Can I Restore Deleted Contacts on My Samsung Galaxy S25/Ultra/Edge/Plus?

Modern smartphones like the Galaxy S25, S25 Ultra, S25 Plus, and S25 Edge are packed with features – but even these powerhouses aren’t immune to data loss. Users often lose contacts on their new S25 series phones due to simple mistakes or technical issues. For example, an accidental deletion during contact management, turning off contact syncing by mistake, or syncing with multiple devices can erase numbers. System updates or resets (factory or software resets) can also wipe contacts if they weren’t backed up properly. Sometimes, toggling the wrong sync setting or switching Google/Samsung accounts causes contacts to disappear. In some cases, malware or a malfunctioning app can corrupt contact data. Storage location matters too: if contacts were saved only on the SIM card or local phone storage (instead of in a cloud account), a factory reset or SIM change can delete them. 

Recovering deleted contacts isn’t always straightforward. Once a contact is deleted on Android, it may remain hidden for a short time (e.g. in a “Trash” folder), but if too much time passes or you flush the recycle bin, those entries can be hard to find. Contact data is usually in protected system areas, so pulling them out often requires special tools or backups. There’s also the risk that deleted contacts get overwritten by new data if too long has passed. In short, recovering lost contacts depends heavily on backups or syncs that were in place. Fortunately, if your Galaxy was syncing contacts with an account or if you have backups, there are practical ways to restore your address book. 

Samsung’s own guidance reminds us that the key to recovering lost contacts is to restore from a backup or sync service. By default, Android phones like the Galaxy S25 often sync contacts to a Google account, and Samsung devices can sync to Samsung Cloud. Let’s explore the best methods step by step to get those contacts back. We’ll cover solutions using cloud sync (Google and Samsung), device features (the Contacts “Recycle Bin”), Samsung’s Smart Switch backup tool, and specialized recovery software (iDATAPP’s Android Data Recovery). Each method includes detailed steps and example screenshots to guide you. 

Don’t panic if you lose your contacts – there are multiple ways to get them back on your Galaxy S25/Ultra/Plus/Edge.

Why Contacts Get Lost on the Galaxy S25 Series?

On the Samsung Galaxy S25 series, contacts can vanish in several common ways:

accidental deletion in the Contacts app, a factory reset without backup, turning off sync by mistake, a faulty system update, or switching accounts. For instance, if you delete a contact on one device that’s synced to Google, that deletion will propagate to all devices sharing the same Google account. Likewise, overwriting settings (like disabling Google or Samsung contact sync) can wipe out entries. In rarer cases, malware or a crashed contacts app can erase data. 

Another scenario: migrating data or using Samsung Smart Switch without proper backup settings can result in missing entries. A Samsung support article notes that preventing contact loss is all about regular backups and syncing. Indeed, if you’ve enabled Google or Samsung account sync, deleted contacts often remain recoverable through those services. But if contacts were stored only on the phone or SIM, or if sync was off, recovery gets harder. 

Given these pitfalls, the challenge is that without a backup, deleted contacts might not be stored anywhere accessible. Android doesn’t keep an unlimited “undo” buffer by default; after 30 days (for Google) or 15 days (for Samsung’s trash), the data may be gone for good unless specialized recovery is used. However, the good news is that Google Contacts and Samsung Cloud have built-in safeguards: deleted contacts go to a trash folder for a limited time (30 days in Google Contacts, 15 days in Samsung’s Recycle Bin). We’ll leverage these features next.

Way 1: Use iDATAPP Android Data Recovery to Restore Your Lost Contacts

If none of the above methods work (for example, if you didn’t use Google sync or backups), a last resort is to use a specialized recovery tool on your computer. iDATAPP Android Data Recovery is one such utility designed to scan your Galaxy’s storage for deleted data, including contacts. It can find “lost” contacts even without a prior backup, provided they haven’t been completely overwritten. 

Android Data Recovery

Recover Deleted/Lost Files from All Android Phone Devices.

Free Download Free Download Learn more

Important: Recovery tools require you to connect your S25 to a PC and enable USB Debugging on the phone. This grants the software deep access. Use this method only if you’re comfortable with these steps, and note that success isn’t guaranteed if new data has replaced the deleted contacts.

Step 1: Download and Install

On your computer, download iDATAPP Android Data Recovery from and install it.

Step 2: Enable USB Debugging

On the Galaxy S25, go to Settings > About phone > Software information and tap “Build number” seven times to enable Developer options. Then, go back to Settings > Developer options and turn on USB debugging.

Step 3: Connect Your Phone

Use a USB cable to plug your S25 into the PC. Launch the iDATAPP recovery program.

