How to Restore Contacts on iPhone (4 Methods)

Summary: Many of the users have been wondering about the ways to restore deleted contacts. In this post, we shared the best methods to restore deleted contacts from your iPhone series 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, XS, XS Max, XR, X, 8, 7, 6, and 5.

Losing contact names and numbers from the device all of a sudden is not new for iPhone users. Sometimes contact names are missing with only the random numbers visible, or the contact list is altogether empty. Mostly, the incidents occur after updating to a newer version of iOS, a bug in the device, accidental deletion, or else formatting of the iPhone.

You can always restore from iCloud or iTunes backup, but sometimes even those attempts might fail to recover deleted contacts. This can be because of wrong user names, passcodes, or device settings.

In such cases, the best way to restore only the missing contacts is to use iPhone Data Recovery Software by Stellar**.** Read on to know the four solutions to recover deleted contact on iPhone below.

If you have synced your iPhone to iCloud backup, restore missing contact names and numbers with this method.

Go to your iPhone Settings > iCloud > Contacts (iOS 16 & 15 users follow: Settings > User Name > iCloud)

Toggle OFF and turn ON Contacts again

It asks what you would like to do with the previously synced iCloud contacts on your iPhone. Select Delete from My iPhone.

You will get back lost contacts on the iPhone. Those accounts are also displayed in your group lists if you have different Cloud accounts like Gmail linked to your device. You can check and uncheck the group to view or hide, respectively.

This works only when you have backed up your iPhone to iTunes.

Connect your iPhone to the PC
Launch iTunes
Select your device from the Device list and pick the most recent backup entry date of your iPhone from the Summary page

Click Restore Backup

You can get back the lost or deleted contacts from your iTunes backup. But the drawback of this method is that with iTunes, you do not have a choice to restore only the lost contacts on your iPhone selectively. This means that complete data from iTunes will be restored on your device, replacing existing iPhone data.

All current media photos, videos, messages, etc., on your iPhone will also be replaced by the iOS backup files. If you want to restore only contacts from iTunes backup, use a safe third-party iPhone data recovery application.

The best way to overcome the iTunes drawback and selectively restore only the missing contacts is to use iPhone Contact Recovery Software by Stellar.

This secure & do-it-yourself software recovers lost or accidentally deleted iPhone contacts, call history, etc., regardless of the cause of the loss.Experience the Free Trial version NOW!

The free demo version of Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone allows you to scan and preview files from iPhone, iCloud, and iTunes backup, and to save them, you need to register the software.

Stellar Data Recovery offers three ways to recover iPhone contacts missing on your device:

1. Recover from iPhone

There is a possibility that your device has all the contacts, but they are not showing up—select Recovery from iPhone to view the hidden iPhone contacts in this case.

Connect your iPhone to the computer and launch and launch the software
On the home screen, choose “Recover from iPhone”, select “Contacts and Call Logs,” and click “Next.”

It will show you the iOS devices connected to your system. Select your device and click Scan

After scanning, select Contacts on your left pane; all the contacts will be displayed in the right pane.
Then, Select All or particular items by clicking on the associated checkbox.
Click on Save and browse the desired location to save the recovered contacts.

2. Restore from iCloud Backup

Recovery from iCloud Backup allows you to selectively recover deleted contacts from your iPhone rather than restoring everything from photos and videos to messages. Follow the below steps:

Connect your iPhone to the computer via USB cable
Launch Stellar Data Recovery from iPhone
Choose Recover from iCloud Backup, Select Contacts and Call Logs and click Next

Enter the Apple ID and Password to get the list of available backup files.

Select the backup file and click Scan

After scanning, select “Contacts” on your left pane, all the contacts in the selected backup file will be displayed in the right pane.

Then, Select All or selective items by clicking on the associated checkbox.

Click on Save and browse the desired location to save the recovered contacts.

3. Restore from iTunes Backup

If your iPhone contacts are synced with iTunes backup, use Recovery from iTunes backup to recover missing iPhone contacts.

Connect your iPhone to your computer and launch the software
On the home screen, choose Recover from iTunes, select Contacts and Call Logs, and click Next

The software analyzes your system and lists all the available iTunes backup files, as shown below. If you cannot find the desired backup file, you can click on Add Backup to manually add the backup file from the system. Now, select the file and click Scan

After scanning, select “Contacts” on your left pane, all the contacts in the selected backup file will be displayed in the right pane.
Then, Select All or particular items by clicking on the associated checkbox.
Click on Save and browse the desired location to save the recovered contacts.

