How to Recover Deleted Contacts on iPhone? (8 Methods)

Are you frustrated or annoyed with how your contacts got deleted from the iPhone? Well, don’t worry! It does happen with every person all around. However, you do have a way how to recover deleted contacts on iPhone. It is quite easy and simple but, you need to dive down the blog to get into detail.

Though this can be aggravating! But, I do have some good news for you. Yes, you do have a feature enabled on your device that can help you to recover deleted contacts on your iPhone easily. For instance, you can recover deleted contacts from your trash folder.

Also, you can restore deleted contacts by merging contacts on iPhone, from iCloud backup, a Mac backup, or a Gmail account. Here, I will show you all the probable ways how to find deleted contacts on iPhone? So, come let’s go down and know all about it!

Reasons for Disappearing of Contacts on iPhone

Before getting into detail about how to recover deleted contacts iPhone, you need to know first the top reasons why your contacts get deleted on your iPhone.

When you buy a new iPhone, one of the most common causes for contacts to disappear is that they aren’t transferred over. Like, whenever you visit your cellular provider stores at any place, you can take their help in transferring all your contacts before you make any new purchase of a smartphone. 

A software issue can potentially result in contacts being lost on an iPhone. If an issue happens during a software update, your iPhone’s data may get corrupted. Also, I’d recommend you always make a backup folder of your contacts, before you get installed any new software. 

Finally, you may unintentionally enter into the wrong iCloud account or sync your contacts with an account that isn’t the right one. Some, but not all, of your contacts may appear as a result of this.

8 Pro Ways for Retrieving Deleted Contact on iPhone

Here, I have discussed the top 7 ways how to get contact back on iPhone. So, come let’s see one by one of them. And, thereby, you can decide which one suits your requirements.

#1. Restore Deleted Contacts by Merging iCloud Contacts

If you recently deleted Contacts from your iPhone, they are likely still available on iCloud and can be recovered. So, follow the given instructions to do this:

1. In the first step, Go to Settings.
   
2. Got to Apple ID Name.
   
3. Go to iCloud.
   
4. Turn off the Contacts.
   
5. Now, choose to Keep on My iPhone from the pop-up menu.
   
6. After that, return the Contacts toggle to the ON position on your device to re-enable iCloud Contacts.
   
7. Finally, select the Merge option from the Pop-up.
   

This should, hopefully, restore all of your deleted contacts to your device.

#2. Restore Deleted Contacts through other Apple Devices

I’m sure you utilize iCloud to save your contacts if you use Apple devices other than the iPhone. Now, if you delete a contact on your iPhone, it will be wiped from all of your other devices as well, with the exception that those devices must be connected to the internet.

As a result, even if your iPad, MacBook, or other device is not connected to the internet, these contacts are still present, and you can restore deleted contacts from your iPhone. Simply open Contacts on your other Mac or iPad, and you’re done!

Continue to the following stage if this didn’t work out for you.

#3. Retrieve Deleted Contacts from iCloud Backup

You might not know that iCloud does come with a feature of regularly storing the contacts on the device. So, always look for restoring your contact from the earlier version of iCloud.

Contacts on all of your devices can be replaced by restoring iPhone contacts from the iCloud archive. Also, by doing this you can easily preserve all your contacts and can view them anytime and anywhere you want. To retrieve your deleted iPhone contacts from iCloud, follow the steps below.

1. In the first step, you will need to log into the iCloud account on your device. For this, you can visit the URL named iCloud.com with any browser opened on the device.
2. In the blue font, select Account Settings. Then go to the Advanced section and choose to Restore Contacts from the drop-down menu.
3. All of your contacts’ available versions will be archived in a list by date and time.
4. Now, in the final step, you need to select the upgraded version that will allow you to restore the deleted contacts. And, now, you need to click on the Restore tab.

Note:

• Please wait until the restoration procedure is finished before making any changes. Otherwise, it will not save any changes you made to your contact list. 
• When removing the “iCloud Contacts” option on the device, some customers make the mistake of unintentionally tapping on “Delete from My iPhone,” and then all of their contacts vanish.
• In this scenario, simply reactivating iCloud Contacts on your iPhone will restore your contacts.

In this way, you can know on iPhone how to retrieve deleted contacts easily and simply.

#4. Restore Deleted Contacts from iTunes Backup

Another simple way to retrieve deleted contacts is to use this option. It does, however, have some disadvantages. First and foremost, you must have already created iTunes backups of your iPhone.

Unlike iCloud, an iTunes backup is saved locally on a Mac or PC’s hard drive rather than in the cloud. It occupies a significant amount of disc space on your computer.

