How to Recover SIM Card Data (Contacts & Messages) on iPhone?

Losing your SIM card data can be stressful, whether it's from a misplaced SIM card, a lost phone, a system crash, or a damaged card. While most of your data is saved on your iPhone's internal memory or in the cloud, SIM card information can still be recovered through backups or specialized recovery tools.

This guide will show you how to recover data from your iPhone's SIM card, including contacts, messages, and other saved info. The process is easy, and by following the steps, you'll be able to get your lost iPhone SIM data back.

Part 1: Recover SIM Card Contacts on iPhone via iCloud

If you turn on iCloud Backup, your phone automatically saves your data to iCloud. This means that even if something happens to your SIM card, like it getting damaged, your contacts and messages might still be safe and ready to restore. Here's how you can restore your contacts and messages from the SIM card using iCloud:

Option 1: Restoring Contacts from SIM on a New iPhone

If you've got a new iPhone and want to transfer your contacts and messages from your old SIM card, follow these steps:

• Turn on your new iPhone and follow the on-screen setup until you see the "Apps & Data" screen. Select "Restore from iCloud Backup." (Restore from iCloud Paused?)



• Enter your Apple ID and password to log into iCloud.
• You'll see a list of backups. Pick the one that matches the date and size of the data on your old SIM card.
• Stay connected to Wi-Fi while the data restores. The time it takes depends on the size of your backup but could range from a few seconds to several minutes.
• Once the process is finished, your contacts and messages from your old SIM card should be restored. Check to make sure everything is there.

Option 2: Restoring Data After Losing Your SIM Card

If your SIM card is damaged, or you've replaced it, and you still want to get your old contacts and messages, follow these steps:

• On your iPhone, open Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.
• Tap on "iCloud Backup" and turn it on if it isn't already.
• Tap "Back Up Now" to make a backup of the current data on your phone.
• Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This will remove everything on your phone, so make sure you've backed up everything important first.



• After the reset, your iPhone will prompt you to set it up. Follow the instructions until you see the "Apps & Data" screen.
• Choose "Restore from iCloud Backup," then select the backup that contains your SIM card data.
• Wait for the restore process to finish. Once done, your lost data should be back on your phone.

By following these steps, you can easily restore your SIM card's data on a new or reset iPhone. (How to Transfer Data from iPhone to iPhone after Setup?)

Part 2: Retrieve SIM Card Data on iPhone with iTunes/Finder

When your SIM card is damaged or lost, recovering its data (like contacts and messages) is only possible if you've backed up your iPhone before. Using iTunes or Finder, you can restore the entire backup to your device, including any SIM-linked data that was synced to your iPhone at the time. This method is useful if you don't use iCloud or prefer local backups, but it replaces your current data with the backup version, so be sure to save anything important first.

Using iTunes (for Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier):

• Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable and launch iTunes.
• Click the iPhone icon when it appears in iTunes.
• In the "Summary" tab, click "Restore Backup."



• Choose the backup that likely contains your SIM data based on the date.
• Click "Restore" and wait for the process to complete. Keep your iPhone connected during the restore.
• Once it's done, check your contacts and messages to see if the data has been restored. ([How to Restore Only Messages from iTunes Backup?)

Using Finder (for macOS Catalina and later):

• Connect your iPhone to your Mac with a USB cable and open Finder.
• In the left sidebar, select your iPhone under "Locations."
• Under the "General" tab, click "Restore Backup."
• Select the backup that contains the data you want and click "Restore."



• Wait for the restore process to finish while keeping your iPhone connected.
• After it completes, open your Contacts and Messages apps to confirm your SIM-linked data is recovered.

Part 3: Recover SIM Card Contacts & Messages from iPhone Directly

If you're looking to recover SIM card data without needing an iCloud or iTunes backup, MobiKin Doctor for iOS is your go-to solution. This tool is trusted and effective for retrieving deleted or lost SIM card information like contacts and messages from your iPhone, even without a backup.

Known for its high success rate in data recovery, MobiKin Doctor for iOS is a top choice among third-party recovery software. It's simple to use, allowing you to recover deleted iPhone data with just a few clicks. Plus, it lets you recover data from iTunes and iCloud backups selectively, without overwriting your device's current data or needing a reset.

Key highlights of MobiKin Doctor for iOS:

• Recover deleted contacts and messages from iPhone directly without backup.
• Selectively retrieve iOS files from iTunes or iCloud backup without overwriting current data.
• Recover not only contacts, messages, but also photos, videos, call logs, calendars, Safari history, voice memos, notes, and more.
• It allows you to preview and choose your wanted files before recovery.
• Work for almost all iPhone/iPad, including iPhone 16/15/14/13/12/11/X/8/7/6, etc.
• It values your privacy.

Here's a simplified guide to help you recover lost contacts and messages using MobiKin Doctor for iOS:

Step 1: Connect Your iPhone to the Computer

First, open the MobiKin Doctor for iOS software on your Windows or Mac computer. Then, plug your iPhone into the computer using a USB cable.

Step 2: Scan for Lost Contacts and Messages

Once your iPhone is connected, select "Recover Data from iOS Device" from the options on the screen. In the next window, choose "Contacts" and "Messages," then click the "Start Scan" button. The software will begin scanning your device for any deleted data.

Step 3: Preview and Recover Your Data

After the scan is finished, you'll be able to see a list of the contacts and messages that can be recovered. Simply select the ones you want to restore, and click "Recover to Computer" to complete the recovery process.

Video Guide:

Ending Words

Losing SIM card data can be stressful, but don't worry – there are simple ways to get your contacts, messages, and other info back. While iCloud and iTunes backups can restore SIM data, they replace everything on your device, and you can't choose specific files to recover. That's why we recommend using MobiKin Doctor for iOS. This easy-to-use tool allows you to recover exactly what you need without overwriting any of your current data, all while keeping your privacy and security intact.

Related Articles:

How to Troubleshoot Contacts Not Showing Up on iPhone? [Must-read]

4 Simplest Ways to Sync Outlook Contacts with iPhone

How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to PC in 7 Ways? [Comprehensive Guide]

Top 6 iPhone Contacts Backup Apps to Back Up Contacts on iPhone