Step 4: Scan for Contacts

In the software interface, choose “Android Data Recovery” (or similar). The program will detect your device. Select “Contacts” (and any other data you need) and click  “Scan”. Let it run; this may take several minutes as it searches memory.

Step 5: Preview and Recover

When the scan completes, the tool should list recoverable items. Go to Contacts category, preview the entries it found, and check the ones you want to restore. Click “Recover”, and choose a location on your PC to save them. The contacts will be exported (often as a VCF or CSV file) which you can then import back to your phone.

Professional data-recovery software (like iDATAPP’s Android Data Recovery) can scan your Galaxy S25’s internal memory for deleted contacts. After scanning, it lets you preview and recover found contacts. 

Android Data Recovery

Recover Deleted/Lost Files from All Android Phone Devices.

Free Download Free Download Learn more

Be careful to follow the program’s instructions exactly. Also, don’t install or update many apps on your phone after realizing contacts are lost – this could overwrite the deleted data. iDATAPP is one example of a proprietary recovery tool; others exist too. These tools are most effective when used soon after deletion, before the phone’s storage changes much.

Way 2: Recover Samsung S25 Contacts via Google Account Sync

Most Galaxy users have their contacts synced to a Google account. If you did, Google Contacts likely holds your deleted entries in its Trash for up to 30 days. You can restore them easily:

Step 1: Check Google Sync

On your S25, go to Settings > Accounts and backup > Accounts > Google and tap your account. Make sure Contacts sync is enabled. If it’s off, turn it on and allow it to finish syncing.

Step 2: Open Google Contacts

On a computer (or phone browser), go to contacts.google.com and log in with the same Google account synced to your S25. Alternatively, open the Contacts app on another Android device linked to that Google account.

Step 3: Restore from Trash

• In Google Contacts on the web, click “Trash” on the left menu. You’ll see contacts deleted in the last 30 days.
• Check the boxes next to the contacts you want to recover, then click “Restore”. This immediately returns them to your active contacts.

Step 4: Undo Bulk Changes (optional)

If you need to recover multiple contacts or undo a batch deletion, click the gear Settings icon in Google Contacts and select “Undo changes”. Choose a timeframe (e.g. “10 days ago” or “1 month ago”) when your contacts were intact and confirm. Google will roll back your entire contact list to that date.

Step 5: Resync Your Phone

After restoring in Google Contacts, go back to your phone and sync contacts again (Settings > Accounts > Google > Sync contacts). The restored contacts will download to your Galaxy.

Recovering from Google sync is powerful – it’s why keeping Google sync enabled is so important. As one Samsung article notes, Google Contacts lets you move deleted entries out of Trash and undo changes if needed. This method has saved many Galaxy users from permanent loss.

Way 3: Restore Samsung S25 Contacts from Samsung Cloud

If you used your Samsung account on the S25, Samsung Cloud may have backed up your contacts (especially if you set up a daily or weekly backup). Samsung’s support steps are straightforward:

Step 1: Sign in to Samsung Cloud

On your S25, open Settings. Tap “Samsung Account” (or “Accounts and backup > Samsung Cloud” depending on your software version).

Step 2: Go to Restore Data

In Samsung Cloud, find and tap “Restore data”. It will ask which device backup you want to use if you have multiple Galaxy devices linked.

Step 3: Select Contacts

Choose the latest backup that contains your contacts (it may be dated). Then check “Contacts” from the list of data types.

Step 4: Start Restore

Tap “Restore” and wait. Samsung Cloud will download the backed-up contacts to your S25. Once done, open your Contacts app and verify the numbers reappear.

This method assumes you had a backup before the contacts were deleted. As Samsung’s official guide explains, you first had to back up to Samsung Cloud (via Settings > Samsung Account > Samsung Cloud > Back up) and then you can restore from that backup. If you routinely backed up your S25, this is a no-fuss solution. Otherwise, it serves as a reminder to enable Samsung Cloud backup for contacts (though note: newer Samsung models have shifted photo backup to Microsoft OneDrive, contacts syncing to Google, etc.). If you see no contacts after restore, double-check you signed in to the correct Samsung account.

Way 4: Check the Contacts “Recycle Bin” on Your Samsung S25

Modern Samsung phones include a built-in Trash (Recycle Bin) in the Contacts app that holds deleted contacts for a limited time (up to 15 days by default). If you accidentally deleted a contact on your S25, try this:

Step 1: Open Contacts App

Launch the Samsung Contacts app on your S25.

Step 2: Access Recycle Bin

Tap the menu icon (three dots or lines, usually top-right) and look for “Recycle bin” or “Trash”. (If you see “Trash” or “Recycle bin,” select it. Some phones label it “Deleted contacts.”)

Step 3: Select and Restore

Inside the Recycle Bin, you’ll see contacts deleted within the last 15 days. Tap “Edit” (if prompted), then check the contacts you want back. Finally, tap “Restore” (or “Restore all”) to move them back into your main contacts list.

