Database Users

Phonebook Contacts keep disappearing

Hi guys, this is my first post but ive been lurking here for a while trying to learn more about my phone.
This is a bit long winded so please bare with me..
I bought this phone about a week ago from rogers wireless. It's locked to rogers and i updated the phone with the SE updater to the latest version they have. I bought the phone under my contract and then gave it to my wife (her old phone broke so i thought it would be nice to give her a new one)
She's now using her old simcard in the phone and other than the phonebook contacts keep disappearing, everything else works fine and all the txt msgs are intact.
1) whenever i switch sims from her's back to mine, the phonebook will be cleared.
2) today she told me that the phonebook cleared even though she didnt touch the simcard.
any idea as to why this is happening? she thinks the phone is defective i think its just something software. Im going to try and do a factory reset on the phone and setup the entire phone w/ her sim instead of mine (which is what i originally done) and then update again on SE updates.

Gmail sync
Hi
I've had the problem too. It turned out that the synchronization with Gmail was the culprit. The phone saw that a given contact was not in the contact list in Gmail and therefore deleted it from the phone instead of adding it to the Gmail contact list. The same goes for changes to contacts - if I change something on the phone, it disappears when the phone syncs. If I want to keep the changes, I have to make them in the Gmail list. I don't know how to change that behaviour.
- Martin

Martin5000 said:
Hi
I've had the problem too. It turned out that the synchronization with Gmail was the culprit. The phone saw that a given contact was not in the contact list in Gmail and therefore deleted it from the phone instead of adding it to the Gmail contact list. The same goes for changes to contacts - if I change something on the phone, it disappears when the phone syncs. If I want to keep the changes, I have to make them in the Gmail list. I don't know how to change that behaviour.
- Martin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that's just BS. I didn't sync with Gmail right at the start, so when I finally did it last weekend, I lost all of my 249 contacts. Luckily, I had them backed up on my old sim card, so I restored them, but all the contact pictures, facebook links etc were lost
Gmail sync fail

wow! thanks for solving the mystery Martin!
Any idea how i can either import all those contacts to gmail's contacts (other than manually inserting them.. )
Man it's so friggin annoying to have to restore my contact book every time the damn google sync does a check.

badhobz said:
wow! thanks for solving the mystery Martin!
Any idea how i can either import all those contacts to gmail's contacts (other than manually inserting them.. )
Man it's so friggin annoying to have to restore my contact book every time the damn google sync does a check.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could just turn off google sync

well it seems like ive turned off google sync and yet it still has this problem. I figure it might be attributed to her having to log into google accounts??? there is a message on the notification bar sometimes that asks her to log into her google account. Could that be it?
Every time it doesn't detect a password/or has the user logged in, will it purge all the contacts? Is there even a safe way of backing up the contacts on SD card and then transferring that file to my HD so i can reformat the phone for her?

[Q] Is it better to save contacts to phone or google?

Just wanted to know which was better and why. I have a samsung I9000
Thanks

well if you save to google, and then you get a new android phone your contacts are always there when you login to your google account from your phone. i always save to google

save it on google. If anything happens to your phone, you will not need to worry about losing your contacts. It'll always be there and it's easier to edit contact on Google anyways. This is also helpful if you switch roms a lot. You wont have to copy out your contact and copy it back in everytime.

With applications like Google Sync, I was able to take my contacts and import them into my old Blackberry. When switching to my Android phone the import of contacts was automagical.
Save it to Google, and then export from there into a csv file an additonal backup.

My only issue with saving to Google is you can't assign custom ringtones to non-phone based contacts =/
Anyone know if this is fixed in 2.2?

I've lost my iPhone couple weeks ago and thanks gods all my contacts were in clouds!
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

RadAway said:
My only issue with saving to Google is you can't assign custom ringtones to non-phone based contacts =/
Anyone know if this is fixed in 2.2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you want the ringtone for if it's not from a phone?
Another reason to like google vs phone ... It's damn convenient to add a contact on the web page as needed, especially if someone emails you the information and you can just copy&paste it.

I've used Google for mine ever since I bought the G1 when it came out. Come to think of it if I wouldn't have I'd probably not have all of my numbers.
Good stuff.

