The fastest way to add a contact

Open the Phone app and tap the Contacts tab at the bottom of the screen. Tap the plus sign (+) in the top right corner. Type the person's name in the first field, then fill in their phone number. Tap Done when you finish.

That contact now saves to your phone and appears in your Contacts list. The next time that person calls or texts, their name shows up instead of just a number.

Key Takeaways

  • The Phone app's Contacts tab is the quickest place to add a new contact by tapping the plus sign and entering a name and number.
  • You can add email addresses, physical addresses, and multiple phone numbers to a single contact after you create it.
  • Contacts you add to your iPhone sync automatically to iCloud if you have an Apple ID set up, so they appear on your other Apple devices.
  • You can add a contact directly from a text message or call by tapping the number and selecting "Create New Contact."

Adding more details to a contact

After you create a contact with a name and number, you can add more information. Open the contact and tap Edit in the top right corner. Scroll down to see fields for email address, home address, website, birthday, and notes.

Tap any field you want to fill in. If you want to add a second phone number (like a work number), tap the green plus sign next to the phone field. You can label each number as iPhone, Mobile, Home, Work, or Other. When you finish, tap Done.

Adding a contact from a text or call

If someone texts or calls you and you want to save their number, you do not have to go to the Contacts app. Open the Messages app and find the conversation, or open the Phone app and find the recent call. Tap the number or name at the top of the screen.

Tap "Create New Contact" and fill in their name. The phone number fills in automatically. You can add email and other details right then, or tap Done to save the basic contact and edit it later.

Saving contacts from email or Safari

If someone sends you their contact information in an email, you can save it directly. Open the Mail app and find the email. Tap the sender's name at the top, then tap "Add to Contacts." A new contact form opens with their email address already filled in. Add their name and any other details, then tap Done.

You can also save a contact from a website. If a phone number or email address appears on a webpage in Safari, press and hold it. Tap "Create New Contact" or "Add to Existing Contact" if you want to add it to someone you already saved.

Organizing contacts into groups

If you use iCloud or another email service that supports contact groups, you can organize your contacts. Open the Contacts app and tap Groups in the top left corner. Tap Edit, then tap the plus sign to create a new group. Name it (like "Work" or "Family") and tap Done.

To add a contact to a group, open the contact and tap Edit. Scroll down and tap Groups. Check the box next to each group you want this contact to belong to, then tap Done. The contact now appears in both the group and your main contact list.

Syncing contacts across your devices

When you add a contact to your iPhone, it syncs to your other Apple devices if you use the same Apple ID. This means the contact appears on your iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch automatically. You do not have to add them separately on each device.

To check that syncing is turned on, go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then tap iCloud. Make sure the toggle next to Contacts is turned on (it should be green). If you turn this off, new contacts you add will only stay on your iPhone.

Merging duplicate contacts

If you accidentally created the same contact twice, or if you imported contacts and ended up with duplicates, you can merge them. Open the Contacts app and find one of the duplicate contacts. Tap Edit, scroll to the bottom, and tap "Link Contacts." Search for the other contact with the same person's name and tap it.

The two contacts merge into one. All the phone numbers, emails, and other information from both contacts combine. If there are conflicting details (like two different addresses), you can choose which one to keep.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import contacts from my old phone?

Yes. If you switched from an Android phone, you can transfer contacts during setup by signing into your Google account. If you are switching from another iPhone, you can restore from an iCloud backup or use a cable to transfer contacts directly. Your carrier may also have a tool to move contacts.

What happens if I delete a contact by mistake?

If you deleted it recently, open the Contacts app, tap Edit in the top left, and look for an Undo option. If that does not appear, the contact is gone from your iPhone but may still exist in iCloud if you have syncing turned on. You can recover it by signing into iCloud.com on a computer and checking your Contacts there.

Can I add a contact without a phone number?

Yes. Open the Contacts app, tap the plus sign, and type a name. You can leave the phone number field blank and add an email address or physical address instead. Tap Done to save the contact.

How do I add a contact photo?

Open the contact and tap Edit. Tap the empty circle at the top where a photo would go. Choose "Take Photo" to use your camera, or "Choose Photo" to pick one from your library. Crop the image and tap Done.