Contacts not syncing between macOS and iOS without using iCloud

jodyfromkimberley wrote:

I have macOS 26.1, iOS 26.2

iPhone and Macbook wont sync contacts. Did on to macOS and it wont be added to IOS, and vice versa.

However if I sign in to iCloud and add it there, it appears on both!

Why???

What account are your contacts stored in? iCloud? Or something else?

This is expected behavior. macOS and iOS do not sync Contacts directly between devices anymore unless you use iCloud or another online account.

What’s happening:

• Contacts added locally on the Mac stay on the Mac

• Contacts added locally on the iPhone stay on the iPhone

• When you enable iCloud Contacts, Apple uses it as the sync service, so changes appear on both devices

Apple removed direct Mac ↔ iPhone contact syncing years ago. Finder/iTunes syncing no longer handles Contacts — only backups, media, etc.

Important note:

Even if both devices are signed in with the same Apple ID, Contacts will NOT sync unless a sync service (iCloud, Google, Exchange, etc.) is enabled.

Options:

Use iCloud Contacts (recommended)

Mac: System Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Contacts

iPhone: Settings > Apple ID > iCloud > Contacts

Use another account (e.g. Google, Exchange, CardDAV) on both devices

Manually export/import contacts (not automatic)

Nothing is broken — this is how modern macOS and iOS are designed.

Official Apple support documents:

• Apple: Set up iCloud Contacts

Continuity Camera: Use iPhone as a webcam for Mac - Apple Support

• Apple: Add or remove accounts on iPhone

Set up Exchange ActiveSync on your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Vision Pro - Apple Support

• Apple: Use Contacts on Mac

Contacts User Guide for Mac - Apple Support

I had that problem, but I was able to fix it 👌🏻

Eshusband wrote:

I had that problem, but I was able to fix it 👌🏻

Perhaps you'd like to share your solution?