One question
I synced my contact to my Google account, and since it is syncing, if I accidentally deleted all my contact in the phone, it will probably delete the contact in my Google account too, right?
Or it can restore the backup?

tjhart85 said:
What do you want the ringtone for if it's not from a phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uh...I think the OP was referring to the difference between the Google contacts and the phone contacts. Meaning that you cannot set ringtones for Google (non-phone) contacts, not contacts without phone numbers.
Although, if there is one thing I really miss from when I initially switched from a Blackberry to the G1, two years ago, was being able to basically setup "filters" for incoming calls, emails and SMS, a customize how each filter was handled.

Emama said:
One question
I synced my contact to my Google account, and since it is syncing, if I accidentally deleted all my contact in the phone, it will probably delete the contact in my Google account too, right?
Or it can restore the backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Depends on the definition of "deleted"...
I don't think it is even possible to accidentally delete all of your contacts. They could be erased by some external means or memory failure, but the sync algorithm does not see that as a delete. A delete is selecting a contact and selecting "delete contact" from the context menu.

devcurious said:
Depends on the definition of "deleted"...
I don't think it is even possible to accidentally delete all of your contacts. They could be erased by some external means or memory failure, but the sync algorithm does not see that as a delete. A delete is selecting a contact and selecting "delete contact" from the context menu.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Accidentally Delete means someone press delete all on the phone..

The sync will not remove contact from google if you delete from phone. As for ring tone, we'll just need some dev to port stock android contact over. In stock android contact you can set ring tone for individual contact without having the contact on the phone.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Sounds like google is the way to go but how do I get my numbers in "groups" if its linked to google, such as doctors, freinds, family, work? I see that the google ones are a group themselves

Emama said:
One question
I synced my contact to my Google account, and since it is syncing, if I accidentally deleted all my contact in the phone, it will probably delete the contact in my Google account too, right?
Or it can restore the backup?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use backupify,com to backup your google contacts at certain intervals.
That's a nice option to have if you ever accidentally delete your contacts.

If you delete a google contact from your phone it WILL be deleted off of your account. It is a two way sync.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Does anybody know how to sync contacts that are saved on the phone to google?

mrsbelpit said:
Does anybody know how to sync contacts that are saved on the phone to google?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not directly.
There is no way to sync a phone contact to your Google contacts. You will have to create a separate Google contact.
I think a previous commenter gave the best advice to just use a ROM that has the vanilla android contact app. I think the TWIZ hybrid ROM has the vanilla contacts app.
I have the same complaint. I trying to hold off until there is a vanilla FroYo before using a custom ROM.

Does this mean that none of you are saving your contacts to your sim card?

DanRo80 said:
Does this mean that none of you are saving your contacts to your sim card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the least advanced way to save a contact because you can only have a name and number, that is all.
I use to save all contacts to sim with my old phones. As soon as I started using my google account I stopped saving to the sim. Mind you I've been with t-mobile for five years with the same sim.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Question on the How To's of changing phones

I got my first Android phone last year, and I've loved it. Obviously, hanging out in here, I'm looking at getting the Atrix. OK, I'm committed to it, damnit.
Anyway, question is this: When I pick up the Atrix...how do I get all my crap from my N1 to it? Apps, texts that I want to keep, game data, etc. Is this where we just run something like Titanium (which I *think* requires root) and just restore from that? I'm sure this is really simple and basic...but I've never had to change Android phones before.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
ETA: Are there options that don't require root? Assuming it could take a week or so for the Atrix to be rooted.

Requiring root. You can titanium backup your messages and game data to your sd card. When you get the atrix, put your sd card in it and restore the data using titanium.
Your apps/contacts/games will download automatically as soon as you log into the phone, assuming you have a google account and have everything set to sync automatically on your current phone.
As for a non-root method, I haven't looked into it.

Mike's Aria said:
Requiring root. You can titanium backup your messages and game data to your sd card. When you get the atrix, put your sd card in it and restore the data using titanium.
Your apps/contacts/games will download automatically as soon as you log into the phone, assuming you have a google account and have everything set to sync automatically on your current phone.
As for a non-root method, I haven't looked into it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You sure the apps and everything will download? The GF lost her Captivate, so I got her a new one, logged in, contacts downloaded...and that was it. Maybe I just haven't checked the setting to back up the apps as well? If not, I probably need to do that on my N1, though I've got that thing backed up ten ways from Sunday lol.
ETA: Appreciate the help, Mike.

