Introduction: Synchronization of Microsoft Global Address List (GAL) contacts to Apple iPhone
Synchronizing the Microsoft 365 Global Address List (GAL) with Apple iPhone smartphones is an important need for users who always want to have access to up-to-date contact data of their colleagues and business partners directly from their mobile devices.
The distribution of CardDAV access data and the synchronization of contacts on iPhones and macOS devices (e.g. iPad) using sync.blue® opens up practical advantages in everyday working life: Calls can be made more efficiently by identifying callers directly via the stored contacts (keyword: "name resolution"). It also simplifies direct communication with colleagues, as all company contacts are already stored in the address book of the iPhone or macOS device, which significantly improves access and availability when on the move.
Why synchronize the Microsoft Global Address List (GAL) with Apple iPhone?
Up-to-date: Always have access to the latest contacts.
Efficiency: Quick access to contacts directly from your smartphone.
Mobility: Important contacts always with you, regardless of location.
Step-by-step Instructions: Synchronizing Contacts with sync.blue®
Step 1: Create an account with sync.blue®
sync.blue® is a GDPR-compliant cloud solution that synchronizes contacts between countless business applications. Create a free account here.
Step 2: Setting up synchronization on sync.blue®
Immediately after logging in, a new sync.blue® connection is set up, which always connects exactly one contact source (here: Microsoft 365 - Azure Directory / Entra ID / Global Address List / GAL (internal user list) v2) with a destination (here: iPhone (via CardDAV - hosted by sync.blue)):
1. Select Microsoft 365 - Azure Directory / Entra ID / Global Address List / GAL (internal user list) v2 as sync source.
2. Then select iPhone (via CardDAV - hosted by sync.blue) as the sync target.
3. The contact source and destination are now defined by name. The corresponding accounts must now be selected or reconnected.
4. After clicking on "Configure connection", the last important settings such as sync direction (1-way or 2-way) and interval (hourly, daily, weekly, monthly) can now be made.
In the advanced settings, we recommend setting deletion strategy 2, which deletes all contacts in the CardDAV sync target at the start of synchronization, thus ensuring that contacts deleted in the GAL are also removed in CardDAV.
As an alternative to synchronization with CardDAV, contacts can also be synchronized via Apple iCloud or a Microsoft 365 account. Synchronization via Apple iCloud requires that an Apple account is available and the option for iCloud contacts has been activated on the iPhone. When using a Microsoft 365 account, the account must be added to the smartphone.
Step 3: Distribution of the CardDAV access data
Two methods are available for providing CardDAV access data for synchronizing contacts on Apple iPhones: manual setup (option 1) and automatic distribution by Microsoft Intune (option 2). With the manual method, the access data must be configured individually on each device, which can take a considerable amount of time, especially in larger organizations with many end devices. In contrast, automatic distribution via Microsoft Intune enables an efficient and time-saving setup by automatically sending the CardDAV credentials to all required devices. This greatly simplifies the process and ensures that all devices are configured correctly and consistently.
Option 1: Manual provision of CardDAV access data
The manual provision of CardDAV access data on Apple iPhones is explained below:
1. Open Settings > Contacts > Accounts > Add account > Add CardDAV account and enter the following:
Server: directory.sync.blue
Username: API_KEY (replace with your own API key, which is displayed when setting up a sync.blue® connection)
Password: API_KEY (same as username)
Description: sync.blue
Advanced settings
Use SSL: yes
Port: 443
Account URL: https://directory.sync.blue/API_KEY
2. The synchronized contacts can now be found on the iPhone under Phone > Contacts > Lists > sync.blue®.
Tips: To start synchronization immediately, create a temporary contact on the iPhone in the CardDAV address book and delete it again straight away. Also make sure that the iPhone is sufficiently charged, otherwise no contacts will be synchronized in power-saving mode.
Option 2: Distributing the access data with Microsoft Intune
Although it is possible to manually provide CardDAV access data on every iPhone, it is quite laborious and time-consuming.
For iPhones, Microsoft Intune (or an alternative) can be used to distribute the CardDAV access data company-wide and thus make the GAL contacts available on the employees' smartphones.
