How to export iPhone contacts (as a .vcf file)

Your iPhone can save your contacts as a single file called a vCard (it ends in .vcf). That file is what our printer needs. You can do it on the iPhone itself, or on a computer through iCloud.com.

Before you start

• You need: an iPhone with iOS 16 or later, or any computer with a web browser and your Apple Account.
• Time: about 2 minutes.
• Nothing is deleted. Exporting only makes a copy.

On the iPhone

1. Open the Contacts app (not the Phone app).
2. Go to your lists. At the top left, tap ‹ Lists.
   You’ll see: lists such as All Contacts, All iCloud or All Gmail.
3. Touch and hold the list you want, usually All Contacts, until a menu pops up. Don’t just tap it; keep your finger on it for a second.
4. Tap Export.
   You’ll see: a screen asking which details to include (photos, notes…). Turn off Photos to keep the file small; the printer doesn’t use them. Tap Done.
5. Save the file. In the share sheet, tap Save to Files, choose On My iPhone or iCloud Drive, and tap Save. (You can also AirDrop or email it to yourself.)

On a computer (iCloud.com)

1. Go to iCloud.com, sign in and open Contacts.
2. Select everyone: click the ⋯ menu above the list and choose Select All Contacts (or press Command-A on a Mac, Ctrl-A on Windows).
3. Click the ⋯ menu again and choose Export vCard.
   You’ll see: one .vcf file download to your Downloads folder.

Check that it worked

• On the iPhone, open the Files app: you should see a file ending in .vcf, often named after the first contact or “Contacts”.
• On a computer, look in Downloads for a .vcf file.

What might confuse you

• “I tapped the list and nothing happened.” You need to touch and hold, not tap.
• “There’s no Lists button.” Lists arrived in iOS 16. Update your iPhone (Settings › General › Software Update) or use iCloud.com on a computer.
• “Some contacts are missing.” Contacts stored in Gmail or Outlook live in those lists, not in iCloud. Export All Contacts, or export each list.
• “The file is huge.” Contact photos make it big. Export again with Photos turned off, or ignore it: the printer skips photos anyway.
• “My contacts aren’t on iCloud.com.” They only appear there if iCloud Contacts is turned on (Settings › your name › iCloud › Contacts).

Next: print it

On the iPhone, open Print iPhone contacts in Safari, tap Choose files and pick the .vcf from Files. On a computer, drop the file on the page. Choose a layout and print or save a PDF. Nothing is uploaded.

Print your iPhone contacts →