Recover Lost Contacts on an iPhone

This article teaches you how to use a backup to recover contact information that was deleted from your iPhone.

Steps

Using iTunes

  1. Open iTunes on your desktop. It's a white app with a multicolored musical note.
  2. Connect your iPhone to your desktop. Use the cable that came with your iPhone, plugging the USB end into the computer and the other end into your iPhone's charging port.
  3. Click on your iPhone's icon. It's in the gray bar at the top-left of the iTunes window.
  4. Click on . It's in the left pane of the iTunes window.
  5. Click on . It's in the upper part of the window's right pane.
  6. Click on a backup. Choose a backup with a date prior to the date your contacts were deleted from your iPhone.
  7. Click on . Once the process is complete, your iPhone contacts will be restored to the state they were in on the date of the backup you chose.

Using iCloud

  1. Open Settings . It's a gray app that contains gears and is typically located on your home screen.
  2. Scroll down and tap General. It's at the top of the third section down from your Apple ID.
  3. Scroll down and tap . It's at the bottom of the menu.
  4. Tap . It's near the top of the menu.
  5. Enter your passcode. Enter the passcode you use to unlock your phone.
    • If prompted, enter your "Restrictions" passcode.
  6. Tap . Doing so will reset all settings, as well as erase the media and data on your iPhone.
  7. Wait for the iPhone to reset. It may take a few minutes.
  8. Follow the on-screen prompts. The setup assistant will guide you through the process.
  9. Select a language. To do so, tap the language you prefer to use on your device.
  10. Select a country or region. Do so by tapping the country or region in which you'll use your device.
  11. Tap a Wi-Fi network. A list of available Wi-Fi networks appears near the top of the screen.
    • If prompted, enter a network password.
    • Alternatively, you can choose to connect to iTunes on your desktop with a USB cable by tapping Connect to iTunes.
  12. Tap . It's in the upper-right corner of the screen.
  13. Choose a Location Services setting. Your device uses Location Services for Maps, Find My iPhone, and other apps that use your location.
    • Tap Enable Location Services to allow apps on your device use your location.
    • Tap Disable Location Services to deny the use of your location.
  14. Create a passcode. Type a passcode into the provided spaces.
    • If you'd like to create a password different from the four- or six-digit default, tap Passcode Options at the bottom of the screen.
  15. Re-enter your passcode. Do so to confirm it.
  16. Tap . It's listed near the top of the setup options.
  17. Enter your Apple ID and password.
  18. Tap . It's in the upper-right corner of the screen. Doing so displays Apple's "Terms and Conditions."
    • Scroll down to read them.
  19. Tap . It's in the lower-right corner of the screen.
  20. Tap a backup. Choose a backup with a date prior to the the date you lost your contacts.
    • Your iPhone will begin downloading the backup from iCloud. After it's restored, your settings, apps, and contact data will be reinstalled.

Using Messages app

  1. Open the Messages app. It's a green app that contains a white text bubble and is likely on your home screen.
    • This option may work to recover the contact information for an individual you've previously texted.
  2. Tap the "New Message" icon. It's a square icon with a pencil in the upper-right corner of the screen.
  3. Start typing the name of the lost contact.
  4. Tap the contact info. If you see the contact you're looking for in the suggestions that appear as you type, tap the name or number to view the information.



Tips

  • You should regularly back up your iPhone using iCloud or iTunes to make it easier to access your old data if it ever gets lost or deleted from your iPhone.

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