Husband lost all contacts on his iPhone 8--retrieve?

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Husband lost all contacts on his iPhone 8--retrieve?

My husband is using an iPhone 8 (iOS12.3.1) and accidentally deleted ALL his contacts from somewhere on his Settings screen (doesn't recall--had tapped the Settings icon on the home screen to turn off Airplane Mode, got some "strange screen"--his description and then all his contacts apparently disappeared). I told him to get them back using iCloud, but he spent 10 min. getting nothing but "Signing into iCloud" and that stupid spinning ratchet wheel.

Went to Safari to try to sign into iCloud.com, but all he got was the Find My iPhone screen.

Tried to go to Settings->Passwords & Accounts->Add Account (as an apple.com page suggested), but when he tried to add iCloud he got a message saying the account exists and he's already signed in! When he clicks on iCloud it gives him no opportunity to retrieve Accounts. Tried again, but this time the Apple website instructions were to connect to iTunes with a USB cable--he doesn't have iTunes on his PC. (No, he doesn't use a Mac like I do). Besides, I don't think he's ever backed up any way other than to iCloud.

WTH???

I read another identical question here in this community (June 4) , but the sole answer was a condescending one from someone claiming that all he has to do is go to Accounts & Passwords, and this guy enclosed a screenshot with the word "Contacts" circled in red--with utterly no guidance about what to do next.

I told him to update his iOS (my 8 Plus is running 12.3.2), but when he hits "Software Update" he is told his OS is up to date (12.3.1). Tried calling AppleCare, only to be told it's "after hours." I said that's b.s. because I can reach AppleCare at 3am. He replied that he was told he didn't have "extended-hours". AppleCare+. WTH 2.0???

Oh, and the guy claimed (again condescendingly) that Software Updates couldn't possibly delete contacts. Well, then, how come 27 people clicked "I have this same problem?"

Why can't he get 12.3.2? And what's with this "Extended Hours Service" add-on? The only difference I can think of between his 8 and my 8Plus is the size and the camera. He bought his at Best Buy and I at the AppleStore--on the same day.

[Edited by Moderator]

iPhone 8

Posted on Jun 25, 2019 10:44 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 25, 2019 10:55 PM in response to Sandra Andina1

OK, this is weird. I logged into his iCloud account on my Mac, got the normal screen with icons, clicked Contacts and there they were. Told him to tap Contacts on his phone (remember, when he tried that he got a blank page with the "you have no contacts" message), and now they're back.

He's not the only one with disappearing & reappearing Contacts on an iPhone (several users posted this question). Again, WTH (3.0)???

I fear he may accidentally delete them again--he is not Apple-literate (barely Windows-literate) and if he doesn't get the screen he wants in Settings, he may go through all of this again. (Unlike us normal people who turn our ringers off when appropriate, he uses Airplane Mode because he claims that with his OtterBox he finds it difficult to work the ringer-on/off switch).

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Answer 2

Jun 27, 2019 9:29 AM in response to Sandra Andina1

You can download iTunes for free- if he’s using windows 10, get it from here. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/itunes/9pb2mz1zmb1s?activetab=pivot:overviewtab

If he’s using windows 7, go to this link. https://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

Once he’s downloaded iTunes, have him log into his account, then plug his cable into his pc and then into his phone. Then, let your phone sync. When he goes to his device options, it should bring him to summary. There should be an option to restore from iCloud backup. He can also back up his iphone to his pc if he wants to go to the iOS 13 beta. And I want to bring something to your attention- the most recent (and I believe Final) update of iOS 12 is 12.3.1. If you want to go to the iOS 13 beta, he’ll have to be part of the Apple beta program, then follow the instructions at the website.

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Husband lost all contacts on his iPhone 8--retrieve?

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