iPhone contact recovery software is a category of utility specifically designed to recover deleted or lost contacts from an iPhone. These apps read from an iOS device’s storage (and/or backups) to reconstruct contact data in the event of mishaps, such as accidental deletion or after iOS updates or hardware failures.
They generally have several approaches to recovery up their sleeve – for example, you can recover directly from your iCloud backups – and they boast a straightforward restore process so that you can bring those all-important contacts back. In many cases, these tools also restore other data (photos, messages, and so on), but their primary function is to recover vital telephone numbers and names without incident.
Features to Look For in Contact Recovery Tools
When choosing an iPhone contact recovery app, consider these key features:
- Recovery Modes & Backup Support: Look for software that can scan your iPhone itself and extract data from iTunes or iCloud backups. A good tool will let you retrieve contacts even if you never made a manual backup.
- Preview and Selective Restore: It’s ideal if the software previews recoverable contacts and lets you choose which ones to restore. This way, you only recover what you need. Many top tools explicitly support this (e.g., MobiKin Doctor for iOS, which allows you to “preview your contacts” before recovery).
- Compatibility and Updates: The tool should work with the latest iPhone models and iOS versions. Since Apple updates iOS annually, pick software that is regularly updated. For example, Stellar Data Recovery supports the latest iPhones (up to iPhone 12/XS Max in 2024).
- Ease of Use: A user-friendly interface and simple steps are essential. Ease-of-use means even non-experts can recover data with a few clicks. Most top apps are designed so that you just connect your iPhone, scan, and recover – often in three steps.
- Performance (Recovery Rate): The tool’s ability to find and recover contacts is crucial. The best software recovers not only contacts but also many file types (photos, messages, app data, etc.). Products like Dr.Fone boast some of the industry’s highest recovery rates for contacts and other data.
- Safety and Privacy: Ensure a reputable company develops the software. It should not inject malware or steal data. Also, check if data is processed locally (not uploaded to a server) to protect your privacy. For example, Gbyte emphasizes that all recovery occurs on your computer, and your data never leaves your device.
- Pricing and Trial Mode: Many tools offer a free scan or preview but require a paid license to recover data. This pay-per-restore or subscription model is a common approach. For instance, Disk Drill allows you to scan and preview files for free but charges for the actual recovery. Consider whether the cost fits your budget.
Many iPhone data recovery guides also exist to help users understand how to recover deleted contacts. For example, Gbyte’s blog includes step-by-step tutorials on recovering lost contacts via iCloud or iTunes. Such resources can supplement software tools by explaining backup-based methods and best practices for recovery.
All of these tools can help how to recover deleted contacts from modern iPhones, but they differ in platform compatibility and standout features. For example, Disk Drill’s iPhone recovery feature is currently exclusive to Mac users—its Windows version doesn’t support iOS recovery—while most other tools work on both Mac and Windows. Pricing also varies: some offer lifetime access for a one-time fee, others use annual subscriptions, but nearly all provide a free preview scan before purchase.
Top 8 iPhone Contact Recovery Software (2025)
In this section, we briefly review each recommended tool:
1. Gbyte Recovery
Gbyte Recovery is one of the newer iOS recovery programs striving for something a little different. Gbyte was developed to overcome the limitations of other tools, as explained by its creators. For instance, most iOS recovery software will require you to have a device backup or access the actual phone.
Gbyte stresses that a backup, or even an intact device, is not necessary to recover old data. In practice, Gbyte operates by signing into your Apple ID and pulling down information from iCloud backups. Its dashboard ensures that you can choose which individual deleted contacts (and others) to restore without restoring your existing data.
Key Features:
- Multi-Data Support: Recovers not just contacts but a wide variety of iOS data. Supported types include photos, videos, SMS/iMessage, call logs, notes, Voice Memos, Safari bookmarks/history, WhatsApp (including Business), etc.
- Wireless Apple ID Login: Unlike traditional tools, Gbyte can work without a direct cable connection. By logging into your Apple (iCloud) account through the app, it can fetch data from any backups tied to that account.
- Deep Scan & Quick Scan: Gbyte offers both quick and deep scanning modes. The fast scan rapidly finds recently deleted items, while the deep scan algorithm performs an intensive search for older or overwritten data.
