Cannot sync contacts via iTunes to iPhone 5

**redrockmac** · 11-28-2012, 07:29 PM

A friend of mine has an Intel iMac "Late 2006" with OS X 10.6.8 and iTunes 10.7 and an iPhone 5 with iOS 6.01. According to Apple's iPhone specs it should be possible to sync from this Mac to this iPhone via iTunes. This works with apps and music but it does not work with contacts. The contacts are stored on the Mac in the default 10.6.8 "Addressbook" application.

In iTunes (Devices - iPad - Info) "Sync Contacts" is checked and when he then clicks onto "Apply" a sync is set in motion but it takes only a very short time and after that no contacts are in "Contacts" on the iPhone. We tried this with and without having under Advanced the option "Replace information on this iPhone: Contacts" checked. The result is always the same - no contacts on the iPhone.

Anybody any idea what is going wrong here and what needs to be done to get the contacts synced?

Thanks!

**Alli** · 11-29-2012, 08:13 AM

Tell him to use iCloud for his contacts. He'll have them on his iPhone, Mac, and backed up securely to iCloud.

**redrockmac** · 11-29-2012, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by Alli

Tell him to use iCloud ...

How do you suggest to use iCloud on a Mac with OS X 10.6.8?

**Alli** · 11-29-2012, 12:07 PM

He may have to update or revert to something like Google.

**redrockmac** · 11-29-2012, 12:45 PM

Wow, great answer. First you don't read the question thoroughly and then you still have to add a comment although you can't be of any help.

**kch50428** · 11-29-2012, 12:53 PM

Updating software or Syncing via Google are both valid answers to your question. One can sync from that era of a Mac to google, and one can sync an iPhone to goole as well. Google will have full instructions on their help and support site for doing so. Use those resources.

**redrockmac** · 11-29-2012, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by kch50428

Updating software or Syncing via Google are both valid answers to your question.

Not at all. According to Apple this syncing should be possible via iTunes and it doesn't. My question was to those who might know why this does not work and how to make it work. There's nothing wrong in not knowing this but Alli's two answers were just besides the point. The same is true for yours - just to say "Read Google's help pages" is pretty poor. What about those who do use Gmail? What about something not working that should be working?

**kch50428** · 11-29-2012, 01:11 PM

Syncing from the computer to Gmail/Google is an alternative to syncing via iTunes. If you don't wish to try that to accomplish the desired end of having contacts on the phone that's your choice. I'll not try and help you anymore...

**PT20** · 12-03-2012, 10:12 PM

"Fast Sync for Gmail Contacts" is a fast and simple way to sync Gmail & iPhone contacts .It is accurate and efficient. Requires iOS4.3 or later. Compatible with iPhone,iPad and iPod touch.

"Download Contacts for Google" is a quick and easy way to download Gmail contacts into iPhone, iPad & iPod touch.

Get "Fast Sync for Gmail Contacts" from AppStore:
iOS App:
[url]http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fast-sync-for-gmail-contacts/id520030762?mt=8[/url]
Mac OS X App:
[url]https://itunes.apple.com/cn/app/fast-sync-for-gmail-contacts/id566254863?l=en&mt=12[/url]

Get "Download Contacts for Google" from AppStore:
[url]http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/download-contacts-for-google/id430950040?mt=8[/url]