How to recover your deleted contacts in simple steps

Losing important phone numbers can feel like a mini crisis, especially when it’s someone you need to reach urgently. Whether it’s a missed work call, a long-lost friend, or a family member you haven’t spoken to in a while, realising that their number has vanished from your contacts can be frustrating. But don’t worry, how to recover deleted contacts is a lot simpler than you might think, and we're here to guide you through it, step-by-step.

At Vi, we understand how important seamless communication is. This is why we’ve created this helpful guide to ensure you’re never left disconnected, whether you're using Android or iPhone. From accidental deletions to syncing errors, there are several ways contacts can disappear. But the good news is, there’s often a way back. So, let’s get started!

 

First Things First: Don’t Panic

It might seem obvious, but before diving into recovery options, double-check that the contact hasn’t simply been hidden or moved. Sometimes, a software update or sync setting might cause your contact list to appear incomplete. Now, if you’ve confirmed that the number has indeed been deleted, here’s how to retrieve deleted phone numbers in the simplest way possible.

 

How to Restore Deleted Contacts on Android

If you're an Android user, the process to recover your lost numbers is fairly straightforward, especially if you've been backing up your data with Google. Here's how to restore deleted contacts on Android:

1. Go to Google Contacts: Open a web browser and log in to your Google account at contacts.google.com.

2. Access the Trash: On the left-hand menu, you'll see an option for ‘Trash’. Click it. This is where your deleted contacts are stored for 30 days before they are permanently removed.

3. Restore the Contacts: Find the contact(s) you want to recover, select them, and click ‘Recover’. That’s it: your contacts will be restored and synced automatically with your Android phone.

4. Sync Your Device: To make sure the recovered contact appears on your phone, go to Settings > Accounts > Google > [Your Account] > Account Sync, and toggle ‘Contacts’ on.

This method is great because it doesn’t require any third-party apps and is safe and effective if the contacts were synced with Google.

 

How to Restore Contacts on iPhone

For iPhone users, restoring deleted contacts is also fairly straightforward if you use iCloud. Here’s how to restore contacts on iPhone:

1. Visit iCloud.com:Go to iCloud.com. Sign in using your Apple ID.

2. Go to Account Settings:Click on your account name, then choose ‘Account Settings’.

3. Restore Contacts:Scroll down to the ‘Advanced’ section and click ‘Restore Contacts’. Here, you’ll see a list of previously archived contact backups with dates.

4. Choose a Backup:Select the most relevant archive and click ‘Restore’. This will replace your current contacts with the selected archive. Don’t worry, your current list is automatically archived before being replaced, so you can always go back if needed.

That’s how to recover deleted phone numbers on iOS without any risk or complicated tools.

 

No Backup? Here’s What You Can Do

If you didn’t have your contacts backed up with Google or iCloud, recovery becomes a bit more challenging, but not impossible.

• Check Messaging Apps:Apps like WhatsApp often store numbers even after deletion. If you’ve previously chatted with someone, their number may still be there.

• Third-Party Apps:There are some reliable third-party tools for both Android and iPhone that specialise in recovering deleted data, including contacts. Just be sure to download them from trusted sources and read reviews before you use them.

While these options might not guarantee a 100% success rate, they’re still worth a try if you have no backup available.

 

Keeping Your Contacts Safe in Future

Once you've gone through the trouble of restoring your contacts, it makes sense to ensure you don’t lose them again. Set up automatic backups:

• On Android:Use Google Contacts and ensure contact sync is turned on.

• On iPhone:Enable iCloud backups in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Contacts.

 

Stay Connected with Vi

Whether you're restoring contacts or streaming a video call, you need reliable connectivity. At Vi, we believe that great communication begins with a great network. Our mobile plans are designed to offer expansive data quotas, electrifying internet speeds, unhindered mobile connectivity, and some of our plans also come bundled with OTT subscriptions at no extra cost. Here’s taking a look at some of our prepaid and postpaid mobile plans:

 

Prepaid:

Price	Validity	Benefits
₹ 409	28 days	- 2.5 GB/Day - Truly Unlimited Calls - 100 SMS/Day - Half Day Unlimited Data (12 midnight-12 noon unlimited data) - Weekend Data Rollover - 2GB Backup Data (Data Delights)
₹ 469	28 Days	- 2.5 GB/Day - Truly Unlimited Calls - 100 SMS/Day - 3 months access to JioHotstar mobile. - Half Day Unlimited Data (12 midnight-12 noon unlimited data) - Weekend Data Rollover - 2GB Backup Data (Data Delights)
₹ 996	84 days	- 2GB/Day - Truly Unlimited Calls - 100 SMS/Day - 90-days Subscription to Amazon Prime LITE - Half Day Unlimited Data (12 midnight-12 noon unlimited data) - Weekend Data Rollover - 2GB Backup Data (Data Delights)
₹ 1198	70 Days	- 2 GB/Day - Truly Unlimited Calls - 100 SMS/Day - Netflix Basic Subscription (TV+Mobile) for 70 days - Half Day Unlimited Data (12 midnight-12 noon unlimited data) - Weekend Data Rollover - 2GB Backup Data (Data Delights)
₹ 3599	365 Days	- 2GB/Day - Truly Unlimited Calls - 100 SMS/Day - Half Day Unlimited Data (12 midnight-12 noon) - Weekend Data Rollover - 2GB Backup Data (Data Delights)
₹ 3699	365 Days	- 2GB/Day - Truly Unlimited Calls - 100 SMS/Day - 1 year Subscription to JioHotstar Mobile - Half Day Unlimited Data (12 midnight-12 noon) - Weekend Data Rollover - 2GB Backup Data (Data Delights)

 

Subscribers using our prepaid services in selected circles will be able to access Unlimited Data all day, every day with our Non-Stop Hero plans.       

