[Solved] 7 Ways to Fix Contacts Missing from iPhone

Cedric updated on Jul 20, 2023 to iPhone Data Recovery | How-to Articles

Sometimes when we check an important contact, we find it disappears for no apparent reason. At this point, we will regret why we didn't back up earlier. But don't worry, this article will guide you to understand the possible reasons for contacts missing and the top 7 ways to fix contacts missing. In addition, we will provide you with some tips to prevent such problems.

Workable Solutions Step-by-step Troubleshooting
Force Restart Your iPhone Press and release the volume up button quickly. Press and release the volume down button...Full steps
Sign Out of iCloud and Sign-in Back  Go to Settings. Then click on the profile picture present at the top. Scroll down and look out for a sign out...Full steps
Turn on Contacts off and on in iCloud  Launch the Settings app and go to "Profile". Scroll down and select the "iCloud" option...Full steps
Change Groups Settings  Go to the "Phone" app. Click on the Contacts tab. Select the "Groups" option at the top-left corner...Full steps
Restore Contacts from iTunes

Open iTunes on the Windows system. You need to click on the Music app if you have a macOS system...Full steps

Why Are Some of My Contacts Missing

Firstly, you need to accept that contacts may go missing from your iPhone. However, different methods to remedy the situation are a breath of relief. Now, you don't have to worry about stressing over the crucial contact numbers missing. However, before we move ahead, it is vital to know why you are facing such an issue. 

Knowing more about why the contacts are missing from iPhone will prevent you from making the same mistakes. These are:

  • Turn the phone off and restart it (known as the cold start).
  • A spontaneous restart issue.
  • Failure to sync iPhone with iCloud after a software update.
  • Jailbreaking the iPhone.
  • Hardware problems.
  • Malware and virus attacks.

Where Did My Contacts Go on My iPhone

Due to the reasons above, you might encounter the missing contacts situation. Sometimes, iPhone might hide the contacts from plain view. In that case, you need to go to the Contacts app on the iPhone. Check out the different options available to find the contacts on the iPhone. 

Even if that doesn't bear any fruitful results, you can relax. There is no need to get stressed right away. There are different methods you can adopt to resolve the crisis. Please take a look at the methods listed below and try them now!

Top 7 Ways to Fix Contacts Missing from iPhone

Are you worried about your contacts missing from your iPhone? Worry not! Here are seven ways to handle the contacts missing from the iPhone crisis. Check these out.

Fix 1. Force Restart Your iPhone 

Step 1. Press and release the volume up button quickly.

Step 2. Press and release the volume down button quickly.

Step 3. After that, press and keep on holding the side button. 

Step 4. It would be best to release the side button when you see the Apple logo on the screen.

Fix 2. Sign Out of iCloud and Sign-in Back 

Step 1. Go to Settings. Then click on the profile picture present at the top.

Step 2. Scroll down and look out for a sign out. Once you find it, tap on it.

Step 3. Go to the "Keep a copy of your data on this iPhone" section. Then go back and tap on the iCloud option. 

Step 4. Turn on contacts, calendars, keychains, and Safari.

Step 6. After that, click on the "Sign Out" option at the top of the screen.

Step 7. Now, log in with your Apple ID. Check if you can find the missing contacts in the contacts app.

Fix 3. Turn on Contacts off and on in iCloud 

Step 1. Launch the Settings app and go to "Profile". Scroll down and select the "iCloud" option.

Step 2. Tap on "Contacts" to disable it.

Step 3. Now, you will see a pop-up message – "What would you like to do with the previously synced iCloud contacts on your iPhone?" Then Press the "Keep on My iPhone" option.

Step 4. Another pop-up will emerge – "What would you like to do with existing local contacts on your iPhone?" Then, click on the "Merge" option. Now, you need to wait for some time. 

Step 5. Afterward, go to the contacts app to see if you can view the missing contacts. Alternatively, you can turn off the contacts option from iCloud.  Please wait for some time and then turn it on again.

Step 6. Now, check and see if the missing iPhone contacts reappear. 