You may easily retrieve your contacts if you have the necessary backup on iTunes. This procedure is similar to recovering from an iCloud backup in that it fully overwrites your iPhone’s current data. You can’t choose which data to recover; you have to restore everything.

Simply follow these steps if you’re certain this is the way you want to go about restoring your contacts.

1. In the first step, you need to connect your phone to your desktop. For this, you can use your USB cable. iTunes should instantly launch once they’re connected.
2. Now, a small iPhone icon appears in the top left corner of the iTunes window. Select it by clicking on it.
3. Then, you’ll see a button labeled “Restore iPhone” in the following window. That is the option to choose.
4. Finally, examine all of your backups to see which one contains all of the contacts you’ve lost. 

Here, you come to the end of the method and got to know how to retrieve deleted contacts on iPhone with iTunes Backup by following the simple steps.

#5. Restore Deleted Contacts by Google Contacts.

Follow these instructions to restore your contacts to your iPhone if you have sync up them with your Google account or other cloud services.

1. To add a Google or other cloud account, go to Settings > Passwords & accounts > Add account > Google or other cloud services.
2. Now, Put your Google email address and password in the boxes below. Then press “Allow” after “Sign in.”
3. Then, in the upper right corner, touch “Save” after turning on the “Contacts” switch.

In this way, you get to know on iPhone how to recover contacts on iPhone through your Google Contacts.

#6. Restore Deleted Contacts from iCloud.com

For customers who have synced their iPhone contacts via iCloud, restoring contacts from iCloud.com is a good option. However, if you have logged in to the account, you need to simply dive down to the following steps:  

1. In the first step, enter your Apple ID and password in a web browser at iCloud.com.
2. Now, you must enter the code you got on a trusted device if you have enabled two-factor authentication.
3. Then, select Options from the drop-down menu.
4. Then, scroll down to Advanced and select Restore Contacts from the Settings menu.
5. Finally, to restore contacts from iCloud to your iPhone, select an archive of contacts.

Before making any changes, wait until iCloud has finished restoring your contacts. This is necessary because any modifications you make while it’s restoring them will not get preserved.

#7. Recover Deleted Contacts from Gmail

Getting your deleted contacts back on your iPhone is simple if they were also stored in your Gmail contacts. This method does not require a computer because you can sync your contacts via the Settings app. Here’s how to recover deleted contacts from your Gmail account:

1. To access the Settings app, tap it.
2. Now, choose Mail.
3. Then, go to Accounts and choose it.
4. Then, choose the email account containing the contacts you want to add to your iPhone from the drop-down menu.
5. In the final step, to sync your Gmail contacts to your iPhone, tap the Contacts toggle. (When enabled, the toggle is green.)

Your stored Gmail contacts will now appear in the list when you launch your Phone or Contacts app.

#8. Using a Third-Party Tool to Recover Deleted Contacts

Though iTunes and iCloud make it simple to recover contacts from your iPhone, the backup will overwrite any current data on your iPhone, and any new contacts you haven’t stored up will be deleted. 

If you wish to retain your device’s existing data unspoiled and undamaged, you can utilize a third-party tool to safely retrieve lost contacts. Here, I have discussed some good third-party apps for the easy recovery of deleted contacts. 

Jihosoft iPhone Data Recovery Tool

This tool is simple to operate. Simply connect your iPhone to your computer, and the iPhone Contacts Recovery software will scan your device and recover deleted contacts from your iPhone without the need for a backup.

In addition, if your iPhone is stolen or damaged, the program allows you to carefully remove data from an iTunes or iCloud backup. 

Jihosoft iPhone Recovery can also help you recover deleted text messages, WhatsApp messages, images, notes, calendars, and other items from your iPhone. Download the application for free and try it out by following the steps below.

1. In the first step, download and install Jihosoft iPhone Data Recovery on your computer, then connect your iPhone to it using a USB cable.
2. Then, when the application recognizes your device, select “Start Scan” to begin a scan.
3. Now, when the scan is finished, go to the left pane and choose “Contacts” to see your deleted iPhone contacts. 
4. Finally, once you’ve located the contacts you require, select “Recover” to save them to your computer.

A PowerRescue

A powerRescue is software that stands out for this solution. When it comes to storing vital data, it is a useful and efficient tool. Here’s how you can put it to use:

1. To begin, download the most recent version of the software to your computer.
2. Now, use a USB cable to connect the gadget to your computer.
3. Then, click the “Start Scan” icon after selecting “Contacts.”
4. Now, a list of “Contacts” will appear. Look for the contacts you want to recover.
5. Finally, to recover all of your wiped contacts from the Device, select “Recover.”