Minor changes in the iPhone Settings can also help restore deleted contacts. Try the below Setting changes and check if they work for you:

Change Contacts’ Groups Settings
Reset the Network Connections
Change Default Account in Settings back to iCloud (works for iPhone 8/7/6s)

1: Change Contacts’ Groups Settings

Go to your Contacts, tap into Groups
Uncheck All iCloud
Select All on iPhone

Click on Done (top right)
Check if you got back all your contacts

2: Reset the Network Connections

Under Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings

Enter your passcode
Choose Reset Network Settings to continue ignoring the message that this action will delete all your network settings.

This action will clear your current saved networks and Wi-Fi passwords, but you can always re-enter your network passwords later. So give this a try to retrieve lost contacts.

3: Change Default Account in Settings back to iCloud (works for iPhone 14, 13, 12, 11, X, 8, 7, 6)

Go to your iPhone Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Contacts
Click Default Account
Select iCloud instead of On my iPhone
Check if your phone’s missing contacts recovered

To Wrap-up

Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone intelligently restores your missing or accidentally deleted contacts without causing loss of iPhone’s existing data, unlike iTunes or iCloud Backup recovery methods. Changing the iPhone settings can also help you get back missing contacts. So now no need to worry about the contacts list loss. Instead, try the above methods and recover deleted contacts on your iPhone.

Have you ever used any of the above methods for restoring missing iPhone contacts? Then, do share your experience in the comments below.

How to Fix iPhone Stuck at ‘attempting data recovery’ Loop

Summary: If your iPhone gets stuck at ‘attempting data recovery’ loop screen while updating iOS, learn how to fix iPhone failed iOS update error and efficiently recover lost data using Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone.

Since the release of iOS 16, there are frequent complaints about flood updates leading to the ‘attempting data recovery’ loop. Moreover, users are concerned about data loss in such situations.

Users globally reported that their iPhone gets stuck in the ‘attempting data recovery’ loop while trying to install iOS updates. The issue occurs when they update to iOS 16 versions by using iTunes. It leaves the update in the lurch and erases some or all data from their iPhone.

iOS updates breathe new life into your device. However, the truth is that Apple’s every update brings some bug or new problem, like this one.

Read this post further if your iPhone screen gets stuck at the ‘attempting data recovery’ loop during an iOS update.

It shares how to fix iPhone ‘attempting data recovery’ failed problem and recover lost iPhone data in any case.

You can apply the methods on iPhone 14, 13, 12, SE, 11, XS, XR, X, 8, 7, 6, 5, and 4 series. They are relevant to iOS 16 and below versions.

**Common causes of ‘attempting data recovery’ loop on iPhone**

The attempting to data recovery failed problem usually occurs when iOS is updated with iTunes. The ‘attempting data recovery’ screen takes a long time and is often followed by a prompt ‘press home button to restore.’

Some of these occurrences were reported in the following scenarios:

Users unplugged the iPhone from a PC or Mac during the update
Downgrading from iOS 16 to 15 or below
Updating iOS after jailbreak

How to fix iPhone stuck at the ‘Attempting Data Recovery’ loop

Force Restart iPhone
Put iPhone into Recovery Mode

Method 1: Force Restart iPhone

It’s essential to know that a force restart differs from a normal Restart. A force restart is advised when iPhone is not in its normal working condition. It is either hanged or stuck at the Apple logo or another screen in Recovery Mode or Restore Mode. It cuts the power and turns on the iPhone again. Force restart usually fixes many iPhone issues.

Steps to Force Restart iPhone 8 and earlier:

Press and fast release the Volume Up button
Press and fast release the Volume Down button
Press and hold the Side button (power) until the Apple logo appears

Steps to Force Restart iPhone X and later:

Press and quickly release the Volume Up button
Press and quickly release the Volume Down button
Press and hold the Side button until you see the recovery-mode screen.

Method 2: Put iPhone into Recovery Mode

If Force Restart doesn’t help, try this method. Recovery Mode helps in cases of failed iOS updates. Thus, whenever the iOS updates, the iPhone gets stuck at the ‘attempting data recovery,’ op put the device on Recovery Mode.

[Caution]: Recovery Mode erases the iPhone data, which can be restored with the help of iTunes backup. So, make sure that the iTunes version is the latest.

