan

Choose Recover from iTunes Backup File module from the main interface of this software, and then the available iTunes backup file(s) will be displayed here. Next, choose the iTunes backup file you want to use and click on Scan button to continue.

Step 2: Check the iPhone contacts you want to export in the scan result interface

After a few minutes, you will enter the scan result interface. Here, you need to choose Contacts from the left data types’ list to make this software only show you the iPhone contacts. Next, you can check the target iPhone contacts and click on Recover button.

Step 3: Assign a suitable path to keep these items

After clicking on Recover button, you will see a pop-out window which allows you to save the selected iPhone contacts to the software default path, or click on Browse button to choose another location to save them.

Finally, you can open the specified storage path to view and use the CSV file.

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Way 3: Export Contacts from iCloud to CSV

If you want to export your iPhone contacts from the previous iCloud backup file to CSV, Recover from iCloud Backup File module is your best choice.

When you are using this module, the internet connection should be ON.

Besides, this iPhone contact export software can’t get iOS 9 and the latter version iCloud backup. Please be kept informed.

Step 1: Sign in iCloud with your Apple ID and password

Choose Recover from iCloud Backup File and this software will show the interface as follows. Then, you should type in your Apple ID and Password. After that, click on Sign In.

Step 2: Download the target iCloud backup file

In this step, this software will display the iCloud backup files in the following interface. You can choose the target one and click on DownLoad button to continue.

Step 3: Choose the type of file you would like to download

Different from the other two modules, you will enter an interface as follows. In this interface, you can choose Contacts to download. Then, press Confirm button.

Step 4: Choose the iPhone contacts you want to export from the download result interface

After the downloading process, this software will only show you the iPhone contacts in the iCloud backup file. Just check the items you need to export and click on Recover button to seek a proper location to save these iPhone contacts.

It seems that this module can save a lot of time for you because it enables you to only select the iPhone contacts to export.

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If you want to get rid of the limitations in Free Edition to export more data and files from iCloud backup, please upgrade it to the advanced Edition.

Added Content: Back up your iPhone with iCloud automatically

We recommend you to back up your iPhone with iCloud voluntarily. Then, you will not worry about forgetting to do the iCloud backup.

How to make this setting? Here is what you need to do:

Step 1: Turn on iCloud backup

If you are using iOS 10.3 and the above version, please go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup;

If you’re using iOS 10.2 or an earlier version, please go to Settings > iCloud > Backup.

Step 2: Guarantee the Wi-Fi of your iPhone is connected.

Step 3: Ensure that your iPhone is in charged state and the device’s screen is locked.

After step 1 and step 2, iCloud will begin to automatically back up your iPhone only when you connect your device to a power source and lock your iPhone screen.

Meanwhile, you should check whether there is enough free space in iCloud for you to make a backup. As you know, when you sign in iCloud account, you can get totally 5GB of iCloud storage space for free. If you want to back up more data and files to iCloud, you had better buy more.

Part 4: Bottom Line

This post teaches you three ways to export iPhone contacts to CSV with MiniTool Mobile Recovery for iOS: export from iPhone directly, export from iTunes backup file and export from the iCloud backup file.

All of these three ways have their own advantage and you should choose one to use according to your own situation.

Once you encounter some issues when you are using this software to export iPhone contacts as well as other iPhone data, please feel free to contact us by sending an email to [email protected] or leaving a message in the following comment bar.

At the same time, you can also share your good ideas, suggestions, and solutions with us. Much appreciated!