How to Preview and Restore Contacts from iTunes Backup (2023)

How to Preview and Restore Contacts from iTunes Backup (1)

blake sullivanUpdated June 23, 2022 4:15 PM m.

For added security of your iPhone contact list, it's easy to sync iPhone contacts with iTunes to create a local copy of phone numbers, contact names, email addresses, and more on your computer. Just launch iTunes and connect your device to a computer. Then click on your device icon and choose Back Up Now.

Well, the point is, after you backup iPhone contacts to iTunes, where is iTunes contacts backup saved, how to view contacts in iTunes backup and what should you do? to restore iPhone contacts from iTunes backup? If you're at your wit's end, we're here to help you understand them.

Important:If you have an iCloud account and you've set it up on your iPhone to sync contacts with iCloud, contacts that have been uploaded and stored in iCloud won't be included in an iTunes backup. Learn more details atwhat can and cannot be copied to iTunes.

Topics covered in this article:

  • Where are my contacts stored in iTunes?
  • Can I see contacts in iTunes backup?
  • How do I restore contacts from iTunes backup?

Tips: Two iTunes contacts recovery solutions will be described in this passage: using iTunes to perform full restore and using a third-party tool to restore only contacts from iTunes backup without iPhone.

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for windows|for mac OS

(Video) How to Restore iPhone Contacts from iTunes Backups

FYI, iTunes also acts as a conduit to sync your iPhone contacts with a compatible address book app or cloud service like Outlook Express or Windows Address Book on PC or a contacts app ( used to be called an address book app) on a Mac. If you're interested, the iPhone contacts sync procedure is easy:

  • Connect your iPhone to your computer.
  • In the iTunes opening software, click on the device icon located near the top left corner of the iTunes panel.
  • On the left, clickInformationoption.
  • To checkSynchronize contacts withoption and choose to use the dropdown menu to selectWindows contacts,Panorama,google contacts, etc
  • click onApplybutton and then chooseMadebutton.

How to Preview and Restore Contacts from iTunes Backup (2)

The names and options of the available buttons may vary depending on your computer's configuration.

Where are my contacts stored in iTunes?

To be honest, iTunes doesn't store backup contacts. Every time iTunes backs up iPhone contacts to computer, it also backs up almost all other data and settings on the device. The final iTunes backup file for your iPhone will be saved on your computer as a SQLite file in a specific folder. You can access and find the iTunes backup file from the following locations:

View backups in iTunes from a Mac:~/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup/

View backups in iTunes from a PC:\Users\(username)\AppData\Roaming\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup\Tips: You can click the Start button on your Windows computer, type %appdata% in the search bar, and press the Return button to quickly go to the AppData folder.

Related article:How to Quickly Locate iPhone iTunes Backup on PC or Mac.

Can I see contacts in iTunes backup?

Since iTunes backs up contacts, but does not store contact phone numbers, there is no way to find iPhone contacts in iTunes backup, which are often represented as unreadable binary files. You can only see contacts in an iTunes backup after restoring your entire device from the backup.

If you don't want to wipe your entire phone to restore from iTunes backup,iPhone Data Recoveryoffers a simple platform to access and view contacts in your iTunes backup, even when you get rid of your iPhone. For this method to work:

(Video) How to Back Up iPhone Contacts With iTunes : iTunes Help

  • Download and open the software on a computer that maintains a backup of iTunes contacts.
  • HitRecover from iTunes Backup Filesand select the backup that archives the contacts.
  • selectstart scanningbutton. If iTunes is encrypted, enter the password to unlock it.
  • On the left, clickContactsand then you can see a list of backup contacts in iTunes.

To verify that the contacts you need are properly backed up before doing an iOS update or upgrading to a new phone, click on each contact to view its detailed information, such as name, company, phone number, email address it's much more.

How to Preview and Restore Contacts from iTunes Backup (3)

Apart from viewing iPhone contacts backup in iTunes, this tool can also recover contacts from iTunes backup without iPhone. Read the full guide by going tohere.

How do I restore contacts from iTunes backup?

After knowing where to find iTunes backup contacts and how to view iPhone contacts on computer, you may want to get iTunes backup contacts. We've got you covered below.

Using iTunes to do a full restore

Needless to say, Apple's official tool iTunes is on the list. Although it requires wiping iPhone data to perform an all-or-nothing restore, you can't just recover contacts from file, iTunes is still an ideal choice if you want to extract contacts from iTunes backup for free.

With a comprehensive backup of all your important iPhone data and files, what you need to recover iPhone contacts from iTunes is:

  • Open iTunes on your Windows PC or Mac and connect your iPhone to the computer.
  • In the upper left corner of the iTunes window, click the small iPhone icon.
  • Under the "Settings" heading on the left, clickSummaryaba
  • Locate the "Backups" section and chooserestore backupoption. Then select the last iTunes backup that was made before you deleted contacts from iPhone and touchTo restorebutton. If the iTunes backup is encrypted, you will be prompted to enter the password to continue.

Wait for iTunes to finish restoring contacts to your iPhone device. The restore process will overwrite any new data and information added after creating the restored iTunes backup file.

How to Preview and Restore Contacts from iTunes Backup (4)

learn what to doif you can't restore your iPhone device from a computer backup.

Using a third-party tool to restore iTunes contacts only

You are not allowed to recover specific contacts saved in iTunes, butiPhone Data Recoverycan fill the void. Bring flexible iTunes backup restore option: recover contact phone number, accidental contact groups or all contacts in the file; everything depends on you.

Apart from access to view iTunes contact information, it also displays other data and files included in iTunes archive in a well-organized layout, such as photos, messages, call history, notes, reminders, etc. Even better, it is also integrated with features to restore contacts from iCloud backup and recover contacts and other data from iOS devices without using a backup.

Download now!

for windows|for mac OS

(Video) How to Recover Contacts on iPhone – No Backup | iPhone Contacts Missing & Disappeared

After downloading and installing iTunes backup extractor on your PC or Mac, here is the process to restore deleted contacts to iPhone from iTunes backup:

Step 1 – Connect your iPhone to the machine

Use an official Apple USB cable to connect your iPhone to the machine and launch the software. In the left sidebar of the window that opens, choose "Recover from iTunes Backup File".

From the iTunes backup files listed on the right panel, select the one you need and clickstart scanningbutton. Enter the password to unlock the encrypted iTunes backup if necessary.

How to Preview and Restore Contacts from iTunes Backup (5)

Step 2 – Access the Contacts Category from iTunes Backups

After completing the scan, it will display all kinds of backup data in iTunes, such as media, messages, contacts, notes and others. To recover iPhone contacts, clickContactsat the left-side.

How to Preview and Restore Contacts from iTunes Backup (6)

Step 3: Restore Deleted iPhone Contacts from iTunes Backup

(Video) [Solved] How to Restore iPhone Contacts from iTunes Backup

Next, select the desired contact numbers by checking the checkboxes and click onRecoverbutton. When prompted to designate a location to keep contacts on your computer, touchRecoverbutton again and voila!

How to Preview and Restore Contacts from iTunes Backup (7)

That's all for your efforts to view iPhone contacts in iTunes on your computer and extract iPhone contacts from iTunes file. Transferred contacts from iPhone to iTunes but lost half of your contacts? Here's why this could happen and how to recover missing contact numbersin the passage.

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FAQs

How do I view contacts from iTunes backup? ›

Connect your iPhone to computer that you used to back up the device, and launch iTunes. Click on the device icon at the top-left corner of the iTunes window. Pick the latest backup entry that you want to restore contacts from. Click Restore.

How do I preview my iPhone backup? ›

Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud. Tap Manage Account Storage, then tap Backups. Tap a backup to see more details about it, choose which information to back up, or delete the backup.

How do I restore my contacts from iTunes backup? ›

Method 2: Recover Contacts by restoring your iPhone from iTunes backup
  1. Launch iTunes on your computer and connect your iPhone.
  2. Click your device icon.
  3. In the "Summary" section, click "Restore backup"
  4. Select the backup you wish to restore from.
Jul 5, 2022

How do I import just contacts from iPhone backup? ›

Restore contacts stored in iCloud on iCloud.com
  1. On iCloud.com, click. in the toolbar, then click Data Recovery.
  2. Click Restore Contacts. Available versions are listed by the date and time they were archived.
  3. To the right of the version you want to restore, click Restore. There may be more versions than can be displayed.

Does iTunes backup Keep contacts? ›

Short Answer: Yes, if you back up your iPhone in iTunes, it shall backup Contacts and Notes.

How far back does iPhone backup go? ›

When your device is backed up in iCloud, you can easily set up a new device or restore information on one you already have. To let iCloud automatically back up your device, here's what you need to do. If you disable or stop using iCloud Backup, your last backup is stored for 180 days.

Where does iTunes store iPhone backups? ›

On both Windows and macOS, iOS backups are stored in a MobileSync folder. On macOS, iTunes will store backups in /Users/[USERNAME]/Library/Application Support/MobileSync/Backup .

Does iPhone backup have everything? ›

iCloud backups include nearly all data and settings stored on your device. iCloud backups don't include: Data that's already stored in iCloud, like Contacts, Calendars, Notes, iCloud Photos, iMessages, Voice Memos, text (SMS) and multimedia (MMS) messages, and Health data.

Why are some of my contacts missing from my iPhone? ›

The issue of missing contacts on iPhone can be caused by one or a combination of factors listed below. Powering off the phone and restarting it (a so-called 'cold start'). The user didn't sync iPhone to iCloud after a software update.

How do I restore contacts from iPhone without iCloud backup? ›

Recover Deleted Phone Numbers on iPhone without iCloud
  1. Connect iPhone to Computer. Connect your iPhone to the computer which already owns the iTunes backup you need. ...
  2. Go to Summary and Find Restore Backup. Tap on the device icon > Click on Summary > Choose the Restore Backup button and click on it to restore your iPhone.
Sep 27, 2022

Why are some of my contacts missing? ›

Go to Setting on your Android or Samsung. Click Account and Google account. Tap on Account sync and check if your contacts button is toggled on. If yes, you can also turn it off then on.

Can you view contacts from iPhone backup? ›

Access Contacts from an iTunes Backup of an iPhone

To access contacts from an iPhone Backup, first open iExplorer, then click Explore Backups. From the left column, under the Browse iTunes Backups section, select the backup you want to use. Then within that backup select, Contacts.

What is the easiest way to import contacts to iPhone? ›

Import contacts from your SIM card to your iPhone
  1. Put your previous SIM card, with your contacts, into your iPhone. ...
  2. Tap Settings > Contacts > Import SIM Contacts.
  3. If asked, choose where you want to import your SIM card contacts.
  4. Wait for the import to complete.
  5. Open Contacts and make sure that your contacts imported.
Jan 28, 2022

How do I import all my contacts at once? ›

On your Android phone or tablet, open the Contacts app . At the bottom, tap Fix & manage Import from file. If you have multiple accounts on your device, pick the account where you want to save the contacts. Find and select the VCF file to import.

Does iTunes backup restore everything? ›

Does it include messages? You should know that iTunes backup includes most of the local data on your iPhone like photos, messages, contacts,call logs, iPhone settings, local files of apps, Keychain data, etc. But to save space and time, iTunes actually not backup everything on your iPhone.

How do I find old backups on iTunes? ›

Go to iTunes and open preferences. In preferences, click on Devices, right-click your device, and then press Reveal in Finder. This will show the backups associated with the particular iPhone.

How do I know if my iPhone backup was successful? ›

To verify that the backup worked, open iTunes Preferences and select the Devices tab. If the backup was successful, you'll see it listed there.

How do I view my iPhone backup files on my PC? ›

Is It Possible to Access iPhone Backup from A Windows Computer?
  1. Find Backup Files on Windows PC.
  2. Sign in to iCloud from Windows 10 PC.
  3. Choose Recover from Backup.
  4. Select a Backup.
  5. Recover iMessages from iCloud.
  6. Sign in iCloud Account.
  7. Go to Device Manager and Click Photos.
  8. Select Photos and Send to PC.
Dec 23, 2022

Is it better to backup iPhone to iCloud or iTunes? ›

Use iCloud Backup if you want to back up your iOS devices wirelessly and automatically without connecting your device to a computer. iCloud Backup is best for you if: You prefer that iCloud take care of backups for you automatically when you connect your device to Wi-Fi and power.

What replaced iTunes for iPhone backup? ›

Backing up your Apple devices, such as iPhones, iPads and iPods, will now take place in Finder. Movies and TV shows purchased, rented or stored within iTunes will be migrated into the new Apple TV app.

What replaced iTunes? ›

All of your music is now in the Apple Music app

The Apple Music app is where you can find all of your music, including music that you imported in to iTunes, purchased from the iTunes Store, and playlists and smart playlists that you created in iTunes.

How do I get my contacts back? ›

Restore contacts from backups
  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Google.
  3. Tap Set up & restore.
  4. Tap Restore contacts.
  5. If you have multiple Google Accounts, to choose which account's contacts to restore, tap From account.
  6. Tap the phone with the contacts to copy.

Where did my iPhone contacts go? ›

If your contacts on iPhone disappeared all of sudden this is what you should do: Step 1: Go to Settings. Step 2: Tap your Apple ID and select iCloud. Step 3: Find Contacts and toggle it off and then turn it on again.

How do I transfer contacts from iPhone to iPhone without iCloud or iTunes? ›

How to Transfer iPhone Contacts via Airdrop
  1. Turn on Airdrop on both iPhones. ...
  2. Next, on the iPhone containing your contacts, open the Contacts app.
  3. Select a contact you want to transfer, then tap "Share Contact".
  4. Tap Airdrop, then tap your target iPhone when it is detected.
  5. Your target iPhone will receive a notification.
Jan 12, 2023

How do I get my old contacts from iCloud backup? ›

To Restore Contacts from iCloud:

Step 1: Sign in to iCloud.com. Step 2: Go to your Account Settings. Step 3: Scroll down to “Advanced” and click “Restore Contacts.” Step 4: Find the date of the backup you want and click “Restore” next to it.

