Sync deletes contacts on the iPhone

I am a fairly well-experienced Apple user but cannot - for the life of me - figure out why contacts I put into my iPhone 4 get wiped out when I perform a sync. Even my own name has been randomly removed in past syncs.
So, let's assume that the following factors are true:
in iTunes (10.6.1), under Info, and Advanced - I do NOT have "Replace information on this iPhone" checked, it is completely empty.
I have not deleted any contacts on the computer in ANY program (Outlook, Address Book, etc.)
I am using the most current versions of the applications and OS (iOS 5.1.1, MacOS 10.7.3)
I have tried completely erasing and restoring my iPhone.
To others' comments, the iTunes "Sync" is not syncing at all - it is erasing, not overwriting from another data source.
Nothing I put into the iPhone gets "sync'd" up to the host Macbook Pro. Further, "synchronization" should imply a two-way synchronization, not one-way.
I have checked every preference in every application I can imagine with no success. Somewhere, there is an instruction during sync that is deleting some contacts and I cannot even figure out how it selects the ones to delete.
Arghhhhh!
A little help please.

Dexter, I see your disgust and argh and raise you some humancenipad "fuel". Apple has lost it. This from an original Macintosh user, loyal all the way thru until recently. My address book and iphone are completely failed. I have done the 20-some step process of starting over, deleting deeply into the library folders, and it does not work. There is no rhyme nor reason to what it keeps and what it deletes. None of this stuff "works.": And the censor at apple (or the algorithm programmer) can kiss my gluteals for their lovely "terms and conditions."
Their stuff does not work if you have been using Apple a long time, through multiple devices and OS's, and you actually know how to use a computer. I guess I will be driving down to the shops for a paper address book.
Oh, to be back in the early aughties with my Now Contact and Now Up-to-Date, syncing through my whole world. And, I hope this doesn't get deleted in their totalitarian zombiedom and you actually see that someone who knew what you were talking about, Dexter, had the balls to reply on apple's "forum" with the truth. Be well. Kim in Sydney

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I have an iPhone 4s that i have been using and have alot of new contacts, on my itunes i have registered an old iphone that i dont use i want to sync my contacts from the iPhone 4s but i cannot get past the page where it introduces you to your new iPhone

I have an iPhone 4s that i have been using and have alot of new contacts, on my itunes i have registered an old iphone that i dont use i want to sync my contacts from the iPhone 4s but i cannot get past the page where it introduces you to your new iPhone

When you see the old number come up in the suggested choices look for a blue arrow to the right of the Contact. Tap the blue arrow and then tap Remove from Recents.

HT201269 How can i sync my contacts from the iPhone to my mac pro?

Hi
I am trying to sync my contacts on my IPhone to the mac pro but it seems not work.
Any one faced this issue and solved, Please advice.
Regards

If you want your contacts to remain in sync across iOS devices, then you can use any Exchange-type of account. For example, once you have a "clean" set of contacts with no duplicates, you could upload that into iCloud so that any change you make from your iPad would be reflected on your iPhone. You don't have to use iCloud for e-mail since your devices can pull a contact from iCloud for use with GMail or Yahoo.
But you can also set GMail up as an Exchange account if you don't want to use iCloud. The GMail account type in iOS is not Exchange, but you can set it up that way:
http://support.google.com/mobile/bin/answer.py?l=en&topic=14252&answer=138740
The benefit of doing this is (a) your Google contacts remain in sync across all your devices, and (b) your GMail will then support Push notification. Just one caveat, when you do this then the default behavior when you delete an e-mail is such that it is archived to your "All Mail" folder in GMail. The only way to change this behavior is to use your device's Safari to navigate to m.google.com/sync and change the setting on Google's server for each of your devices. This is a one-time thing, but important if you want trashed e-mails to really go to Trash.
As far as Contact Management Software options to clean things up, Google search is the only recommendation I have

How to sync MobileMe contacts from the iPhone?

Hello,
Initially, I had the same contacts database on MobileMe and on my iPhone.
Both contacts lists originated from my Mac Address Book.
Syncing was not switched on - I simply forgot about it.
Since then, many additional contacts have been added to the data on my iPhone - that's where I casually enter new contacts during the day, not my computer.
Now I realize, I would need to sync my enlarged contacts data from my iPhone to MobileMe.
Or, back to my Mac Address Book.
When I want to switch on syncing, my iPhone says "Syncing with MobileMe will remove your existing contacts from your iPhone".
This is not good!
I want it just the other way around: MobileMe should be overwritten with the iPhone data!
Is this syncing a one-way street? It can not be...
Could anybody please help, how I can solve this?
Thankyou.

When first turning on over the air syncing for contact information on your iPhone, it is in one direction only - from what is available at MobileMe to your iPhone. Afterwards, the sync process is bidirectional.
Sync your iPhone with the Address Book on your Mac via the iTunes sync process. Then sync the Address Book on your Mac with MobileMe. Make sure the Address Book on your Mac has been synced with MobileMe before turning on over the air syncing for contact information with MobileMe on your iPhone. Leave it on and any contact information entered on your iPhone will be synced with MobileMe and vice-versa from then on.

