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

As high-tech and advanced as our modern mobile devices are, there is no way to avoid basic user errors. Fortunately, the developers of your mobile devices have kept such errors 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' fingerprints, as I accidentally deleted my contact information. I had typed in a few more phone numbers. But think I deleted these by mistake. Please (I) to get this information back. I think I'm asking for a miracle.” – Lynne P. of Lakewood Ranch, Florida

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

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How to get your contacts back

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

How to recover your contacts on iPhone or Mac

There are two tools for iPhone owners to restore contacts: through iCloud or iTunes Backup. Before trying to recover your contacts, support Your iPhone so you can get help if you lose data.

Restore contacts with iCloud:

• Type “iCloud.com” in the search bar of your Internet browser.

• Enter email address used to start your iCloud account. This is usually the email you use for your Apple ID.
• Enter yours password (unless you use a key)
• There may be a two-step verification the process of verifying your identity. You will be asked allow or reject authentication on the second device. If so, choose Allow.
• Then install passcode provided with this second device.

• Once logged in your iCloud account, select the menu icon in the upper right corner.

• From the drop-down menu, select Data Recovery
• Select Retrieve Names

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

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Restore contacts with iTunes:

If you didn't enable iCloud to save your contacts, you can restore contacts through iTunes.

• Combine yours iPhone to your PC using the power cable provided by Apple.
• If iTunes doesn't open automatically on your computer, open it iTunes on your computer.
• In the iTunes app, click on The device button.
• Click Info
• Select things you want to sync from this backup to your iPhone (Contacts), then click Make a Wish.

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How to recover your contacts on Android

There are two tools that Android users can use to retrieve contacts: Google contacts or device settings. Before trying to recover your contacts, support Your Android so you can get help if you lose data.

Restore contacts from Google Contacts:

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

• In your Internet browser, go to contacts.google.com and sign in to your Google account.
• Choose which one the three-line symbol in the upper left corner

• Choose which one Garbage or bin symbol
• You should see the name you deleted.
• If you insert your mouse on the name you want to restore, you will see an option to choose Cancel to the right of the contact details. Select Cancel.

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 & restore
• Tap Return names
• Tap Sign out of the account to select the Google account you want to restore.
• Tap on the phone with the names you want to copy.
• Choose which one winner you want to copy: Turn on or off SIM card or Resource storage.
• Tap Bring it back
• You will find “Names returned” notification when the process is complete.

Please note: Only contacts that no longer exist in your phone will be restored.

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Kurt's highlights

Even if you don't make any mistakes while using your mobile devices, accidents 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 these simple steps mentioned above will give you the ability to fix the situation quickly. It is best to make sure that your mobile devices are backed up either in the cloud or physically on a computer or hard drive backup so that there is a source to restore your contacts. In addition, if something goes wrong while performing the restoration process, you have the ability to recover the lost data. Accidents happen, but practicing data hygiene prevents them from becoming a lost cause or a miracle.

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

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