Steps to put iPhone on Recovery Mode:

Connect iPhone to computer
Open iTunes
Force restart iPhone (with steps mentioned above)
A dialog box appears. Select Update

5. After the Update process completes, set up your iPhone.

Fixed ‘attempting data recovery’ failed problem. Further, how to restore data on iPhone

Recovery Mode, though fixes iPhone’s ‘attempting data recovery’ issue but at the same time erases all information from the device. You can restore iPhone data from iTunes backup or iCloud backup.

In case, iTunes/iCloud backups are not able to restore iPhone or you discover that some of the data is still missing after restoring the device, choose Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone .

The software is also helpful when you don’t want to recover all the data from iTunes or iCloud unnecessarily. Instead, it. It lets you recover precisely what you want, by allowing you to choose specific files like photos, videos, WhatsApp chats, or memos, Calendar, etc., and restoring them on the device.

Additionally, Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone also restores the data lost and deleted after jailbreak, water damage, a Black screen of death, iPhone stuck at Apple logo , screen damage iPhone, factory reset, etc. It supports recovery from iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12, SE, 11, XS, XR, X, 8, 7, 6, 5, and 4 series.

Steps to Restore Data on iPhone with Stellar Data Recovery of iPhone

Download Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone on PC/ Mac
Connect iPhone to the computer
Select iTunes from the software screen
Follow the simple on-screen instructions

Wrapping Up

Users look forward to iOS updates. However, the experience can get irritating, when iPhone software updates fail. For example, iPhone ‘attempting data recovery’ loop is a common problem faced after attempts to upgrade to the latest iOS 16.

Force restart of the device often resolves the ‘attempting data recovery’ loop issue. If this doesn’t work, further try to get your iPhone on Recovery Mode. Later restore data via iTunes or Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone. The software approach is straightforward and lets you select and restore the informathat you want.

Recover Lost Photos during Transfer from iPhone to PC or Mac

Summary: Lost your precious photos during the transfer from iPhone to computer? Learn 4 ways to recover photos lost during transfer. These methods are applicable to all variants of iPhone and iPad or in short all iOS devices.

Transferring photos from iPhone 15, 14/13/12/X/8/7 to PC or Mac system is a simple task that can often get skewed causing serious photo loss situations. If you have also lost your valuable photos during one such event of photos transfer, then here’s a guide to get back photos lost during the transfer.

Photo loss while transferring from iPhone to a computer is a common problem faced by many. You try to transfer your photos from your iPhone to your computer and select the location to save them.

But when you check the drive folder in the system, to your shock the photos are not there! And if this is a ‘cut and paste’ transfer from iPhone, it’s a big jolt for you.

But do not worry, thankfully, data recovery technology is always there to recover lost photos in any situation.

There can be several reasons for the loss of photos during transfer, such as below:

Sudden power failure during the transfer of photos
Disconnecting iPhone from the PC/Mac while transferring photos
Lack of enough space in the drive to save the photos
Corruption of the drive in which you saved the photos
Virus in the system
Anti-virus on your PC/Mac scans and detects viruses in the photo resulting in photo loss

How to Recover Photos Lost during Transfer from iPhone 15, 14/13/12/11/X/8/7 to PC/Mac?

Typically, if you have not deleted the required photos from your iPhone, try transferring them again from the device to the PC or Mac. If already deleted then, try the below methods to recover the photos lost during transfer from iPhone 15, 14/13/12/11/X/8/7 to PC or Mac.

Solution 1: Search for missing photos in the PC/Mac hard drive

It might be possible you transferred the iPhone photos to the PC but forgot the location where you saved them. Try once searching the complete hard drive for your photos.

Click on My PC or My Computer
Type the command kind:=picture into the search box and press Enter
The list of images will be displayed
Right-click on the required photos from the search results, and click Open File Location to view where they are saved

For MAC follow the below steps:

Open the Finder and go to your home directory
Go to the Pictures folder
Right-click on Photos Library.photoslibrary and select Show Package Contents
Open the folder Masters to find the images in the Photos app. The Masters folder comprises the photos by date in subfolders. You can open the folders of the relevant dates to find your pictures.

Solution 2: Recover lost transferred photos from iTunes Backup

If you have synced your iPhone to iTunes, you can recover lost photos from this Apple’s backup utility.

Drawback: You cannot selectively pick the lost photos during the file transfer, rather complete data of iTunes is saved on your PC/Mac.

| Note: In Mac, the iTunes backup is stored in Library > Application Support > MobileSync > Backup.
In Windows 7, 8, 10, & 11 the iTunes backup is stored in Users > username > AppData > Roaming > Apple Computer > MobileSync > Backup.

