How to Restore Deleted Contacts on iPhone

Edited 3 days ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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If you accidentally deleted contacts on your iPhone, you may be worried about losing your precious information. Fortunately, Apple provides several methods to help you recover deleted contacts. These methods include using Apple's built-in features, iCloud, iTunes, and even third-party applications. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each method step-by-step, ensuring you can successfully recover your deleted contacts.

Method 1: Using iCloud.com

iCloud is Apple's cloud storage and cloud computing service. If you have previously backed up your contacts using iCloud, you can easily restore them. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open iCloud.com

Go to iCloud.com on your computer's web browser and sign in with your Apple ID and password.

Step 2: Access the Settings

After logging in, click on your name or Account Settings in the upper-right corner of the screen to access Account Settings. From Account Settings, click "Restore Contacts" under the 'Advanced' section.

Step 3: Choose Backup

You will see a list of archives from which you can restore contacts. These archives are created automatically whenever you make changes to your contacts in iCloud. Select the archive that you think contains your lost contacts and click "Restore."

Step 4: Confirm the restore

iCloud will ask you to confirm that you want to restore the selected archive. Click "Restore" to confirm. Depending on the number of contacts, this process may take some time. Once done, your deleted contacts will be restored to your iPhone.

Method 2: Using iTunes/Finder backup

If you have backed up your device before, another way to restore deleted contacts is to use iTunes or Finder. Here are the necessary steps:

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to your computer

Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to the computer where you previously backed up your iPhone using iTunes or Finder.

Step 2: Open iTunes or Finder

If you are using a macOS version prior to Catalina, open iTunes. For macOS Catalina and later, open Finder. In the interface, select your iPhone from the list of devices.

Step 3: Select Backup

In iTunes, click "Summary" on the left side of the window. In Finder, you'll see your device's main dashboard. Click "Restore Backup" and choose the most recent backup that you think contains the deleted contacts.

Step 4: Restore the backup

Click "Restore" and wait for the process to complete. This step will replace the existing data on your iPhone with the data from the backup. Once finished, your contacts should be restored.

Method 3: Using iCloud settings on iPhone

If you have enabled iCloud contact synchronization, you may be able to restore your contacts directly from the iPhone settings. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Open iPhone Settings

Go to "Settings" on your iPhone and tap on your name at the top to access the Apple ID settings.

Step 2: Open iCloud

In the Apple ID settings, tap "iCloud." You will see various options for syncing data.

Step 3: Toggle Contacts off and on

Find "Contacts" in the list and turn the switch off. You'll be asked to keep or delete the contact. Select "Delete from My iPhone." Then, turn the switch back on. This will re-sync your iPhone with iCloud and may restore your lost contacts.

Method 4: Using third-party apps

There are many third-party apps designed to recover lost data, including contacts. These apps can scan your iPhone for deleted contacts and help you recover them. Some popular third-party recovery tools include Dr.Fone, iMobie PhoneRescue, and Tenorshare UltData. Below are the general steps to follow:

Step 1: Download and install the app

Download and install your chosen recovery app from its official website or app store.

Step 2: Connect your iPhone

Open the app and connect your iPhone to the computer via USB cable.

Step 3: Scan your iPhone

Follow the app's instructions to scan your iPhone for deleted contacts. This process may take some time depending on the amount of data on your device.

Step 4: Preview and recover contacts

After the scan is complete, the app will display a list of recoverable contacts. Preview the contacts and select the contacts you want to restore. Follow the app's instructions to recover and save your contacts back to your iPhone.

Method 5: Contact your service provider

If none of the above methods work, you can contact your mobile service provider. Some providers keep a record of your contacts and can help you restore them. This is a rare situation, but it's worth checking if you desperately need it.

Preventing future damage

To avoid the stress of losing contact again, consider taking some preventative measures:

Enable iCloud Backup

Make sure you have iCloud backup enabled. Go to "Settings" > [your name] > "iCloud" > "iCloud Backup" and make sure it's turned on. This will automatically back up your device daily when it's connected to Wi-Fi, charging, and locked.

Regular Syncing

Sync your contacts regularly with iCloud or another service like Google Contacts. This ensures that if you lose your contacts on one device, you can quickly recover them from another source.

Use third-party backup apps

There are many apps available that can back up your contacts on a regular basis. Apps like My Contacts Backup and Contacts Backup - IS Contacts Kit Free may be useful.

Export contacts regularly

Periodically export your contacts to a file and store it safely. You can do this using the various services and apps mentioned above.

Conclusion

Recovering deleted contacts on iPhone is not a difficult task. Using the methods mentioned above, you can restore your contacts and ensure you don't lose them again. Whether you use iCloud, iTunes/Finder, a third-party app, or contact your service provider, it's always good to know that there are options available to help you recover the most important data on your phone.

By implementing some preventive measures, you can also avoid losing your contacts in the future. Regular backups and syncs, using third-party backup apps, and frequently exporting your contacts are all best practices to adopt.

Always remember, technology is meant to make our lives easier, and with a little know-how and the right tools, we can avoid many of the hassles that come with it.

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