GUIDE

How to Sync Google Contacts with iPhone

Open Settings, tap Apps, then Contacts, then Contacts Accounts, and tap Add Account. Choose Google, sign in and turn on Contacts. Your Google contacts then appear in the Contacts app and stay in sync both ways. If you already use the Google account for mail, just turn on Contacts for it.

Updated October 2026

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Add your Google account

Open Settings, tap Apps, then Contacts.
Tap Contacts Accounts, then Add Account.
Choose Google and sign in with your Google account.
Turn on Contacts and tap Save.

Already added the account for mail? In Contacts Accounts, tap the Google account and turn on Contacts.

Choose where new contacts are saved

Go to Settings > Apps > Contacts.
Tap Default Account and choose Google or iCloud.

Limits

Google contact groups don’t always show up as lists on iPhone.
Birthdays of Google contacts don’t always appear in the Birthdays calendar.
If you also have the same people in iCloud, you will see duplicates.

The easier way with Starrise Contacts

Starrise Contacts works directly on your iCloud, Google and Exchange contacts, side by side. There is nothing to import and no extra account. See the best contacts apps for iPhone.

Birthday reminders for every contact, Google contacts included, at the time you choose.
Dated notes, gift ideas, tags and lists on top of your Google contacts.
With Pro, iCloud Sync keeps those extras in step across iPhone, iPad and Mac through your own iCloud.

Sources

Steps checked in October 2026 against Apple’s iPhone User Guide.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Google contacts not showing on iPhone?

Check Settings > Apps > Contacts > Contacts Accounts, tap your Google account and make sure Contacts is turned on. In the Contacts app, tap Lists and check that the Google account is shown.

Does syncing work both ways?

Yes. Contacts you add or change in the Google account on iPhone are saved to Google, and changes made in Google appear on your iPhone.

Can I move Google contacts to iCloud?

Export them from Google Contacts on the web as a vCard file and import that file on iCloud.com. Then turn off Contacts for Google on iPhone to avoid duplicates.

GET STARRISE CONTACTS

Try Starrise Contacts for free

Starrise Contacts works on the contacts already on your iPhone, iPad and Mac. No account, nothing to import. Free to download, with an optional Pro subscription.