Outlook Synchronization Powered by Implicit Sync - Getting Started
BigContacts offers a powerful Outlook sync plugin, powered by Implicit Sync, to help you automatically keep your contacts, calendar events, and tasks in sync between BigContacts and your Outlook desktop application.
This plugin only works with Windows and supported desktop versions of Outlook. Please read the requirements below before proceeding.
System Requirements
Before you begin, make sure your setup meets these requirements:
Supported Outlook Versions:
- Outlook 2007
- Outlook 2010 (32-bit & 64-bit)
- Outlook 2013 (32-bit & 64-bit)
- Outlook 2016 (32-bit & 64-bit)
- Office 365 installed desktop version only
The plugin does not work with the web version of Office 365 or on Mac systems.
Supported Windows Versions:
- Windows XP (32-bit)
- Vista (32-bit)
- Windows 7 (32-bit & 64-bit)
- Windows 8 (32-bit & 64-bit)
- Windows 10
Known Limitation:
In some regions (e.g., Australia), the plugin may not fully recognize daylight saving time during calendar syncs.
Before you install: remove old versions
If you’ve previously installed an older version of the plugin, uninstall it first:
- Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features (or Add/Remove Programs on Windows XP)
- Find Implicit Sync Outlook Add-In
- Click Remove
Step 1: Set sync preferences in BigContacts
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Log into your BigContacts account
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Click the Gear icon > Add-ons
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Go to the Outlook Sync tab
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Under Outlook Synchronization, choose what data the user should sync:
- Contacts, Meetings, Tasks
- Select either ALL or ONLY assigned items
- ALL = Includes shared records
- ONLY = Syncs just the user’s assigned data
- Click Save Changes
Step 2: Get the Outlook Sync Plugin installer
The Outlook Sync plugin is a downloadable Windows application and must be installed manually—it’s not available in the Outlook Store or AppSource.
To get the latest installer, please contact our support team directly at support@bigcontacts.com, and we’ll send you the download link.
Make sure to close Outlook and all Microsoft Office applications before running the installer. Confirm that your system meets the compatibility requirements listed above
If you’re looking for general info about using add-ins in Outlook, Microsoft provides this helpful guide:
Using add-ins in Outlook (Microsoft Support)
Step 3: Configure the plugin in Outlook
Once you've received the installer and completed the installation, open Outlook to begin the setup process.
1. When prompted, enter the following License Key:
WKZ6C-Y4NT4-C4FYR-EQGBS-C4CNY
2. Enter your BigContacts username and password
3. Select the root folder where data will sync:
- If using Exchange, select your Exchange mailbox
- If using standalone Outlook, select Outlook Personal Folders
4. Click Configure Application to continue
Step 4: Review and save sync settings in the Outlook plugin
After configuring your login and folder settings, you'll see a new button or tab in Outlook labeled Implicit Sync. Click this to open the plugin’s Options menu.
Where to find it:
Outlook 2007: The Implicit Sync add-in may appear in the toolbar or menu ribbon
Outlook 2010 and later: Look for the Implicit Sync section in the Outlook ribbon (usually under Add-Ins)
Once inside the Options menu, review the sync settings under the “Synchronize” section.
Important Notes:
Don’t enable automatic sync right away
We recommend not enabling automatic sync during your initial setup.
Leave the option “Schedule an automatic synchronization every...” unchecked until:
- You've finished setting up the plugin
- You've completed at least one manual sync
- Everything looks correct in Outlook and BigContacts
This gives you more control and prevents large syncs from happening before you're ready.
How long will the first sync take?
The plugin syncs in small batches of 20 changes (contacts created, edited, or deleted), each taking around 16 seconds.
So, if you have:
- 200 contacts → Sync takes around 3 minutes
- 2,000 contacts → About 25 minutes
- 20,000 contacts → May take up to 5 hours
This is completely normal. Once your first sync is complete, future syncs will be much faster.
That’s it!
Your Outlook sync is now fully set up. Contacts, meetings, and tasks will now sync between Outlook and BigContacts.
Need help? We’re here for you.