- From Apple Support Communities
iPhone contacts missing is a common problem, no matter which iPhone model or iOS version. Apart from the question above which some of the iPhone contacts disappeared, there are cases that all iPhone contacts are gone suddenly. If you are in a similar situation, here are the solutions for you to fix.
Why are my contacts missing from iPhone?
It is hard to say how did contacts disappeared from iPhone all of a sudden. But there are several possible reasons, including:
- Software update. Many people updated iOS to the newest iOS 14 only to find that they lost contacts on iPhone. This may because there are some issues during the iCloud syncing process.
- System issues. All iOS system issues, like app crashes and put your iPhone into a blank screen, can be the main reasons that cause data loss.
- Virus attacks. If iPhone gets infected by a virus or malware, your important data could be in danger.
- Wrong operation. Sometimes you may accidentally delete some important contacts when removing the unwanted data.
- Deleted the source. Contacts can be tied with multiple sources. Removing the contacts associated email account or app could lead to some of iPhone contacts gone.
- iPhone jailbreak. Some users may jailbreak iPhone to unhide some features and modify iPhone; it has the potential risk of losing data.
- Other unknown reasons.
Part 1: 5 Basic Solutions to Fix iPhone Contacts Missing
Part 2: Contacts disappeared from iPhone? Restore them from Backup
Part 3: iPhone Contacts Gone without Backup? Recover them via iPhone Data Recovery
Part 1: 5 Basic Solutions to Fix iPhone Contacts Missing
So how do I get my iPhone contacts back? Here are a few tips to help you fix iPhone contacts missing issue quickly.
1.1 Toggle off and on iCloud Contacts
One effective way to fix iPhone contacts missing problem is to re-sync your iCloud contacts. Here's how: Head to Settings app > Tap iCloud > Select Contacts > If it's already on, turn it off and then on again.
If the Contact syncing is off, then turn it on > iCloud will ask you whether you want to replace your iPhone contacts with iCloud contents > Select Delete from My iPhone.
By doing this, contacts missing from iPhone will be back again.
1.2 Re-sign in to iCloud
Another trick to get back the missing contacts is to re-sign in to your iCloud account. You can go to Settings to sign out of iCloud entirely and then restart your iPhone. After your iPhone is powered up again, sign back into iCloud.
1.3 Check Contacts Group
If you encounter the problem of some iPhone contacts disappeared, you can open your Contacts app to check the contacts group to see if all the contacts are shown on your iPhone. Here are the detailed steps: Head to Contacts app > Tap Groups at the top left corner > All iCloud > Done.
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1.4 Change Default Account as iCloud
If you are using an iOS version older than iOS 11, you are allowed to change the default account in contacts settings. If you have changed it to Gmail before, some of your iCloud contacts will disappear.
Complete these steps to change it back:
Step 1: Go to Settings on iPhone.
Step 2: Tap Mail, Contacts, Calendars.
Step 3: Under Contacts, click Default Account.
Step 4: Select iCloud as your default account.
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1.5 Reset Network Settings
Resetting network settings is also a tip to solve the contacts disappeared from iPhone problem. But it is to be noted that this will delete all your network settings, i.e., the saved Wi-Fi password on your iPhone will be wiped out.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Navigate to General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
Step 3: Type in your passcode as required.
You might need: 5 Easy Ways to Sync Outlook Contacts with iPhone without Trouble
Part 2: Contacts disappeared from iPhone? Restore them from Backup
2.1 How to Restore Contacts on iPhone from iTunes Backup
If you have backed up your iPhone to iTunes before, you can restore the backup that contains your contacts to iPhone. But it could be troublesome to restore all the iTunes backup to iPhone. Is there a way to restore only contacts? Of course! What you need is Coolmuster iPhone Backup Extractor.
Key features of Coolmuster iPhone Backup Extractor:
> Restore iTunes backup files without connecting iPhone to computer.
> Preview and selectively restore iTunes backup.
> Supports various file types, including contacts, calendar, SMS, reminders, call history, messages, calendar, voice memos, photos.
> Compatible with all models of iPhone, including iPhone 12/11/X/Xs/XR, etc.
> Safe and easy to use.
Step 1: Download and run Coolmuster iPhone Backup Extractor on your computer. The program will detect the iTunes backup automatically and display them on the screen. Choose the backup that contains the required contacts and click Start Scan.
Step 2: After the scanning, you will see the iTunes backup contents are displayed in categories. To find the iPhone missing contacts, you can select Contacts from the left sidebar. Browse and choose the contacts you want to restore and then tap Recover to extract them on your computer.
After getting back the contacts you want on your computer, you can click here to learn how to transfer contacts from PC to iPhone.
2.2 How to Restore Contacts on iPhone from iCloud Backup
Another way to get back the missing contacts is to restore them from iCloud. Complete the steps below to restore contacts on iPhone via iCloud:
Step 1: Open the browser on your computer, then sign in to iCloud.com.
Step 2: Click Accounts Settings.
Step 3: Scroll down to find Advanced, then click Restore Contacts under the Advanced section.
Step 4: Click Restore next to the date before your contacts disappear.
Step 5: Hit Restore again to confirm.
Part 3: iPhone Contacts Gone without Backup? Recover them via iPhone Data Recovery
iPhone contacts are truly gone and can't find them through backup? No worries, iPhone Data Recovery can help you recover deleted contacts from iPhone without backup. You can use this tool recover lost data on iOS devices, including contacts, SMS, photos, WhatsApp/Kik/Facebook Messenger data, notes, call logs, etc.
Learn more features about iPhone Data Recovery:
> Recover deleted or lost files from iPhone.
> Restore files from iTunes backup.
> View and download files from iCloud backup. You can use it to restore iPhone contacts from iCloud backup selectively.
> Preview files before recovery.
> Support any iOS device, such as iPhone 12 Pro Max/12 Pro/12 mini/12/11/XS/X/8/7, etc.
Download iPhone Data Recovery on your computer and use it to recover disappeared iPhone contacts:
Step 1: After installing the software, open it and select Recover from iOS Device. Use a USB cable to connect your iPhone to computer. After connecting, click Start Scan to scan the lost files on your iPhone.
Step 2: After scanning, click the Contacts tab and you can view all the lost or existing contacts from the screen.
Step 3: Browse and locate the disappeared contacts you wish the restore, then hit the Recover button to get them back.
Tip: How to avoid losing iPhone contacts again? Click here to learn 4 ways on how to back up contacts on iPhone.
Words in the End
It is frustrating to see no contacts on iPhone, you can try the basic solutions to see if you can get them back first. If you have backed up your contacts using iTunes, try Coolmuster iPhone Backup Extractor to restore contacts from iTunes backup selectively. If you don't have any backup for your contacts, iPhone Data Recovery can help you recover the disappeared contacts. This tool also supports iCloud or iTunes recovery. It allows you to preview and select the required files to restore. It is the ideal tool to get missing files back.
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