How to Restore Contacts on Android

Accidentally deleted your contacts or switched to a new Android phone and noticed your list is empty? Don’t panic. Restoring contacts on Android is usually fast and painless—if you know where to look.

Here’s how to get your contacts back in just a few minutes.

1. Check If Your Contacts Are Synced with Google

Most Android phones sync contacts with your Google account by default. To check:

• Open the Settings app.
• Tap Google > Settings for Google apps > Google Contacts sync.
• Make sure “Automatically sync” is turned on.

To view synced contacts:

• Go to Google Contacts in a browser.
• Sign in with the same account linked to your phone.
• If your contacts are there, you’re good.

2. Restore Contacts from Google Contacts (Undo Deletion)

Google Contacts keeps a backup history for 30 days. You can restore deleted contacts easily:

1. Visit contacts.google.com.
2. Click the gear icon (top right) > Undo changes.
3. Choose how far back you want to restore (10 mins, 1 hour, yesterday, etc.).
4. Click Confirm.

Your restored contacts will sync to your phone automatically.

3. Re-Sync Google Contacts to Your Android

Sometimes sync is paused or delayed. To force a refresh:

• Open Settings > Accounts > Google.
• Select your Google account.
• Tap “Account sync”.
• Toggle off “Contacts”, wait a few seconds, then toggle it back on.

Or tap the three-dot menu (if available) and choose Sync now.

4. Use Google’s Backup and Restore Feature

If you’re setting up a new device or resetting your current one, Google’s built-in backup can restore contacts along with apps and settings.

To check if backups are turned on:

• Go to Settings > System > Backup.
• Make sure “Back up to Google One” is enabled.

When setting up a new phone, just sign in with your Google account, and your contacts will be restored automatically.

5. Restore Contacts from a SIM Card or VCF File

If you saved contacts to your SIM or exported them earlier:

To import from SIM:

• Open the Contacts app.
• Tap the menu (three lines or dots) > Settings > Import.
• Choose SIM card and follow the prompts.

To import from VCF file:

• If you backed up your contacts as a .vcf file:
  • Go to Contacts > Settings > Import > .vcf file.
  • Select the file from your device storage and restore.

Final Tip: Install Google Contacts App

The default Contacts app on some Android phones can be clunky. Install the official Google Contacts app from the Play Store for better syncing, cleaner UI, and quick access to backup and restore features.

Wrap-Up

Losing contacts can feel like a crisis—but with Android and Google’s sync features, restoring them is usually just a few taps away. Whether you use Google’s cloud, your SIM card, or a VCF file, you’ve got solid options to bring your address book back to life.

Need help with another Android issue? Drop a comment below or check out our other quick guides.