drfone logo
Dr.Fone – Phone Unlock&Clean

Unlock your devices in 3 steps

Dr.Fone – Data&Photo Recovery

Recover data in 3 steps

Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (Android)
Restore Contacts on Android without Backup!
  • Retrieve data from Android devices or Google Drive.
  • Support to recover contacts, SMS, WhatsApp, etc.
  • Support 6000+ Android devices, like Samsung, etc.
  • Highest retrieval rate in the industry.
recover android data

How to Retrieve Deleted Contacts on Android Without Backup

Daisy Raines

Feb 21, 2025 • Filed to: Data Recovery Solutions • Proven solutions

As many Android users know, it can be quite a hassle to retrieve deleted contacts without a backup plan in place. Losing a phone, accidentally deleting contacts, or resetting your phone to factory settings without saving your contacts are ways in which all your video calls, audio calls, and messages end up disappearing. After hearing these scenarios, the question arises: is there a solution for contact recovery?

Absolutely! Android provides ways to recover deleted contacts without backup, and while it may sound complicated, it is actually a rather easy process. In this article, we will focus on how to do a contact recovery for Android by providing useful information, advanced tools, and effective tips that have worked for other users. As promised, you will efficiently be able to solve such problems and restore important phone numbers.

Part 1: Is There a Way to Recover Deleted Contacts on Android Without Backup

If your question is whether it's possible to restore contacts using an Android phone without a backup, the answer is yes. There are odds that the contacts you deleted may not be lost forever. As Android devices typically hold deleted files temporarily including contacts. Using the right tools and techniques, you can recover these contacts. Below, we’ll explain how to restore contacts without backup Android using several proven methods.

Part 2: How to retrieve deleted contacts on Android without backup

How can I retrieve deleted contacts on Android without backup after accidentally erasing or losing crucial contacts? Keep an eye out for the fantastic ways provided below if you've accidentally erased contacts on your Android device.

Method 1: Verify if your Android contacts have been erased or lost.

For whatever reason, you might accidentally hide the phone numbers on the Android phone and then mistakenly believe that they have been permanently removed. But, the contacts application on the Android device could wind up secretly hiding the information if it's broken or malfunctioning.

Step 1: Access the contact application

Open the Contacts app. Then, after it opens, tap the three dots. After that, hit the Settings icon upon tapping the More button.

Step 2: retrieve the contacts from the settings

Press the "Contacts to display" icon after entering the Contacts Settings page. All of the previously hidden contacts on the Smartphone can now be retrieved.

display hidden contacts

Method 2: Recover Android Contacts from Gmail Backup Without PC

Presumably, you've linked your phone's address book to your Gmail account. If that's the case, you can retrieve your contacts following a factory reset by following the instructions below.

Step1: Navigate to Google account

Access your Google account from a computer. Hit "Contacts" in the left panel.

Step 2: Proceed to restore contacts

Then, select "More," and finally, "Restore Contacts" from the box that appears.

restore contacts with gmail

Step 3: Begin the recovery process

Choose a "Time Period" and then hit "Restore" to begin the recovery.

Note: Keep in mind that you can only restore contacts that are within 30 days. So, if your Gmail backup is older than 30 days, you won't be able to restore those contacts.

Method 3: Use Google Backup to Restore Contacts for Free on Android

Only when you've linked your Android contacts with your Google Account can you use this method. You should also have a backup of Android data. You don't need a computer or root to use the Google Backup solution on a device that has undergone a factory reset.

Step 1: Access settings app

Open the Settings app on your Android device.

Step 2: Navigate to restore contacts

After you find "Google" in the list of options, press on it. Then, find "Services" and tap on "Restore Contacts."

Step 3: Select the google account

Select the Google accounts you want to restore your contacts from by tapping "From Account" on your device. This is useful if your device contains several Google accounts.

Step 4: Choose location to restore contacts

Pick the device that has the contacts you want to copy. You have the option to choose which storage location you would like to copy the contacts from. You can isolate the device's storage or SIM card for copying by tapping the "Turn Off" button next to that option.

Step 5: Start restore process

your contacts will be restored by tapping the "Restore" button.

As soon as you log in with the Google Account associated with the contacts, Google will sync them with your smartphone.

recover contacts with google backup

Method 4: How to Restore Contacts on Android without Backup

The worst-case scenario is that you have never backed up your contacts, or you have lost your phone. Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (Android) can help you recover contacts from lost Android phone without backup. Dr.Fone is an expert Android data recovery software that offers two recovery modes—iOS Recovery and Android Recovery—to help you retrieve all of your lost data from your device, including contacts, even if you don't have a backup.

You can restore contacts with this all-in-one program, but it can also repair Android system challenges. This helps you remove your Android screen lock, extract data from Google, remove Google FRP lock, and much more. Let's check out its other fantastic features.

