How to Transfer an Outlook Express Contact List to the iPhone

Apple's iPhone has quickly become an essential part of many people's lives, taking on the role of personal organizer and keeping track of the ever-growing amount of information we carry around with us. You can use Apple's iTunes software to synchronize your entire contact list from Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express, enabling you to have your contacts details with you whenever they are needed. You can add contacts to your Phone, and they are then automatically copied to Outlook Express when the iPhone is next synchronized with the computer.

Step 1

Click on the Windows "Start" button, and then click "All Programs." Click on the "iTunes" folder, then click the "iTunes" icon to open the application.

Step 2

Connect the iPhone to the computer using its USB cable. Once the iPhone has been plugged in, it will be automatically detected and will appear under "Devices" in the main iTunes menu.

Step 3

Click on the detected iPhone in the main iTunes menu, then click the "Info" tab.

Step 4

Select "Sync," then select contacts and any other data types you want to synchronize.

Step 5

Click the "Apply" button in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen to apply the settings.

Step 6

Force the iPhone to synchronize by selecting "Sync" from the iTunes "File" menu. The contacts will be transferred from Outlook Express to the iPhone.

Tips

• If you get an error message telling you the contacts cannot by synchronized, check that Microsoft Outlook Express is set as the default mail handler for Windows. In Outlook Express, click on the "Tools" menu and then "Options." If Outlook Express is not the default mail handler, the "Make Default" button will be enabled and should be clicked. After doing that, repeat the synchronize operation.

Warnings

• If you are using Microsoft Outlook, instead of Microsoft Outlook Express, only Outlook 2003 and later versions are supported for contact syncing.
• Ensure the contacts application on the iPhone is closed when synchronizing the contacts through iTunes.

References

• Apple: Transferring information to iPhone from another phone or your computer
• Microsoft Office: Make Outlook the default program for E-mail, Contacts, and Calendar

Resources

• Apple: Syncing iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch with iTunes
• Apple: Download iTunes

About the Author

Gareth Downes-Powell has been writing since 2000. He has contributed to a number of U.K. magazines, including "Web Designer," and has co-written four IT-related books published by Apress and Wrox. He has also worked as a technical editor on a number of titles for U.K. and U.S. publishers. Downes-Powell attended Thanet Technical College, achieving A-Levels in computer science, math and physics.

Photo Credits

• Chris Hondros/Getty Images News/Getty Images