 

Postpaid:

Price	Validity	Benefits
₹451 (Vi Max 451)	Monthly	- 50GB with 200GB Monthly Rollover - Unlimited Night Data (12 Midnight to 6 AM) - Unlimited Calls - 3000 SMS/Month   - Vi Games: Play Esports, Multiplayer games & more for free on Vi App            - Choose any 1 free from below:         - Vi Movies & TV: Top OTTs in one app (first 3 months free)   - JioHotstar Subscription: 1-year mobile            - Sony LIV: 360 days of mobile subscription             - Norton: 1-year Norton 360 Mobile Security cover
₹551 (Vi Max 551)	Monthly	- 90GB with 200GB Monthly Rollover            - 3000 SMS/Month            -Unlimited Calls   -Unlimited Night Data (12 Midnight to 6 AM)   - Vi Games: Play Esports, Multiplayer games & more for free on Vi App            - Choose any 2 free from below:            - Vi Movies & TV: Top OTTs in one app (first 3 months free)   - Amazon Prime: 6-months trial with paid yearly auto-renewal   - JioHotstar: 1-year mobile subscription           - Sony LIV Subscription: 360 days of mobile - SwiggyOne: 1-year access (two coupons of SwiggyOne quarterly membership)            - EazyDiner: 1-year access (two coupons of EazyDiner quarterly membership)                      - Norton: 1-year Norton 360 Mobile Security cover
₹751 (Vi Max 751)	Monthly	- 150GB with 200GB Monthly Rollover   -Unlimited Night Data (12 Midnight to 6 AM)   - 3000 SMS/Month            -Unlimited calls            - Vi Games: Play Esports, Multiplayer games & more for free on Vi App            - Choose any 3 free from below:                 - Vi Movies & TV: Top OTTs in one app (first 3 months free)            - Amazon Prime Subscription: 6-month trial with paid yearly auto-renewal            - JioHotstar: 1-year TV+Mobile subscription            - Sony LIV: 360 days TV+Mobile subscription           - SwiggyOne: 1-year access (two coupons of SwiggyOne quarterly membership)            - EazyDiner: 1-year access (two coupons of EazyDiner quarterly membership)           - Norton: 1-year Norton 360 Mobile Security cover
₹1201 (REDX 1201)	Monthly (6-month lock-in)	- Unlimited Data, Unlimited calls           - 3000 SMS/Month           - Lock-in period: 6 months          - Additional benefits:                  - International Roaming: 7-day i-RoamFree pack (worth ₹2999)                  - Airport Lounge Access: 4 times per year (Domestic & International)            - Vi Games: Play Esports, Multiplayer games & more for free on Vi App          - Fully loaded with benefits:           - Netflix Basic Plan: Watch on 1 device (auto-renewing at no extra cost)                       - Amazon Prime: 6-months trial with paid yearly auto renewal                  - JioHotstar: 1-year TV+Mobile subscription            - Sony LIV: 360 days of TV+Mobile subscription                  - SwiggyOne: 1-year access (two coupons of SwiggyOne quarterly membership)                             - Norton: 1-year Norton 360 Mobile Security cover

 

Besides the aforementioned, we also have Postpaid family plans that are meant for family usage, and they start from INR 701 per month. Subscribers using our postpaid services in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Odisha, Assam, North East, Jammu and Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh circles will be able to access Unlimited Data with the aforementioned plans.

So, while you’re learning how to retrieve deleted phone numbers, rest assured that your network is never the issue. With Vi, you’re always in touch, backed by strong performance and wide coverage. Whether you're an Android or iPhone user, how to recover deleted contacts doesn’t need to be stressful. If you’ve been syncing your data, the recovery process can be completed in just a few taps or clicks. And even if you haven’t backed up recently, there are still options available to help you recover lost numbers.

As always, Vi has your back with seamless connectivity and robust mobile plans that support all your communication needs. So, the next time someone asks, "How to recover deleted phone numbers?", you’ll know exactly what to do. With Vi by your side, staying connected has never been easier.

Found this post helpful? There’s more where that came from! Learn how to delete Instagram account with our step-by-step guide, move your chats with ease using this guide on how to transfer WhatsApp chats from Android to iPhone, uncover lost conversations with tips on how to find deleted messages on WhatsApp, or take control of your call settings with this guide on how to deactivate voicemail