Quick Answer
Yes, it is possible to find deleted cell phone numbers on an iPhone, but the specific methods depend on whether the numbers were stored in the contacts list or call history log. For contacts, deleted numbers may be recoverable from a backup. For call history, deleted numbers can possibly be found by using third-party apps to access the iPhone’s database files. Overall, retrieving deleted cell numbers from an iPhone requires timely backups, avoiding device resets, or using specialized data recovery software.
Recovering Deleted Contacts
If you accidentally deleted a phone number that was stored in your iPhone’s contacts list, there are a couple ways you may be able to recover it:
Restore from iPhone Backup
If you have a recent backup of your iPhone through iCloud or iTunes, you can restore your device from that backup to retrieve the deleted contact information. Here’s how:
- On your iPhone, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups to check for existing iCloud backups.
- Alternatively, connect your iPhone to a computer you synced with and open iTunes. Go to Preferences > Devices and look for available backups.
- Once you’ve identified a suitable backup, restore it to your iPhone. All of your contacts, including any deleted numbers, will be restored.
Restoring a backup will revert your entire iPhone state back to the time of the backup. So any changes made since the backup will be overwritten.
Use iPhone Data Recovery Software
If you don’t have a backup that contains the deleted number, third-party iOS data recovery software may be able to retrieve it by scanning the phone’s storage directly. These tools can extract archived contact records that are marked as “deleted” but still reside in the database.
Some examples of data recovery apps that may recover deleted iPhone contacts include iMyFone D-Back, Fonelab, and EaseUS MobiSaver. However, success is not guaranteed.
Finding Deleted Call History Numbers
For phone numbers that were only present in your iPhone’s call history log before being deleted, take the following approaches to attempt recovery:
Use a Call History Recovery App
There are apps available that can extract your iPhone’s call history database files and search for deleted records. Two options to try are iMyFone D-Back and iMobie PhoneRescue. Their recovery processes may include:
- Scanning your iPhone via WiFi or wired connection
- Extracting call history database files
- Importing the data into the app
- Searching for and restoring deleted call records
However, this will only work if the call history database files still contain the deleted entries and you have not reset your iPhone.
Check iCloud Backup
If call history was being synced to iCloud, you may find deleted numbers by viewing that online backup via iCloud.com. Go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups. Locate a desired backup and select Restore. Then you can view Contacts and call history.
Preventing Deleted Number Loss
To avoid losing track of iPhone contacts and call history in the future, consider these practices:
- Regularly backup your iPhone to iCloud or iTunes.
- Avoid resetting your iPhone to factory settings, as this will wipe all data.
- Be careful when deleting contacts or call history numbers.
- Use a contacts backup app to export all numbers to external storage periodically.
Following those steps will ensure you have multiple retrievable copies of your iPhone cell phone number data.
Recovering from iPhone Reset
If you have already reset your iPhone to factory settings, either intentionally or by accident, recovering deleted numbers becomes much more difficult. Here are some last resort options that may work:
- Professional data recovery service – Specialized iOS data recovery companies can attempt to extract contacts and call history directly from the iPhone’s storage chips, even after a reset. This is an expensive service though.
- Retrieve from carrier – Your cell phone carrier may have records of your call history they can provide, although they typically won’t have deleted contact names.
- Look in email backups – Check email accounts tied to your iPhone. Contacts may have been synced and stored in email backups.
- Use billing records – Look at cell phone bills to identify frequently dialed numbers if call history was deleted.
But if no backup or technical recovery method is available, the deleted data is likely unrecoverable after an iPhone reset.
Key Takeaways
Here are some key points to remember when trying to recover deleted iPhone cell phone numbers:
- For contacts, restore your iPhone from a recent iCloud or iTunes backup to retrieve deleted numbers.
- For call history, use a mobile data recovery app to scan for and extract deleted entries from the phone’s database.
- Avoid resetting your iPhone to factory settings, as this will erase all data.
- Regularly backup your iPhone to preserve copies of all contacts and call history.
- If your iPhone has already been reset, professional data recovery or carrier records may be the only options.
Act quickly if you need to restore deleted data, and be preventative in the future by implementing consistent backups of your iPhone. With some effort, you can likely recover those lost cell phone numbers that matter most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I view contacts deleted from my iPhone?
If a contact was deleted from your iPhone’s address book recently, you may be able to recover it by restoring your iPhone from an iCloud or iTunes backup that contained the contact. Third-party data recovery apps also may be able to retrieve deleted contacts by scanning the phone’s database directly.
How long are deleted numbers stored on an iPhone?
Deleted call history and contact records remain in the iPhone’s databases until they are overwritten by new data. So deleted numbers can potentially be recovered until a factory reset wipes the phone. Regular backups will preserve deleted data longer.
Can iPhone call history be recovered after deleting?
Yes, deleted iPhone call history records can often be recovered with mobile data recovery apps that can extract your call history database files and search for deleted entries. Just avoid resetting your iPhone, as that will remove all call history.
Do cell phone carriers keep records of deleted numbers?
Cell service providers keep records of calls made and received, which you can request from them. However, they do not maintain copies of your contacts list or deleted call history. So carriers likely cannot provide deleted numbers if you ask.
Can you see deleted calls on phone bill?
Deleted calls will still appear on your phone bill alongside all other call activity during the billing period. So checking monthly statements may help identify frequently dialed numbers if your call history was erased. But the bill won’t show deleted contacts.
Conclusion
Recovering lost cell phone numbers from your iPhone is possible with the right tools and techniques. For deleted contacts, restore from a backup or use data recovery software. For call history, specialized mobile apps can help extract those lost records. Just avoid resetting your iPhone, as that will assure permanent data loss. Consistently backing up your device offers the best protection if you ever need to restore erased cell numbers.