How to transfer contacts to your iPod Touch
I used to think that the only way to add contacts to your iPod Touch or iPhone is by adding them manually using the Contacts app. I just found out there’s an easy way to add contacts by using Outlook.
If you don’t have Outlook you can also use your Yahoo, Windows or Google Address Book to store your contacts and then transfer to your iPod Touch. But since it’s much easier to update and use Outlook, that’s what I recommend.
You can also use Outlook to get your contacts from your Palm or other Smartphones before transferring it to your iPod Touch or iPhone.
It’s easy to transfer contacts if you read the help file, but here it is anyway:
1. You must first plug in your iPod Touch to your PC.
2. Start iTunes and select your device.
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3. Go to the Info tab and check Sync contacts with the source of your choice. In our case it’s Outlook.
4. Click Sync to start transferring your contacts. Now every time you modify your Contacts in Outlook, it will be included whenever you sync your iPod Touch.
Now if you include the birthdates of your contacts in their details, you might want to download the free app, iHappyDays to alert you whenever a friend’s birthday is coming up.
Time to build my contact list.
You might also be interested in:
- How to take screenshots within your iPod Touch
- How to browse contents of your iPod Touch using Windows Explorer
- How to read eBooks on your iPod Touch
- How to jailbreak the iPod Touch with 3.1.2 firmware
Filed under: iPod Touch Tips



Hi!
Thanks for the info.
I still have not been able to sync.
Information is on my computer in MS Outlook
I think I have givne “itunes” the correct instructions.
However computer ask for a later version of MS … which I do not have.
The computer ask me for
Microsoft 2000 Professional 2000
It ask me to insert “Microsoft Office 2000 SR-1 Professional’ disk and click OK
Are you able to help me?
Regards
hi paul, i think iTunes require at least Outlook 2003 to sync contacts and calendars.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1418
try pulling data from your ms outlook to outlook express and sync from there.
or transfer your contacts to your Gmail account and pull data from there.
Thanks for the info
I had no issue syncing with my outlook 2007.
But is there a way or opption to be able to sort the contacts other then by the persons name, like by company name?
Thanks
Michael
if you want it to sort by company name there’s a workaround that involves editing the contacts from your dektop then syncing it again. (source)
or an easier way is installing a better contacts app like fast contacts. or you can just do a global search for the company name on your ipod/iphone.
I just got my iPod Touch and I’m trying to follow your instructions, but the very first thing I don’t have when I go into iTunes is “Devices”. Is there something special I have to do?
I am plugged in to my PC.
your device may not be connected properly. try other usb port or make sure it’s connected properly.
Calvin,
I finally figured it out. When the instructions said to click on iTunes, I was doing it on my iPod Touch screen. No where did any directions make it clear that I needed to be in Quicktime and to click on iTunes there. Once I was there it was a snap.
Thanks for your help.
on step 3 where do I find the info tab? on itunes or on ipod touch? cannot seem to locate it on either
that should be in itunes. if you can’t find the tab, go to itunes preference or options and check the info tab option. it may have been hidden by default.
Do you have any other suggestions for this problem? I too have no info tab and I can’t find it in preferences either
Calvin, nothing seems to be happening when I try to sync contact from my Google Contacts. A small login window from Google pops up to prompting me for my password, and yet nothing happens.
yikes… i don’t know what’s wrong with that. maybe a problem with your connection? sorry man.
how about sent contact from ipod to outlook??
itunes contacts sync, its only to sync from outlook to iPod, but not vice versa.
hmm try creating a contact group in outlook. then on the sync section, select the Add contacts on this iPod to… (choose your group)
I only recently picked up the ipad,havent dug through it to determine all of the ins and outs but from what I can see its a fairly decent little piece of technology.
do you transift the contacts on my ipod touch.please.
I use Yahoo mail, and I don’t want all of the address book synced with my itouch, just certain catagories, but the software does not give me an option. It goes ahead and syncs all of the contacts in Yahoo Addresses. How do I set the software or my itouch to NOT sync the address book? I would rather have none than the 104 it downloaded into my new itouch. Some I never will use on the itouch. And how do I now get all 104 off of the itouch without having them be deleted from my computer? I’m puzzled!!! Hope someone can give me a hint on what to do.
WHY would you use such an OBNOXIOUS photo as your example?!?!