Features:

Without backup, without root: If you don't have a backup and don't want to root your phone, you won't be able to use most Android recovery tools. However, Dr.Fone bypasses this restriction, so you can recover non-backed-up data—even without root access—with ease.

Data recovery of different types: Not only can Dr.Fone help you get your contacts back, but it can also get your photographs, texts, videos, WhatsApp messages, and call logs back.

Never blindly restore: Avoid wasting your phone's storage space on unnecessary files by carefully previewing and selecting the data you wish to restore.

Tools for 6000+ Android devices: Application support for over 6,000 Android devices, including models from Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, LG, and many more. The vast majority of Android smartphones available today are compatible with Dr.Fone.

Step-by-step guide:

style arrow up

Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (Android)

Restore Contacts on Android without Backup!

  • Recover Android data by scanning your Android phone & tablet directly.
  • Preview and selectively recover what you want from your Android phone & tablet.
  • Supports various file types, including WhatsApp, Messages & Contacts & Photos & Videos & Audio & Document.
  • Supports 6000+ Android Device Models & Various Android OS.
Available on: Windows
3981454 people have downloaded it

Step 1: Launch the Data Recovery Tool

Start Wondershare Dr.Fone on your computer. To begin, pick "Data Recovery" from the "Toolbox" menu.

access dr fone  software

Step 2: Select Android as the Device Type

Select "Android" in the new window to retrieve data.

wondershare dr.fone

Step 3: Choose the Recovery Function

On the subsequent page, select "Recover Android Data".

proceed with android data recovery

Step 4: Connect Your Android Device

Connect Your Android phone and computer via a USB cable. Let the tool automatically detect your device.

connect android to computer

Step 5: Select the File Types to Recover

On a new screen, select files to recover, such as contacts. After selecting file types, press "Start Scan" in the lower-right corner.

choose file types

Step 6: Preview the Recovered Data

Dr. Fone will probe your device for lost data. After the scan, a preview screen displays all recovered data. Take time to preview the results.

start device scan

Step 7: Recover Data to Your Computer

Click ‘Recover’ on the bottom right of the screen. Select the system directory for fixed data and press ‘Recover’ in the window prompt.

recover data successfully

Part 3: Preventing Contact Loss on Android Devices

Losing essential contacts on an Android device can be frustrating, so it’s vital to take proactive measures to prevent such mishaps. Here are some effective strategies to safeguard your contact list:

1. Sync Contacts with Your Google Account

Link your contacts to your Google Account. This ensures they are securely stored in the cloud. By enabling Automatic Sync, any new contact saved on your Android device will be automatically backed up to your cloud account.

2. Regularly Back Up Contacts

Create consistent backups of your contact list. This habit minimizes the risk of losing data, especially when you’re managing multiple contacts on your device.

3. Leverage Third-Party Backup Apps

Consider using reliable third-party apps designed to back up Android contacts. These tools provide an additional layer of security for your contact information.

4. Utilize External Storage Devices

Save critical contacts to external storage devices like USB drives or SD cards. This practice offers an alternative recovery option if data is lost or your device becomes inaccessible.

5. Maintain a Clean Contact List

Frequently review your contacts to update outdated entries and remove duplicates. A well-organized list simplifies recovery and avoids unnecessary clutter.

Conclusion:

Losing important contacts can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be a permanent setback. With reliable methods and innovative tools like Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (Android), recovering lost contacts becomes a seamless experience. By leveraging its advanced recovery capabilities, even complex situations like figuring out how to retrieve deleted contacts on Android without backup are manageable.

Pair these solutions with proactive habits like regular syncing, backups, and simplify your contact list to minimize future risks. A thoughtful approach ensures your contact information stays secure and easily retrievable, no matter the challenge.

safe Downloadsafe & secure

FAQs

A. If you lose your contacts, you can retrieve them from the trash folder without a computer because the Android device's trash folder usually keeps the deleted photos and numbers for 30 days.
A. Google's recent system adjustments may have caused the contacts to vanish for a while as they prompted the new Android contacts to update if you've lost contacts on your Android smartphone without warning and you're not sure what's causing the commotion.
A. As long as you have a backup of the contacts, the deleted contacts from the Android smartphone are not permanently erased. To recover all of your lost contacts, go to the Restore Contacts page.

Daisy Raines

staff Editor

Android Recover

Recover Apps
Contacts Recover
Files Recover
Messages Recover
Music/Videos Recover
Photos Recover
Broken Android Recover
Social Apps Recover
Android Recover Tips
drfone
Your Complete Mobile Solution
  • ● Manage/transfer/recover data
  • ● Unlock screen/activate/FRP lock
  • ● Fix most iOS and Android issues
Recover Now Recover Now Recover Now
Home > How-to > Data Recovery Solutions > How to Retrieve Deleted Contacts on Android Without Backup