I deleted WhatsApp. How can I get all my contacts back?

I deleted WhatsApp. How can I get all my contacts back - briefly?

If you've deleted WhatsApp and want to retrieve your contacts, the best way is to restore them from a backup. Ensure you have previously backed up your data either on Google Drive (for Android users) or iCloud (for iOS users). Then, reinstall WhatsApp and follow the prompts to restore your chat history, which includes your contacts.

I deleted WhatsApp. How can I get all my contacts back - in detail?

If you have recently deleted WhatsApp and are now seeking to recover your contacts, there are several detailed steps you can follow. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you retrieve your lost contacts:

Backup Recovery

Firstly, if you had enabled the auto-backup feature on Google Drive or iCloud before deleting WhatsApp, you can easily restore your contacts from these backups.

For Android Users:

1. Reinstall WhatsApp: Download and install WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
2. Verify Your Phone Number: Open WhatsApp and enter your phone number to receive a verification code via SMS or call.
3. Restore from Backup: Once verified, WhatsApp will automatically look for backups on Google Drive. Follow the prompts to restore your chat history, including contacts.
4. Sync Contacts: After restoration, ensure that your contacts are synced with your device by going to Settings > Accounts > Google > Sync Contacts.

For iOS Users:

1. Reinstall WhatsApp: Download and install WhatsApp from the App Store.
2. Verify Your Phone Number: Open WhatsApp and enter your phone number to receive a verification code via SMS or call.
3. Restore from Backup: Once verified, WhatsApp will prompt you to restore chat history, including contacts, from iCloud backup. Follow the on-screen instructions.
4. Sync Contacts: After restoration, ensure that your contacts are synced with your device by going to Settings > Your Name > iCloud and toggling Contacts on.

Manual Recovery

If you didn’t have auto-backup enabled or if the backup method doesn’t suit your needs, you can manually recover your WhatsApp contacts.

Using Exported Chat Files:

1. Locate Backup Folder: On Android, locate the WhatsApp folder in your device's internal storage. On iOS, connect your device to a computer and use iTunes or Finder to access the backup files.
2. Export Contacts: Copy the contacts from the backup folders. You may need to extract the contents if they are in zip format.
3. Import Contacts: Import the exported contacts into your phone’s contact list by going to Settings > Accounts > Google (or iCloud for iOS users) and following the import instructions.

Third-Party Software

If manual methods seem too complex, you can use third-party software designed specifically for data recovery. These tools often provide a user-friendly interface and step-by-step guidance to recover deleted WhatsApp contacts along with other data.

Steps:

1. Download and Install: Choose a reputable data recovery tool and install it on your computer.
2. Connect Your Device: Connect your phone to the computer using a USB cable.
3. Scan for Contacts: Follow the software’s instructions to scan your device for deleted WhatsApp contacts.
4. Recover Contacts: Once the scan is complete, select the contacts you want to recover and follow the prompts to restore them to your device or export them as a vCard file.

Conclusion

Losing access to your contacts can be stressful, but with these detailed steps, you should be able to recover your WhatsApp contacts efficiently. Whether through backup recovery, manual methods, or third-party software, there are multiple avenues available to help you regain access to your important contacts.