Moving contacts into icloud, address book and ultimately onto iphone 5 is impossible. Why so hard?

NEED TO TRANSFER/SYNC CONTACTS FROM 500+ VCARDS ON MY COMPUTER ---> TO MY IPHONE5.
Why not just make the phone an open device? Drag and drop. I've spent three days trying to figure out how to easily get my contacts from my dumbphone to the new iPhone 5. I bluetoothed off my dumb phone to my computer. Both my iMac and MacBook Pro have the vcards. And another thing, Address Book, contacts, gmail, iTunes, whatever, I can't import multiple vcards. They have to be done one at a time.
No mass transfers of any kind? I have over 500 contacts to move. I've tried the following:
-Importing to contacts onto iMac; address book won't read vcard
-Importing to contacts on MacBook Pro w/Mountain Lion; reads vcards, only 1 at a time
-Importing to iCloud; doesn't work
-Importing to gmail contacts; only reads 1 at a time
-E-mailing 500+ to self in an e-mail and trying to open/transfer/read all on MacBook Pro and iPhone5; won't do multiple files
I know I can go pay Verizon to do it but I want to know WHY and HOW this works the way it does.
Beyond frustrated. Hulk, smash. Please for the love of god help me, and not in an "ambigous remark: sync to iCloud'" kind of way.
THANK YOU!
-Yancy

Seriously folks? I know it was long but I added all info to negate a need for endless back/forth clarifications. No answers???
FYI, i tried syncing contacts to google/gmail and it was a total clusterF as well. No gmail contacts, synced iphone, gmail contacts populated w/ all info but w/lots of repeat entries. Used seek and merge repeats in gmail and then resync but no such luck. Lots of iterations and nothing but fails. Seems everytime the phone and the gmail lists are "as desired" a new sync puts a ton of repeats back into gmail or onto phone. Still perplexed and still needing help....
pretty please....

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ICloud Address Book and Calendar not syncing. Missing and duplicate entries. Help.

I have duplicate entries in Address Book. I have missing entries on other devices. For calendar it just doesn't sync.
What I've done to try to fix it:
1) I signed out of all my devices from iCloud and MobileMe.
2) I then deleted all the the cache files in Library and any iCloud folders I could
3) I deleted all the address book and calendar entries on each device.
4) Went back and deleted anything in Library and caches.
5) I looked at iClould.com and confirmed they had entries in Address Book and Calendar.
6) Signed back into iCloud on each device.
7) All the devices then began to populate.
Trouble began:
1) Some Address Book entries are missing on devices.
2) iClould has multiple entries for the very missing contacts! All cutting off the notes field at different places!
3) It won't sync the missing contacts present on iCloud but not the device.
Help.

Solved it myself. What I did:
1) I have four Lion OS and two iOS devices.
2) I kept one computer with the complete address book I wanted to start with but disconnecting it from iCloud's Contact sync via Apple Menu > System Preferences > iCloud uncheck Contact Sync
3) Logged into iCloud.com and deleted all the contacts and groups manually ( many keyboard shortcuts worked )
4) On the main computer, using textedit, I replaced semicolons I was using to delimit items in the notes field with backslashes.
5) Once I confirmed all the other computers and devices had no entries in Address Book, on the main computer I turned back on iCloud Contact syncing. It worked. Correct count of entries and no more breaking notes at the semicolons!
6) Immediately all the other iCloud computers and devices updated to the correct notes! Finally.

HT5500 Facebook photos not integrating into Mac Address Book and iMessage

Anyone have any idea why ALL my Facebook contacts photos aren't flowing into my address book on my Mac & iMessage (on Mac)? Most of them are, but not all of them. I have tried "updating contacts" under Facebook settings on my iPhone several times.

