How to Restore iPhone Contacts

Restore your digital contact information.

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If your iPhone crashes and erases your saved contacts and phone settings, don't despair. Use the option to restore your data that iTunes offers, provided you have a backup available. Restoring contacts from a previous backup created in iTunes saves you the time and effort involved in retyping each contact lost from your iPhone.

Step 1

Your email address is required to download iTunes.

Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple.

Download and install the latest version of iTunes if you do not already have it on your computer (full link in Resources).

Step 2

It may take several seconds for the iPhone button to appear.

Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple.

Connect your iPhone to the computer using the supplied USB cable; if you have a Wi-Fi connection, your iPhone does not require a connection. Launch iTunes if it does not launch automatically. Click the "iPhone" button.

Step 3

The Restore button is located near the center of the iTunes window.

Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple.

Select "Restore" from Summary tab.

Step 4

(Image courtesy of Apple.)

Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple.

Decline the option to make a backup if prompted by selecting "Don't Back Up."

Step 5

The Apple logo indicates the iPhone is restarting.

Image Credit: Image courtesy of Apple.

Select "Restore" to confirm you wish to restore your iPhone. Your last backup, including contacts, restores to your iPhone. Your iPhone will re-start and display the Apple logo.

Step 6

Follow the steps offered by the iOS Setup Assistance for iOS 5 and later to clear the "Connect to iTunes" message. For earlier versions, leave your iPhone connected via your USB or Wi-Fi until the message "iPhone is activated" appears.

Tip

Apple recommends that you back up your iPhone, especially before any kind of servicing or repair.