vCard 2.1 vs 3.0 vs 4.0 — Which Version to Use

July 13, 2026

vCard, also known as VCF (Virtual Contact File), is the universal standard for exchanging contact information. However, not all vCards are created equal. The format has evolved through three major versions: 2.1, 3.0, and 4.0. Choosing the right version determines whether your contacts import correctly with special characters, photos, and custom fields. This vcard version comparison explains exactly what changed and which version you should use.

If you have ever tried importing a contact file from an iPhone into Outlook and found garbled names or missing photos, version mismatch is likely the culprit. Understanding the differences between vCard 2.1, 3.0, and 4.0 saves you from data loss during contact migration.

What is a vCard file? ▼A vCard (VCF) file is a standard format for electronic business cards, containing contact information like name, phone, email, address, photo, and custom fields for exchange between devices and applications.Which vCard version does iPhone use? ▼Apple's iOS uses vCard 3.0 as the default export format. iPhones also import vCard 2.1 and can read many vCard 4.0 files.Can Outlook read vCard 4.0? ▼Outlook has limited vCard 4.0 support. For best compatibility with Outlook, use vCard 2.1 or 3.0.How do I convert between vCard versions? ▼Use a converter tool like VCF to CSV followed by CSV to VCF to re-export in a different version. Google Contacts also converts versions automatically on export.What is the difference between vCard 2.1 and 3.0? ▼vCard 3.0 uses UTF-8 instead of quoted-printable encoding, supports structured name components, multiple phone/email entries per contact, and inline BASE64 photos. vCard 2.1 is limited to basic single-instance fields.