Ill take a look at that website. I have heard you can sync with Gmail or Yahoo. The problem is Ive never stored contacts there. There's a lot more spam in those histories than contacts Id want to keep.
I wasnt asking about a particular phone but in general. Im not really a techie and I currently have an older non-smartphone.
Im assuming if I had an iphone, there would be an easy way to transfer or sync the address book. If t here isnt, then Id be very surprised.
I might have to go with an Android or other phone only because the monthly plans on the iphone are much more expensive.
I was also wondering in general how it works with Verizon or Sprint since they dont have SIM cards.
Ill look at that site you recommended; thanks

How can I import iPhone contacts into Mac Address book

I recently purchased a MacBook Pro and am in the process of trying to dump my Windows PC.
All of my important contacts are on my iPhone. How can I get those contacts into my Mac Address Book?
The same question goes for the music (ripped from CD) and my video files that are on my iPhone? The media is not that big of a deal because I can easily transfer it from my PC to my Mac but I assume I am not the only one in the world trying to do this and that Apple would make it very easy for MSFT Windows users to easily migrate to Macs.
I must be an idiot but I don't see any option in iTunes to transfer the data from my iPhone into iTunes and/or the Address Book.
Thanks

The iPhone's primary function is NOT a word processor or a spread sheet analyzer.
I didn't say, nor was I trying to imply ANYTHING of the sort. You should read what I provided again a little slower and in it's entirety, not taking this out of context, which you made into Apples and Oranges.
It IS an iPod, a device designed to store and play music (in addition to being a browser and a phone).
It is a phone, an iPod, and an internet device, which supports transferring iTunes content from iTunes on a single computer ONLY.
Making it difficult to transfer my legal music from my iPhone to my Mac does not make me want to go out and buy more Apple products or Apple software.
Good, then don't - no skin off my back. I couldn't care less if you want to remain a Windows sufferer. All this doesn't come from Apple. Much of it comes from those who OWN the distribution rights for content sold thru the iTunes Store.
All of Apple's commercials imply how easy the user experience is over Windows. Well, in this case, they missed the boat BIG TIME!
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but let me get this straight. You will likely need to transfer much more than just music from your Windows PC to your Mac and if so, how do you plan on accomplishing this? If you are transferring Word and Excel files, photos, and any other data, you won't be using an iPhone for this, so I don't see the big deal with transferring your iTunes library along with all other data being transferred.
I understand that the iPhone was not designed to be used as a backup. However, you allow the contacts to be merged in but not the music that I legally installed (but didn't purchase from the iTunes store).
I don't allow anything - this is a user to user help forum only.
As I provided in my first post in this thread - the sync process for contact information, calendar events, and bookmarks with an iPhone is bidirectional with the supported application on your computer. This is a sync process by definition of syncing - which is not the same for other data such as iTunes content and photos transferred from your computer to your iPhone.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1296
Apple wants to make it difficult unless I purchased the music from iTunes.
No, Apple or really those who own the distribution rights or the copyright holders for content sold thru the iTunes Store wants to make this difficult. Content sold thru the iTunes Store is set up by Apple to be a break even - which is included with the Apple stockholder's report. Apple makes their profit via sales of the iPod and iPhone. The bulk of the iTunes Store revenue goes to those who own the distribution rights or the copyright holders for the content.
In addition, if my hard disk suffered a crash and I lost all my music it just seems stupid not to be able to pull it off my iPhone (yes, I know data should be backed up on a different drive, and mine is, but I am sure a lot of people do not back up their data).
Maintaining a backup of your data is important for this very reason, and for other reasons which is not Apple's responsibility. I believe iTunes includes an occasional warning message to backup your iTunes library (which can be turned off), and iTunes includes an option to transfer content purchased from the iTunes Store from an iPod or iPhone - since the overwhelming majority of this content includes DRM protection required by those who own the distribution rights or the copyright holders.
The iPhone was not designed as an external storage device or as a backup device - end of story. If someone chooses not to maintain a backup, they are playing Russian roulette with their data. Maintaining a backup is important regardless the platform, but even more so when running Windows with constant virus, adware, and spyware concerns.

A small issue with iCloud, Address Book, and Admin accounts

Ok, I have a Macbook Pro running Lion/iCloud, and my wife has an iMac running Lion/iCloud.
I first noticed this issue when I went to Airdrop a file to her, and her picture in Airdrop turned into my picture that I have as my User account & "Me" in Address Book.
So I went to the iMac and noticed that the "Me" in Address Book was no longer my wife, but me. Not a big deal. I figure it must be the "new way" of iCloud. Whatever.
But I went to change her Admin account back to her normal picture and it worked. But then it changed back by itself. Annoying. I tried it again and it changed itself back again. So, it must be reading the default picture from Address Book/iCloud.
I guess the overall issue is that iCloud wants 1 identity for an entire family of devices. I understand this for syncing purposes, but it's annoying because my wife and I are not 1 person. She has her personality on her iMac, and I have mine on my MBP. That's why we have 2 different computers. (Steps off soap box).
I hope Apple loosens up a bit with iCloud and makes it a little more customizable.