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Solution 3: Recover Lost Photos from iCloud

If you have iCloud backup of the iOS device, you can recover photos lost during transfer through the cloud facility.

Drawbacks: You cannot directly restore iCloud backup photos on your PC or Mac. It is saved only to an iOS device.
You have to reset your iPhone X/8/7 to factory settings to restore the iCloud backup on it.

How to recover data from iCloud Backup on a computer

Take the backup of your iPhone data on iTunes
Reset your iPhone to factory settings
Go to the Apps & Data screen of your iPhone by pressing the Sleep/Wake button for a few seconds and following the onscreen instructions
Under Apps & Data, click on Restore from iCloud Backup
Sign in to iCloud by entering your Apple ID
Select Choose Backup and pick the relevant one from the list of backups
Tap After completion of the process, the iPhone restarts and recovers complete data including photos, apps, videos, etc.
Select the required photos from the recovered data and transfer them again to your PC or Mac from iPhone

Tip: For selective recovery of lost photos from iCloud/iTunes use Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone . It recovers missing Photos from Camera Roll and Photo Stream in iCloud/iTunes/iPhone. You can preview, select and save only the desired photos at your preferred location.

Solution 4: Use the Best Photo Recovery Software

When no backup, take the help of a third-party photo recovery tool. This is regarded as the easiest way to recover lost photos during the transfer from iPhone 15, 14/13/12/11/XR/XS/X/8/7 to PC/Mac. Use a risk-free application – Stellar Photo Recovery to recover your lost photos from your PC or Mac

The do-it-yourself software recovers all types of media files lost due to deletion, corruption, virus infection or accidental formatting, etc.

How to recover lost photos using Stellar Photo Recovery?

Launch Stellar Photo Recovery Software.
On the home screen of the software – ‘Select What to Recover’. Click Next.
Next, select the location from where you want to recover. Click Scan to start the scanning process
A dialog box of ‘Scanning Completed Successfully!’ displays the scan results – the number of files found and the size of the data. In the left pane of the main window, all the recovered data is listed. You can preview them in the right pane.
Note: If you do not see the required photos in the list, opt for the Deep Scan option at the bottom.
Click Recover. You can also choose to recover only the selective files – select the photos that you need, right-click, and click Recover.
In the dialog box, specify the location to save the image files. Click Save. All the files get saved at the specified location Click Save. All the files get saved at the specified location.

Conclusion

Backup is the undisputable solution to any kind of photo loss situation. However, if you have not taken your photos backup in iTunes, iCloud, or other storage media, recovery through Stellar Photo Recovery software is the best way to get back photos lost during transfer from iPhone 15, 14/13/12/XS/XR/X/7/8 to PC or Mac.

How to Recover FaceTime Call History on iPhone

Summary: Have you deleted or lost FaceTime calls from your iPhone? Once deleted from the call history, the Facetime calls are removed from the app’s history and vice versa. This post shares quick methods to restore FaceTime call history from any series of iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12, X, XS Max, XR, X, 8, 8 Plus, 7, and below versions and iPads’.

‘Just noticed, that the FaceTime call history suddenly disappeared. Cellular calls history is fine. I am using iOS 16.2, iPhone 14. I don’t have iTunes backup and don’t want to try iCloud backup as it will remove my current data. Is there any other way to get back FaceTime call history?’

‘I deleted the call history on my iPhone and without realizing that FaceTime calls will also be erased. How can I recover deleted FaceTime history?’

You love using FaceTime — Apple’s popular calling app, on your iOS device. It’s a free and easy way to connect with family and friends anywhere in the world through audio and video calls.

But what if ever you accidentally delete or lose FaceTime calls from your iPhone or iPad. They may be important calls you wanted to keep.

Since FaceTime calls are integrated into your recent calls list on iPhone, once deleted from the call history, the calls are removed from the app’s history as well and vice versa.

Here we share various methods to restore FaceTime call history on iPhone 14, 13, 12, 11, XS, XS Max, XR, X, 8, 8 Plus, 7, 7 Plus, 6 and below versions and iPad.

How to recover the lost or deleted FaceTime call history?

1. Restore FaceTime call history without iTunes/ iCloud backup

Deleted FaceTime history can be recovered by using Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone software. The software can restore lost FaceTime call history after accidental deletion, factory reset, app crash, jailbreak, and other issues.

The DIY software thoroughly scans your iPhone or iPad to recover the lost FaceTime call history.