Is there a way to recover deleted contacts? ›

The best and easiest way to restore deleted contacts is to use the Google Contacts app. Most Android devices that use Google services will try and sync your contacts to your Google account.

How do I resync my contacts on my iPhone? ›

Keep contacts up to date across devices

Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud, then turn on Contacts. Alternatively, you can sync the information between iPhone and your Mac or Windows PC to keep the information up to date across iPhone and your computer.

Can I access my phone contacts from my computer iPhone? ›

You can use iTunes to sync the contacts, calendars and Safari bookmarks on your computer with your iPhone, iPad or iPod.

How do I transfer my whole iPhone Contacts? ›

Make sure you're signed into the same Apple ID on both devices (Settings > [your name]). On both iPhones, open Settings > [your name] > iCloud. Enable the Contacts toggle on both devices. Wait until the message about merging contacts appears and tap Merge.

How do I import my iPhone Contacts to bulk? ›

Log in to the same Apple ID on your two iPhones. On both iPhones, go to Settings > Tap on your Apple ID > Click iCloud > Select Contacts. Tap on it to turn it on > Select Merge when it asks if you want to merge contacts. Wait for the contacts on the old iPhone syncing to the new iPhone.

Can you bulk add Contacts to iPhone? ›

Yes you can! There are four effective ways to import CSV contacts to iPhone: import CSV file to iPhone via iTunes, Gmail, a third party Cisdem ContactsMate or through email services.

How can I transfer more than 1000 contacts? ›

On your old Android, open the Settings app and tap Accounts.
  1. Open your "Accounts" menu. ...
  2. Depending on your device, this can be called either "Account sync" or "Sync account." ...
  3. Toggle on the "Contacts" option. ...
  4. Select all of your contacts at once. ...
  5. The sharing icon is at the top of the screen.
Aug 10, 2021

How do I see my iPhone contacts in iTunes? ›

Sync contacts and other info with iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
  1. Connect your device to your computer. ...
  2. In the iTunes app on your PC, click the Device button near the top left of the iTunes window.
  3. Click Info.
  4. Select the items you want to sync.
  5. Click Apply.

How do I access my contacts from backup? ›

Restore contacts from backups
  1. Open your phone's Settings app.
  2. Tap Google.
  3. Tap Set up & restore.
  4. Tap Restore contacts.
  5. If you have multiple Google Accounts, to choose which account's contacts to restore, tap From account.
  6. Tap the phone with the contacts to copy.

How do I find my backed up iPhone contacts? ›

On your iPhone, go to Settings. Tap on your Apple ID's part > Select iCloud > Select iCloud Backup. Tap on it to turn it on if it is closed > Click Back Up Now. Then your contacts on iPhone will be backed up to the iCloud server as well as other iPhone content.

Where are my contacts iPhone backup? ›

When you set up iCloud for Contacts, your contacts are stored in the cloud instead of locally on your device. You can see them on any device that's set up for iCloud and Contacts, including your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, and Windows computer. You can also access your iCloud contacts in a web browser.

Are iPhone contacts stored in iTunes? ›

Actually, the answer is "Yes". An iTunes backup will save Contacts from your iPhone as long as your contacts do not upload to iCloud. iTunes makes a full backup that backup most iPhone/iPad data, including photos, notes, videos, messages, contacts, call logs, and app data.

Can I view my phone contacts on my computer? ›

You can sync your Google Contacts to a phone, tablet, and computer. When you change a contact, that contact will change everywhere.

Does iPhone backup include contacts? ›

iCloud backups include nearly all data and settings stored on your device. iCloud backups don't include: Data that's already stored in iCloud, like Contacts, Calendars, Notes, iCloud Photos, iMessages, Voice Memos, text (SMS) and multimedia (MMS) messages, and Health data.

How do I find old contacts? ›

How to restore contacts on Android
  1. On your phone, open the Google Contacts app. ...
  2. Click on the three lines menu at the top left corner.
  3. Now, click on 'Settings' and then click on 'Undo Changes'.
  4. Now, you can select from '10 minutes', '1 hour', 'Yesterday', '1 week ago' and 'Custom'.
Jan 11, 2022

How do I get my contacts back on my iPhone without iCloud? ›

Recover Deleted Phone Numbers on iPhone without iCloud
  1. Connect iPhone to Computer. Connect your iPhone to the computer which already owns the iTunes backup you need. ...
  2. Go to Summary and Find Restore Backup. Tap on the device icon > Click on Summary > Choose the Restore Backup button and click on it to restore your iPhone.
Sep 27, 2022

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