I'm having the same frustration. Ugggh.

Does my mac automatically create an email contact list (that I can go to) as I compose emails or do I have to manually add contacts into my address book?

Does my mac automatically create an email contact list, or do I have to manually add emails to my address book?

Hi there. You email contact list is in your address book. These are from a list you make or by you emailing someone. If you are talking about setting up email so to send and receive. With a clean install that is done when you set up you computer. Otherwise you have to open mail and go to mail preferences/accounts and set up your email account. http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201728 http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT1277

Lost of all contacts from my address book and my iPhone

I need help please.
I was syncing my iphone today and I realized later on after I plugged off the iphone that I have lost all my contacts on the phone and the address book on my macbook pro.
I want to know how can I get back my contacts either through the iphone or the macbook pro.
Thank you.

When you sync an iPhone w/ itunes, iTunes automatically creates a backup. Thus, I would recommend doing a Restore from the most recent back-up.
Moreover, when you connect ur iPhone to iTunes, make sure you DONT allow iTunes to back-up again. Otherwise, the back-up will overwrite the previous one
Good luck

Contact information for Address Book and Mail

Hi,
I recently updated to Snow Leopard, and have set up my school email exchange account. Normally in school computers, when I click on a contact's name in Outlook on a school computer, it shows me his/her phone number, office location, etc, but it doesn't do that in Mail. Is there a way I can set up Mail to do that, or is that just not possible?
Thanks!

paranoidandroid60 wrote:
i don't--i don't think the address book imported my college exchange account's address book. any suggestions on how i can do this?
sorry, I don't have an exchange account and can't comment on that. hopefully, somebody else can chime in.

Auto update of contact groups in Address Book when created on iphone?

So, I'm OK with how to work with two phones on the one itunes account, with regard to contacts and calendars, but can I get Address Book to automatically add any new contacts created on each phone to the correct contact group?

In iTunes, on the Info tab with the iPhone connected, there's a pop-up menu to choose the Address Book Group to which new contacts created on that phone are added. Check the box and select the proper group from the list.

I accidentally selected all of my contacts in my address book and then clicked "Merge cards." I now have one contact in my phone and address book that has a million phone numbers attached to it. Whoops! How can I get my separate contacts back?

This is terrible. I need all of these contacts back. Is there a way to revert to a previous state on my phone/icloud/computer?

IF you have backups to icloud turned on, you can reset the device and do a restore. This will first delete all on the device and restore whatever you have on the backup. IF you have backups to itunes that are recent, then you can do the same thing but restore from the itunes backup.
Otherwise, if you also have the data on a computer, then if it's no longer there, you can perform a restore of the contacts file/folder from Time Machine (for macs) or from your PC backup.
If none of the above, then without backups, I'm afraid you've lost the original data.

How to sync my Address Book and my Outlook contacts?

I am new to Mac. A friend successfully transferred my Outlook contacts into my Address Book but if I make changes in one place (e.g., on Mac in Address Book or on iPhone in Outlook Contacts) they do not show up in the other - even after syncing. Please help. I need simple, basic instructions.

start by using iCloud support page and forum, realizing this isn't macbook pro area, and that some of it would be handled by iTunes and possible other softare you might get directed to in the iPhone Community.
Direct you to the proper forum for MacBook :
MacBook Series Forums
https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks?view=discussions
http://www.apple.com/support/macbookpro
Mac OS X Forum
https://discussions.apple.com/community/mac_os?view=discussions
This forum deals with a desktop/tower 65lb Mac Pro
http://www.apple.com/support/macpro
http://www.apple.com/support/iphone
http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/
http://www.apple.com/support/icloud/
https://discussions.apple.com/community/icloud/icloud_on_my_mac

Why is there missing info in the windows address book fields after syncing iphone 4 contacts?

