how to recover lost contacts without backup?

When iOS 10 was released, there was an iCloud Drive bug that caused many users to lose all of their documents that were stored in iCloud Drive. Apple fixed that issue, but there are still rare problems that pop up that can cause iCloud content to be erased, either through user error or through bugs in the operating system.

Following the iOS 10 iCloud Drive deletion snafu, Apple quietly introduced tools to recover deleted files from iCloud, and more recently, added a way to recover Contacts, Calendars, and Reminders, giving users a way to restore any lost content. This is a little known feature, but it's good to know about if you run into an issue that wipes out content on your iOS device.

The first step is to log into iCloud on the web. These recovery tools are only available through iCloud.com. They are not present in the iCloud Settings app on iOS 10 or within the dedicated iCloud Drive app that's available in iOS 12.

To log into iCloud.com:

Visit iCloud.com in a web browser of choice, such as Safari or Chrome.
Enter your Apple ID and password.
If you have two-factor authentication turned on, you'll need a trusted device to generate a code to log into iCloud and access the settings.

To access the recovery settings:

Click on the "Settings" app in the main iCloud menu.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page until you get to the "Advanced" section."

Click on the content you need to restore. Options are files stored in iCloud Drive, a list of contacts, or your Calendar and Reminders. Restoring files:
Using the "Restore Files" option on iCloud.com brings up a list of all files that have been deleted over the past 30 days. It includes files from apps that support iCloud Drive, such as Pixelmator, Napkin, and Byword.

I would like to know how to retrieve my contacts on my iPhone. I have a new phone and transferred from one phone to another and I cannot retrieve my contacts.

I think you can sign in your iCloud accounts respectively, and recover the contacts which you need. According to your description, you already back up your contacts.

And I suggest you use some software that can view the contacts from iCloud or iTunes backup, and you can recover them selectively. Some of them even can recover deleted contacts without any backup.

Contacts are not included in an iCloud Backup if that is what you are asking.

Contacts are sync'd to iCloud. So, if you take a look at the Apple Recommended post just below the original post, Eric has provided the instructions (you want to go to iCloud.com on a computer to do this).

Cheers,

GB

Are you signed into Settings/Your Name/iCloud with Contacts syncing on?

Try Settings/Your Name/iCloud and slide off syncing. Wait a few minutes and then slide syncing on.

Last resort - have you tried signing out of iCloud and then sign back in?

Go to iCloud.com and select iCloud Settings. When that page loads, look at the bottom left side under Advanced and you can restore from there.

Doesn't this method require iCloud backup? People do often forget or be unaware that their devices have been backed up or synced somewhere. But if you really have no backup. iPhone data recovery is worth a shot.

Not if the contacts were synced via iCloud. Restoring a backup as you suggested works also.

I entered contacts then turned on iCloud. Contacts disappeared from phone and are not on iCloud. Where did they go?

Go to iCloud.com using a computer and select Settings. When that page loads, look at the bottom left side under Advanced and see if you can restore from there.

How to Recover Files, Contacts, Calendars and Reminders in iCloud

Brilliant! Worked easy as can be. Thank you!

Hi, I have the same problem. This is my mum’s account and obviously all her contacts are gone, for some reason I dont have backup of the time i had her contacts, is there any other way to fix this?