How To Setup iOS To Sync With Google Contacts Via CardDAV

Back in December, I outlined how to hook up Google CardDAV to Contacts in Mountain Lion, but neglected to cover how to do so on iOS.

Sorry about that. Here’s how to do it.

In the Settings app, tap “Mail, Contacts, Calendars,” then tap “Add Account…”

In the Accounts Type screen, select “Other” at the bottom of the list, then select “Add CardDAV Account.”

The next screen is where you enter settings for the account:

Here are the details you need:

  • Server: google.com
  • User Name: Full Gmail address
  • Password: Your Gmail password
  • Description: What you want to call the account.

Once you are done entering this information, tap “Next” in the upper-right hand corner, and iOS will verify the settings are correct, then kick you back to the main Accounts screen.

The account will automatically sync the first time. Like on OS X, CardDAV accounts have to manually synced for later updates.

If your iPhone or iPad doesn’t have any other contact accounts setup, you’ll need to select your vcard for the “My Info” setting: