Have you ever lost important contacts saved on your SIM card? Maybe because you got a new phone, your SIM card got damaged, or you accidentally deleted them. Losing those valuable contacts can be really frustrating and inconvenient.

Fret not, as this comprehensive guide on how to recover contacts from SIM will walk you through multiple effective techniques, ensuring your peace of mind and seamless communication.

In this article
    1. Method 1: Restore Contacts from Gmail
    2. Method 2: Restore Contacts on SIM Card from Google Contacts
    3. Method 3: Restore SIM Card Contacts with ES File Explorer

How To Recover Contacts From SIM On Android

Each of these methods offers different ways to recover contacts from a SIM card on Android. This will ensure you have options for any situation.

If you have...You can try
Previously synced contacts with your Google accountMethod 1: Restore Contacts from Gmail
A SIM card with contacts but no previous backupMethod 2: Recover Contacts from SIM Cards with Google Contacts
Difficulty using built-in contact management featuresMethod 3: Restore SIM Card Contacts with ES File Explorer

Method 1: Restore Contacts from Gmail

If you have previously synced your contacts with your Google account, restoring them from Gmail is a straightforward and convenient process.

This method is particularly useful if you have accidentally deleted contacts from your Android device or if you're setting up a new device and want to transfer your existing contacts seamlessly.

Here's how to restore contacts from SIM:

Step 1: Open the Gmail website on your PC. Sign in using the same Google account that you previously used to sync your contacts. On the right panel, select the "Contacts" option.

Step 2: The Google Contacts window will now appear on the screen. Select "All Contacts”. Tap on the three-dot icon and then choose the "Export" option.

export contacts

Step 3: A new window will appear, prompting you to select the export format. Here, check the "Google CSV format" checkbox and click "Export" to initiate the process.

export as google csv

Step 4: Once the export is complete, download the CSV file containing your contacts to your computer.

Step 5: Use a USB lightning cable to connect your phone to PC. Transfer the downloaded CSV file from your computer to your Android device's internal storage or external SD card.

Step 6: After successfully copying the file, disconnect your Android device from the computer. Restart your device. Open the Contacts app on your Android device. You will now see the contacts here!

By following these steps, you can effectively export your Google Contacts in CSV format, transfer the file to your Android device, and restore your contacts within the device's Contacts app.

Pros and Cons of Using Google CSV:

Pros
  • Convenient if you've synced contacts with your Google account.
  • Contacts are backed up in the cloud, so you can access them from any device.
  • Easy to set up and restore contacts with just a few taps.
Cons
  • Requires having previously synced contacts with your Google account.
  • May not work if you've never synced contacts or if you've switched Google accounts.

Method 2: Restore Contacts on SIM Card from Google Contacts

If you've previously backed up your SIM card contacts to your Google account, you can easily restore them. Here's how to restore SIM card contacts:

Step 1: Go to Google Contacts and sign in with the same Gmail account you used on your Android phone.

Step 2: Look for the "Settings" icon at the top-right corner of the screen. It might be a gear shape or three dots. Click on it and choose "Undo changes."

Step 3: You will see a calendar or timeline. Go back to the date and time before you accidentally deleted any contacts. Pick that date and time.

google contacts app undo changes

Step 4: Click or tap on the "Undo" button. This will bring back your contacts to how they were before the deletions.

Step 5: After clicking "Undo," check your contacts again. The deleted ones should now be back in your contact list.

Pros and Cons of Using Google Contacts:

Pros
  • Can import contacts directly from the SIM card to your Google account.
  • Useful if you haven't synced or backed up contacts before.
  • Allows managing and syncing contacts across multiple platforms.
Cons
  • May not work if the SIM card is damaged or inaccessible.

Method 3: Restore SIM Card Contacts with ES File Explorer

ES File Explorer is a popular file management app that can help you recover contacts from a SIM card. This method is particularly useful if you prefer using a third-party app or if you're unable to access your device's built-in contact management features for any reason.

