But don’t fret if this happens to you. There are ways to retrieve deleted contacts, and by following these steps, you can recover those essential numbers and reconnect with friends, colleagues, or family members.

Recover Deleted Contacts on iPhone and Android

For those wondering how to restore deleted contacts, here are seven steps to help you recover them on your phone. These methods can be used when your contacts are accidentally deleted.

How to Recover Deleted Contacts

Using Built-in Smartphone Features

The first method involves using your phone’s built-in recovery features. No additional apps are needed. Here’s what you should do:

1. Open the Contacts app on your phone.
2. Tap the three-line icon on the left side of the app’s page.
3. Select the “Trash” or “Recycle Bin” menu at the bottom. This is where deleted numbers are temporarily stored. They usually stay here for 15 to 30 days before being permanently deleted.
4. Choose the contact you want to restore and hit “Recover.”
5. The contact will reappear on your smartphone.

Using a Recovery App

Another way to recover deleted contacts is by using a recovery app from the Google Play Store or App Store. These apps can help you retrieve phone numbers you’ve accidentally deleted.

1. Download and install an app like “Restore Contacts: Recover Deleted Contacts” on your phone.
2. Open the app and enter the name of the deleted contact (e.g., “Hari”) in the search bar.
3. Tap on the contact and select “Restore” to get it back on your phone.

Using Google Contacts

If you’ve been using Google Contacts, you can recover your deleted contacts through this service. Here’s how:

1. Open the Google Contacts app via Google Search.
2. Tap the six-dot icon and select “Undo Changes.”
3. Choose the time period you want to restore contacts from (e.g., one day ago). Click “Undo.”
4. Your deleted contacts should now be restored and visible on your phone.

Restoring Contacts via Gmail

If you’ve synced your Android phone with your Gmail account, you can also restore contacts through Gmail.

1. Open your Gmail account and go to your Inbox.
2. Look for “More” and select “Restore Contacts.”
3. You’ll see a list of contacts saved from today to up to 30 days ago.
4. Select “Sync” or “Resync” on your Android device and wait for the deleted contacts to appear again.

Note: Contacts older than 30 days may not be recoverable.

Using iCloud (for iPhone)

For iPhone users, iCloud can be a lifesaver for recovering deleted contacts. This method doesn’t require a specific app.

1. Open a browser on your phone and go to icloud.com, then log in.
2. After logging in, go to “Account Settings.”
3. Choose “Advanced” and then “Restore Contacts.”
4. Click “Restore Next” to select a date before the contacts were deleted.
5. Confirm by clicking “Restore Again.”
6. You’ll get a notification once the contacts are restored, and they will be back on your iPhone.

Recovering Contacts with a PC (for iPhone)

Another option for iPhone users is using a PC with the Dr.Fone app. This method allows you to select specific contacts to recover.

1. Download and install Dr.Fone from drfone.wondershare.com.
2. Connect your iPhone to your PC and open the Dr.Fone app.
3. Choose “Data Recovery” and then “Recover from iOS Device.”
4. Select “Contacts” and click “Start Scan.”
5. Wait for the scan to complete, then choose the contacts you want to restore.
6. Click “Restore to Device” or “Recover to Computer” to complete the process.

Recovering Contacts from a SIM Card

If you saved your contacts to your SIM card, you can still recover them if they’re deleted.

1. Download and install the “Recover Deleted Contacts” app from the Google Play Store.
2. Open the app and select “Recover Contacts.”
3. You’ll see a list of contacts deleted from your SIM card. Choose the ones you want to restore and tap “Restore.”

Conclusion

Many new devices come with a “Recycle Bin” feature that keeps deleted files for about 30 days. If you accidentally delete something like a contact, you might be able to find it there. However, if your device doesn’t have this feature or if it’s been over 30 days, it can be more challenging to recover deleted files.

To avoid losing important data in the future, regularly sync your files with accounts like Mi Account for Xiaomi, Samsung Account for Samsung devices, or Google Account. This way, your data is backed up and can be restored if you accidentally delete it.