In contrast to iTunes and iCloud backup, Stellar iPhone data recovery software lets you select and restore specific iPhone deleted call history along with the details like name, date, call duration, source country. This saves you from restoring other unnecessary data.

Step-by-step: Recover deleted/ lost FaceTime calls from iPhone

Connect your iPhone to the computer
Launch Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone
Select Recover from iPhone on the left
Select Contacts & Call Logs under What to Recover

Click Next
Preview and choose the FaceTime calls you want to restore from the list. Note: All the calls marked in red color are the deleted calls

Click You can save the call history either on your computer or iPhone.

2. Recover FaceTime call history with iCloud

Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone can also restore FaceTime calls from iCloud backup on your iPhone or iPad. This method allows you to select and recover only the lost FaceTime call history from iCloud instead of restoring complete backup data.

Two methods to restore FaceTime log from iCloud:

Restore lost/deleted FaceTime calls from iCloud without losing existing iPhone data
Restore FaceTime call history from iCloud backup for free, deleting the current iPhone data

Method 1: Restore lost/deleted FaceTime calls from iCloud without losing existing iPhone data:

Download Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone on your PC/ Mac
Select Recover from iCloud Backup on main screen of software

Select Contacts & Call Logs and click Next
Enter the Apple ID and password. List of all available iCloud backup files appears. Select the relevant backup of your iPhone
Click Scan

Click Call History on the left window. Preview the existing and deleted FaceTime calls. Click Deep Scan, if you don’t find your required calls.

Click Save to save the recovered call history either on iPhone or computer

Method 2: Restore FaceTime from iCloud backup for free (this deletes the current iPhone data)

Go to Settings > General > Reset> Erase all Contents and Settings

On Apps & Data screen, tap Restore from iCloud Backup

Choose the last backup and Restore

Note – The drawback of this method is that it deletes all your existing data from the iPhone.

Recover FaceTime calls from iTunes Backup

3. Recover FaceTime calls from iTunes Backup

FaceTime recovery from iTunes backup is also possible if you have enabled the backup in iTunes.

Restore FaceTime call log from iTunes either with the help of Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone or directly from your system without the help of software.

However, if you don’t want to part ways with your iPhone’s existing data and lose all the current photos, videos, etc. with the old backup file, take the help of Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone.

The software protects your current data on iPhone and recovers only the call history as required.

Two methods to restore FaceTime call history from iTunes

Restore FaceTime call history from iTunes without losing existing iPhone data
Restore FaceTime call history from iTunes backup, deleting the current iPhone data

Method 1: Restore FaceTime call history from iTunes without losing existing iPhone data

Download Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone software on your PC/ Mac. Note: Connect your iPhone to a computer, if want to save the recovered FaceTime call history on iPhone.
Select Recover from iTunes Backup on the main screen of the application.

Select Contacts & Call Logs
Click Next. From the list of the iTunes backup files, select the relevant iTunes backup

Click Scan
Click Call History. Preview the existing and deleted FaceTime calls. Click Deep Scan, if you don’t find your required calls.
Click Save. You can save on your computer or iPhone

Method 2: Restore FaceTime call history from iTunes for free (this method deletes the current iPhone data)

Connect iPhone to PC/ Mac
Launch iTunes on your computer
Select your iPhone under the Device list and choose the recent backup entry date

Click Restore Backup

4. Contact Apple

Apple uses end-to-end encryption in FaceTime calls. It will not decrypt the content of your conversations. Apple may record and store information, such as to whom you had called and your iPhone/ iPad network configurations. It stores this information for up to 30 days. You don’t get the details like the content of the conversation or whether your call was answered or not.

Nevertheless, you can contact Apple requesting for FaceTime call logs by clicking on this link and submitting the request – Read More

Apple will get back to you.

Conclusion

iCloud and iTunes backup are the natural way for Apple users to recover FaceTime deleted call history. However, Apple’s solution though workable is not efficient when it comes to the recovery of specific types of data. The iTunes or iCloud backup recovery methods replace every existing data on your iPhone with an old/recent backup. You lose your current photos, videos, call history, messages, chats, etc.

Whereas Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone tackles this recovery issue more effectively. It recovers lost FaceTime calls and also keeps your current data intact on the iPhone.

The software works in all data loss situations due to deletion, jailbreak, water damage, factory reset, etc. You can restore FaceTime call history from any iPhone including series of iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, X, XS, XR, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone 6 and older versions. It is available for both Windows and macOS computers.

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How to Restore Contacts on iPhone (4 Methods) | Stellar