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3 Fixes for Outlook Contacts Not Syncing on iPhone and Mac

Quick Tips
  • Enable contact syncing for both Outlook and iCloud on your iPhone and Mac.
  • Open Settings > Contacts > Default Account > Choose Outlook.
  • Open Settings > Wi-Fi > Info icon next to your connected Wi-Fi network > Disable Low Data Mode.

Basic Fixes

  • Check internet speed: Check if you are getting good internet speeds on your mobile network or Wi-Fi.
  • Add your outlook account again: You can sign in again to your Outlook account and then try syncing contacts.
  • Disable Low Power Mode: Open Settings > Battery > Disable Low Power Mode.
  • Connect your device to the charger: This will improve the speed of syncing your contacts that gets affected due to low battery charge.
  • Force quit and relaunch Outlook: This will give the app a fresh start if it has been running in the background for quite some time now.
  • Update the Apple Contacts app:

Fix 1: Enable Contact Syncing

You need to check and enable contact syncing for your Outlook account. This is the first solution if your iPhone or Mac is not syncing with Outlook contacts. Here’s how to check the same.

On iPhone

Step 1: Open Settings > Contacts > Accounts > Choose your Outlook account > Enable Contacts syncing.

Step 2: Go back and then tap on your profile name.

Step 3: Tap on iCloud > Show All > Enable Contact syncing.

On Mac

Step 1: Open Contacts > Click on Contacts at the top-right corner and then select Settings.

contacts settings Mac

Step 2: Under the Accounts tab, select your Outlook account from the left menu and then click the checkbox next to Enable This Account.

enable outlook account contacts settings Mac

Step 3: Close the window and open Settings on your Mac.

Step 4: Go to your profile name > iCloud > Show All.

Step 5: Click the toggle next to Contacts and then select Done.

confirm contacts syncing icloud mac

Fix 2: Set Outlook As Default Account

If your Outlook contacts are still not syncing with iCloud, you can check if your Outlook account is set as default. Here’s how.

On iPhone

Open Settings > Contacts > Default Account > Outlook.

On Mac

Open Contacts > Settings > General > Default Account > Choose Outlook.

default account contacts settings Mac

Fix 3: Disable Low Data Mode for Wi-Fi

After you connect to a Wi-Fi network, you need to ensure that Low Data Mode has been disabled for the connected Wi-Fi network. You need a good internet speed from your Wi-Fi to sync your Outlook contacts. Here’s how to check the same on your iPhone and Mac.

On iPhone

Open Settings > Wi-Fi > Info icon next to your connected Wi-Fi network > Disable Low Data Mode.

On Mac

Open Settings > Wi-Fi > Info icon > Disable Low Data Mode > Click Ok.

low data mode wifi settings mac

Tip: You can also read our post to change your Outlook account password.

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Last updated on 15 August, 2024

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