App backup, if I recall correctly is enabled by default, but only available on 2.2+ builds. So that would be why the Captivate didn't come back. As for texts, SMS Backup & Restore works perfectly for me, and it doesn't require root.

dorsai3d said:
App backup, if I recall correctly is enabled by default, but only available on 2.2+ builds. So that would be why the Captivate didn't come back. As for texts, SMS Backup & Restore works perfectly for me, and it doesn't require root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! Appreciate that
Sent from my Sexy Nexy, courtesy of the fine developers of Tapatalk

If you use a messaging program like handcent, you can back up your SMS and MMS to be reloaded onto your new phone too. Save all your numbers to your google account too, and also consider moving all your apps and files to your external sd card.

ApplCobbler said:
If you use a messaging program like handcent, you can back up your SMS and MMS to be reloaded onto your new phone too. Save all your numbers to your google account too, and also consider moving all your apps and files to your external sd card.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Contacts and SMS aren't too big of a deal. I've got those covered a few different ways. I'm worried more about apps, app data, and various settings. If an app doesn't natively support being on the SD card, then one must run Apps2SD, which is cool. Except it's not, since we have no idea when the Atrix will be rooted. And then there's the issue of apps that AT&T *may* not allow. I'm not sure how those would be installed from the SD card, as per your recommendation, if AT&T elects to block non-market APK installs.
In short, I appreciate the reply and discussion. I could have thought through my initial question much better, as your reply has cause me to rethink a bit. Thanks mate.

Funny, I'm gonna go from an N1 to an Atrix as well. I know as far as contacts go, el goog will have them for me already. But I was wondering if using a csv(?) contact backup would be better? My google contacts aren't all right, my online gmail is missing some contacts that are on my phone. My main concern is getting all the extra stuff in contacts; email address, street address, birthdays, etc... Just wondering which would be better at transferring all that?

im in the original winmo boat. First time going to android. What if I sync with outlook, will android synch with outlook? Anybody?

sdlopez83 said:
im in the original winmo boat. First time going to android. What if I sync with outlook, will android synch with outlook? Anybody?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using an Exchange account with Outlook? Android will sync mail, calendar, and contacts with Exchange much more easily that trying to sync directly with Outlook.

stoli412 said:
Are you using an Exchange account with Outlook? Android will sync mail, calendar, and contacts with Exchange much more easily that trying to sync directly with Outlook.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using Outlook without Exchange on my home PC. Still checking different ways to sync phone and android. I have >5000 contacts from several associations I am in, and I am not sure if Gmail can handle those plus the supplemental info (spouses, birthdates, etc.).

[Q] Contacts don't sync by default?

I've been on Windows Mobile for years, but my wife has been using the Aria the last few months. I just updated her phone to the latest Stock ROM (trying to keep things simple), and I'm kind of shocked that after re-syncing it with her Gmail account, none of her contact synced! I have very little Android experience, but I kind of figured that, synced all this time to a Gmail account, her phone would have saved all of her contacts there, and not just on the device's internal memory.
Before installing the ROM, I backed up call logs and some apps with Astro, but I didn't think I'd need the Contacts or her email accounts, stuff like that. Did I just wipe her address book, or are they supposed to be saved somewhere out there?

You sure they were saved to Google's servers? Syncing only saves your contacts if they are linked to your GMail account. They won't save if you saved them to Phone or SIM (although they will still be saved on the SIM, unless that was wiped too).

jeebuz said:
You sure they were saved to Google's servers?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
At this point, I'm sure they weren't saved to Google's servers. I'm so surprised that Google, who automatically adds people to your Gmail contact list if you email them a few times, and tightly integrates the phone with a Gmail account, wouldn't automatically back up all phone contacts without specifically asking you to your Gmail account. My Windows Mobile phone contacts don't ask me if I want to save them to Exchange; they just do.
Since when does Microsoft "just work"? And Google doesn't?

blognc said:
At this point, I'm sure they weren't saved to Google's servers. I'm so surprised that Google, who automatically adds people to your Gmail contact list if you email them a few times, and tightly integrates the phone with a Gmail account, wouldn't automatically back up all phone contacts without specifically asking you to your Gmail account. My Windows Mobile phone contacts don't ask me if I want to save them to Exchange; they just do.
Since when does Microsoft "just work"? And Google doesn't?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you check her Google account to see if the contacts are saved there? If they are then you should still be able to sync them. If they're not then unless you did a nandroud they're gone. If you did a nandroid them you can just nandroid her current setup and restore the old nandroid, sync her contacts, and then reflash back to the current setup.
Sent from my cm7 Aria using XDA App

