If you save contacts to more than one account—like iCloud, Gmail, or Outlook—you might want to choose a default account so new contacts always go to the right place. Here’s how to change the default account for contacts on your iPhone 14.
Set a New Default Contacts Account
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Contacts.
- Tap Default Account.
- Choose the account you want to use (e.g., iCloud, Gmail, Outlook, etc.).
Any new contacts you add going forward will automatically be saved to this account.
Note: If you only have one contacts account set up, you won’t see the “Default Account” option.
Add a New Contacts Account (Gmail, Outlook, etc.)
If you don’t see your preferred account listed, here’s how to add it:
- Go to Settings > Contacts > Accounts.
- Tap Add Account.
- Choose your provider (Google, Yahoo, Outlook, AOL, or tap Other for LDAP or CardDAV).
- Enter your login credentials and follow the setup prompts.
- Make sure Contacts is toggled ON during setup.
Once added, return to Contacts > Default Account and select it.
Why Use a Default Contacts Account?
Using a specific account helps keep your contacts organized, especially if:
- You want to separate work and personal contacts
- You use a company-managed Exchange or LDAP server
- You prefer to manage your contacts via Google Contacts or another platform
Choosing a default also avoids confusion when syncing contacts across devices.