Sync iPhone

Whatever you attempt with your iPhone Contacts synchronization experiments, it's definitely a good idea to Backup iPhone Contacts to PC first

Indeed, every situation is different and even the most proven procedures can fail due to specific configurations

Accidental iPhone Contacts deletions are not uncommon, they are actually quite frequent, for example during synchronizations with Outlook or Gmail, and always regrettable and disastrous

Hereafter is the most standard procedure on How to Backup iPhone Contacts to Computer

Backup iPhone Contacts

• Open iTunes and connect your iPhone
• Go to Start -> Programs -> Accessories and open the Address Book
• In iTunes, click your iPhone in the "Devices" section on the left, then click the "Info" tab
• In "Contacts", check "Sync Contacts with" and select "Windows Address Book"
• Select "All Contacts"
• Finally, click "Sync" in iTunes lower-right corner
  You will be asked whether to Merge or Replace
  Make sure to select "MERGE", otherwise Contacts on your iPhone would be deleted

All your iPhone Contacts should now be safely backed up in your Windows Address Book

( Note that from then on, any contact added to your iPhone will automatically be added to your Windows Address Book and the other way around )

Pretty neat, huh !

At this point, you can also sync iPhone Contacts with Gmail or Yahoo!

For even more safety, you can Backup Windows Address Book Contacts to a .CSV file ( that doubles security, which is never a bad idea when it comes to protecting such precious information as your iPhone Contacts )

• In Address Book, go to File -> Export and click Address Book ( WAB )
• Locate and select the Windows Address Book file you wish to export to and hit the "Open" button

Save this .CSV file to a safe place such as a USB Flash drive and / or an external hard drive

You can even send it to yourself as an attachment to an email

Notes & possible issues

Once done with the above tutorial, you can proceed to

• Sync iPhone Contacts with Outlook
• Sync iPhone Contacts with Gmail

All your iPhone Contacts got deleted by an unwanted synchronization with Outlook or Gmail ?

They might not be lost forever

Let's try to Recover iPhone Contacts

Restore iPhone Deleted Contacts

• In iTunes left panel, right-click on your iPhone in the "Devices" section and select "Restore from Backup"

It might allow you to Retrieve iPhone erased Contacts, if it doesn't, then we are out of hints

Good Luck !

Notes & possible issues

• This solution works for both Mac and PC