My iPad contacts disappeared after adding a contact

Yes, I tried your solution and it did not work for me. Everything I entered manually is still gone.

I have got the exact same problem!!!

120 contact we gathered on the fly at a show from potential contacts ALL gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We only bought this IPAD2 last week!!!

Can't find a solution...

I was a bit perplexed when I read that Apple had not heard of this problem. I have been assigned a trouble number (or whatever they call it) as of Sept 1st in case it occurs again. I suppose they have so many people working for them they cannot keep track of all the issues, but you'd think a computer company would have the ability, right?

First, when I lost not only my iPad 2 contacts for the SECOND time, but also even a place to start adding new ones, I tried indiprod's remedy w/o success. At that point, my e-mail was also missing! (I had emptied the trash the previous evening.) I was desperate enough to restore the entire system even if it meant losing anything else I had put in my relatively new iPad 2. I tried that, but it said it couldn't do it, so I got out the iPad User Guide I had printed from

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/ipad_2_user_guide.pdf and searched for a solution. On page 188, Appendix C, under Tips and Troubleshooting, I followed the steps for Restarting and Resetting iPad. It was drastic but it brought back both my Contacts and my mail!

I run Windows 7 and sync through iTunes. In the process I discovered boxes to add checks to indicate I'd like to sync my contacts with Microsoft Outlook. I added the checks but have yet to establish the connection to my iPad contacts. I wasn't previously using Microsoft Outlook but will if it means an access to protection for restoring a consistent loss of my iPad2 contacts.

I hope this is helpful although I do believe Apple must find a solution since it appears there are a variety fo reasons for contact losses. Every reason has discouragement with Apple attached.

I have to say that I feel a little better that this is happening to others! Doesn't lessen the aggravation of having to manually re-do all of my contacts but at least I am not alone. I am not terribly tech savvy and have only had my Ipad for a couple of weeks. Verizon told me that since my phone is a Droid and not an Iphone, I cannot automatically sync my contacts so I have spent HOURS entering them by hand. I was on the "P's" (at last) when suddenly everything disappeared. The Apple store technicians claim they have never heard of this. They told me to "restore" from my last back-up which sounded like a great idea except when I connected to my PC it automatically did a back-up so the most current one did not have the contacts in it! This *****...

I can't believe it. The very same thing happened to me. I spent HOURS filling in contacts manually when they suddenly disappeared. It is not a space or search error - no matter which terms I enter, all my contacts are GONE. I hope Apple releases a patch for this problem as it's really, really frustrating. I restarted my iPad to no avail.

This just happened to me today. I just got my ipad and started using it two days ago. I spent hours loading the contacts and then today I added one - hit "DONE" and all contacts disappeared . . . I will try to get them back by reading this thread again and trying solutions. It is VERY frustrating to say the least - I almost cried!!!

How discouraging! As you will note if you look back, I suffered a similar fate not just twice, but on a third occasion as well. I just finished a 2-evening class (4 hours total) at Angelo State University through the Office of Extended Studies, titled, "Maximizing Your Productivity Using the iPhone and iPad".

I learned we should first enter our contacts in either MobileMe (unless you already have it on your computer, it is no longer available) or Microsoft Outlook, then sync them into our iPads. That way, they are supposed to be backed up. Putting them into the iPad first as most of us who have lost them appear to have done, simply does not secure them, even though we sync them to our computers.

I hope this helps.

Sending best wishes~

San Angelo Sue

I don't have MobileMe or Microsoft Outlook - so I guess I have no option other than to re-enter everything again . . . . I have never had this problem on my macbook or my iphone . . . . . . so sad . . . .

This just happened to me as well - adding a contact, hit done, and poof, all contacts gone. I'm not seeing the contacts in mail either. Tried restarting and resetting to no avail. Disappointing.

I had the same problem, one minute I had 4000 names and address, done nothing, the ipad was working as a stand alone, turn round then they all disapeared, called Apple, they were no good, could not provide an answer to the problem, I have lost everything, I hope that I can sync them back from the PC if not then I am in the crap house. This is not good enough with Apple, there is enough cases to warrent them to investigate the cause

If you look back, you'll see a few posts from me on this subject. After taking a class, I thought I had some helpful answers. Perhaps they are helpful, but in trying to implement them, I discovered that MobileMe was no longer available and Outlook Express required an additional (normally) business-related software that most folks in my position (home) do not have. Therefore, I have concluded that iPad 2 (and likely the original iPad) was created more with business folks in mind and the supportive software (i.e. what is absolutely necessary to keep CONTACTS from disappearing) seems to be an additional built-in for upgraded business software programs Apple may assume everyone has. Not being in business, I do not have the additional upgraded software.

My recommendation to help you more clearly understand is to seek Windows Outlook Express support info and read about it. Also, info at the Apple site regarding iCloud, etc., anything that applies to iPad. That is how I have gleaned more info than from the Apple Tech call I did make, although before I buy an Apple iPhone, I plan to be prepared with more technical questions regarding supportive software than I had with the iPad2.

I agree that somewhere, somehow there MUST be a fix that is available. I saw 3998 views when I signed on here today, then as I started this message it had already grown to 4001. The first date I saw was December 20, 2009, so this issue is NOT NEW and MUST be a known issue to the Apple company, perhaps not to every tech contacted, but let's keep contacting Apple until we get someone to do something really helpful.

To everyone who has had this problem and doesn't want to lose all their contacts again, there is a way of backing up all your contacts over the cloud without purchasing any additional software.

Get a gmail account.

Via settings sync your gmail account and contacts (and calendar and email if u wish) using Microsoft Exchange. (settings are available on the web).

All your gmail contacts will automatically sync to your phone.

Under settings, mail contacts calendar, contacts, set your new gmail account as the default.

Any new contacts u add will sync AUTOMATICALLY to your gmail account.

Next time contacts app crashes and all your contacts vanish, u will just need to reset your device and they will all reappear on your iPad.

This has happened about 3-4 times for me. It's still frustrating, but at least I haven't lost the data permanently.

Your information is welcome, necessary, and helpful to those who have Microsoft Exchange capability.

My point in an earlier missive is that Microsoft Exchange is a software program that not all of us have, wish to purchase, nor should we be forced to purchase in addition to the cost of the iPad, particularly without prior knowledge that additional software is necessary to make the iPad work properly.

Thank you for helping those who have accessibility to Microsoft Exchange without additional cost, but my understanding is that it is not free. Please correct me if I am wrong.

Go to settings; mail contacts calendar; add accounts; Microsoft exchange.

It's built right into the iPad. U don't need to purchase anything extra.