CallMeAria said:
Did you check her Google account to see if the contacts are saved there? If they are then you should still be able to sync them. If they're not then unless you did a nandroud they're gone. If you did a nandroid them you can just nandroid her current setup and restore the old nandroid, sync her contacts, and then reflash back to the current setup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They're definitely not in her Google Account. And I installed the latest Stock ROM, which I'm told cannot be rolled back, unless someone's cracked that yet.

blognc said:
They're definitely not in her Google Account. And I installed the latest Stock ROM, which I'm told cannot be rolled back, unless someone's cracked that yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yea, no you're stuck then. I misunderstood, i thought you meant stock as in Liberated.
Sent from my cm7 Aria using XDA App

[Q] New to Android World

Hi ...am about to receive my first android device ..NEXUS 4 (moving from nokia 5233) . Can anyone point me how can i get my gmail account ready so that I will have all the phone numbers and images associated with the contacts on the NEXUS on day one.
I have downloaded all the contacts from my phone. I was wondering if there was some software which will pull down all the information(email, birthday, photo) from the facebook and gmail to my system so that i can review and prepare them for the NEXUS 4.
Any other thing which I can do before it arrives will be great. :silly:

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#contacts
You may add, import/export them there. From that point on, a Android device will sync with Google Contacts and sync them.
Facebook.. download FB app and u can sync it with FB (cant do it off the phone)
Apps: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1992163 good list to work off of to prepare what you want in terms of apps.
Want to root? Check out a sticky on how to do it (please dont use the toolkit method).
I suggest fastboot oem unlock (unlocking bootloader) day one. So if you do decide to root or flash a custom rom, kernel you can keep your settings. Whereas, if you decide not to unlock bootloader and want to flash--you will lose your settings and have to start over.
Recommended app if you want to play with your phone; Titanium Backup Pro (backup and restores apps/data)

First steps...
edge12345 said:
Hi ...am about to receive my first android device ..NEXUS 4 (moving from nokia 5233) . Can anyone point me how can i get my gmail account ready so that I will have all the phone numbers and images associated with the contacts on the NEXUS on day one.
I have downloaded all the contacts from my phone. I was wondering if there was some software which will pull down all the information(email, birthday, photo) from the facebook and gmail to my system so that i can review and prepare them for the NEXUS 4.
Any other thing which I can do before it arrives will be great. :silly:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are currently using GMail to manage all of your contacts, you transition will be a snap. Since an Android device is so intimately linked with Google, all of that information will show up natively, assuming you sign into the same GMail account with the new phone.
Otherwise, if all of your contacts are in a different format, such as a CSV file or another contact file format, you will likely want to import them to your Google account using your PC, instead of your phone. Signing into Gmail will allow you to access a Contacts section where you will be able to upload a file to import all of your contact to your Google account. The Contacts section is a bit hidden; it is within a drop down menu, near the top left of the page, just under the GMail logo.
Good luck!

zephiK said:
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#contacts
You may add, import/export them there. From that point on, a Android device will sync with Google Contacts and sync them.
Facebook.. download FB app and u can sync it with FB (cant do it off the phone)
Apps: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1992163 good list to work off of to prepare what you want in terms of apps.
Want to root? Check out a sticky on how to do it (please dont use the toolkit method).
I suggest fastboot oem unlock (unlocking bootloader) day one. So if you do decide to root or flash a custom rom, kernel you can keep your settings. Whereas, if you decide not to unlock bootloader and want to flash--you will lose your settings and have to start over.
Recommended app if you want to play with your phone; Titanium Backup Pro (backup and restores apps/data)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have all the contacts listed in my google contacts but most of them dont have phone numbers associated with it. I have merged the contacts which were on my mobile.
Is there anyway i can pull phone numbers from facebook page along with their pictures so that i can save them to my gmail account. I know most my contacts will have their phone numbers in Facebook page .
is there some kind of scrapper so that I can at least get my close friends pics and numbers

edge12345 said:
I have all the contacts listed in my google contacts but most of them dont have phone numbers associated with it. I have merged the contacts which were on my mobile.
Is there anyway i can pull phone numbers from facebook page along with their pictures so that i can save them to my gmail account. I know most my contacts will have their phone numbers in Facebook page .
is there some kind of scrapper so that I can at least get my close friends pics and numbers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What your asking for like I said before is syncing your contacts with Facebook, it is done through the face book app. It cannot be done without you having access to a Android device
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

I suggest using haxsync to sync your Facebook contacts. It has way more options and customizations than the normal Facebook app and also supports Facebook calendar syncing.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.mots.haxsync
Sent from my Paranoid Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 2