How to Import VCF to an iPhone

CSV files can be used to send contact info but can only contain textual data, no photos or audio.

Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple Inc.

You ask a friend to text to you her phone number, and you soon receive a text on your iPhone with a VCF file attached. You wonder if your friend misheard you. The truth is your friend simply knows the easiest way to send contact information: in a vCard. IOS 8 makes it easy to import vCards into your Contacts on your iPhone.

A vCard -- or VCF file -- is a file containing contact information, such as phone numbers, contact photos, emails and addresses -- it could even have a link to Google Maps for directions. All this information can be nestled nicely into your iPhone's Contacts in just a few taps. The vCard is now the standard for sharing such information.

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Step 1

Tap the vCard attachment to open it.

Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple Inc.

Tap on the VCF file attachment to open it. You may have received it in an instant message as displayed here, but the procedure in iOS 8 is the same if you receive the vCard by email or access it on someone's website.

Step 2

Select "Create New Contact."

Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple Inc.

Select "Create New Contact." If you already have this person in your contacts but are adding new information, select "Add to Existing Contact" instead.

Step 3

Tap "Done" to finish importing.

Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple Inc.

Tap "Done" to finish importing the vCard information into your iPhone Contacts.