Why did downloading WP8.1 remove my camera, photos and contacts and HOW do i restore them?

[Windows Central Question]

I downloaded the Windows Phone 8.1 update on my Nokia Lumia 828 phone 1 week ago (after being VERY happy with WP8.0 for 2 years). The update removed my camera function and pictures. After a factory reset (which restored the camera but not photos), i powered the phone off. The next morning I turned my phone on and ALL my contact are gone. I can't import them from my Hotmail or aol accounts. I seem to have NO contacts stored locally or on my sim card (why?). HOW DO I GET MY CONTACTS BACK? THIS IS DEVASTATING.

 

[Jazmac]

That stuff should be backed up to the cloud. Pictures, contacts, sms, music all of it.

 

[bijak_riyandi]

Contacts should be automatically backed up and synced with the Hotmail account you use for the phone
Check your email and account setting. Sounds like a sync failure there.

 

[RichardBurt]

It sounds like you didn't link the phone to an MS account and you have no cloud backups.

Important lesson learnt - Backup your data before upgrading.