How can I sync my contacts from the iPhone to google contacts while checking for duplicates?

I have been using Outlook to sync contacts and it works well. Now I would like to get rid of Outlook and put the contacts that I have into my gmail and Yahoo contact accounts and keep all 3 in sync. When I do it the first time, I'd like to be able to check for duplicates. Is there a way to do this?

If you want your contacts to remain in sync across iOS devices, then you can use any Exchange-type of account. For example, once you have a "clean" set of contacts with no duplicates, you could upload that into iCloud so that any change you make from your iPad would be reflected on your iPhone. You don't have to use iCloud for e-mail since your devices can pull a contact from iCloud for use with GMail or Yahoo.
But you can also set GMail up as an Exchange account if you don't want to use iCloud. The GMail account type in iOS is not Exchange, but you can set it up that way:
http://support.google.com/mobile/bin/answer.py?l=en&topic=14252&answer=138740
The benefit of doing this is (a) your Google contacts remain in sync across all your devices, and (b) your GMail will then support Push notification. Just one caveat, when you do this then the default behavior when you delete an e-mail is such that it is archived to your "All Mail" folder in GMail. The only way to change this behavior is to use your device's Safari to navigate to m.google.com/sync and change the setting on Google's server for each of your devices. This is a one-time thing, but important if you want trashed e-mails to really go to Trash.
As far as Contact Management Software options to clean things up, Google search is the only recommendation I have

During sync, new contacts on my iphone are deleted. The option in iTunes to replace contacts on my iphone is not selected. Is there a way to merge info on sync instead of replace?

During sync, new contacts on my iphone are deleted. I'll typically add any new contacts I get directly to my iphone, simply because I don't have my mac on me at all times. However, unless I specifically add the contact to my mac address book, it will be deleted from my iphone contacts upon sync. The option in iTunes to replace contacts on my iphone is not selected. Is there a way to merge info on sync instead of replace?

Thank you for your reply. I realy have nothing else to sync - no music. Emails do work so its just my contacts I am concerned about. I'm kinda new at this but have a working understanding of the system.
I have an icloud account but the Geek Squad went there and tried but could not export contacts. I truly am not that good re icloud. They worked exclusively with my itunes, re-downloading, etc - all of the stuff in their book.
I have not tried a complete restore because I am not sure I am that good with the equipment but could. I did all of the stuff on the help page - sync reset, forced one-way sync etc but the phone just does not seem to recognize the sync. I have not gone to an Apple store to have them have a look - that may be my next step to hook up to another itunes computer. It seems simple to me - it was working fine until maybe 3 months ago - probably when there was an update. Its telling to me that the phone does not tell me there is a sync in process while itunes is saying there is - its just not biting between the 2.
I appreciate any hep - and I said, I not stupidi about these things but have kind of reached as far as I am comfortable with fear of doing something really wrong.

ITunes could not sync contacts to the iPhone because an error occurred

When I connect my iPhone to my iMac (OSX version 10.6.6), and open iTunes and select "sync" - everything syncs (my Apps, Music, Movies, TV Shows, Podcasts, books, Photos and Calendars). However, I get an error message popping up saying: "iTunes could not sync contacts to the iPhone because an error occurred while merging data".
I have unchecked the contacts button in iTunes and then sync works fine.
I have deleted all my contact in my Address Book on my iMac and tried to sync. Again, same error message as above.
I have not tried to restore the iPhone as I am worried to loose my contacts saved on my iPhone.
Who know how to solve this problem? Thanks

Hi Charlotte
I had the same problem for one year now and it affected my contacts, then later my calendar.
I followed the Apple troubleshooting guides and finally managed to make it work again.
First try the following guide:
iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Troubleshooting contact and calendar syncing via USB on Window
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1692
For me I noticed that after I updated ITunes to latest version (using the full uninstall from the last point of the guide above, section "Reinstall Apple Mobile Device Support and iTunes"), I could sync with another Windows user account (on another computer actually)
Since I wanted my own account to sync again, I then used the advanced troubleshooting guide:
Advanced troubleshooting for Sync Services on Windows with Microsoft Outlook 2003, Outlook 2007, or Outlook 2010
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2776
In my case the point 4 in this guide helped, but since I had no MobileMe, I just killed the OS process SyncServer.exe, then renamed the SyncServices folder to SyncServices.old and restarted the PC.
You should try all the steps in both guides in the order mentioned, to see which one can help, I don't advise you to start directly with a step in a guide
Good luck
Iphone 4, iOS 4.3.3, Outlook 2007, Win 7 64Bit

ITunes could not sync contacts to the iPhone because the sync server...

has anyone else gotten this message? and if so, what's the fix. i've talked to a "level 2" tech at apple and he had no clue.
"iTunes could not sync contacts to the iPhone because the sync server failed to sync the iphone"
this happens if i have contacts checked to sync. it synced fine on 6/30 but have been getting this problem today 7/1.

