Import Contacts from SIM

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Level 1

8 points

Import Contacts from SIM

I accidentally pushed the import contacts from SIM button, which has resulted in all but three of my contacts being wiped. Now when I go into contacts it is empty except for three contacts. Where did the rest go?? and how do I get them back???

3G

Posted on Mar 21, 2010 9:48 AM

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Answer 1

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,285 points

Mar 21, 2010 11:50 AM in response to nztayls

Contacts are not really stored on the SIM in an iPhone. This function is designed for those individuals that have used other phones and want to take the address book from the old phone and move the contacts to the iPhone. Once that is done, they can sync to a contact manager on their computer through iTunes and manage contacts in that manner. Once you have deleted contacts on the iPhone, the only way to get things back to normal is to do a sync to the computer. I did read your comment that you are not around the computer now. That is the only choice, and before you try and sync to the computer, you will need to check the box that says replace contacts on the phone with the computer, otherwise it will erase the contacts on the computer and match it to the iPhone.

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Answer 2

Mar 21, 2010 10:21 AM in response to nztayls

how do I get them back???

Sync them back to the phone from whichever desktop contacts application you are syncing with via iTunes (usually Outlook 2003 or 2007 if you're on a PC, or Address Book if you're on a Mac).

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Answer 3

nztayls Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 21, 2010 11:05 AM in response to Julian Wright

I figured that might be the answer, unfortunately I am overseas, and my computer that I use to synch is back home. I am curious as to why, if the contacts are imported, that they arent showing up,....that sounds more like "deleting contacts" as opposed to importing them...

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Answer 4

nztayls Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 22, 2010 7:57 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

Thanks Chris. I guess I am just curious as to where the contacts went. I had about 100 on a SIM card (from another phone), that were all showing up in my contacst,...right up until I hit "Import Contacts" Now when I go into Contacts I only see three out of the original contacst. If I have imported them,...then to where??

Never mind, I figure the only way to fix it is to synch when I get home, and thanks for the tip about replacing the contacts!

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Answer 5

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,285 points

Mar 22, 2010 8:02 AM in response to nztayls

One thing that I have seen in working with other phones in the past is that some store to the SIM, some store to the phone. I know when at AT&T, and you move to a new phone, they will check to ensure the contacts are copied from the phone to the SIM before they remove it. If you still have the old phone, they might still be there. If they are, you could take the SIM and copy to it, then try to Import again. Worth a try. Good luck.

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