2000+ contacts on iPhone and 0 on Address Book (no syncing at all)

Question

2000+ contacts on iPhone and 0 on Address Book (no syncing at all)

Before you read on, I know this subject has been discussed on other threads. Its just that none of them have actually stated a functional solution.

My problem:

I have over 2000 contacts and their respective info (emails, address, alternate phone numbers, pictures, etc.) on my iPhone (1st gen. on 2.1 firmware) and for some mystical and divine reason I just can't sync them to Address Book via iTunes. Currently, my Address Book just has 2 contacts: me & Apple Inc.

After a few days of research, I've done all of the following:

1- reset sync history (both in iSync and in Mobile "freaking" Me preferences)
2- deleted files on the "Applications Support folder", "Preferences folder", etc. (there are a few different procedures for this deletion but none of them seem to work for me)
3- created the same groups on Address Book as I had them before (they're stored on my iPhone), so that maybe, while syncing, Address Book would recognize that the same groups are stored on my iPhone and finally sync
4- activated Mobile Me contacts syncing (this just deletes all of my contacts on the iPhone since the syncing cycle starts at my PowerBook (why, I don't know); and, since I've hadn't been able to feed Mobile Me with my contacts info from my PowerBook, Mobile Me simply feeds my iPhone that emptiness which was fed from my PowerBook.) And how did I get my contacts again if Mobile Me erased them, you ask? By restoring from a back up which has them. This is my only oasis.
5- syncing my iPhone with another user account (guess account and even another administrative account)
6- syncing my iPhone with another mac (my roommate's MacBook (although I did press the replace data on this alternative)
7- restoring iPhone firmware
8- downloading SQLite reader and a certain script and trying to interpret the info on the back up files (no progress on that)
9- uninstalling, reinstalling iTunes 8 (and versions 7.5 and later); this doesn't seem to work because for some reason a specific iTunes version only works with certain specific iPhone firmware version. For example, iTunes 7.5 only works with firmwares 1.0 - 1.1.1. Come to think of it, what I haven't tried is to download iTunes to 7.6 AND downgrading my iPhone firmware, at least to 1.1.4 (days when everything just worked!

)

Anyway, you name it. I've tried everything.

I'm beginning to think that somewhere in time (like for example on the day Mobile "freaking" Me was launched) Apple edited the iPhone syncing procedures that iTunes does, in the sense that now (after iTunes 7.7 and Leopard) iTunes just looks for the information to sync at different folders (at from a Address Book point of view), while on previous versions it looked somewhere else (the correct folders). I reach to these conclusions because the problems started on iTunes 7.7 and from that point on, under the info tab (specifically on the Contacts area), the small rectangle stopped showing my contacts groups. Of course, if I created them again they would show up, but with no contacts info per se was synced at all since there is no contact info on my Address Book.

Is there someone out there who can help (and this includes you, all mighty Steveness!)?

P.D.
I deny having to manually enter the 2000 + contact info on Address Book just so I can take advantage of a push service (Mobile Me) which cost me over $200 and simply DOESN'T PUSH. (Yes, I bought the extra space).

PowerBook G4 12inch, Mac OS X (10.5.4), iPhone

Posted on Sep 12, 2008 3:10 PM

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Answer 1

allamb

Level 1

13 points

Sep 12, 2008 6:32 PM in response to Edwin E. León Pérez

I am seeing similar issue. I updated my iPhone (1st gen.) to 2.1 and all my contacts are gone. When I try to manually sync it, itunes says my contacts and calenders are being synced over the air with MS exchange. It's been 1/2hr since I updated and I still don't have any contacts in my address book.

I went to settings-> mail, calender,contacts-> my corp. mail acc. > disabled push for both contacts and calender.

This enabled manual sync option in itunes and I synced my contacts and calenders. I got my contacts. However, on enabling push again, all the contacts are gone...

Not sure what the remedy is since I want push and contacts.

Bhasker.

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Answer 2

Sep 12, 2008 8:34 PM in response to Edwin E. León Pérez

Great -- so you already have iTunes 8.0 and QT 7.5.5?
Obviously you haven't yet upgraded your iPhone to 2.1, right?

Imagine how complex it is to compare every field of every record, on each machine,
time-stamp them, and set flags so that MobileMe is able to update the most recent data
from the same records in different places. That's one reason while making sure your computer
and iPhone time are sync'd.

I suspect that somewhere several of those tags got farkled -- for whatever reason -- your
Address Book contacts were lost.

Since you are close to the SoHo store, I would go online here and make an appointment to see
a Genius. http://concierge.apple.com/store/R032

I am sure that your data can be preserved -- but proceed conservative and delicate.
Once recovered -- use the free Apple Backup application and MobileMe to make automatic
backups.

Please post back so we know how this resolves -- be glad to help anytime.

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Answer 3

Sep 12, 2008 5:41 PM in response to Edwin E. León Pérez

Hi Edwin, sorry you are having problems.

So I can better prepare to help, first please, a few questions:

Where did these contacts come from? Were they entered on the iPhone? Or originally on your Mac?
Have these contacts ever sync'd before? From where to where? Can you see them online at MobileMe?

Syncing contacts is a very very complex event. But from my own experience -- it can work flawlessly.
As soon as I have this information -- I will do my best to help you.

In the meantime, please don't try anything else.... until we know what we're dealing with.

Regards, Michael

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Answer 4

Sep 12, 2008 6:59 PM in response to allamb

No worries. When you consider the amount of information needed to sync, it does
take considerable time.

Remember, every field of every record must be time-stamped on each machine and during a
sync those tags get compared, and flags set for what gets sync'd and to where.... it's a very very
complicated process -- especially wirelessly.

When in doubt, patience and persistence rule. Enjoy your iPhone!

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Answer 5

Sep 12, 2008 7:17 PM in response to Michael Sidoric

Thanks for your prompt answer Michael, I really appreciate it.

And now, on to the answers...

Initially, when I first bought my iPhone, I had zero contacts (on the iPhone and PowerBook.) So you might say that over time, I entered manually a few of them into the phone.

That was until I was told about Address Book (yes, I didn't know of it!). So, after that, instead of entering the contacts into the iPhone -if I had the chance- I would enter the info directly into Address Book. Of course, if I was away from my laptop, I would just add the contact into the iPhone and then sync flawlessly between both of them. Of course, that was before I upgraded to iTunes 7.7. Before that, both my iPhone and Address Book were identical in content.

After the upgrade, while specifically setting up Mobile Me (on both my laptop and my iPhone), my Address Book contacts just disappeared. I guess I didn't read the instructions that well. But the important thing is that, after long hours, I still have them.

As of right now, it is my iPhone which has the contacts not my Address Book. And, like I said, for some divine reason I just can't get iTunes to sync my contacts into the Address Book. If I turn on Mobile Me syncing, the iPhone says that all of my contacts (the ones on the phone of course!) will be erased.

So I guess one of the ways this problem can be fixed is by setting the Mobile Me syncing cycle to start from the iPhone itself, onto Mobile Me and then make its way into the laptop, instead of syncing the iPhone and computer first (this is the step in which I'm stuck), and then syncing the computer with Mobile Me so that Mobile Me can sync over the air with the iPhone. Can this be done?

Of course, I imagine this is not the only way that syncing can be fixed; but it is the only one I can think of.

That being said, I await for your comments.

Thanks in advanced Michael!

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Answer 6

Sep 12, 2008 7:22 PM in response to Michael Sidoric

I forgot!

No, I've never unlocked the iPhone, neither jailbroken it. Don't need to. It is beautifully running firmware 2.1 with a few 3rd party apps (MLB's At Bat, Speak Easy & Apple's own Remote app.)

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Answer 7

Sep 12, 2008 7:33 PM in response to Edwin E. León Pérez

Hi Edwin, thanks for the quick info. Please bear with me while I walk you thru some
thought processes on my side.

First priority is to keep your current iPhone contacts safe and secure.

Have you checked to see if they are still visible on the MobileMe web interface?
I suspect that your contacts are still there on your computer, just invisible. I have seen this several
times. May I ask you try this?

Go to /users/yourname/library/application support/address book/metadata
And, _touching nothing_ just see how many records are indicated there. If you are lucky, that
number will match the number of records on your iPhone.

Please report back on what you find in the Metadata folder and see on the MobileMe web interface
and we can take the next steps. BTW -- thanks for your patience.

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Answer 8

Sep 12, 2008 7:45 PM in response to Michael Sidoric

Can't say that I'm lucky Michael. I checked the users/e(my user name)/library/application support/address book/metadata folder and there are only five (5) files. Two (2) of them represent contacts (mine and Apple, Inc.) and the other three (3) represent the groups I've created.

I didn't touch anything, the files say so themselves (ABPerson & ABGroup.)

And no, my contacts don't show up on Mobile Me; unfortunately.

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Answer 9

Sep 12, 2008 8:04 PM in response to Edwin E. León Pérez

Hmm, lets fall back. So they are gone for sure from the MobileMe cloud and your Address Book.
We need to be ginger about how we do this so we put nothing at risk. While I formulate a plan,
may I ask you to do the following?

1. Be sure that your Leopard and iTunes are the latest versions, by running Software Updater to see.
2. If updates are needed -- cancel -- and use the Disk Utility in Applications/Utilities folder to repair permissions.
3. Then reboot your computer while holding down the SHIFT key for 2-3 minutes. It will take a very very long time -- be patient. 😉
4. When you see the SAFE BOOT login screen, log in as usual and then run the software updates.
5. If several updates display but not all are checked -- do not add them. Just repeat until there are none showing.

I am going to hunker down and see if I can find a safe solution for you -- failing that are you near an Apple Retail store?

I am thankful your iPhone data is still there -- let's find a way to get you and your data back in sync.
Again -- thanks for your patience....

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Answer 10

Sep 12, 2008 8:58 PM in response to Edwin E. León Pérez

Hmmm, when did you first notice the contacts gone in Address Book? On the web interface?
I have seen contacts disappear in the AB before -- but removing the corrupted abcddb file
allowed them to re-index and reappear based on the intact Metadata -- which you sadly lack.