- Selective Recovery: After scanning, all recoverable contacts (and other data) are listed individually. You can choose which contacts to restore rather than importing the entire list.
- iCloud Backup Integration: In addition to direct device scans, Gbyte can import and scan existing iCloud backups..
- User-Friendly Interface: Gbyte Recovery’s UI is designed for non-experts. The menus are straightforward (“Scan,” “Recover to PC,” etc.), and the preview window lets you filter and sort data by type, date, or name.
- Free Scan & Preview: You don’t pay upfront. Gbyte offers a free trial that allows you to scan your device and preview all recoverable files. Only when you find the contacts (or other files) you want do you need to unlock the full Recovery. This approach allows you to verify its effectiveness before making a purchase.
Privacy and Security: Gbyte claims all processing happens locally on your computer. According to their documentation, Gbyte uses end-to-end encryption and never uploads your data to any external servers.
Pros:
- Free scanning & preview: You can download and run Gbyte for free to scan your iPhone/iCloud data. It displays all recoverable contacts (and photos, messages, etc.) at no cost. You only pay when you decide to restore something. This pay-per-restore model is unique among these tools.
- Advanced recovery technology: Gbyte claims an extremely high success rate (98.6%) and states that it can recover 4–5 times more data types than typical tools. This means it not only recovers contacts but also retrieves buried data, such as phone logs, Wi-Fi settings, app logs, and more. The company notes that it holds over 18 patents in iOS recovery techniques, built on more than 6 years of research.
Cons:
- Requires Apple ID/iCloud access: To use Gbyte, you must log in with your Apple ID so it can access iCloud backups. Some users may hesitate to enter their password into third-party software (though Gbyte insists data stays encrypted and private).
- No flat license: Instead of a one-time fee, Gbyte charges per recovered item (per contact or photo, etc.) when you export. This can be a good value if you only need a few contacts, but it may be expensive if you need to restore a large address book. (The exact pricing isn’t publicly listed on the site; you see costs when you attempt a recovery.)
Pricing:
The Gbytes model is available for free to get started. You download the app, and it scans your data for free. You’ll be able to select which deleted contacts to recover for FREE once the scan is complete. Then, you have to pay a fee to perform the recovery.
Monthly Plan: $49.99/mo
Yearly Plan: $8.33/mo
Lifetime Plan: $149.99/mo
To sum it up, Gbyte Recovery is a revolutionary software since it is the only tool to restore chats from over 10 messaging apps, like WhatsApp and LINE; the only solution is to restore data from multiple iCloud snapshots, not just your latest backup; the only one that lets you preview deleted data directly on your phone before recovery.
2. Stellar Data Recovery for iPhone
Stellar iPhone Data Recovery has made a name for itself as a clean app and a reliable solution. It works well with all sorts of iOS devices (old and new). In Reality, it’s capable of recovering contacts, photos, notes, reminders, voice memos, Safari bookmarks, and more from either the iPhone itself or backups.
The recovery process is easy as pie: all you need to do is choose the types of data to be analyzed, scan the drive, and recover. Users can scan for contacts alone or any combination of data.
Key Features;
- Multiple Recovery Options:
- Recover from iPhone device, iTunes backup, or iCloud backup.
- Supported Data Types: Contacts, photos, messages, notes, reminders, Safari bookmarks, voice memos, and more
- Selective Scanning: Users can scan and recover specific data types (e.g., only contacts)
- Device Compatibility: Works with virtually all iOS devices, both old and new
- Simple Recovery Steps: Choose data types → scan → preview → recover
- User-Friendly Interface: Clean, modern design for ease of use
3. Wondershare Dr.Fone – iPhone Data Recovery
Dr.Fone by Wondershare is a long-standing iOS recovery suite with an excellent track record of recovering lost or deleted files without causing data loss. It’s able to retrieve lost contacts (as well as pictures, text messages, voice memos, etc.) via scanning your iPhone or extracting your iPhone backups from iTunes or iCloud. Customers have marveled at the high recovery rate and the straightforward three-step recovery process (connect, scan, recover).
It comes with a free trial for scanning (but not recovery), so you can see what those lost contacts will cost you before making a payment. Key Features ;
- Broad Compatibility: Supports the latest iPhones and iOS versions.
