Recover .VCF Files Lost Due to Accidental Deletion from a Mac

Have files been deleted due to a user’s error or software error? Have you formatted a disk by accident and need to know how to recover the files? Read our .VCF file recovery guide for Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS in 2024.

Recover .VCF Files Lost Due to Accidental Deletion from a Mac

What is a .VCF file?

A VCF file is a standard file format for storing contact information for a person or business. It typically includes a name, address, phone number, email address, and other contact information. VCF files also support custom fields, images, and other types of media.

What Are Common Causes of ".VCF" Files Lost or Failure?

There are several common causes of ".VCF" (Virtual Contact File) files lost or failure:

  1. Accidental deletion: Users may accidentally delete ".VCF" files while organizing or cleaning up their contacts.
  2. File system corruption: Issues with the file system, such as disk errors or improper shutdowns, can cause ".VCF" files to become inaccessible or corrupted.
  3. Virus or malware attack: Malicious software can infect and delete or corrupt ".VCF" files, making them unreadable.
  4. Software or hardware malfunction: Problems with the device or software used to manage ".VCF" files, such as a crash or compatibility issue, can result in data loss.
  5. Formatting or partitioning errors: Mistakes made during formatting or partitioning a storage device can lead to the loss of ".VCF" files.
  6. Synchronization errors: If there are synchronization issues between different devices or platforms, it can result in the loss or failure of ".VCF" files.
  7. Human error: Accidental overwriting, improper handling, or other mistakes made by users can cause ".VCF" files to be lost or become unusable.
  8. Storage media failure: Physical damage to the storage device where ".VCF" files are stored, such as a hard drive failure or memory card corruption, can lead to data loss.

It is important to regularly backup ".VCF" files to prevent their loss and use reliable data recovery methods if they are accidentally deleted or become inaccessible.

How to recover lost ".VCF" files?

Sometimes while working with a computer, laptop or other stationary or mobile devices, you may encounter various bugs, freezes, hardware or software failures, even in spite of regular updates and junk cleaning. As a result, an important ".VCF" file may be deleted.

Go to view
🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

🧺 How to Recover Files and Folders After Sending Them to the Recycle Bin and Deleting? (Windows 11)

By no means should you think that the only way to recover a ".VCF" file is always to create it once more.

Use programs for recovering ".VCF" files if a file was lost after accidental or deliberate deleting, formatting the memory card or the internal storage, cleaning the storage device, after a virus attack or a system failure.

Programs to recover ".VCF" files

Looking for a way to get files back? In cases when files were deleted and they cannot be restored by using standard operating system tools, use Hetman Partition Recovery.

Partition Recovery™ 4.9
The tool recovers data from any devices, regardless of the cause of data loss.
Download

Follow the directions below:

  1. Download Hetman Partition Recovery, install and start the program.

  2. The program will automatically scan the computer and display all hard disks and removable drives connected to it, as well as physical and local disks.

    File Recovery Software
  3. Double-click on the disk from which you need to recover ".VCF" files, and select analysis type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Analysis Type
  4. When the scanning is over, you will be shown the files for recovery.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Files that Can be Restored
  5. To find a file you need, use the program’s interface to open the folder it was deleted from, or go to the folder "Content-Aware Analysis" and select the required file type.

    Hetman Partition Recovery - Deep Scan
  6. Select the files you have been looking for and click "Recovery".

    File Recovery Software - Files List for Recovery
  7. Choose one of the methods for saving the files and recover them.

    Saving recovered files in Hetman Partition Recovery

How to open file with ".VCF" extension?

Looking for how to open a stereo vCard File image file file?

Programs that open ".VCF" files

Windows
Microsoft Windows Contacts Microsoft Windows Contacts
Microsoft Outlook 2019 Microsoft Outlook 2019
Microsoft Outlook Express Microsoft Outlook Express
Palm Desktop Palm Desktop
Beiley Handy Address Book Beiley Handy Address Book
Fonlow IT Open Contacts Fonlow IT Open Contacts
vCardOrganizer vCardOrganizer
Nokia PC Suite Nokia PC Suite
Mac
Apple Contacts Apple Contacts
Microsoft Outlook 2016 Microsoft Outlook 2016
Palm Desktop Palm Desktop
vCardExplorer vCardExplorer
Web
FreshBooks FreshBooks
Android
AndroLd Contacts VCF AndroLd Contacts VCF

Additional Information

  • File type: vCard File

  • File extension: .VCF

  • Developer: Невідомо

  • Category: Data Files

  • Format: Text and Binary

  • HEX: 42 45 47 49 4E 3A

  • ASCII: BEGIN:

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Comments (1)

  • Hetman Software: Data Recovery
    Hetman Software: Data Recovery 18.12.2019 12:02 #
    Leave a comment if you have any questions about Recovering lost .VCF files after deleting, cleaning or formatting!
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Vladimir Artiukh

Author: Vladimir Artiukh, Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: Oleg Afonin, Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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Questions and answers

  • What are some common reasons for encountering problems when opening .VCF files, and how can they be fixed?