Here's how to use it:

Step 1: Install ES File Explorer on your Android phone. Open the app and head to "Settings”.

es file explorer

Step 2: Choose "Import from SIM". Select the contacts you want to import from your SIM card. Tap "Import" to transfer the contacts to your device.

Pros and Cons of Using ES File Explorer App:

Pros
  • Provides an alternative method using a third-party app.
  • Useful if built-in contact management features are not working.
  • Offers additional file management capabilities beyond contact recovery.
Cons
  • Requires installing and using a separate app.
  • May have a steeper learning curve for some users.

How to Import Contacts from SIM Card to New iPhone

Now that we've covered how to recover contacts from a SIM card on Android devices, let's switch gears a bit. Here is a bonus for you.Maybe you're thinking about changing from an Android phone to an iPhone. Don't worry! You can still bring your contacts with you.

Even though iPhones work differently from Android phones, there's an easy way to move your SIM card contacts to your new iPhone. Let's walk through the steps to make this switch smooth and simple, ensuring you don't lose any important contact information along the way.

Step 1: Insert your SIM card into your new iPhone. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Contacts > Import SIM Contacts.

import SIM contacts iphone

Step 2: Review the contacts and choose which ones you want to import. Tap "Import" to transfer the contacts from your SIM card to your iPhone.

Bonus: How to Retrieve Lost Phone Data on Android

Lost your valuable data including contacts from your Android device? Don't worry! A reliable third-party tool like Wondershare Dr.Fone can be a lifesaver. Dr.Fone is a powerful data recovery software that can help you retrieve lost or deleted data from various sources, including internal storage, external SD cards, and even broken or damaged Android devices.

With Dr.Fone, you can easily recover contacts, messages, photos, videos, and other types of data that may have been accidentally deleted or lost due to various reasons. The software is user-friendly, with a straightforward interface that guides you through the recovery process step by step.

To use Dr.Fone for data recovery, simply connect your Android device to your computer, launch the software, and follow the on-screen instructions. Here are the simple steps to get started.

Download Dr.Fone
Download Dr.Fone

Step 1: Open Dr.Fone on your computer and select "Data Recovery"

wondershare dr fone

Step 2: Choose Android

android data recovery

Step 3: Now select “Recover Android Data”.

recover android data

Step 4: Connect your Android phone to the computer with a USB cable.

connect phone to pc

Step 5: Select the types of files you want to recover. Click "Start Scan" and wait for it to finish.

choose data types

Step 6: Preview and select the files you want to recover. Click "Recover" and choose where to save the recovered files on your computer.

preview and recover

Conclusion

This wraps up our guide on how to recover contacts from SIM on Android using different methods. Losing contacts stored on your SIM card can be a frustrating experience, but with the methods outlined in this guide, you can easily recover them and restore your valuable connections.

Whether you prefer syncing with your Google account, using file management apps, or relying on powerful data recovery tools like Dr.Fone, there's a solution tailored to your needs.

Download Dr.Fone
Download Dr.Fone

FAQ

  • Where Are my SIM Contacts Stored?
    Your SIM contacts are stored directly on the SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card itself. The SIM card acts as a portable storage medium, allowing you to transfer your contacts between different devices by SIMply swapping SIM cards.
  • Are my contacts backed up on my SIM card?
    By default, most Android devices do not automatically back up contacts to the SIM card. However, you can manually choose to store and backup your contacts on the SIM card, ensuring they are available even if you switch devices or encounter data loss.
  • How do I prevent losing contacts on my SIM card?
    To prevent losing contacts stored on your SIM card, it's recommended to regularly back up your contacts to your Google account or another cloud storage service. Additionally, handle your SIM card with care to avoid physical damage, and avoid deleting contacts from the SIM card unless you have a backup.
  • Can I transfer contacts from an old SIM card to a new SIM card?
    Yes, you can transfer contacts from an old SIM card to a new one. Most Android devices allow you to import contacts from a SIM card or export contacts to a new SIM card using the device's built-in contact management features or third-party apps.
Theo Lucia
Theo Lucia Aug 15, 24
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