- Multiple Recovery Modes:
- Recover directly from the iPhone.
- Extract data from iTunes or iCloud backups.
- Data Types Supported: Contacts, photos, messages, call history, voice memos, and even third-party app data.
- Three-Step Recovery: Simple process — Connect, Scan, Recover.
- Preview Before Purchase: A free trial allows you to scan and preview lost files before making a payment.
- User-Friendly Interface: Designed for non-technical users.
Pricing;
- Free Version:
- Allows you to scan and preview recoverable files.
- No actual data recovery is included.
- Paid Version (Mac):
- Price: Around $79.95 (lifetime license).
- Includes: Full access to all recovery features (contacts, messages, media, and more).
4. Tenorshare UltData
Another iPhone recovery program you need to invest in is UltData. There are three modes for standard retrieval: Recover from iOS Device, Recover from iTunes, and Recover from iCloud. In testing, it continued to find the deleted contacts, as well as lots of other stuff. By contrast, the Qualper list is compatible with a wide range of file types (30+) and devices (iPhone 4 and later), including older versions of the iOS system.
It is user-friendly and features a quick scan engine. The trial version enables you to view the recovered files (to ensure that you indeed recover the contacts you are looking for), but you cannot save the files; the order, on the other hand, will be saved. Subscription pricing: It begins at $69.95 for a lifetime license for Mac.
Key Features ;
- Three Recovery Modes:
- From iPhone device
- From iTunes backup
- From iCloud backup
- Wide File Support: Recovers 35+ file types, including contacts, messages, photos, videos, WhatsApp data, and more.
- Device Compatibility: Supports a wide range of iPhones — from the latest models back to iPhone 4.
- Free File Preview: Allows unlimited preview of recoverable files before purchase.
- User-Friendly Design: Simple interface with fast scanning performance.
- Cross-version iOS Support: Compatible with the latest iOS versions.
Pricing:
- Free Trial:
- Allows scanning and previewing of files.
- No recovery unless you upgrade.
- Paid Version (Mac):
- Price: Around $69.95 (lifetime license).
- Includes: Full access to all recovery features.
5. PhoneRescue (iMobie)
PhoneRescue by iMobie is a feature-rich iOS recovery tool. Featuring a simplistic UI for device recovery and backup recovery (supports iTunes and iCloud for recovery). PhoneRescue is also promoted with some extra “device rescue“ tools (such as fixing a stuck iPhone) included. In Reality, it does a decent job of recovering lost contacts: It scans your iPhone (or your backups) and presents them in an organized list. PhoneRescue’s free version will scan (and preview), but you’ll need a paid license actually to save anything.
Key Features;
- Multiple Recovery Modes:
- From iPhone device
- From iTunes or iCloud backups
- Contact Recovery & More: Recovers contacts, photos, messages, call history, and other data types.
- Built-in iOS Repair Tools: Offers basic iOS system repair (e.g., fix a stuck or unresponsive iPhone).
- Preview Before Recovery: Scan and preview recoverable items before deciding to proceed with payment.
- Organized Data View: Found data is displayed in an easy-to-navigate list format.
- Clean & Modern Interface: Designed for ease of use, even for beginners.
Pricing;
- Free Version:
- Allows scanning and previewing only.
- You cannot recover/save data without purchasing a license.
- Paid Version:
- Price Range: $69.99 to $99.99 (depends on license type: 1-year vs. lifetime, personal vs. family).
- Includes: Full data recovery + iOS repair tools.
6. D-Back (iMyFone)
iMyFone D-Back is a straightforward iPhone data recovery process that allows you to recover lost files, including contacts, messages, photos, call logs, and app data. It does this from the device or iTunes/iCloud backups. D-Back has a simple interface, and you can preview deleted contacts before recovery. It also offers some tools to repair a range of iOS issues (for example, the device stuck on the Apple logo) that could be helpful if your device is already experiencing problems.
Key Features;
- Multiple Recovery Options:
- Recover data directly from the iPhone
- Retrieve from iTunes or iCloud backups.
- Data Types Supported: Recovers 18+ data types — including contacts, messages, photos, call logs, WhatsApp, Viber, and more.
