Migrating Apple Contacts into Outlook Contacts

Hello, ifeoluwa!

Thank you for taking time to respond with suggestions regarding how to migrate contacts from Apple Contacts to Outlook on Mac. Here are the after action reports:

Export Contacts from Apple Contacts

- All of that worked perfectly.

Convert .abbu to .vcf

- All of that worked perfectly.

Import .vcf to Outlook

• Open Outlook on your Mac. <-- Worked perfectly
• Go to "File" > "Import." <-- I can see 'Import and Export' but both are grayed out. Unable to execute!

- Unable to make this work.

Sync Contacts with iCloud (Optional)

• Ensure your contacts are synced with iCloud on your Apple device.
• On your Mac, go to "System Preferences" > "Apple ID" > "iCloud" and make sure "Contacts" is checked.
• On Outlook, go to "Preferences" > "General" > "Sync Services" <-- No such options available on mine.

- Unable to make this work.

Check Outlook Settings

• In Outlook, make sure your account is set up correctly, and you're connected to the internet. <-- All correct.
• Check if there are any specific settings within the Outlook app related to contacts or synchronization.

Anomalies exists: Contact default points to| <name>.<name>@gmail.com

Also, same is true for Calendar default point to: <name>.<name>@gmail.com

Unable to change these settings. Unable to point to iCloud or other contacts. Certainly a problem.

- Unable to make this work.

iAlternative Method

-Use iCloud Web i will advice you to consider this first all fails.

• Log in to iCloud.com using your Apple ID.
• Go to "Contacts" and select the contacts you want to export.
• Click on the gear icon in the bottom left and choose "Export vCard." <-- Worked perfectly including this item.
• Import this vCard file into Outlook. <-- Outlook recognizes that it is a vCard, but will not import it. ERROR "something's wrong".

- Unable to make this work.

If these steps don't work, you may want to check for any updates to both the Apple Contacts app and the Outlook app.

Checked for updates to devices and apps. Also reloaded MS software and again reconfigured.

Same outcome.

Also, you can reach out to Microsoft or Apple support for specific guidance based on your software versions, that might be the issue.
I contacted Apple. They stated they wouldn't attempt to help because my problem was occurring on MS software. They directed me to MS.

I contacted MS. They stated they wouldn't attempt to help because my problem was occurring on Apple device. They directed me to Apple.

So, I remain stuck in no-man's land. While I don't like Apple's 'Mail' app...push come to shove...absent resolution by mid-day tomorrow...I will wash out MS Outlook product and stand up Apple's Mail. Very disappointed with that because Apple's app is so bad. But - I have to do something to get email working with my contacts.

Again, your input remains much appreciated. Thank you for trying to assist.

Hi, jcutcliff!

Sorry to hear news of your situation.

Apologies in advance. I don't have good news for you. I even went to the extreme of buying COTS software from company in the Netherlands which did a fantastic job of harvesting from iCloud/iPhone to create great export files. But - try as I might - I could never get Outlook to accept anything I put in front of it. I finally had to abandon use of Outlook.

Now, that being said - and understanding the issue is with Outlook not Lenovo - in such situations - Lenovo's support team can be MUCH more amicable to helping customers than is Apple. And Lenovo has a more seamless vendor relationship with partners, including MSFT. So - your best bet may be to reach out to Lenovo support and see if they have a trick up their sleeve.

Wish I had better news.

~ David

David, what a great analysis. You spent a lot of time methodically going through the steps. I have a Lenovo think pad and working with Outlook. but all my contacts are on my Iphone. I am trying to get the contacts from the Iphone into my outlook file which is on my computer.

It would be nice if the two were to sync but just getting the existing contacts over into outlook would be great. any advice based on your past experience.

Hi David C

My name is Ifeoluwa and I’d be more than happy to help you with your query. I'm sorry you are experiencing this with your device. No worries, let me help you sort this out. It's important to note that this is a public user-to-user community forum, and none of us here work for Microsoft.

To transfer your contacts from Apple Contacts to Outlook on Mac, you can try the following steps:

Export Contacts from Apple Contacts

• Open the Contacts app on your Mac.
• Select the contacts you want to export.
• Go to "File" > "Export" > "Contacts Archive."
• Save the archive file (.abbu) to your desired location.

Convert .abbu to .vcf

• If your exported file is in .abbu format, you might need to convert it to .vcf. You can use third-party tools or online converters for this.

Import .vcf to Outlook

• Open Outlook on your Mac.
• Go to "File" > "Import."
• Choose "Contacts or vCards (.vcf)" as the file type to import.
• Select the .vcf file you obtained from the conversion.

Sync Contacts with iCloud (Optional)

• Ensure your contacts are synced with iCloud on your Apple device.
• On your Mac, go to "System Preferences" > "Apple ID" > "iCloud" and make sure "Contacts" is checked.
• On Outlook, go to "Preferences" > "General" > "Sync Services" and check "Synchronize contacts with."

Check Outlook Settings

• In Outlook, make sure your account is set up correctly, and you're connected to the internet.
• Check if there are any specific settings within the Outlook app related to contacts or synchronization.

iAlternative Method -Use iCloud Web i will advice you to consider this first all fails.

• Log in to iCloud.com using your Apple ID.
• Go to "Contacts" and select the contacts you want to export.
• Click on the gear icon in the bottom left and choose "Export vCard."
• Import this vCard file into Outlook.

If these steps don't work, you may want to check for any updates to both the Apple Contacts app and the Outlook app.

Also, you can reach out to Microsoft or Apple support for specific guidance based on your software versions, that might be the issue

kind regards, ifeoluwa