How to Retrieve Data from a SIM Card on iPhone? 3 Proven Ways [2026 Updated]

Retrieve SIM Card Data from a Computer Backup

If your SIM card data is backed up on your Mac or Windows computer, then restoring them is fairly straightforward. Follow the steps in order to restore SIM card data in no time:

• Step 1: On your Mac computer, open Finder or Apple Devices app and iTunes on your Windows PC.
• Step 2: Then, plug your iPhone into the Windows/Mac computer using a USB-C cable and wait for a few seconds for it to detect your device. If the message asks you to “Trust this computer” or for a “device passcode,” follow the on-screen instructions.
• Step 3: Click on your device that appears on the left sidebar of the Finder /iTunes/Apple devices window.
• Step 4: On the new displayed window, tap “Restore backup.”

• Step 5: The app then displays the backups you created with the data. Pick the one that resembles the SIM card data (contacts, messages, calendar) and click “Restore.”
• Step 6: If you choose to encrypt and secure the backup when creating, put the same and wait for the restore to complete successfully.
• Step 7: Connect your iPhone to the device until it reboots and wait for it to sync with the computer. Once the sync is complete, disconnect it.

Recover SIM Card Data from iCloud Backup Files

When you enable the “iCloud Backup” option, iCloud automatically stores a copy of your essential data, including contacts and messages. This feature can be especially helpful if your SIM card becomes damaged or corrupted, as your information may still be safely stored online. To retrieve SIM card data from iPhone and restore your contacts along with other iCloud backups, follow the detailed steps outlined below.

Option 1: If you Got a New iPhone

If you got hands to a brand new iPhone and want to get your contacts and messages from the old SIM card, then the process is quite simple:

• Step 1: Turn on your new device and set it up following the on-screen instructions until you reach “Transfer your apps & data.” Then tap “From iCloud backup” from the provided list of options.
• Step 2: Input your user credentials (Apple ID and password) to sign into iCloud.
• Step 3: The new page then lists the backups created. Look at the date and size of each and pick one that contains the data from your old SIM card. Then, the recovery starts. Stay connected to the WiFi and wait for some time until the progress bar appears and is complete. The wait time varies from a few seconds to several minutes, depending on the size of your backup.
• Step 4: Your SIM card data restoration is now successfully complete. Browse through the contacts and messages to check if you got back everything that’s needed.

Option 2: You Lost Your SIM Card

If somehow your SIM card is corrupted or you replace your old card with a new one, but the iPhone is still in use, restoring data means replacing existing data with the older backup. So, if you want to get back your old SIM card’s data, you must erase or backup the existing information and follow the steps to start the recovery process:

• Step 1: On your iPhone, click on Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud to access the iCloud settings.
• Step 2: Tap “iCloud Backup” and toggle it on if it’s not already enabled.
• Step 3: On the new window, tap “Back up Now” to create a backup of any existing data before you erase them.
• Step 4: Then tap General> Reset > Erase all content and settings. Once each data on your iPhone is cleared up, the device then prompts you to set it up again, so follow the instructions until the Apps & Data screen opens up.

• Step 5: Follow it up by selecting “Restore from iCloud Backup” and the backup file that resembles your SIM card data.
• Step 6: Wait until the progress bar starts and completes, meaning all your lost data is now backed up.

safe & secure

How to Directly Recover SIM Card Data from iPhone

Many iPhone users find it unnecessary to erase all existing data just to restore specific information. When the goal is to retrieve SIM card data from iPhone, such as contacts and messages, performing a full system reset can feel excessive. Fortunately, there are targeted recovery options that allow you to restore only the data you need without wiping your entire device.

To recover selective data, you need third-party software that’s reliable and effective. Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (iOS) has the highest data recovery rate and is one of the most popular third-party tools for data recovery. With it, you can back up a section of data that’s lost or deleted. It’s no longer a SIM card recovery software that recognizes your SIM card and recovers the lost or available data, but you can get your contacts and messages back with a few clicks.

Dr.Fone - Data Recovery (iOS)

World's 1st iPhone and iPad data recovery software

• Retrieve WhatsApp View Once messages & restore social app data.
• Recover 35+ data types: photos, messages, WhatsApp, iWork files & more.
• Extract and preview all content in iCloud/iTunes backup files.
• Selectively restore what you want from iCloud/iTunes backup to your device or computer.
• Compatible with the latest iOS versions and iPhone models.

Available on: Windows Mac

Start Recover

Start Recover

3981454 people have downloaded it

There’s more to it. It’s compatible with the latest iOS versions and supports every data type, be it photos, videos, applications, and others. Besides, its easy-to-use interface is suitable for amateurs, and you can recover data from your iPhone irrespective of its condition (broken, damaged, corrupted, etc.). So follow the steps in order to recover your lost contacts and messages using Dr. Fone-Data recovery software:

Step 1: Connect your Device to a Mac Computer

To start with the recovery process, launch the Dr. Fone software on your Windows and Mac computer, followed by Toolbox > Data Recovery. Select iOS as your device type and click on “Recover Data from iOS device” from the list of available options.

Step 2: Scan Deleted Messages and Contacts

On the next display window, tap the “Start Scan” button after clicking the checkbox beside the types of data you wish to recover. The software will then automatically start scanning your device for deleted data.

Step 3: Preview the Data

As the scanning is complete, you can preview the data Dr. Fone has found on your iPhone. You can filter the type of data to view and restore, i.e., the available/deleted data, and once selected, tap “Recover to Computer” or “Restore to Device” to successfully complete the recovery process.

The software's data found here includes the contacts, messages, and other chosen ones on your iPhone now. You can also use this software to restore data from your iCloud account without resetting the device.