Enabling iCloud Contacts & Calendar Syncing on Non-iCloud Devices

Mac Geek Gab listener Bob writes in with a tip on getting iCloud contacts and calendars to sync with your non-iCloud devices. The key is to set up CardDAV (for contacts) and CalDAV (for calendars) accounts.

Step 1: Obtain your iCloud Unique Identifier

Go to ~/Library/Application Support/Address Book/Sources and open “Configuration.plist” using a text editor such as TextEdit or BBEdit. Near the top of this file is a line “<key>/xxxxxxxx/carddavhome/<key>.”

The xxxxxxxx represents your iCloud Unique Identifier. Copy it or write it down for later. 

Step 2: Set up the non-iCloud iOS Device for Contacts

On the iOS device, go to Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Add Account. Choose “Other” and select “Add CardDAV Account” under the Contacts section. 

Enter the following information:

Server: https://p02-contacts.icloud.com:443/[iCloud Unique ID]/carddavhome/card/
User Name: your iCloud login name
Password: your iCloud password
Description: iCloud CardDAV

Choose “Advanced,” turn SSL On and enter 443 for the port.

Press Done twice and the information will validate with the server. If all was entered correctly the device will verify the information and connect to your contacts.

Step 3: Set up the non-iCloud iOS Device for Calendars

On the iOS device, go to Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Add Account. Choose “Other” and select “Add CalDAV Account” under the Calendars section.

Enter the following information: 

Server: https://p02-icloud.com:443/[iCloud Unique ID]/principal
User Name: your iCloud login name
Password: your iCloud password
Description: iCloud CalDAV

Choose “Advanced,” turn SSL On and enter 443 for the port. 

Thanks, Bob, for this great information!