Note: Another option appears in the pop-up message where you click on the Keep on My iPhone option. The "Delete from My iPhone" is also a viable option. You can click on it and wait as all the synced contacts get deleted. Here, you will need to place trust in the iCloud to get back all the contacts. 

If you think you can take the risk, then only go for this option. Otherwise, the Keep on My iPhone option is relatively better and safe.

Fix 4. Change Groups Settings 

Step 1. Go to the "Phone" app. Click on the Contacts tab.

Step 2. Now, select the "Groups" option at the top-left corner of the screen.

Step 3. Untick the All iCloud option.

Step 4. Click on "Done" present at the top of the screen. Now, go to the "Contacts app" and see if the missing ones appear. If they do appear, make sure to add them to the address book.

Step 5. After that, go back to the "Group" option again. Now, you can tick or select the "All iCloud" option again.

Fix 5. Restore Missing iPhone Contacts from iTunes Backup 

Step 1. Open iTunes on the Windows system. You need to click on the Music app if you have a macOS system. 

Step 2. Connect with iPhone to the computer. You need to click on the "Trust this Computer" option on the iPhone.

Step 3. On iTunes, click on your iPhone name from the left-hand sidebar. 

Step 4. Click on the "Summary/Sync Settings" button. Now, press the "Restore Backup in the General" tab. 

Fix 6. Restore Missing iPhone Contacts from iCloud Backup 

Step 1. Open the Settings app. Then select the General option. 

Step 2. Here, you must select the latest backup from the list of backups. Click on the "Restore Backup" button.

Step 3. Wait for some time and allow the backup process to complete. Then restart the iPhone. Now, check and see if you can encounter the missing contacts from your iPhone. 

Step 4. Tap on the "Transfer or Reset" option.

Step 5. Now, select the "Erase all content and settings" option. 

Step 6. Open "Apps & Data". Then select the "Restore" from the "iCloud Backup" option. Log in to iCloud and select the "Choose Backup" option. 

Step 7. Re-conform that you want to do that and wait for the process to be over. Now, you need to check if the missing contacts have come back. 

Fix 7. Directly Restore Missing Contacts on iPhone Without Backup

Another method you can use to resolve the missing contacts on your iPhone without backup is professional data recovery software. For this, you can choose the EaseUS MobiSaver. This software can restore data, including missing contacts, via various recovery modes. 

The EaseUS MobiSaver works with both Mac and Windows. This software can restore lost data from iPhones, iPads, and iPods. 

No matter the cause of the missing contact, you can rely on EaseUS MobiSaver to help you out. Apart from contacts, you can use the software to retrieve photos, videos, audio, WhatsApp attachments, Safari bookmarks, etc. 

The three recovery modes that the software offers are:

Apart from retrieving unlimited iOS data, you will also get reliable technical assistance. If you are worried about the software's complexity, don't be! It is easy to use and takes only a few minutes. 

Steps to Use MobiSaver to Recover Deleted Data on iPhone 

Do you want to know how to use EaseUS MobiSaver to recover deleted data on iPhone? In that case, take a look at the steps listed below.

Step 1. Connect iPhone to Your PC

Launch EaseUS MobiSaver. Click "Recover from iOS device" on the left and click "Start".

Step 2. Scan for Lost iPhone Data

EaseUS MobiSaver will automatically scan iPhone/iPad/iPod, and find present data and even some lost data for you. Just wait for the scan to complete.

Step 3. Click the "Recover" Button

You can choose the lost data such as your photos, videos, contacts, SMS, notes, voice mails, and other files you want to recover and save those data to another location. 

Tips to Avoid Contacts Missing

There are various ways to combat the crisis of contacts missing from your iPhone. These are:

  • Kill the contacts app 
  • Make sure to keep the "iCloud" option in the default account
  • Resetting the network connections

Summary

There are different ways to resolve the missing contacts issue from iPhone. You can try any of the above-listed methods to fix this problem. However, if none of these methods work, you can opt for using data recovery software. In that case, you can choose EaseUS MobiSaver.