    Some common reasons for encountering problems when opening .VCF files include:

    1. Incompatible software: If you are trying to open a .VCF file with software that does not support this format, you may encounter issues. Ensure that you are using a compatible application.
    2. Corrupted file: If the .VCF file is corrupted or damaged, it may not open properly. This can happen due to transmission errors, storage issues, or other factors. Try obtaining the file again from a reliable source.
    3. File association errors: If your computer does not have the correct file association for .VCF files, it may not know which program to use to open them. You can fix this by manually setting the file association or using the "Open With" option to choose the appropriate software.
    4. Outdated software version: If you are using an outdated version of the software that supports .VCF files, it may have compatibility issues. Update the software to the latest version to ensure proper file opening.
    5. Insufficient permissions: If you do not have sufficient permissions to access or open the .VCF file, you may encounter problems. Ensure that you have the necessary rights to access the file.
    6. Large file size: Very large .VCF files may take longer to open or may cause performance issues. If you experience problems with large files, consider splitting them into smaller, more manageable parts.

    To fix these issues:

    1. Ensure you have a compatible software application capable of opening .VCF files. If not, install one that supports this format.
    2. Try obtaining the .VCF file from a different source to check if the issue is with the file itself.
    3. Set the correct file association for .VCF files. Right-click on the file, select "Open With," and choose the appropriate software. You can also set the default program for opening .VCF files in the system settings.
    4. Update the software you are using to the latest version to ensure compatibility with .VCF files.
    5. Ensure you have the necessary permissions to access and open the .VCF file. If not, contact the file owner or system administrator to grant the required permissions.
    6. If dealing with large .VCF files, consider splitting them into smaller parts using software specifically designed for this purpose.

    If none of these solutions work, the .VCF file itself may be severely corrupted or damaged, and it may be challenging to recover the data. In such cases, you may need to seek professional help or try specialized file recovery tools.

  • Are there any specific software or tools that can help resolve issues with opening .VCF files?

    Yes, there are several software and tools available that can help resolve issues with opening .VCF (vCard) files. Some of them include:

    1. Microsoft Outlook: It is a popular email client that can open and import vCard files. Simply double-click on the .VCF file, and it will open in Outlook, allowing you to view and save the contact information.
    2. Google Contacts: If you use Google Contacts, you can import .VCF files directly into your contacts. Open Google Contacts, click on "Import" in the left sidebar, and select the .VCF file to import the contacts.
    3. vCard Viewer: There are various vCard viewer tools available online that allow you to open and view .VCF files without any issues. These tools provide a simple interface to browse and access the contact information within the vCard file.
    4. vCard to CSV Converter: If you are having trouble opening .VCF files, you can convert them to CSV (Comma-Separated Values) format using vCard to CSV converter tools. Once converted, you can open the CSV file in spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
    5. Third-party Contact Managers: There are several contact management software available that can help you open and manage .VCF files. Examples include Contacts+ (for Windows and Android), ContactsMate (for Mac), and AkrutoSync (for syncing vCard files with different devices).

    It's important to note that the availability and effectiveness of these tools may vary based on your operating system and specific requirements.

  • What are some troubleshooting steps that can be taken to address problems with opening .VCF files on different operating systems or devices?
    1. Update the operating system: Ensure that the operating system on the device is up to date. Sometimes, outdated software can cause compatibility issues with certain file types.
    2. Use a different application: Try opening the .VCF file using a different application or program. There are various applications available for different operating systems that can open .VCF files, such as Microsoft Outlook, Apple Contacts, or Google Contacts.
    3. Check file associations: Make sure that the .VCF file type is associated with the correct program on the device. To do this, go to the file properties or settings and check the default program associated with .VCF files. If it is incorrect, change it to the appropriate program.
    4. Convert the file: If the .VCF file is not opening on a specific device or operating system, try converting it to a different format, such as .CSV (Comma Separated Values) or .XLS (Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet). There are online file conversion tools available that can convert .VCF files to other formats.
    5. Check file integrity: Verify that the .VCF file is not corrupted or damaged. Try opening the file on a different device or operating system to see if it works. If it does, then the problem may lie with the original device or operating system.
    6. Scan for malware: Run a virus scan on the device to ensure that there are no malicious files or software interfering with the opening of .VCF files.
    7. Check for file size limitations: Some devices or applications may have limitations on the size of files they can handle. If the .VCF file is too large, it may not open properly. In such cases, try splitting the .VCF file into smaller parts or compressing it before opening.
    8. Seek technical support: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it may be helpful to reach out to technical support for the specific device, operating system, or application being used. They may have additional troubleshooting steps or specific recommendations for opening .VCF files.
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