- Preview Before Recovery: This feature allows you to preview deleted contacts and other data before committing to the purchase.
- iOS Repair Tools Included: Can fix specific iOS issues like boot loops or Apple logo stuck screen.
- Beginner-Friendly Interface: Clean design for easy navigation and recovery.
Pricing;
- Free Version:
- Allows scanning and previewing of recoverable files.
- It does not allow actual recovery without a license.
- Paid Plans:
- Monthly License: $69.99/month
- Annual License: $89.99/year
- Lifetime License: $139.99 (one-time payment)
7. Doctor for iOS (MobiKin)
DOCTOR FOR IOS BY MOBIKIN Doctor for iOS by MobiKin is an all-in-under-one package for solving and recovering your iPhone data loss. There are three recovery modes: recover right from your iPhone (even if you have never backed up your device before) or selectively restore from an iTunes or iCloud backup. This gives it versatility for many uses. It retrieves contacts, photos, messages, call logs, and more, including over 14 types of data.
The interface is simple. TESTIMONIAL “Doctor for iOS does help to preview and recover lost contacts before recovery.” From a user in review.
Key Features;
- Three Recovery Modes:
- Recover directly from iPhone (no backup needed)
- Recover from iTunes backup.
- Recover from iCloud backup.
- Supported Data Types: Recovers 14+ types, including contacts, photos, messages, call logs, notes, etc.
- Selective Recovery: This feature allows you to select specific files for recovery rather than restoring the entire backup.
- Device Compatibility: Works with all iPhone models and iOS versions.
- Preview Functionality: Accurately displays recoverable data (e.g., missing contacts) before recovery.
- Simple Interface: Easy to navigate and beginner-friendly.
Pricing;
- Free Trial:
- Preview is limited — full preview is not always available for all data types.
- There is no actual recovery without a license.
- Paid Version:
- Price: Around $79.95 (lifetime license for Mac).
- Includes Full data recovery features and full preview access.
8. FoneLab (Aiseesoft)
Another good one is FoneLab iPhone Data Recovery. It is also for recovering lost photos, messages, and even data from third-party apps (Line, WhatsApp, WeChat, etc.). It is available on Mac and Windows and compatible with the latest iOS.
In our testing, FoneLab had a straightforward interface that rapidly scanned the device and listed recovery options.
Key Features;
- Recovery Modes:
- Recover from iPhone, iTunes backup, or iCloud backup.
- Supported Data Types:
- Contacts, messages, call logs, photos, and third-party app data (e.g., WhatsApp, LINE, WeChat, etc.)
- Cross-Platform Support: Works on both Mac and Windows
- Fast & Easy Scanning: Quickly scans the device and organizes results by data type
- User Interface: Clean, intuitive, and beginner-friendly
Pricing;
- Free Trial:
- Only allows previewing of recoverable files.
- No actual data recovery without an upgrade
- Paid Version:
- Price: $79.95 (one-time lifetime license)
- Includes: Full recovery functionality for all supported file types and devices
The Verdict: Which Contact Recovery Tool Is Best?
Gbyte Recovery is a powerful iPhone data recovery tool that highlights its functionality and wide range of data support. It offers an easy-to-use solution for people who have lost important contact information. It aligns with third-party testimony, and it has a high rating on tech sites. You can retrieve your erased contacts using Gbyte Recovery. It is a dependable tool in the iPhone recovery toolbox.
FAQs
Q1: Can I recover contracts if I don’t have a backup?
A1: Yes, tools like Gbyte Recovery offer direct device scanning to recover your contacts even without an iCloud backup, provided the data hasn’t been overwritten.
Q2: Is it safe to use third-party software for data recovery?
A2: Reputable software, such as that reviewed here, prioritizes data security. Gbyte Recovery, for example, processes data locally on your computer, ensuring your privacy.
Q3: How long does contract data recovery take?
A3: Recovery time varies based on data size and device condition. Tools like Gbyte that boast high scanning efficiency can significantly speed up the process compared to others.
Q4: Can I recover old contract and messages from years ago?
A4: Recovery success for very old data depends on whether the data has been overwritten. The sooner you attempt data recovery after deletion, the higher the chances.
