How do I retrieve deleted contacts on my iPhone?
Losing important contacts on your iPhone can be a frustrating experience. Whether you accidentally deleted them or encountered a technical glitch, it’s essential to know how to recover them. In this article, we will guide you through the process of retrieving deleted contacts on your iPhone, ensuring that you can restore your contact list with ease.
Method 1: Use the Recently Deleted Folder
The first place to check for deleted contacts is the Recently Deleted folder. This folder automatically stores deleted contacts for a limited period, allowing you to recover them before they are permanently deleted.
1. Open the Contacts app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on the “Recents” tab at the bottom of the screen.
3. Scroll down to the “Recently Deleted” folder.
4. You will see a list of deleted contacts. Tap on the contact you want to recover.
5. Select “Recover” to restore the contact to its original location.
Please note that the Recently Deleted folder only keeps deleted contacts for 30 days. If your deleted contacts have been in the folder for more than 30 days, you will need to use another method to recover them.
Method 2: Restore from an iTunes Backup
If you have previously backed up your iPhone using iTunes, you can restore your deleted contacts from the backup file.
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes.
2. Select your iPhone from the list of devices on the left sidebar.
3. Click on the “Summary” tab.
4. Under the “Backups” section, click on “Restore Backup.”
5. Choose the backup file that contains your deleted contacts.
6. Click “Restore” to start the process. This will overwrite your current iPhone data with the data from the backup file.
Please be aware that restoring from an iTunes backup will erase all the data on your iPhone, so make sure you have a recent backup before proceeding.
Method 3: Restore from an iCloud Backup
If you have enabled iCloud backup on your iPhone, you can restore your deleted contacts from an iCloud backup.
1. On your iPhone, go to “Settings” > “iCloud” > “iCloud Backup.”
2. Tap on “Back Up Now” to ensure your device is backed up.
3. Go to “Settings” > “General” > “Reset.”
4. Select “Erase All Content and Settings.”
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your iPhone as a new device.
6. During the setup process, choose “Restore from iCloud Backup” and sign in to your iCloud account.
7. Select the backup file that contains your deleted contacts and wait for the restore process to complete.
Please note that restoring from an iCloud backup will also erase all the data on your iPhone, so make sure you have a recent backup before proceeding.
Method 4: Use a Third-Party Data Recovery Tool
If the above methods do not work or if you don’t have a backup, you can try using a third-party data recovery tool to recover your deleted contacts.
1. Download and install a reputable data recovery tool for iPhone, such as Dr. Fone or iMyFone D-Back.
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer and launch the data recovery tool.
3. Select “Contacts” as the file type you want to recover.
4. Follow the instructions provided by the tool to scan your iPhone for deleted contacts.
5. Once the scan is complete, preview the deleted contacts and select the ones you want to recover.
6. Click “Recover” to save the selected contacts to your computer.
Please be cautious when choosing a third-party data recovery tool, as some may not be reliable or may contain malware.
In conclusion, there are several methods to retrieve deleted contacts on your iPhone. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to recover your lost contacts and restore your contact list.