Many Samsung Galaxy phones (including the S25 series) have a Recycle Bin in Contacts. Deleted contacts sit there (for about 15 days) and can be selected and restored.

For example, Samsung’s documentation explains: “Navigate to ‘Contacts’ app > More > recycle bin > Edit > select contacts > click ‘Restore all’.”. This is a quick fix if you notice a contact is gone. Note that once the 15-day window closes, contacts disappear permanently from the bin – so check this method soon after the mistake. If you find this option missing, ensure your Contacts app is up to date; otherwise, move on to the next methods.

Way 5: Restore Samsung S25 Contacts Using Samsung Smart Switch

Samsung’s Smart Switch software (for Windows/Mac) can restore contacts if you’ve backed up your phone to a computer or external storage. This is essentially a full-device backup/restore, but you can choose to restore only contacts if needed. Here’s how:

Step 1: Install Smart Switch

On your computer, download and install Samsung Smart Switch from Samsung’s website if you haven’t already.

Step 2: Connect Your S25

Use a USB cable to connect the Galaxy S25 (or Ultra/Plus/Edge) to the computer. Unlock your phone and tap “Allow” if prompted to trust the PC.

Step 3: Open Smart Switch and Restore

Launch Smart Switch on the computer. Click the “Restore” button. Smart Switch will list available backups (internal or external) that match your device.

Step 4: Choose Backup & Contacts

Select the backup you want (often by date). Then, choose Contacts (and any other data you wish) to restore. You may select “Contacts” specifically, or choose the entire backup.

Step 5: Start Restoration

Click “OK” or “Restore” in Smart Switch. The software will copy contacts (and other data if chosen) back to your phone. When it’s complete, disconnect safely.

This method works only if you previously backed up your S25 using Smart Switch. It’s very reliable because it restores from a known good copy. Samsung’s instructions confirm this approach: connect your phone to the PC, open Smart Switch, click Restore, and pick the backup and data types you want. If you don’t have a Smart Switch backup, you might create one now for future safety.

Additional Tips & Preventive Practices

Once you’ve restored your contacts, it’s wise to prevent future losses. Here are some extra insights and best practices:

1. Enable Automatic Sync/Backup: On your S25, turn on automatic contact backup. For Google, go to Settings > Google > Backup, and enable “Back up to Google Drive” and make sure Contacts are selected. For Samsung, in Settings > Samsung Account > Samsung Cloud ensure Contacts is being synced or backed up. Regular backups (daily/weekly) mean you won’t lose much if something happens.

2. Be Careful with Sync Across Devices: If you use the same Google account on multiple phones or tablets, turning contact sync off on one device can delete contacts everywhere. Samsung warns that sync across devices can cause accidental deletions, but those contacts can be recovered within 30 days. To avoid issues, only disable sync when you intend to, and consider exporting contacts before making major account changes.

3. Use the Contacts “Trash” Mindfully: Remember that both Google Contacts and Samsung’s Contacts app have trash folders. Google holds deleted contacts for 30 days, Samsung holds them for about 15 days. Don’t wait longer than these periods to try recovery.

4. Regular Exports: For extra safety, periodically export your contacts to a file. In the Contacts app, tap Menu > Manage contacts > Export to save a VCF file to your phone or SD card. Store this file in cloud storage or on your PC. In a pinch, you can import it back.

5. Check SIM and Device Storage: Sometimes contacts are saved on the SIM or phone memory separately. If you lose contacts, try re-inserting your SIM card and checking Contacts > Manage contacts > Import from SIM card or internal storage.

6. Be Aware of Samsung Cloud Changes: Note that Samsung has been shifting many backup services (especially photo backup) to OneDrive. While the S25 still supports contacts backup via Samsung Cloud, it’s wise to also rely on Google for contacts, as it’s consistent across devices.

7. Update Carefully: System updates rarely cause data loss, but always back up important data (like contacts) before a major Android update or factory reset.

By syncing and backing up regularly, you minimize the risk of losing contacts again. Think of syncing like insurance: if one service fails, the other can cover.

Summary

Losing contacts on a Galaxy S25/Ultra/Edge/Plus can be distressing, but it’s often not permanent. Start by checking any cloud sync you have: Google Contacts or Samsung Cloud backups can restore entries easily. Next, look in the phone’s built-in Recycle Bin (Trash) for contacts deleted within the last days. If you had backed up your phone with Smart Switch, you can also retrieve contacts from there. As a last resort, data-recovery software like iDATAPP’s can scan for deleted contacts and restore them to a file. Along the way, take preventive steps: keep contact syncing on, export regular backups, and remember the 15–30 day trash windows for recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions