Easy Guide on How to Retrieve Deleted Contacts on Android

Daisy Raines

Jul 12, 2024 • Filed to: Data Recovery Solutions • Proven solutions

There is no doubt that communication by means of phone calls and SMS remains the easiest way to reach people. You can get in touch with anyone and drop a line anytime and anywhere. That’s why it’s no surprise that many of us still keep a list of phone numbers on our Android smartphones. In case we need to contact someone on another end, it’ll be convenient since the phonebook is at our disposal. Are you one of those who does the same thing? If so, then you’re absolutely making a wise decision.

Despite the continuous development of technology and the internet, modern smartphones are still equipped with powerful text and call functions. You can still send messages and make phone calls quickly and easily, just like before. However, we cannot rule out the possibility that something unexpected might suddenly get in the way. Let’s say you accidentally delete the contact numbers stored on your Android mobile device. Of course, it’s going to be a huge problem in this regard. But don’t worry. There are many techniques you can try to recover deleted contacts on your Android smartphone. Just choose the best method that perfectly suits your current situation.

In this article, we’ll discuss the common reasons why phone numbers disappear from Android smartphones. We will also provide some tutorials on how to retrieve deleted phone numbers on Android mobile devices. Continue reading below to learn more.

Part 1. Are Deleted Contacts Gone Forever?
Part 2. How to Retrieve Deleted Phone Numbers on Android Smartphones?
Part 3. BONUS TIP: Back Up Your Contacts Regularly

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Part 1. Are Deleted Contacts Gone Forever?

Android smartphones are all equipped with strong security and privacy features. They are frequently updated by the developers to ensure reliability and efficacy for a long period of time. Hence, you can be sure that storing contact numbers on your mobile device is indeed safe. So long as you have enough space in your memory, it’s very unlikely to get you into trouble.

However, it’s quite a different story if you accidentally delete the contact numbers on your Android smartphones. Yes. It happens all the time to many users all around the world. But don’t worry. Deleted phone numbers are not really gone permanently. You can still recover deleted contacts on your Android smartphone, especially if you act quickly.

Are there any other instances that may result in this kind of problem? Unfortunately, yes. User’s deliberate action is just one of the reasons why contact numbers vanish into thin air. Aside from that, there are other potential causes. Do you want to know what those are? If so, check out the list provided below.

Contacts Syncing Problems

contacts cannot be synced

Some Contacts apps on Android smartphones sync the data to the Cloud servers. It’s a normal protocol nowadays to make the list accessible across multiple devices and accounts. However, unexpected problems might occur if the phone numbers are not synced properly. It’s possible that your internet connection suddenly becomes unstable during the process. As a result, the app fails to import the contacts online. Don’t worry. It’s not a big deal. There are many relevant solutions that can help you recover deleted phone numbers on your Android smartphone. Just check out the best one that works best in your current situation.

Storage Settings Misconfiguration

Android mobile devices allow users to choose a specific storage for phone numbers. For instance, you can store them on your SIM card, local device storage, or Google servers. The decision is totally up to you. However, you need to make sure that the settings related to this matter are properly configured. Otherwise, the phone numbers might not show up on your contact list. Do you experience the same issue? If that is so, then try to recalibrate your storage settings. That’s the primary solution you can initiate first in this kind of situation. If it doesn’t work, try other available tutorials on how to retrieve deleted phone numbers on Android smartphones. For sure, one of them can help you out.

Software Issues

new app version available

It’s important to point out that the Contacts app is like any other mobile application that needs regular updates. If you’re experiencing some problems with your contact list, it’s possible that the app is already outdated. Most of the time, it causes no major problems. However, there is still a possibility that it might result in data loss. Nobody wants that. Therefore, always update your Contacts app whenever a new version becomes available. In case you’ve already lost your contact data due to this problem, try a recovery method that suits your ituation. Don’t sweat it. There are many tutorials online on how to retrieve deleted phone numbers on Android smartphones with or without a backup.

Messy Contacts App Settings

It’s possible that there is actually no serious problem at all. Maybe your contact list disappears on your mobile device because it is set to be hidden. Yes. Some Contacts app enables users to display or hide certain contacts through a particular contact setting. If that is the case, there is absolutely nothing to worry about. You just have to adjust a few settings and wait for it to take effect. No need to initiate complex procedures in order to recover deleted phone numbers on your Android smartphone.

Part 2. How to Retrieve Deleted Phone Numbers on Android Smartphones?

It is fair to say that losing contact numbers on your Android smartphone is no longer a big deal. Why so? Simply because there are many solutions out there that can help you recover deleted contacts on your Android device. Yes. You just need to pick the ideal method that works best in your current situation. Are you in need of one at the moment? If so, check out the provided tutorial below on how to retrieve deleted phone numbers on Android via Trash Bin.

Method 1: Recover deleted contacts on Android via the Recently Deleted folder.

Most Contacts apps nowadays have a Trash Bin folder that serves as storage for recently deleted contacts. Do you have one on your mobile device? If so, then you can use it to recover deleted phone numbers on your Android smartphone. Don’t worry. It’s a very easy procedure. Here’s a short guide for you on how to retrieve deleted contacts on Android via Google Contacts.

Step 1: Run the Contacts app on your Android mobile device.

Step 2: Click Organize.

organize button

Step 3: Scroll down and then click Trash or Recently Deleted.

trash folder

Step 4: Find the deleted contact number you want to recover and then click on it.

Step 5: Lastly, click Recover. The phone number will be then restored immediately and moved back to your contact list.

recover contact

Method 2: Recover deleted contacts on Android via Google Contacts.

Are you using Google Contacts as your default Contacts app? If so, it will be easier for you to recover the recently deleted contacts from this platform. Do you want to know how? Check out the guide provided below.

Step 1: Go to the Browser app on your computer.

Step 2: Right after, visit the official website of Google Contacts and log in to the Google account you use to store your contact list.

Step 3: Click the Settings icon at the top corner of your screen.

google contacts settings

Step 4: Right after, select Undo Changes.

undo google contacts changes

Step 5: You can revert your contact list to a specific timeline when your contact numbers are not yet deleted on your mobile device. Choose one among the given options.

Step 6: Lastly, click Undo. Immediately, the deleted contact numbers will be restored to your Google account. At this point, you can now check your Google Contacts app and find the newly recovered phone numbers.

undo deletion

Method 3: Recover deleted contacts on Android via Google Backup.

If you’re regularly backing up your Android smartphone to Google, then there is no problem. You can easily recover the deleted contacts on your Android smartphone with just the snap of a finger. Do you want to know how? Check out the provided guide below.

Step 1: Go to the Settings app on your mobile device.

Step 2: Scroll down and then click Google.

google services settings

Step 3: Tap on the All Services tab.

google services

Step 4: Find and click Set Up & Restore.

Step 5: From there, click Restore Contacts.

Step 6: Find the specific backup that contains your deleted phone numbers and then click the Restore button next to it.

restore contacts

Method 4: Recover deleted contacts on Android by importing the backup vCard.

Let’s say you have luckily secured a duplicate vCard file that contains the deleted phone numbers. If that’s the case, you can just import it to your Contacts app in order to restore the missing contacts. Don’t worry. It’s a piece of cake. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to recover deleted phone numbers on your Android smartphone by importing a backup vCard.

Step 1: Make sure that the vCard file is stored on your mobile device before you start the operation.

Step 2: Once confirmed, launch the Contacts app on your smartphone.

Step 3: Tap on the Organize tab.

Step 4: Scroll down and then click the Import From File option under the This Device section.

import from file

Step 5: Select a specific storage where you want to import the vCard file.

Step 6: Find the specific vCard file you want to import. Click on it.

Step 7: Wait for the notification that the vCard file has been successfully imported. Once prompted, you can now check your Contacts app and locate the newly restored phone numbers.

import file done

Method 5: Recover deleted contacts on Android using Wondershare Dr.Fone.

What if you don’t have a backup file for your deleted contacts? Is it still possible to recover deleted phone numbers on your Android smartphone? Luckily, it is. Wondershare Dr.Fone can absolutely help you with that. It has a powerful data recovery feature capable of providing effective solutions to you in this kind of situation. Don’t worry. It’s very simple and easy to navigate. Do you want to try it now? If so, here’s how to retrieve deleted contacts on Android without backup.

Step 1: Download Wondershare Dr.Fone from its official website. Right after, install it on your computer.

Step 2: Run the newly installed software on your desktop afterward. Once the dashboard fully loads up and becomes visible on your computer screen, connect your Android smartphone using a data cable. Follow the on-screen guide and perform the indicated steps accordingly to make sure that the connection between your devices is stable enough to facilitate the succeeding operations.

Step 3: Navigate to the left-side panel and then click Toolbox. After that, head over to the main dashboard and then click Data Recovery.

wondershare drfone data recovery

Step 4: Since you’re trying to recover deleted phone numbers on your Android smartphone, click Android.

data recovery for android

Step 5: Select Recover Android Data from the given options.

recover android data

Step 6: Wondershare Dr.Fone will then display the various types of files that you can recover from your mobile device. Tick the checkbox next to Contacts. If you wish to include other file types in the recovery process, then select them too. After that, click Start Scan.

start scanning the device

Step 7: Wondershare Dr.Fone will begin scanning your Android mobile device. While the process is ongoing, refrain from using your computer and smartphone to avoid unwanted delays and unnecessary disruptions.

scanning ongoing

Step 8: After completing the scan, Wondershare Dr.Fone will display the specific files fetched from your mobile device. Head over to the main dashboard and select the deleted contacts you want to restore. Once done, click Recover to proceed.

choose contact files to restore

Step 9: Select a specific location on your computer desktop where you want to restore the deleted contact numbers. Subsequently, click Recover.

contact number storage

Step 10: Lastly, locate the folder containing the newly restored contact numbers. After that, transfer them back to your Android mobile device. Make sure that they are in the right format that your smartphone can read and process to prevent inconvenience on your end.

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Part 3. BONUS TIP: Back Up Your Contacts Regularly

To a certain degree, it’s true that losing phone numbers on your smartphone is no longer a big deal. Any of the aforementioned tutorials on how to recover deleted contacts on Android can surely help you in this regard. You just need to choose the perfect technique and follow its instructions in the right order. For sure, the missing phone numbers on your mobile device will return in no time. However, we cannot deny that it’s still best to prevent this kind of unfortunate disaster. One way you can do this is to back up your phone numbers regularly. Don’t sweat it. Wondershare Dr.Fone has made it a lot easier for everyone. Do you want to know how and try it on your mobile device? If so, check out the tutorial provided below.

Step 1: Launch the Wondershare Dr.Fone application on your computer. Wait until its dashboard fully loads up and becomes visible on your screen. Then, connect your smartphone using a data cable. Make sure that the connection is strong and stable to prevent unwanted inconvenience during the process.

Step 2: Go to the left-side panel and then click My Backup. On the main dashboard, click Back Up Now.

wondershare drfone file backup

Step 3: When prompted, follow the on-screen guide with regard to SMS backup. Once you’re done, click OK to resume the process.

sms file backup

Step 4: Wondershare Dr.Fone will then start backing up your mobile device. Refrain from using your smartphone and computer to prevent unwanted delays and unnecessary disruptions. Don’t worry. It will only take a few minutes to complete.

backup ongoing

Step 5: After completing the backup process, don’t forget to check the files. Simply click Open in Folder or View Backups to review copies created for you.

backup done

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Conclusion

Evidently, contact numbers still have a very important role to play in today’s digital world. Losing them might still cause serious problems for anyone who relies heavily on this type of data. But don’t worry. The abovementioned tutorials on how to retrieve deleted contacts on Android can assist you if you experience the same issue. Just choose one that caters to your needs and preferences. If you want to take a more convenient approach in this regard, you may download Wondershare Dr.Fone. Its potent file backup and data recovery features can be of great help to you in this kind of situation.

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