Four Ways to Export Contacts from an iPhone Backup

Backing up contacts on an iPhone is easy, but restoring them is a different story. If you restore your iPhone from an iTunes or iCloud backup by default, you will likely lose all of your existing data, since the restore will wipe out everything on your device and replace it with the data from the backup. You should only do this if your device is brand new. Otherwise, it's safer to use a method that won't cause any data loss, as outlined below.

Whichever method you choose, remember to back up your iPhone first, and then follow a guide to extract contacts from iPhone backup without losing data.

Part 1: Extract Contacts from iPhone Backup without Data Loss

If you want to extract contacts only from an iPhone backup (iTunes or iCloud backup) without losing any data, try this secure iPhone Data Recovery tool - MobiSaver. After installing it on your computer, you can recover deleted contacts, messages, videos, photos, and other iOS data from an iTunes/iCloud backup or directly from the device without any backup.

The best part about this tool is that it does not cause any data loss during the recovery process. Moreover, it lets you preview the data before recovery, helping you avoid restoring unnecessary files.

Extracting contacts from an iPhone backup:

Step 1: Run the MobiSaver tool.

First, download the MobiSaver tool > Connect your iPhone or iPad to the computer > Launch the MobiSaver tool > Choose “Recover from iTunes Backup” > Select an iTunes backup.

Step 2: Unlock iTunes

If your iTunes backup is encrypted, you'll need to enter the password to unlock it. Enter the password, then click “Continue.” The MobiSaver tool will now scan your backup file for lost data.

Step 3: Preview and recover data from iTunes

Once the scan is finished, you can preview the lost photos/videos, contacts/messages, memos, and social app data in detail. Select the files you need and click the "Recover" button to save them to your computer.

Part 2: Export iPhone Contacts from iCloud Website

If you don't want to use a third-party recovery tool, you can also retrieve your contacts from icloud.com. To do this, you must have had your contacts synced with iCloud before deleting them. If not, you won't be able to find and recover them this way.

Before you begin, make sure that Contact sync is enabled in iCloud: Open the Settings app on your iPhone > Tap on iCloud > Tap on Contacts > Make sure that Contacts is turned on. Then, proceed with the following steps on your computer using a web browser.

Step 1. Open a new web browser and go to icloud.com.

Step 2: Log in to the iCloud website using your Apple ID.

Step 3: Click on “Account Settings” under your username.

4. Click “Restore Contacts” under the “Advanced” section.

Step 5: Select the contact archive you want to restore. If "No Archives Available" shows up, your contacts weren't synced with iCloud, and you'll have to retrieve them another way.

Select the contact archive you want to restore.

Part 3: Recover iPhone Contacts from iCloud Account

If you don't mind losing some data, you can also restore your iPhone from an iCloud backup that contains your deleted contacts. First, make sure that you have a backup of your device from before you lost the contacts. If you do, skip to the next step. If not, try one of the other methods. Here's how:

Step 1: Check whether you have backed up your iPhone before losing the contacts.

On your iPhone, open the Settings app, then tap on "iCloud." Scroll down and find "iCloud Backup," where you should see the date of the last backup.

Step 2: Reset your iPhone. (Ignore this step if the device is new.)

1. Go to Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap General, then tap Reset.
3. Tap Erase All Content and Settings.

Step 3: Set up your iPhone and restore from your iCloud backup.

1. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your iPhone. 2. When you reach the "Set Up Your iPhone" screen, tap on "Restore from iCloud Backup." 3. Log in to your iCloud account and select a backup to restore.

As mentioned, this procedure will erase all current data on your iPhone. If you don't want that, you can also use the MobiSaver tool to extract only the contacts from an iCloud backup without losing any data. Better yet, it lets you preview the contacts before restoring them. Here's how.

Step 1: Choose "Restore from iCloud Backup"

Connect your iPhone to the computer and open the MobiSaver tool. Tap “Recover from iCloud,” then tap “Start.”

Step 2: Turn off “Find My iPhone.”

Please turn off “Find My iPhone” on your iPhone/iPad/iPod to continue.

Step 3: Enter the verification code in the confirmation box.

Enter "123456" in the confirmation box, then click on the "Continue" button.

Note: This will delete all data and reset all settings. Make sure to back up important information beforehand.

Step 4: Reset your iPhone

Finish setting up your iPhone until you reach the Reset screen. On your phone, select “Restore from iCloud Backup.” Enter the Apple ID and password for the account with the backup you want to restore. Then, click “Next” on your computer.

Step 5: Select the file

Select the type of data you want to recover. If you want to restore all files, just click on "Select All" at the bottom.

Step 6: Analyze the iPhone

This software will analyze your device, which may take a few minutes. Do not disconnect or use your device during this time.

Step 7: Scan for and recover lost data

MobiSaver will scan your iCloud backup file automatically to find the lost data. This process may take a few minutes. Please wait patiently. Then, choose the data you want to recover and click on the "Recover" button.

Part 4: Restore iPhone Contacts from iTunes Backup

iTunes is our least favorite way to export contacts, as it will wipe all the data from your iPhone, and it's also pretty unreliable. But if you insist on using iTunes, we'll show you how to export your iPhone contacts that way, too.

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to your computer and open iTunes.

Step 2: Click on your iPhone in the device list, then click “Restore from Backup.”

Step 3: Select the most recent backup and tap “Restore.”

Bottom line

With these 4 methods, you can easily export contacts from iPhone backup. Among these methods, MobiSaver is the most recommended one, as it allows you to preview data before recovery, thus helping you avoid restoring unnecessary files. Plus, it won't cause any data loss during the recovery process. All these great features make it an excellent recovery tool. Don't miss it if you need to recover deleted files on iOS devices.