The 2.1 update has been great here. Many speed improvements and fixes.

I apologize for not being more helpful. But I don't want to play with your good data when a real
Genius can actually look and see what is going on. Take comfort in your data still being there.
It can be retreived.

Be sure to gently point out when your 'data loss' issue with MobileMe occurred. Those Apple
folks are trained to respect those kinds of upgrade issues. And I think you'll be happy with the
result. Please report back and share -- I'd like to know what happens.

And thanks for turning to Apple Discussions. Its just Apple fans trying to help each other.
Best of luck to you.... golly I miss NY this time of year.... Regards, Michael

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Answer 11

Sep 20, 2008 2:34 PM in response to Michael Sidoric

What's up Michael!

Reporting back on the iPhone contacts issue and the Geniuses @ Apple Store.

O.k., let me start by saying that after my Genius appointment, I still have not been able to sync my iPhone contacts to my PowerBook. Apparently, I'm gonna have to enter them (1000+) manually.

Still, not everything went bad....

After my appointment @ the Genius Bar, I spoke to the Genius of another iPhone problem I was having: my iPhone's screen had a spot were it wouldn't perceive tactile feedback. So, after the Genius examined it, he told me that the it was a hardware problem and that the iPhone had to be replaced.

At first I thought that I was gonna get a iPhone 3g in exchange for my old iPhone, but apparently Apple has lots of 1st. gen. iPhones in stock for warranty purposes. So, I got a brand new 1st. gen. iPhone, due to the fact that my warranty was still active. And I say brand new, although its probably a refurbished one, because the thing is in perfect condition!!! Not even one scratch!!! (My old one had fallen 3 times and had lots of scratches, even a few bumps.)

So, when the Genius connected the new iPhone to iTunes so that it could be activated, all of the sudden iTunes displayed a weird screen: iTunes cannot activate this phone, please call 1-800-ATT-Death-Star.... The Genius told me that there was nothing that he could do, that I would have to go to an AT&T store (which was fine, there was one really near.) Still, I was pretty happy... i got a new iPhone out of my visit.

After arriving at the AT&T store and explaining to the associate what happened, he told me that there was nothing he could do. Apparently AT&T had adopted a policy of not activating any more iPhones on pre-paid plans. (Yes, I'm one of those lucky persons who actually and legitimately activated a 1st. gen. iPhone on a pre-paid plan with an old phone number (porting it.))

So there I stood... with a brand new iPhone, $50.00 in pre-paid minutes, but unable to use them since the iPhone wasn't activated and "there was nothing ANYONE could do!!!" (AND, without my contacts since they remain stored in a backup file, which I haven't been able to restore onto my Mac.) Minutes later, something came up: why not try to convert my pre-paid account into a 2-year agreement and that way I could buy the iPhone 3g? (Remember, I had NO phone to communicate with, and my family is NOT from the U.S.) So that is what I did. I asked the associate and he told me that it would be possible.

After he worked his magic, hours later I ended up with a brand new iPhone 3g (with my old phone number) and a brand new (probably refurbished (but in ultra mint condition) iPhone 1st. gen. Happy as can be, but STILL my contacts are stored away in a backup file which I can't get to transfer into my Address Book app.

So what's next you ask? Manual data entry.

Message was edited by: Edwin E. León Pérez

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Answer 12

Sep 20, 2008 2:49 PM in response to Edwin E. León Pérez

Sorry to hear about your problems -- but thankful you now have a new phone.

I would still like to help you get your contacts sync'd so that you do not have to manually
re-enter them. Would it be possible for us to email/ichat? I can be reached at msidoric@me.com

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Answer 13

Sep 30, 2008 9:58 AM in response to Edwin E. León Pérez

At last!

I'm happy to write that I didn't had to manually enter all 2000+ contacts into my new 3G iPhone. Luckily, I found a program (Phone View/google search: "teleponview") which solve my problem. (Remember, I had all my contacts on a backup file and couldn't sync them through iTunes.)

Apparently, when you connect your iPhone to your Mac (without iTunes) Phone View looks for your phone. After its located, Phone View displays all its content in a user friendly GUI. Then, it gives you the option to EXPORT whatever it is you want to export (SMS, emails, Songs, Movies, Contacts, Calendars, etc.) It then saves your files onto your Mac in a Mac-friendly format. (E.g. contacts are saved as vCards.)

You can then import the files into your Mac using whichever program it is you need to use. And voila!!! 2000+ contacts perfectly synced on my iPhone 3G. And MobileMe is up and running.

Phew!..... For a moment I thought I was gonna have to manually enter them.

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Answer 14

allamb

Level 1

13 points

Sep 12, 2008 6:45 PM in response to allamb

I guess I spoke too soon. Don't know if it was the turning push off and on again or if it's the time. Now my contacts are synced (over the air) thankfully..

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Answer 15

Sep 12, 2008 8:20 PM in response to Michael Sidoric

And if no updates are needed? I mean, only one shows up, but its a Front Row update. (And I don't even use Front Row since I don't have iSight.)

Anyway, I live really near the Apple Store in SoHo.

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