iCloud contacts on new outlook

Well said, let me add that "New" outlook also does not support rules on IMAP accounts. Between not connecting to iCloud and no rules I simply cant use it.

Since I got my new Dell laptop equipped with Microsoft 365, I've struggled with Microsoft's "New" Outlook. In my opinion, the "New" Outlook is an immensely dumbed-down version of what's been a staple of email users.

I've gotten my iCloud contacts partway into the "New" Outlook, but only to the "People" via my iCloud email address. However, to do so, I required an "Application" password through Apple.

I personally think this is all a battle that Microsoft has with a dominant cell phone provider.

As of March 18, 2025, I have not found a way to merge the iCloud contact into my other two email servers.

The amazing thing is that Microsoft has found a way to merge the iCloud calendar into the "New" Outlook.

I have yet to decide when the brain trust at Microsoft cannot or just refuses to assist Apple users worldwide.

Does anyone have any new insight into solving this "New" Outlook contacts puzzle?

Hi Scott,

There is this list, The 7 best email clients for Windows in 2024 | Zapier However, mail clients which support iCloud may only work with mail and not contacts.

I haven't tried alternatives myself, because I really want to use the "New Outlook" to replace "Outlook Classic" when the time comes. I just want the new one to have sufficient functionality, and I don't think it's unreasonable to expect iCloud contact syncing to be part of that.

You are correct. I keep hoping that syncing functionality will be added to a future version. IIRC, the People app did sync with iCloud contacts.

Testing again this morning, I saw that in this latest version (same as yours) I see double entries for all the contacts after an import. However, searching entries only yields a single instance in the search results. Go figure. Very frustrating.

Beyond this, I have trouble with mapping fields from iCloud to Outlook. I often use custom descriptors in iCloud to identify phone numbers (Jim's Cell vs Jane's Cell) for married couples. Phone numbers with labels like these do not come across from iCloud to Outlook.

I currently use an iOS app called Contacts Sync that does a respectable job of syncing iCloud contacts to Outlook. It can work in both directions, but due to my custom label issue, I only use it to synchronize from iCloud to Outlook.

Keep me posted here if you discover any helpful tips or workarounds and I will do the same.

When I add my iCloud account to the New Outlook (using an app password), it says I must import my iCloud contacts to Outlook. I click on OK and the import happens. After this, I can see my iCloud contacts in New Outlook when I select "All Contacts" from within the iCloud account (the list of accounts on left side of New Outlook).

Are you not able to do this? I have New Outlook version 1.2024.513.200.

I'm replying to this post, because it's currently the first result in a Google search for "iCloud contacts" "New Outlook."

To be clear, the "New Outlook" is this one, Getting started with the new Outlook for Windows - Microsoft Support which is currently in "Preview." This "New Outlook" is the version which is replacing the Mail app on Windows 11, and at some point, the desktop version of Outlook which is part of the Microsoft 365 Office suite. I'll generically refer to the latter as the "Old Outlook."

With Old Outlook, one can install Apple's iCloud for Windows app, and use that to integrate iCloud calendars and contacts seamlessly. For me, this functionality is important. I have two Microsoft 365 accounts, one for work and one "personal." I store my personal contacts within iCloud, so that I don't need to store my personal contacts within my work's Exchange online environment (maintaining work/personal data separation), but can still access them from multiple devices, and manage them from Outlook (wherever I run it) or iOS/iPad OS devices. I don't store my personal contacts in my "personal" Exchange online, because I don't want to connect the latter to work devices.

Currently, the New Outlook does not support the iCloud calendar/contact integration via the iCloud for Windows app, meaning it is not possible to interact with those calendar/contact objects from within the New Outlook. The latter does support connecting to iCloud mail via IMAP, but contacts stored within iCloud are not part of that "mail" data. In other words, iCloud does not function like an Exchange mailbox, containing the various data object types (mail/calendar/contacts/notes/etc) within the mailbox.

It is my opinion, that this functionality gap needs to be addressed in the New Outlook, before it is considered ready for the masses. Regressing on common functionality is just not going to cut the mustard, if Microsoft wants the New Outlook to be a unified version to replace all others. I do like the modern look of the New Outlook, and from a UI perspective the mirroring of Outlook on the Web. However, functionality is important too.

Thank you. I did have some at geek squad get my contacts on my new laptop but used the old outlook. So I am fine. Your explanation helps it mKey sense - sort of. Thank you for letting me know how it will work.