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[Easy Guide] How to Extract Contacts from iPhone Backup in 4 Ways?

2025-05-06 22:04:34/Posted by Alleny Gavinto iOS Recovery Topic/Follow @ MobiKin

iPhone users can sometimes lose their contacts due to issues like phone crashes, accidental deletions, or software updates. To prevent this, many people back up their iPhone, whether to iTunes or iCloud, to keep important data safe.

If you're wondering how to retrieve your contacts from an iPhone backup easily, this guide will show you how to extract them effortlessly. Even if you didn't back up your contacts, there's still a good chance they can be recovered.

how to extract contacts from iphone backup

Way 1: How to Extract Contacts from iPhone Backup Selectively without Erasing Data

Would you like to export iPhone contacts from iTunes or iCloud backup in a selective manner? How to export contacts from backup without iPhone? If these are what you care about, please don't refuse to know about MobiKin Doctor for iOS. This intelligent program facilitates you to choose what you want before the extraction. And it won't cover the current data on your iPhone after the smooth restore.

Core highlights of Doctor for iOS:

  • Selectively extract contacts from iPhone backup with no data loss.
  • Recover iPhone text messages, contacts, etc., without backup.
  • Retrieve iPhone data from iTunes or iCloud backup without overwriting existing content on it.
  • Support recovering items like contacts, call history, text messages, SMS attachments, photos, calendars, Safari history, notes, voice memos, etc.
  • Easy to use and completely secure.
  • Work well with overall iDevices, including iPhone 16/15/14/13/12/11/X/8/7/6, iPod touch, iPad, etc.
  • It won't divulge your privacy.

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How to extract/export contacts from iTunes backup without iPhone via Doctor for iOS?

Step 1. Launch the software

Download and install the program on your computer. Open it and choose "Recover from iTunes Backup File" from the left. Then, you'll see all iTunes backup files on the screen.

launch doctor for ios

Step 2. Scan the iTunes backup files

After selecting your desired backup file, please click "Start Scan" to scan the data in the backup record. Soon, all recoverable file types are listed. You can now choose what you want and click "Start Scan" again.

scan itunes backup files

Step 3. Selectively extract contacts from iPhone backup

When the scan ends, all backed-up content is on the interface. You can then view the details on the right panel and check your required files. Finally, tap "Recover to Computer" to extract them.

selectively extract contacts from iphone backup with doctor for ios

You can also use Doctor for iOS to easily recover contacts from your iCloud backup. Just open the software, choose "Recover from iCloud" on the left, select "Contacts", preview and pick the ones you want, and hit "Recover to Computer" to save them.

icloud contacts recovery

 

Video Guide:

Read Also:

Way 2: How to Extract Contacts from iTunes Backup Directly

With this method, you're only allowed to get the contacts and all the other backup files from iTunes. So, this can be inconvenient for your data management. What's more, the task will erase the existing data on your iPhone by replacing it with backup files.

How to export iPhone contacts from iTunes backup directly?

  • Run the latest version of iTunes and connect your iPhone to your computer.
  • Wait until the device is recognized by iTunes; then click the iPhone icon on the interface.
  • In the "Summary" tab, click "Restore Backup...".
  • how to extract contacts from itunes backup directly

  • Disable the "Find my iPhone" feature on your iPhone.
  • If there's more than one backup entry, go for the one with the contacts you want.
  • Click on "Restore".

Way 3: How to Export Contacts from iPhone Backup via iCloud Account

Likewise, making the extraction with an iCloud account will also erase all of your current stuff on your iPhone. Therefore, it's necessary to run a backup of your iPhone on a computer beforehand. Then, let's go over how to get contacts from iPhone backup files via an iCloud account:

  • On your iPhone, open "Settings" and tap "iCloud".
  • Scroll down to find "iCloud Backup", from where you can find the date of your last backup.
  • Go to your iPhone's "Settings" > "General" > "Reset" > "Erase All Content and Settings".
  • erase all content and settings on iphone

  • Follow the on-screen directions to set up your iPhone.
  • When you reach the "Set up your iPhone" page, tap on "Restore from iCloud Backup".
  • Sign in to your iCloud account and choose a backup to restore.

how to export contacts from iphone backup via icloud account

You May Also Wonder:

Way 4: How to Extract Contacts from iPhone Backup File via iCloud Website

Alternatively, you can visit the iCloud website to extract iPhone contacts from the backup if you synced the files to the cloud. The website enables you to export contacts (.vcf files) to your computer.

How to extract contacts from iPhone backup via iCloud website?

  • Go to icloud.com from any browser on your computer.
  • Enter your login details to access the account.
  • From the main page, go to "Contacts" and press it.
  • go to iclod webpage and choose the contacts option

  • You will notice the "Settings" sign, which is in the form of a clog.
  • Press the clog and select "Export vCard".
  • how to extract contacts from iphone backup file via icloud website

  • When prompted, save the files to your computer.

Bonus: Retrieve iPhone Contacts without Backup via Doctor for iOS

If you've accidentally deleted contacts from your iPhone and don't have a backup, don't worry! MobiKin Doctor for iOS is an all-in-one solution that can help you recover them. It works by scanning your iPhone's internal storage to find deleted contacts before they're overwritten by new data. Apart from contacts, it can also recover deleted photos, messages, call logs, and more.

Here's a simple guide on how to recover deleted contacts from your iPhone without a backup:

  • Launch Doctor for iOS on your computer and connect your iPhone. Select "Recover from iOS Device" on the main screen.
  • recover from ios device

  • Choose the type of file you want to recover (in this case, "Contacts") and click "Start Scan." The program will perform a thorough scan to locate deleted files on your device.
  • scan ios device

  • Once the scan is complete, preview the contacts and select the ones you want to recover. Then, click the "Recover to Computer" button, choose a folder to save them, and export your contacts.
  • contacts recovery

That's it! You can now keep your recovered contacts saved and ready for future use. Plus, this tool can also help you recover other deleted data like permanently deleted photos, messages, and call logs.

 

In a Nutshell

  • MobiKin Doctor for iOS is good for selectively extracting what you want from iTunes or iCloud backup files without harming any of the data on your iPhone. And it also helps recover your contacts from iPhone directly if you forget to back them up or if the backups aren't available.
  • You can choose to export contacts from iTunes or iCloud directly. However, you'll restore the whole backup, and the existing content of your iPhone will be overwritten.
  • You will have the option to update all iPhone contacts if your desired ones have been previously synchronized with the services like FB or Twitter.

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[Fixed] How to Extract Photos from iPhone Backup (Windows/Mac)

2 Efficient Methods to Backup and Restore iPhone without iTunes

[Updated] How to Print Contacts from iPhone? It's a Cinch!

Alleny Gavin
Alleny GavinChief Editor
 
A chief editor at MobiKin, brings over a decade of experience in technical writing and holds a B.A. in English Literature. With a background as a Project Manager in the IT industry, he has authored 1000+ articles on MobiKin.com, offering expert solutions for iOS issues. Gavin, a tech enthusiast, effortlessly recommends software with passion and extensive expertise in smartphones and software.
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