I am reaching the end of my rope trying to deal with syncing/backing up contacts and other "non copyright protected" content from my iphone 4 and my desktop (and preferably my laptop as well). I've spent literally days trying to solve this problem with ultimately no solution. So, cutting through my MULTIPLE issues and focusing on one primary I need help backing up my contacts from my iphone 4 to ANY computer. Here is what I am working with:
A relatively ancient (5yrs) Window XP desktop with virtually no contacts in Windows Address Book and with only the native Outlook Express on it.
An iphone 4 ios 4.3.1 that was initially and is still setup/synced with the above XP box (minus checking the sync contacts box).
An iphone 4 contact list that is primarily populated by about 200 contacts transfered from an old ATT SIM from the previous ancient phone.
A new Windows 7 laptop that I would love, love, love to use in conjuction with the XP for syncing/backing up not protected, personal data and iphone purchases.
So, with that in mind I have been syncing my phone with the XP w. the "manual manage music..." box checked and all other syncing options other than apps unchecked. I wanted to backup by contacts for emergency recovery and to allow sycncing for the increasing business contacts. Should be easy right? Not so much. I tried clicking the "sync contacts w/ windows address book" option and then synced. I go to WAB and the contact list is there. However, if I look w/in each contact the fields are not filled in. If it was a contact that had name, number, address on my phone the WAB version has the name listing but nothing in the number/addy fields. Now, this is true w/ virtually every contact and most were from that SIM transfer. HOWEVER, contacts that I added ON the iphone (ie manually w/ the phone) DO have complete information.
So, what do I do to make an actual, complete backup of all the contacts on my iphone w/o having to manually reinput all of the real information?? I'm frankly terrified that in trying multiple solutions I will lose all my phone contacts which at this point in my life would be absolutely devistating (ie I would probably lose my job). If it is a matter of newer hard/software I would gladly sync to the new Win 7 laptop instead but there I run into the other aggrivation of apple making it so bloody difficult to use one ios device with more than one personal computer. I'm dumbfounded and frustrated on soooooo many levels and would send countless good vibes to anyone who can help! Advice? Solutions? I'd promise my first born but who wants that these days...? Help, please! ;-)
BTW, sorry for the long wind but I'll add on my "optimal solution" if anyone is feeling especially helpful and has an answer:
I'd like to be able to plug my iphone into both my XP desktop and my Win 7 laptop and sync/backup to both freely (that is after all the real intent of syncing, non?) I don't care about music, videos, or other protected content. I manage that manually and frankly, I can do without having on the iphone as long as I can accomplish being able to sync/backup/restore all the iphone stuff like apps, settings, personal info, and contacts to both the desktop and the laptop. The purpose is that I need to be able to use and recover everything (on the road or at home) if either my laptop or my iphone dies/disappears. But, understanding impermanence as it relates to portable devices, I want a solid backup of everything at home waiting on my desktop. Is that really too much to ask apple???

Seriously folks? I know it was long but I added all info to negate a need for endless back/forth clarifications. No answers???
FYI, i tried syncing contacts to google/gmail and it was a total clusterF as well. No gmail contacts, synced iphone, gmail contacts populated w/ all info but w/lots of repeat entries. Used seek and merge repeats in gmail and then resync but no such luck. Lots of iterations and nothing but fails. Seems everytime the phone and the gmail lists are "as desired" a new sync puts a ton of repeats back into gmail or onto phone. Still perplexed and still needing help....
pretty please....

Synchronising Entourage to Mac Address Book and iCal

I've done my initial sync between Entourage 2008 (Version 12.3.5), iCal and Mac Address Books but now if I update anything in the Entourage Calendar or Address Book, it fails to then send the info to iCal and Mac Address Book. Therefore, the info isn't making it to my iPhone which is updated to the Phone iOS 6.0.1.
Has anyone had the same problems and if so how did you fix it?
I've done a lot of reading to try and find out what is wrong but I'm just getting more and more frustrated. I did read something about having the Daylight Saving Modes switched on or off but can't remember if it was on or off.
I don't see why I should have to export/import ALL the info every single time. It used to work quite ok but just ins't anymore?? I think it somehow worked through iSync?
Oh, and on top of that, if I put anything on my iPhone Address Book or Calendar, it's not synchronising to my Mac! Actually, I've just checked and addresses are synchronising to my Address Book but not then Synchronising to the Entourage Address Book.
And I seem to be getting double ups of entries on my iPhone from my Calendar if I make a change, instead of updating the info in the actual event already created AND I get balnk "new events"! Rather annoying!!
I don't use iCloud either. Apparently that would just make things even worse.
HELP!!
PS. It seems the only way to sync things is by remembering what I've added to either Address Boook or Calendars on either one of the devices/programs and update it manually on all the others via exporting a single vcf file ...

