How to Recover Disappeared Contacts on iPhone After Update

Part 1. Why Did My iPhone Contacts Disappear?

Missing contact details on an iPhone following a phone update can be mind-boggling. This could happen for any number of underlying reasons. But let us dig deeper into the most common ones:

iOS Update Glitches

Any new iOS updates are intended to improve the device's overall performance as they bring in new features, fix bugs, and enhance security measures. However, it is worth mentioning that these updates are complex and sometimes come with problems. Here’s how your contacts may be affected by faults in updates, including those found in iOS 18/26:

• Incompletely Finished Update: In case of a power failure or network problem during the updating process, chances are high that you won’t complete this process successfully. When you don’t complete updating the whole thing, it can result in data irregularities, including missing contacts.
• Software Faults: Even with well-tried software like iOS 18/26, sometimes bugs slip. Occasionally, these bugs can mess up your iPhone’s data management functions, such as the contacts application. For instance, a new update might mistakenly modify the structure of the contacts database, leading to a temporary loss of information.
• Compatibility Problems: Newer versions of iOS, such as iOS 18/26, might not fully support all existing applications like third-party contact lists. This incompatibility will not show some contacts until you update your application to correspond with the new version of iOS.

Sync Issues with iCloud or Other Accounts

Your iPhone heavily depends on cloud services synchronization through iCloud, Google and other email accounts for keeping your contacts current. Any breaks in this synchronization process may cause missed contacts. Here is a more detailed look into how sync issues occur, especially after an upgrade to iOS 18/26:

1. iCloud Account Issues
   Make sure you're signed in to iCloud correctly. Problems like an incomplete sign-in or Apple ID errors can disrupt contact synchronization.

2. Sync Conflicts
   Changes made to the same contact on different devices (e.g., iPhone and Mac) before syncing can cause conflicts, resulting in missing contacts.

3. Email Account Syncing Problems

   • Changed Credentials
     If you update your email account password or security settings but don't update these on your iPhone, contact syncing may stop.
   • Server Downtime
     Temporary issues with email provider servers like Gmail or Exchange can interrupt the syncing process.

4. Manual Sync Errors
   Accidentally disabling the contact sync option in your account's settings can cause all existing contacts to disappear. Double-check account sync configurations to avoid this issue.

Part 2. Quick Fixes to Find Your iPhone’s Missing Contacts

Do not worry if you have updated to iOS 18/26 and lost all your iPhone contacts. Several simple solutions can help bring them back in no time. These are a few quick steps that may assist you in recovering disappeared contacts.

Restart Your iPhone

Sometimes, it is just a matter of restarting. Restarting your iDevice fixes minor software faults and rejuvenates the system. This clears temporary storage and may repair any errors that could have occurred while you were updating it so that, potentially, your contacts who seem to have disappeared could be restored. This is how you can do it:

Step 1: Hold the power button until the ‘slide to power off’ appears.

Step 2:  Slide to turn off your iPhone.

Step 3: Then, once turned off, hold the power button again to turn on.

Check iCloud Contacts Sync

It is always good to ensure that iCloud Contacts Sync is turned on for properly syncing your contacts with Apple’s cloud services. Turning it back on can restore your contacts from iCloud if the sync was interrupted or turned off during the update process. To recover them, make sure your contacts are synced with iCloud:

Step 1: On your iPhone, go to settings.

Step 2: Tap on your name at the top, then tap on iCloud.

Step 3: Ensure that the toggle for Contacts is turned on. If not, turn it on.

Toggle Contacts Off and On

Toggle off Contacts, then toggle on again, to make iPhone re-sync with iCloud. When your phone’s contact database has been refreshed in this way, it solves any synchronization problems related issues that make all your phone numbers disappear after an update.

Step 1: Go: Settings > [Your Name] >iCloud.

Step 2: Turn off the toggle for Contacts, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on.

Part 3. Advanced Steps to Recover Lost Contacts

If none of these quick fixes worked, try these advanced steps to recover lost contacts after updating iOS 18/26.

Sign Out and Sign Back Into iCloud

Sign out of iCloud and then sign back in to help refresh your iCloud settings and correct any problems associated with the account that might be causing failed synchronization of contacts. This normally resets the synchronization process, enabling the retrieval of missing contacts from iCloud.

Step 1: Go: Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out.

Step 2: Follow the prompts to sign out; afterward, sign in again with your Apple ID.

Restore Contacts from iCloud Backup.

If there is an iCloud backup, you may recover these lost contacts by restoring them to the current device. One uses an earlier backup to bring back what was lost due to the update, making sure you retrieve all data that was lost through the update.

Step 1: Move to Settings > [Your Name] >iCloud> iCloud Backup.

Step 2: Make sure that you create a recent backup. If your answer to this question is yes, you must reset it by going to Settings -> General -> Reset -> Erase All Content and Settings.

Step 3: Follow the instructions on your screen for setting up your phone and choose Restore from iCloud Backup.

Check Other Email Accounts

Synchronization of contacts from varied email accounts like Gmail, Yahoo, and Exchange can be done. By checking these accounts, you have verified whether all the synchronized contact sources are functioning as expected. In case, during an update, you disturbed the sync settings for these accounts, re-enabling them may restore your lost contacts.

Step 1: Go to Settings > Contacts > Accounts.

Step 2: Verify that contacts are enabled for all the listed email accounts.

Part 4. How to Recover Disappeared Contacts on iPhone using Your PC

If the quick fixes have not yielded much success in returning your lost contacts, you may need a more sophisticated tool like Wondershare Dr.Fone - Data Recovery. With this powerful software, you can recover data directly from your iPhone. If you would like to know how to go about recovering missing contacts through your personal computer, the following steps should be used:

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Step 1: Launch Dr.Fone and Open Data Recovery 

Download, install, and launch Wondershare Dr.Fone on your computer. Navigate to Toolbox and select Data Recovery.

Step 2: Select iOS Device Type

Choose the iOS option for recovery. Connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable when prompted.

Step 3: Proceed with Recovery

Choose Recover Data from an iOS Device to proceed. Dr.Fone will detect your device and display recovery options.

Step 4: Select File Types to Recover

Select the specific file types you want to recover, such as contacts, photos, or messages. Click Start Scan to initiate the process.

Step 5: Let Dr.Fone Scan for Recoverable Data

Dr.Fone will scan your iPhone for recoverable files. Once completed, a list of available data will be displayed for review.

Step 6: Preview Data and Proceed to Restore

Filter and preview the data you wish to recover. Click Restore to Device, choose your iPhone, and confirm to complete the recovery process.

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Conclusion

Losing your contacts after updating your iPhone can be frustrating, especially with significant updates such as iOS 18/26. Nevertheless, there are several ways to get them back. If you try basic solutions such as restarting the iPhone or even use advanced methods like Dr.Fone - Data Recovery, then chances are high that you could have your contacts restored. Always ensure that all data is backed up before any update to prevent future issues. With the reliable data recovery capabilities of Wondershare Dr.Fone, you can effortlessly recover lost contacts and other important data. You can ensure your iPhone functions smoothly even after major updates like iOS 18/26.

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