Contacts sync issue

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Contacts sync issue

Hello mac community,

I have an issue with contacts not syncing to iCloud. Issue began when I switched jobs and deleted my work email. Somehow without knowing it every contact I put into my phone over the course of 6 years was linked to my work email account (both work and private contacts). When I deleted my email account my iPhone 11 Pro also deleted all these contacts.

However my ipad still has them all somehow. I've tried to toggle syncing my contacts off/on from my ipad and when prompted I chose to "merge" my ipad contacts to the cloud. After a new backup those lost contacts still don't show up in my iCloud account when I search for them on the web access.

Is there a way to force those contacts back into the cloud so they sync back to my phone?

Thanks in advance

iPhone 11 Pro, iOS 15

Posted on Sep 7, 2022 7:56 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

askbarnabas

Level 10

103,921 points

Sep 7, 2022 8:37 PM in response to Jason_Lsn

Contacts can sometimes become scattered or multiplied when syncing or when changing devices. To ensure that contacts are always correct, follow these few simple steps. These steps include a Mac but do not include the steps for a PC. These steps include the use of iCloud and do not require purchasing additional storage. Make sure you back up your devices regularly so you have a back up to restore from if needed and make sure that you are always using the latest software update available for every Apple device you are using.

If you are missing contacts because you recently deleted an email account, add it back until you perform these steps. If you are using iCloud you can also try going to iCloud.com>sign in>account settings>advanced>restore contacts>select from the list of "archive of contacts."

Step one

(Skip to step two if you do not own an iPhone/iPad)

On iPhone/iPad

Go to settings>mail>accounts>tap any account and turn on contacts (repeat for all accounts).
Go to settings>Apple ID (your name at the top>iCloud>iCloud backup - turn on and select "back up now."
Go back to settings>Apple ID>iCloud>turn contacts off - choose to keep on device. Do not turn it back on yet!
Go to settings>mail>accounts>tap any account except iCloud - turn off contacts (repeat for all accounts).
Go to settings>mail>accounts>tap iCloud - turn on contacts. Stop here on the iPhone until you perform the Mac steps.

Step two

(Skip to step three if you do not own a Mac)

On Mac

Go to system preferences>internet accounts>tap iCloud account - turn on contacts
Go to system preferences>internet accounts> are the contacts turned on for all accounts?
Go to system preferences>iCloud>contacts - uncheck that, and then check it again and it will ask to merge. This should force it to merge all the contacts you have for the Mac.
Go to system preferences>internet accounts>tap any account that is not iCloud - turn off contacts (repeat for all accounts).
Stop there and go to iCloud.com

Step three

On iCloud.com