Lost your contacts on your phone? Here’s how to get them back

As high technology and advanced as all our modern mobile devices, there is no way to detect basic user errors. Fortunately, the makers of your mobile devices keep such mistakes in mind. That’s why we were eager to answer Lynne’s question about how to recover a deleted contact from your mobile device.

“I must have ‘FAT’ fingers, as I accidentally deleted the information from my contacts. I had written a few other phone numbers. But think I deleted them by mistake. [like] to get this information back. I think I’m asking for a miracle.” — Lynne P. from Lakewood Ranch, Florida

There are several options or ways to recover your contact information from iPhone or Android, so it’s easy to find a solution that works for you.

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How do you restore contacts

Fortunately, the makers of iPhones and Android phones understand that mistakes happen and contacts can be accidentally deleted. Below are the ways to restore contacts from iPhone or Android phone:

How to restore contacts on iPhone or Mac

There are two services for iPhone owners to restore contacts: via iCloud or iTunes Backup. Before trying to restore your contacts, support Your iPhone for help if you lose data.

Restore contacts via iCloud:

Steps to restore contacts via iCloud (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

• Kind of “iCloud.com” in the search bar of your web browser.

Steps to restore contacts via iCloud (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

• Enter the email address used to start your iCloud account. This is usually the same email you use for your Apple ID.
• Enter your own password (unless you use a passkey)
• There may be a two-step verification identity verification process. You will be asked to allow or do not allow authentication on the second device. If so, choose Allow.
• Then enter the passcode assigned to this second device.

Steps to restore contacts via iCloud (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

• If you are signed in to your iCloud account, select the file menu icon upper right corner.

Steps to restore contacts via iCloud (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

• From the drop-down menu, select Data Recovery
• Select Restore Contacts

Steps to restore contacts via iCloud (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

• In the next window, you will have options for the recovery date. Select Bring it back next to the date before the contact was deleted.
• You will be asked to confirm the selection Bring it back again. After your contacts have been restored, you will receive a notification on iCloud.com and any email address associated with your Apple ID.

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Restore contacts via iTunes:

If you haven’t enabled iCloud to back up your contacts, you can restore your contacts through iTunes.

• Connect your iPhone to your PC using the power cable provided by Apple.
• If iTunes doesn’t open automatically on your desktop, open it iTunes on your computer.
• In the iTunes application, click the button Device button.
• Click Information
• Select things you want to sync from this backup to your iPhone (Contacts), then click Claim.

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How to restore contacts on Android

There are two resources that Android users can use to restore contacts: Google Contacts or device settings. Before trying to restore your contacts, support your Android for help if you lose data.

Restore contacts with Google Contacts:

Ssettings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone.

Steps to restore contacts on Android (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

• In your web browser, go to contacts.google.com and sign in to your Google account.
• Select the three line icon in the upper left corner

Steps to restore contacts on Android (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

• Select the Trash or bin icon
• You have to see the contact you deleted.
• If you move your mouse on top of the contact you want to restore, you will see an option to select them Get well to the right of the contact information. Select Get well.

Restore contacts via device settings:

Ssettings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone.

• On your Android, open Settings
• Tap Google
• Tap Set up and restore
• Tap Restore contacts
• Tap From the account to select the Google account you want to restore.
• Tap that the phone and the contacts you want to copy.
• Select the the source want to copy: Turn on or off SIM card or Device storage.
• Tap Bring it back
• You will find “Contacts restored” notification when the process is complete.

Please note: Only contacts that are not on your phone will be restored.

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While it’s great if you never make a mistake while using your mobile devices, accidents do happen and contacts are accidentally deleted. That’s why manufacturers of iPhones and Android devices have many ways to restore contacts to your phone. Following the simple steps described above gives you the ability to fix that situation quickly. It is best to make sure that your mobile devices are backed up to the cloud or physically to a computer or hard drive backup so that there is a source to restore your contacts to. Additionally, if something goes wrong while performing the recovery process, you have the ability to recover the lost data. Accidents happen, but practicing safe data hygiene prevents them from becoming a lost cause or needing a miracle.

Have you ever accidentally deleted a contact from your mobile device? How did you get that contact information? Are your contacts backed up anywhere? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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