The isync database, as I called it, is really just the master database from which ical, address book, bookmarks, etc., are stored, and it's used for syncing with the .mac service. Entourage can sync with it too, just go to the Entourage menu, choose Preferences, and look under General Preferences for Sync Services. Then check the boxes you want -- I just wanted the contacts to be the same in Entourage and Address Book so I only checked that one. The calendar is kind of funky because iCal uses separate calendars to group events, and I think if you check that box, iCal will then get a new calendar called Entourage, or something like that, in which all the Entourage events will go to and from. That is, I think Entourage will sync only with that iCal calendar, but I could be wrong about that since I don't use it.
Once you check the contacts box, Entourage will populate with all the contacts in your Address Book, and I think if you don't already have contacts there (that is if you've only been using Entourage for your contacts) then it will ask you if you want to put all your Entourage contacts into Address Book. I just don't remember.
Surely someone else out there is more familiar with this, but it should get you started.

Address Book and Sync Issues with Verizon Curve

I got my first BB about a month ago and like it, for the most part. I have three major issues with it now:
1. SYNC I've downloaded and installed the latest software from pocket mac and my first sync went fine (I have a MacBook Pro running 10.4.11). Every sync after that has failed. I've tried the recommended solutions like cleaning out the sync history, re-installing, etc. I've un-installed and re-installed several times with no change. The sync begins fine and but never finishes. One thing that could be a problem is the version - every time I download the software, I've clicked on the newest version, (PocketMacForBlackBerry4.1.25.dmg) but after it installs, it calls itself Version 1.2 (1.4). Shouldn't it be 4.1? I know there are issues with older versions, but I can't seem to get 4.1 installed.
2. ADDRESS BOOK Sinse my first and only sync, I've needed to add a LOT of contacts into my address book manually. It doesn't work most of the time. When I add a new contact and save, it won't exit the contact, but pops up this note: "Address updated externally, changes will be lost and the viewer closed." The same thing happens if I'm trying to create a new entry or edit an existing entry. The real crazy part is that many of the numbers I've added show up when they are incoming calls - the name and correct phone number, but when I try to call out on my phone, the contact info will not show.
3. GPS Not a major deal, but none of the GPS services work. I use the Google Maps mobile app, but the GPS does not work. Neither does any of the other software I have installed for GPS. I have gone into the preferences and enabled the GPS and saved the changes. The logo even appears on the main screen, it just doesn't work. *NOTE* I've found that Verizon has disabled the GPS unless you pay for the VZ Navigator service. Typical Verizon marketing. Is there any way to bypass Verizon's block?
Needless to say, I'm not very impressed with Pocket Mac software of the RIM address book utility. I've read over many of the posts in this forum and see many other frustrated users. Makes me really think about throwing my money at an iPhone.
If anyone has any solutions to my problems/frustrations, I would be VERY grateful.
thanks for your time,
-marlowe
Message Edited by marlowe on 11-19-2008 12:12 PM

I cannot say I AGREE! any louder.
This pocketmac people claim in the website to offer "solutions" but they have given me lots of headaches and I too would just go and buy an iphone. The only problem is that AT&T does not work in my house.
No matter how many tricks I have tried I cannot make my 8330 accept the changes i make in my address book. It is absolutely a killer.
Some previous user said that bluettoth could help but at any rate that was to over ride the address book with the 8330 data and in my case i was trying to do the opposite.
Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!

I want iPhone Contacts to override Address Book on Mac #2

I have updated my Address Book in my MacBook Pro and have synced it with my iPhone - so I'm finally good there.
However, I am trying to update my iMac and need to update the Address Book there. I don't want to sync it at this point - I want to wipe the iMac Address Book clean and start anew with the iPhone.
Any tips on how to do this?

Hi Im running on Mac OS X Lion 10.7.4 with the updated version of iTunes.
I just recently changed from using Outlook for Mac to using iCal and Mail. Outlook for mac was my main platform for contacts and calanders. When switching over, i managed to sort out my calanders into iCal, but my contacts do not seem to copy into my address book. All my updated contact are in my iPhone. iTunes still shows options to sync to groups i created in outlook even though i have totally deleted outlook.
I basically want to syc all my iPhone contact to my Address book and override the contacts I have in there already, and use address book as my contacts platform.
Help!

Moving contacts into icloud, address book and ultimately onto iphone 5 is impossible. Why so hard?

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