HT203300: If you can’t use iTunes for Windows to sync contacts and calendars between Outlook and your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Learn about If you can’t use iTunes for Windows to sync contacts and calendars between Outlook and your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch
SimonPG63
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Q: Updated iPhone software and lost all my contacts. Previous updates worked fine. Phone backed up, installed software and the music, apps etc, but no contacts.  Have tried several times but no data at all. Any ideas?

Updated my iPhone with latest software and all my phone contacts have vanished.  Phone backed up as normal, then installed software then re-installed music, apps etc, but no contacts.

Have updated software before with no issues.  Have tried using tips from help page with no change - just a blank contact list.

Any ideas?

iPhone 3GS

Posted on May 5, 2012 10:32 AM

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SimonPG63

Q: Updated iPhone software and lost all my contacts. Previous updates worked fine. Phone backed up, installed software and the music, ... more

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  • by modular747,

    modular747 modular747 May 5, 2012 10:35 AM in response to SimonPG63
    Level 6 (19,343 points)
    iPad
    May 5, 2012 10:35 AM in response to SimonPG63

    Do you sync your contacts with an app on your computer or cloud service?

     

    Before updating, did you backup your phone to iTunes or iCloud?

  • by SimonPG63,

    SimonPG63 SimonPG63 May 6, 2012 4:55 AM in response to modular747
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 6, 2012 4:55 AM in response to modular747

    Sync via PC - Thought I'd backed up as it said it was backing up the phone.  Having searched through here I see that the contacts aren't automatically saved!  Why is that when everything else is?

    Seems I've lost everything - Supposed to back up via Outlook address book I read - So why isn't that made obvious....?

  • by gdgmacguy,

    gdgmacguy gdgmacguy May 6, 2012 8:23 AM in response to SimonPG63
    Level 7 (21,269 points)
    iPhone
    May 6, 2012 8:23 AM in response to SimonPG63

    SimonPG63 wrote:

     

    Sync via PC - Thought I'd backed up as it said it was backing up the phone.  Having searched through here I see that the contacts aren't automatically saved!  Why is that when everything else is?

     

    Contacts are made to be synched to your computer or a cloud service.  There is therefore no NEED to include them in your backup.  Same reason iTunes media is not part of the backup.  It's already on the computer.

     

     

    SimonPG63 wrote:

     

     

    Seems I've lost everything - Supposed to back up via Outlook address book I read - So why isn't that made obvious....?

    Had you read the User Guide before using your phone, it would have been obvious. 

     

    Your data loss here is clearly user error and you have no one to blame but yourself.  The User Guide CLEARLY outlines the way your phone should be used to minimize data loss.

     

    Sorry, but it's time to put on your big boy pants and accept responsibility for your inactions.

  • by SimonPG63,

    SimonPG63 SimonPG63 May 6, 2012 9:03 AM in response to gdgmacguy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 6, 2012 9:03 AM in response to gdgmacguy

    Lol - Yes, but I was surprised by the lack of auto back up of contacts when the phone syncs  - everything else copies to the PC so why not contacts?

    It seems the move to a new PC using windows live rather than outlook has added to this according to some friends.