Apple Intelligence is now available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac!

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

IOS 13.1 lost contacts

i updated to IOS 13.1 and I noticed some of my contacts were lost/deleted and pictures added to some contacts disappeared as well

Posted on Sep 25, 2019 6:21 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 25, 2019 11:36 AM

Common problem , I read. Perhaps not 13.1. Did this, and it worked:


Toggle Contacts in iCloud Off and Then On Again

Your contacts have not disappeared. They are just not showing up properly. Try toggling Contacts in iCloud on and then off again to fix it. Here's how to do that.

Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your iPhone and then tap on iCloud. For users who use iOS 11 and later versions (including iOS 12/13), they can find iCloud by going to Settings > Your User Name > iCloud.

Step 2: Find "Contacts" and turn it "ON" if it is "OFF." When asked, tell iCloud to "Replace your Contacts." If it is already turned "On" toggle it "Off" and then "On" again.

Step 3: If asked, select "Delete from My iPhone". Don't worry, your contacts are still in iCloud and they will come right back to your iPhone.

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 25, 2019 11:36 AM in response to John Baxter

Common problem , I read. Perhaps not 13.1. Did this, and it worked:


Toggle Contacts in iCloud Off and Then On Again

Your contacts have not disappeared. They are just not showing up properly. Try toggling Contacts in iCloud on and then off again to fix it. Here's how to do that.

Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your iPhone and then tap on iCloud. For users who use iOS 11 and later versions (including iOS 12/13), they can find iCloud by going to Settings > Your User Name > iCloud.

Step 2: Find "Contacts" and turn it "ON" if it is "OFF." When asked, tell iCloud to "Replace your Contacts." If it is already turned "On" toggle it "Off" and then "On" again.

Step 3: If asked, select "Delete from My iPhone". Don't worry, your contacts are still in iCloud and they will come right back to your iPhone.

Sep 25, 2019 11:46 AM in response to Sleab3611

Contacts are neither stored locally on an iPhone nor in SIM. They are synced to an email account that you had Google, iCloud, AOL, Exchange, Outlook, Yahoo or any Other


  1. How many Contacts account (email client server) you have?
  2. What is your default Contacts Account?
  3. Which email account you are using to store Contacts?


  • See the GIF below for Contacts and Default Account



  • Learn how to add an email account and make it default (Watch the GIF)
  • This example is for Gmail but the process remains same for all Google, iCloud, AOL, Exchange, Outlook, Yahoo or any Other

IOS 13.1 lost contacts

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.