Business contact data is often provided via Exchange. However, if you do not use Exchange, there are other ways to provide your users with this contact data in compliance with data protection regulations. In this how-to, we would like to introduce you to a simple option (without special apps and servers) for a one-off provision of contact data.
Aim
In this How-To, we will show you how you can make all business contacts available to your users on fully managed iOS/iPadOS devices very easily and in compliance with data protection regulations.
Implementation
1. Exporting contacts
First of all, you need to export a list of the desired contacts (vCard) to a .vcf file. If you use a special app for your contacts, use it to export the .vcf file. Contacts can also be exported to a .vcf file via the Apple iCloud or via a Google account (example in the image). If necessary, an existing contact list (e.g. a .csv file) must first be converted to .vcf format. This can be done with the Windows Contacts app or with special apps (vCard Converter), for example. For data protection reasons, do not use online tools for this.
2. Distribute contact list via the Cortado administration portal
To forward the .vcf file to your users' mobile iOS/iPadOS devices securely and in compliance with data protection regulations, log in to the Cortado administration portal.
- Then select Administration→ Files.
- Upload your .vcf file to the administration portal (arrows in illus.). To do this, proceed as described in our help article How to make files available to your users on mobile devices.
- Select the file in the left-hand column (left arrow in illus.) and assign it to the desired users or groups (right arrow in illus.).
- If you have not already done so, also assign the Cortado app to your users (see help article: How to provide your iOS users with the Cortado app for managing apps and files).
3. Import the contact list into the Contacts app (iPhone/iPad)
- Users will then find the file on their iPhone/iPad in the Cortado app under Files (arrow in left illus.).
- The file can now be downloaded there (arrow in right illus.).
- Then tap the Share button in the open file (arrow in left illus.).
In the next step, select the Contacts app (right illus.).
- All existing contacts in the .vcf file are now displayed. Tap on Save (arrow in left illus.).
- After the successful import, you will find all contacts from the .vcf file in the Contacts app (right illus.).
If you want to provide your users with additional contacts at a later date, repeat all of the above steps. Make sure you only import the new contacts into the .vcf file to avoid duplicates.