It is assumed that the mobile device management system “Microsoft Intune” (MDM) is already configured in principle and that other configurations have already been distributed to various end devices (e.g. Microsoft, Google Android, Apple iPhone and Apple macOS).
1. Log into the Microsoft Intune Admin Center.
2. Create a new configuration profile or edit an existing one.
3. Click on “Add settings” and search for “CardDAV” there.
4. Add all seven available settings to the configuration profile.
5. Enter the following parameters for distribution to the end devices (replace XMSA4FD7UXXXXX with your own sync.blue® CardDAV API key).
6. These settings should be adopted by the end devices within a few minutes. Check whether the contacts are displayed on the iPhones, for example, under Phone > Contacts > Lists > Description of the CardDAV account.
Tip 1: Create a highly secure password for the production environment
By default, the API_KEY also serves as the password. If you would like a more secure password, we recommend that you get in touch with us. We will be happy to help you set a highly secure password for your production environment.
Tip 2: Prohibit write access to Apple iPhone contacts via CardDAV (read-only)
In certain cases, it can be advantageous to provide contacts on mobile devices with read-only access. If you would like this functionality, please get in touch with us. We can then configure the CardDAV API key centrally and once only so that it meets these requirements. For users of an Apple iPhone CardDAV client, this means that any changes or deletions of contacts will only remain locally on the device and will not affect the contact information on other devices. Local changes are overwritten when updated on the server, and locally deleted contacts are added again as soon as a change is made to the contact on the server. However, it should be noted that Apple users cannot be prevented from temporarily changing or deleting contacts locally.
Conclusion
Synchronizing the Global Address List (GAL) from Microsoft 365 or Exchange with smartphones is an effective way to ensure that employees have access to the most up-to-date contact information anytime, anywhere. Integrating this data into mobile devices via sync.blue using CardDAV not only improves communication and efficiency within the company, but also makes employees' everyday lives easier by providing direct access to important contact data. CardDAV access data can be provided either manually for each device individually or automatically via Microsoft Intune, whereby the latter option is a time-saving and error-minimizing method that is particularly advantageous for a large number of end devices. The basic prerequisite for this is an existing configuration of the mobile device management system “Microsoft Intune”, which enables comprehensive and uncomplicated management of the device configurations. Overall, the synchronization of Microsoft Global Addresslist contacts using sync.blue® on Apple iPhones helps to further promote digital networking in professional life and make it more efficient.
Frequently asked questions about synchronization from Microsoft Global Address List (GAL) to Apple iPhone
What is GAL (Global Address List)?
GAL stands for “Global Address List”. It is a feature that is often found in email and communication systems, especially those designed for companies and organizations. The GAL is a central address list that contains all users, groups and sometimes resources such as conference rooms and equipment available within a network or organization.
The main function of the GAL is to provide users with easy access to contact information and resources to facilitate communication and planning within an organization. Users can search the GAL to quickly find email addresses, phone numbers and other relevant information about colleagues and departments. In environments such as Microsoft Exchange and Outlook, the GAL is a central element that promotes collaboration and information sharing.
What is sync.blue®?
sync.blue® is a cloud-based platform that enables uncomplicated and secure synchronization of company contacts. This platform is provided by the German company phonebridge GmbH, based in Haltern am See. Users can synchronize contacts between a variety of applications such as CRM, groupware, ticket systems, databases, telephone systems and many more without the need to install software or purchase a license.
How secure is sync.blue®?
Contact synchronization via sync.blue® is very secure:
Communication is exclusively SSL-encrypted.
Operation takes place in highly secure German data centers
Data is protected in accordance with GDPR guidelines.
Is sync.blue® free of charge?
Yes, sync.blue® can be tested free of charge for an unlimited period of time. Costs are only incurred when you switch to the paid plan. The Microsoft 365 Global Addresslist is available in the sync.blue® DIRECTORY plan, which is billed per target user per month.
Further links
The following links contain valuable further information:
All information has been compiled carefully and to the best of our knowledge and belief. Nevertheless, all information are without guarantee.
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