Tips and Tricks for iPhone Contacts 

You will be able to meet your requirements now that you are aware of the various methods for recovering iPhone lost contacts. You can also take a look at these fast iPhone contact suggestions. Here, I have mentioned some pro tips for how to recover contacts on iPhone.

Names Missing from iPhone Contacts

Frequently, the names of iPhone contacts are not displayed (or only displays the first name). This is frequently caused by an iCloud syncing problem. Turn off the contacts syncing option in your iCloud settings to fix this. You can opt to delete any existing iCloud contacts from this screen.

After that, restart your device and enable the syncing option once more.

Contacts on iPhone do not Sync to iCloud.

Another issue with iCloud syncing is this. Unlinking your iCloud account from your device and rejoining it afterward is the best approach to fix this.

To do so, go to Settings on your smartphone and select your account. Details about your Apple ID can be found here. Then, tap on the “Sign Out” option from the screen. 

To sync your phone again, restart it and log in using your iCloud account credentials.

Allow DND calls from “Favorites.”

Setting a few “favorite” contacts on your phone is always a good idea. Simply go to the contacts of your close friends and family and mark them as “favorites.” Now, as you move with the steps, you need to click on the enable option after selecting all your favorite listed contacts.

The trick will be applicable when your phone is in the do not disturb mode option. So, simply go to the Do Not Disturb menu and select “Favorites” under “Allow calls from.”

Create a Contact List that will be used as a Default.

Sometimes, it becomes difficult to manage all your known contacts as it is located in a different direction on your phone. So, it gradually becomes difficult and as such you need to use your default contact list.

This is one of the best iPhone contacts organization methods available, and it will save you time and effort. Tap the “Default Account” option in Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars on your phone. To make things easier, you may set a default contact list for your phone from here.

FAQs

1. What is the primary reason for the disappearance of contacts on my iPhone?

Ans. When you buy a new iPhone, one of the most common causes for contacts to disappear is that they aren’t transferred over.

So, I suggest that whenever you visit your cellular provider stores at any place, you can take their help in transferring all your contacts before you make any new purchase of a smartphone. 

2. How can I recover deleted contacts on iPhone by merging iCloud contacts?

Ans. If you recently deleted Contacts from your iPhone, they are likely still available on iCloud and can be recovered. So, follow the given instructions to do this:

1. In the first step, toggle the toggle next to Contacts to the OFF position in Settings > Apple ID Name > iCloud.
2. Now, choose to keep on My iPhone from the pop-up menu.
3. After that, return the Contacts toggle to the ON position on your device to re-enable iCloud Contacts.
4. In the last step, select the Merge button from the screen.

3. How can I restore deleted contacts from iTunes backup?

Ans. Follow these steps if you’re certain this is the way you want to go about restoring your contacts.

1. In the first step, you need to connect your phone to your desktop. For this, you can use your USB cable. iTunes should instantly launch once they’re connected.
2. Now, a small iPhone icon appears in the top left corner of the iTunes window. Select it by clicking on it.
3. Then, you’ll see a button labeled “Restore iPhone” in the following window. That is the option to choose.
4. Finally, examine all of your backups to see which one contains all of the contacts you’ve lost. 

4. How can I restore deleted contacts from Gmail?

Ans. Here’s how to recover deleted contacts from your Gmail account:

1. To access the Settings app, tap it.
2. Now, choose Mail.
3. Then, go to Accounts and choose it.
4. Then, choose the email account containing the contacts you want to add to your iPhone from the drop-down menu.
5. In the final step, to sync your Gmail contacts to your iPhone, tap the Contacts toggle. (When enabled, the toggle is green.)

5. Suggest one trick for iPhone contacts.

Ans. Frequently, the names of iPhone contacts are not displayed (or only displays the first name). This is frequently caused by an iCloud syncing problem. So, what’s the trick is that you can turn off the contacts syncing option in your iCloud settings to fix this.

And, thereby, you can opt to delete any existing iCloud contacts from this screen. After that, restart your device and enable the syncing option once more.

Related Posts:

• How to Recover Deleted Text Messages on iPhone?
• How to Recover Deleted Call History on iPhone?
• How to Retrieve Deleted Voicemail on iPhone?

Final Words

Hopefully, you enjoyed the blog. You might certainly have come to know the reasons behind your iPhone contacts’ disappearance. Also, here, I have mentioned some of the good ways how to recover deleted contacts iPhone.

Together I suggested some tips and tricks by which you can avoid your iPhone contacts from being deleted. At last, I hope you are now able to tackle to issue by using any of the above methods.