I'm having this same problem and I've tried all the other fixes in this forum, except yours. Could you please be more specific? My question is below:
1.) erased the iPhone via iPhone settings. --> where is "iPhone settings"?
2.) deleted my pda from iSync
3.) plugged in the iPhone and restored it via iTunes
4.) resynced and everything is back to normal.

How do I delete contacts on my iphone (not 1 by 1) to resync to my computer and also do the same with calendar items?

How do I delete contacts on my iphone 4 to resync to my computer - also delete calander items so I can re install?

In iTunes, go to Preferences > Devices and check "Prevent iPods, iPhones, and iPads from syncing automatically." Then, connect your iPhone and select it in iTunes. Go to the "Info" pane, scroll to the bottom, and select the items that you want overwritten.

Sync Error Message: "iTunes could not sync contacts to the iPhone...."

This just started today:
"iTunes could not sync contacts to the iPhone "My Phone" because an error occured while merging data"
Info:
I'm running iTunes 9 and 4.0.1 on my iPhone which is a 3GS. They sync with Google Contacts. I did just install a group contact app called ABCLite (fyi, have no idea if this is related).
I use my contacts a LOT on both the phone and the computer so I really need them to sync! Help!!!
Jenn

Hi,
same here - or similar: Installed latest iOS4 and only group in my contacts comes up.
Data do not seem to be lost (phew:-) because when I ring a number, the phone still displays who it is, so the data are there somewhere.
Any help much appreciated.

Itunes could not sync contacts to the iphone because the sync server failed to sync the iphone

Hello everyone,
Today, when I connected my iPhone 4 to itunes, on my PC.. it send me the following message:
"itunes could not sync contacts to the iphone because the sync server failed to sync the iphone"---
and then, it stop the process..
PLEASE help me with this!!, I do not have too much time, I have read a couple of discussion, and nothing is working.
I'd really appreciate your help,
Regards,
Roberto

Hello rsantanavizcaino
Start with the article below to troubleshoot issues with Sync Services on your computer.
Troubleshooting Sync Services on Windows with Microsoft Outlook 2003, Outlook 2007, or Outlook 2010
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2776
Regards,
-Norm G.

I have just bought a new mac book, and I want to start from scratch by syncing the content of my iPhone, but each time I try it wants to delete everything on the iPhone and replace by what on the new iTunes library, i.e. nothing! can I do the reverse?

I have just bought a new mac book, and I want to start from scratch by syncing the content of my iPhone, but each time I try it wants to delete everything on the iPhone and replace by what's on the new iTunes library, i.e. nothing! can I do the reverse, i.e. importing all my iphone's stuff on the new computer?

You need to copy some files and your iTunes folder to the new computer. Do you have a backup of your old computer (or still have the old computer?) Was the old computer a Mac or PC?
MacWorld - Move an iTunes library from a Windows PC to a Mac
Back up your iTunes library by copying to an external hard drive
iTunes- How to move your music to a new computer

How to fix "iTunes could not sync contacts to the iPhone "my name's iPhone

How to fix the "iTunes could not sync contacts to the iPhone "my name's iPhone" because the sync server failed to sync the iPhone.
Thank you.
Hugh

Hello rsantanavizcaino
Start with the article below to troubleshoot issues with Sync Services on your computer.
Troubleshooting Sync Services on Windows with Microsoft Outlook 2003, Outlook 2007, or Outlook 2010
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2776
Regards,
-Norm G.

When i connect my iphone to the computer it gives me this message "ITunes could not sync contacts to the Iphone "my name" because the sync server failed to sync the iphone. whats the problem

when i connect my iPhone to the computer it gives me this message "ITunes could not sync contacts to the iPhone "my name" because the sync server failed to sync the iPhone. what is the problem?

What type of computer?
Mac: Sync Services: Advanced troubleshooting for contact and calendar syncing
Windows: Troubleshooting Sync Services on Windows with Microsoft Outlook 2003, Outlook 2007, or Outlook 2010
The following previous discussion may also help: Re: sync server failed to sync the iphone

While doing a sync, I received a phone call. Since then I get a message during sync " Itunes could not sync contacts to the iphone because the sync server failed to sync the iphone. What to do?

While doing a sync, I received a phone call. Since then I get a message during sync "Itunes could not sync contacts to the iphone because the sync server faile to sync the iphone". What to do?

I had same problem,,This link solved issue easily
http://www.question-defense.com/2010/09/01/itunes-could-not-sync-calendars-to-th e-iphone-because-the-sync-server-failed
I didn't lose any calendar since it was all on the computer in Outlook calendar

Sync deletes contacts on the iPhone

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