How do I get back a contact I deleted? This is a common concern for many smartphone users who may accidentally delete important contacts. Whether you use an Android or iOS device, there are several methods you can try to recover your deleted contacts. In this article, we will discuss the steps to retrieve deleted contacts on both Android and iOS devices, as well as some additional tips to prevent future data loss.
First, let’s start with Android devices. If you have recently deleted a contact and haven’t restarted your phone, there’s a good chance you can recover it from the trash. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open the Contacts app on your Android device.
2. Tap on the three-dot menu icon located at the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Select “Manage contacts” from the dropdown menu.
4. Tap on “Contacts to display” and then choose “All contacts.”
5. Scroll down to the bottom of the list and tap on “Deleted.”
6. You will see a list of deleted contacts. Find the contact you want to recover and tap on it.
7. Tap on the three-dot menu icon next to the contact’s name and select “Restore.”
8. Your deleted contact will now be restored to its original location in your contacts list.
If the above method doesn’t work, or if you have already restarted your phone, you can try using a third-party app to recover your deleted contacts. Some popular options include Dumpster for Android, Recuva, and Android Data Recovery. These apps can scan your device’s storage and help you recover deleted contacts, messages, and other data.
For iOS users, the process to recover deleted contacts is a bit different. Here’s how to get back a deleted contact on an iPhone or iPad:
1. Open the Contacts app on your iOS device.
2. Tap on the “i” icon next to the contact you want to recover.
3. Scroll down and tap on “Delete Contact.”
4. Instead of confirming the deletion, tap on “Cancel” to stop the process.
5. Your contact will now be marked as “Not on My iPhone” and moved to the “Recently Deleted” folder.
6. Go to the “Recently Deleted” folder by tapping on the “Recently Deleted” tab at the bottom of the screen.
7. Find the contact you want to recover and tap on it.
8. Tap on “Restore” to recover the contact to its original location in your contacts list.
It’s important to note that the “Recently Deleted” folder will only keep deleted contacts for 30 days. After that, they will be permanently deleted. If you haven’t restored your contact within 30 days, you may need to use a third-party app or contact your service provider for assistance.
Preventing future data loss is always better than trying to recover deleted contacts. Here are some tips to help you avoid accidental deletions:
1. Regularly back up your contacts to a cloud service or your computer.
2. Use the “Find My iPhone” feature on your iOS device to locate and recover deleted contacts if needed.
3. Before deleting a contact, double-check that you’re not removing the wrong person.
4. Be cautious when using third-party apps that may delete contacts or other data without your knowledge.
By following these steps and tips, you should be able to get back a deleted contact on your Android or iOS device. However, it’s always best to be proactive in protecting your data and preventing accidental deletions.
