How to preserve iphone contacts

[willie45]

Hi

I've only recently started using icloud to keep my macs and iphone in sync. So far it seems to work well but I have one worry. What happens if I mistakenly delete a contact on the phone or worse still someone else gets their hands on it and deletes the lot! I believe this would result in syncing over all my devices and the deletion of all records of contacts I have.

Can someone please explain to me the best way to avoid this situation?

Thanks

 

[Mrbobb]

Is it very simple.

So while everything is peachy you go into your Macbook, bring up the contact app and you do an EXPORT, this has the effect of making a backup. Make note of where this backup file(s) is written to and copy at will like to an external media and lock it in a safe and there ya go.

Tip: The export function probably let you export your contacts to several formats, DO THEM ALL, so if at some point in the future you move to Windows (God forbid), or Linux whatever, you have maximum compatibility.

 

[willie45]

Hi Mrbobb. Thanks for this information. I'm onto it now

 

[Weaselboy]

Tip: The export function probably let you export your contacts to several formats, DO THEM ALL, so if at some point in the future you move to Windows (God forbid), or Linux whatever, you have maximum compatibility.

Good advice right there. Only the VCARD export format can be imported if you are using iCloud, but good to do both then save the files somewhere like in a GMail to yourself.

 

[aDRock1154]

Losing your iPhone contacts prevents you from communicating with friends, family members or co-workers, potentially having an adverse effect on your personal or business life.

What.

 

[Weaselboy]

Losing your iPhone contacts prevents you from communicating with friends, family members or co-workers, potentially having an adverse effect on your personal or business life.

 

[TwoBytes]

Good question.

iCloud deleting means this applies to calendar appointments too. Nobody I know backs this up every day. I'm not sure of time machine makes a copy of your contacts/calendar