Do you ever feel flustered when you accidentally delete a contact from your iPhone? It can be frustrating trying to remember all the details associated with that contact, such as phone number, email address, social media accounts, and more. Fortunately, there are several ways to recover a contact you deleted on iPhone, and we’ll cover them in this blog post.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Recover A Contact You Deleted on iPhone
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s essential to have all your contacts readily available at your fingertips. Losing important contacts can lead to missed opportunities, decreased productivity, and even missed connections with friends and family. Here are some reasons why you need to recover a contact you deleted on iPhone:
1. You don’t remember all the important details associated with the contact.
2. The contact is crucial for business or personal needs.
3. The contact took a long time to build, and you don’t want to start from scratch.
4. The contact is someone you care about and don’t want to lose touch with.
Method 1: Restore from iCloud Backup
If you have previously backed up your iPhone to iCloud, you can easily recover a deleted contact using the iCloud backup. Here’s how:
1. Go to Settings, tap your Apple ID, and select iCloud.
2. Turn off Contacts and select "Keep on My iPhone."
3. Go back to iCloud and select "Backup."
4. Tap "Back Up Now" to create a new backup.
5. Once the backup is complete, go to Settings, General, Reset, and select "Erase all Content and Settings."
6. Follow the onscreen instructions to erase your iPhone completely.
7. When your iPhone restarts, go through the setup process and select "Restore from iCloud Backup."
8. Choose the most recent backup that includes the deleted contact.
9. Wait for the restore process to complete, and your deleted contact should be back on your iPhone.
Pros:
– Simple and straightforward process.
– No need for additional software.
Cons:
– You’ll lose all the current data on your iPhone.
– The restore process can take a while.
Method 2: Restore from iTunes Backup
If you have previously backed up your iPhone to iTunes, you can also recover a deleted contact using the iTunes backup. Here’s how:
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes.
2. Click on the iPhone icon in the upper left corner.
3. Select "Restore Backup" from the Summary tab.
4. Choose the most recent backup that includes the deleted contact.
5. Click "Restore" and wait for the restore process to complete.
6. Once the restore is complete, your deleted contact should be back on your iPhone.
Pros:
– No need for additional software.
– Can also restore other data on your iPhone.
Cons:
– You’ll lose any data on your iPhone that was created after the backup.
– The restore process can take a while.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Software
If your iPhone is not backed up to iCloud or iTunes, you can still recover a deleted contact using third-party software. Here are some popular options:
1. Dr.Fone – iPhone Data Recovery
– Download and install Dr.Fone on your computer.
– Connect your iPhone to your computer and select "Recover from iOS Device" in the Dr.Fone interface.
– Scan your iPhone and select the "Contacts" category.
– Preview and select the deleted contacts you want to recover.
– Click "Recover to Computer" or "Recover to Device."
Pros:
– Can recover data even if it’s not backed up.
– Can also recover other types of data such as messages and photos.
Cons:
– Requires downloading additional software.
– Can be expensive.
2. Gihosoft iPhone Data Recovery
– Download and install Gihosoft iPhone Data Recovery on your computer.
– Connect your iPhone to your computer and select "Recover from iOS Device" in the Gihosoft interface.
– Scan your iPhone and select the "Contacts" category.
– Preview and select the deleted contacts you want to recover.
– Click "Recover to Computer" or "Recover to Device."
Pros:
– Can recover data even if it’s not backed up.
– Free trial available before purchasing the full version.
Cons:
– Requires downloading additional software.
– May not be as comprehensive as other software options.
What to Do If You Can’t Recover A Contact You Deleted on iPhone
If you have tried all the methods mentioned above and still can’t recover a deleted contact, don’t worry. Here are some fixes you can try:
1. Check your email accounts to see if the contact information is saved in any previous emails.
2. Look through your social media accounts to see if you had previously messaged the contact or had access to their information.
3. Ask a mutual friend or colleague if they have the contact’s information.
4. Use a search engine or directory to try and find the contact’s information online.
Bonus Tip
To avoid losing important contacts in the future, make sure to regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud or iTunes. This way, if anything happens to your iPhone, you can easily restore your contacts and other data.
5 FAQs
Q1: Can I recover a contact I deleted permanently?
A: Unfortunately, if your contact has been deleted permanently, there’s no way to recover it.
Q2: Will restoring my iPhone from a backup delete any of my current data?
A: Yes, restoring your iPhone from a backup will erase all current data on your iPhone and replace it with the backup data.
Q3: Do I need to purchase third-party software to recover a deleted contact?
A: No, you can recover a deleted contact using iCloud backup or iTunes backup without any additional software.
Q4: Can I recover a contact I deleted on iPhone from a few years ago?
A: It’s possible if you have an iCloud or iTunes backup from that time period. Otherwise, it may be challenging, as the data could have been overwritten by now.
Q5: How often should I back up my iPhone to avoid losing important data?
A: It’s recommended to back up your iPhone at least once a week to avoid losing any critical data.
Final Thoughts
Losing a contact can be frustrating, but it’s essential to know that there are methods to recover a deleted contact on iPhone. Whether you choose to restore from iCloud backup, iTunes backup, or third-party software, make sure to regularly back up your iPhone to ensure that you never permanently lose important contacts.