Losing contacts from our Android phone It's one of the most frustrating experiences, whether it's due to an error, a technical failure, a reset, or a change of device. Contacts store crucial information about family, friends, clients, and acquaintances, so recover deleted contacts becomes a top priority. Fortunately, Android and Google have implemented several free and quick solutions to restore those valuable numbers, and the community has developed alternative methods and apps that can also help. Here we explain in detail, step by step. All the options to recover your deleted contacts on Android, both from official solutions and through additional tools, so you don't miss a single issue.
Method 1: Recover deleted contacts from Google Contacts on the web
Most Android users have their contacts synchronized with your Google account. Thanks to this, it is possible to restore the calendar from any computer or mobile browser by accessing Google Contacts. The key to this method is that it allows you to undo changes, for example, recovering all the contacts you had before a specific date when the accidental deletion occurred. It's important to be aware that if you added new contacts after the date you select to restore, these contacts will be deleted. They will disappear and you will have to add them again.. Therefore, make a note of the new contacts you want to keep before starting the process.
- Access from your PC or mobile browser to contacts.google.com with your Google account.
- Click the gear icon (settings) in the top right.
- Select option "Undo changes".
- Choose the restore period: You can select from "10 minutes," "1 hour," "yesterday," "a week ago," or "custom" (up to 30 days ago).
- Confirm the restoration and wait for the process to complete: your contacts will be restored to the same state they were on the selected date.
This method is very useful not only for accidental errors, but also in cases of faulty syncing or when several contacts mysteriously disappear. If you log in to your Google account on another device, you can also recover your address book on that phone after this procedure.
Important: Don't forget to note or export any newly added contacts if they were created after the last backup, so you can reinsert them manually.
Method 2: Recover contacts using the Google Contacts app
If you prefer to do it from your mobile phone and you do not have access to a computer, the app Google Contacts It's the simplest and most effective tool. Most Android phones already include it, but you can install it for free from Google Play if your phone doesn't have it built-in.
- Install the app Google Contacts from Google Play if you don’t have it (search for “Google Contacts”).
- Open the app and tap the three-line or three-dot icon (depending on your phone) in the top left or right corner.
- Accede to Settings and look for the “Correct and manage” section or directly “Undo changes”.
- Click "Undo Changes" to restore your calendar to a previous point, just like with the web method.
- Select the specific period based on when you deleted the contacts and confirm the restoration.
The restoration may take a few minutes, and once it's complete, you'll have the contacts you accidentally deleted back in. Remember that any contacts added after the backup will be lost.
On some phones, the "Undo Changes" option may be located under "Manage Contacts" or "Correct and Manage." The procedure is similar on virtually all current versions of Android.
Method 3: Recover contacts from Google Drive backup
Android always recommends having the google drive backupThis feature, in addition to backing up photos, apps, and settings, also saves contacts if you've enabled it in your settings and if your account is properly synced.
To check if your contacts are included in your backup:
- Open the app Google Drive on your mobile and access the side menu.
- Select “Backup” and tap the most recent backup from your device.
- Inside, you'll see if "Contacts" is listed as saved data.
- If so, you can restore your contacts by setting up your phone from scratch or by adding your account on a new device.
This option is especially useful in cases of formatting or total loss of the phone, since when you log in to a new Android and indicate that you want to restore the Google Drive backup, the contacts automatically return.
Keep in mind that if you restore an old copy, you may lose new contacts added after the date of that backup. Export or note down any new contacts to add them later.
Method 4: Recover contacts from SIM card
If you keep the SIM card from your old phone and your contacts were stored there, you can recover them with these steps:
- Turn off the phone where the contacts were deleted and remove the SIM card.
- Insert the SIM into another unlocked Android phone.
- Open the contacts app: the SIM contacts should appear automatically.
- Export the contacts from SIM to phone (in “Settings” > “Import/Export” > “Import from SIM”).
- If you prefer, you can export them to a .vcf file and transfer that file to the original phone and import it from the Contacts app.
Remember that this method only works for numbers saved on the SIMContacts that were in internal storage or online accounts will not appear here.
If your SIM card is damaged, some carriers may attempt to recover your data if you take it to a store.
Method 5: Recover contacts using specialized apps
If the above methods did not work because your contacts were not synchronized or the backup does not include them, there are apps and programs to help you. data recovery that can scan your device's memory to try to restore deleted contacts. For more information, you can check out our complete guide on recover deleted contacts on Android.
EaseUS MobiSaver
- Download EaseUS MobiSaver on your PC (Windows or Mac).
- Connect your phone to your computer via USB and enable USB debugging in the developer options.
- Run the program and select the option to search for deleted contacts.
- You can choose which contacts you want to recover: save them to your computer or export them to your phone.
Dr.fone is another of the most popular solutions: it allows you to recover not only contacts, but also photos, videos, messages, and other data, both from your phone and from your SD card. Its free version allows scanning, and recovery is usually reserved for the paid version; if it's crucial, it may be worth it. Always remember to download these apps from official sources to avoid malware. For more details, check out our article on recover photos and videos on Android.
Mobile applications to recover deleted contacts
- Recover deleted contacts: Available on Google Play, it scans your device and displays deleted contacts for selective or full restoration.
- Recover Deleted Contacts: Allows you to restore deleted contacts and make regular backups. It also cleans duplicate contacts.
- Recover deleted contacts and numbers: Useful for backing up, restoring your calendar and removing duplicates.
The apps mentioned above often request access to contacts and storage. Always check ratings and reviews before installing any software, as some apps may flood you with ads or may not be effective in all cases. Avoid apps that request access to unnecessary information.
Export, backup, and import contacts to prevent future loss
One of the most practical ways to avoid unpleasantness is Export your contacts and save them to a vCard (.vcf) file periodically. This feature is available in both the Google Contacts app and the web and is especially useful if you want to migrate to another phone, reinstall the system, or make an external backup.
- Open Contacts (web or app).
- Under “Manage Contacts” or “Export,” select to export all or just some of your contacts to a .vcf file.
- Save this file to your Google Drive, SD card, email, or any cloud storage so you always have a copy accessible.
- If you want to restore or import contacts on any mobile device, select "Import" from the app, choose the vcf file, and they will be added to your address book.
So, even if you have a problem with backups or syncing, you can recover your contacts quickly.
Common reasons for losing contacts on Android
- Accidental deletion: Deleting a contact accidentally happens very often.
- Factory reset: If you did not back up before, you may lose all the numbers in the internal storage.
- SIM problems: SIM damage or replacement can cause contacts saved only on the card to disappear.
- Synchronization failed: Sometimes the Contacts app doesn't sync properly and your address book may appear empty.
- System updates, malware and software errors can also lead to unexpected losses.
Key tips to protect and prevent contact loss on Android
- Always activate contact synchronization with your Google account. This way, you can easily restore them even if you change your phone.
- Make periodic exports of the entire calendar to a .vcf file and keep it in a safe place away from your phone.
- Avoid deleting contacts impulsively: If you have any questions, archive or export the calendar before deleting.
- Save a copy on the SIM If your device allows it, this will give you additional backup.
- Be careful with third-party apps and carrier changes that can overwrite or delete data from the calendar.
- Protect your phone with a case and screen to prevent physical damage that may cause accidental deletion.
Losing contacts can occur for many reasons, but with Google's free tools and recommended methods for Android, it's possible to recover most deleted contacts in minutes. Keeping backups active, exporting your address book regularly, and knowing the restoration steps is the best way to prevent serious problems. If none of these methods work, there are still options with specialized apps. This way, you can rest assured that, should any error occur, your most valuable information will always be safe and quickly available to you.