...

12 Tricks to Fix iPhone Contacts Missing Names (Comprehensive Guide)

...

"This morning, my employee messaged me to let me know that all of the names are missing from our contacts in OpenPhone (which we use for our office phone). I logged in to the web version, and sure enough, our contacts list is just a giant list of phone numbers. Is anyone else experiencing this?"

- from Reddit

Are you experiencing the iPhone contacts missing names issue, meaning that when you receive a text message or phone call, only the phone number is displayed instead of the contact's name? This problem can be quite frustrating and may affect your normal communication. This article will explore why iPhone contact names missing and offer several effective solutions.

iphone contacts missing names

 

Part 1. Why Did My iPhone Contact Names Disappear?

If iPhone contact names disappeared and only showed up numbers, a software or hardware problem is to be blamed for the issue. Below are possible glitches or bugs to lead to contacts in messages but not in Contacts on iPhone:

  • System Glitches or Software Errors: Sometimes, temporary bugs or update issues in the iOS system can cause contact names to not display.
  • iCloud Sync Issues: If your contacts are synced via iCloud, server issues or sync interruptions with iCloud can lead to missing contact names.
  • Email Account Problems: If you have deleted or disabled an email account associated with your iPhone contacts, the contact information may not be displayed.
  • Settings Issues: Certain contact settings (such as short name settings or display options) may also cause contact names to disappear.
  • Jailbreaking Risks: Using third-party apps after jailbreaking can result in lost contact names and data.
  • Viruses & Malware: iOS can be affected by viruses and malware, leading to data loss and display issues.
  • Accidental Deletion: If you accidentally delete your iPhone contacts, it can result in the loss of contact names.

Part 2. How to Fix iPhone Contacts Missing Names Issue

When iPhone contact names disappear from iPhone, it is not hard to find them back. We have concluded the top troubleshooting solutions here for your reference.

Fix 1. Restart the iPhone

Restarting the iPhone can generally resolve all common glitches. Thus, when iPhone lost contact names, try restarting your iPhone to check whether the contact names come back.

restart the iphone to fix iphone contact names missing

Fix 2. Refresh Contact Database

If the contact names disappear from the phone calls or messages but still exist in the Contact app, you can edit any contact in the Contact app or add more contacts to refresh the contact database.

refresh contact database to fix iphone contact names disappeared

Fix 3. Turn Contacts On and Off in iCloud

Sometimes, iPhone contacts missing names result from the syncing issues between iPhone and iCloud. You can disable the Contacts option in iCloud for a while and enable it again to fix the issue quickly.

Here is how to do it:

Step 1. Open "Settings" > "Apple ID" > "iCloud" > turn off the "Contacts" option.

Step 2. When it asks you whether to delete or keep the previously synced contacts, select the "Delete from My iPhone" option to wipe the contacts in your iPhone but not in iCloud.

Step 3. After restarting your iPhone, go to "Settings" > tap your "Apple ID" > select "iCloud' > turn on the "Contacts" option.

Step 4. Then, the contacts will resync to your iPhone.

restart icloud contacts to fix iphone lost contact names

Fix 4. Check if You Have Deleted an Email Account Recently

It is quite common for you to delete an email account that you no longer use from your iPhone. However, the contacts may have been synced to that email account and thus caused the contact name to be missing. For this, you can add the email account to your iPhone again to get the synced contacts.

Fix 5. Adjust the iPhone Contact Settings

Sometimes, iPhone not showing contact names due to settings issues. If you're not using iCloud for contact backup, you might encounter this issue when the Contacts display settings are set to show All iCloud. To resolve this, you should switch the setting to Show All Contacts.

Here is how to do it:

Step 1. Go to the Contacts app > tap "Groups" on the screen.

Step 2. Choose the "Show All Contacts" option instead of "All iCloud".

set to shown all contacts to fix contact names disappeared from iphone

Fix 6. Ask Siri to Restore Contacts

You can also ask Siri to get the contacts back. Siri can do much more than you think. Therefore, you can try this method.

Fix 7. Reset the Network Settings

Network connection errors may give rise to iPhone contacts missing names, too. To fix this problem, you can reset the network settings on your iPhone. To do that, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Open iPhone's "Settings" > scroll down to "General" > tap "Reset".

Step 2. Choose the "Reset Networking Settings" option and confirm the operation.

reset the network settings to fix contacts in messages but not in contacts iphone

Fix 8. Disable Short Name

The Short Name feature can cause some contact names to display incorrectly. You can try disabling the Short Name feature to fix this issue. To do this, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Go to "Settings", select "Contacts", and then tap "Short Name".

Step 2. Turn off this feature and check if your contacts display correctly.

disable short name feature to fix iphone contacts messed up

Fix 9. Check Your SIM Card Slot

If you are using contacts stored on your SIM card, make sure the SIM card slot is functioning properly. Sometimes, if your SIM card is not correctly placed in the tray, it can cause your iPhone contacts to become messed up. (How to change SIM card on iPhone?)

check sim card slot to fix iphone contact names missing

Fix 10. Use a Professional iOS System Recovery Tool

If all the above ways cannot help, get yourself a professional iOS system repair software to fix the iPhone contacts missing names issue. In this regard, I will recommend you try iOS System Recovery. It has helped millions of iOS users repair over 32 kinds of iOS system problems, including missing iPhone contact names, charge issues, battery drain, black/red/white/blue screen of death, iTunes error 4005, etc.

Here is how to use iOS System Recovery to fix iPhone not showing contact names:

01Install and launch the iOS System Recovery on your computer. Next, connect your iPhone to the computer using a USB cable and choose "iOS System Recovery" on the interface.

choose ios system recovery

02The program will automatically detect the iOS system issue and display it on the interface. Then, tap the "Start" button to continue to the next steps.

clcik the start button

03Confirm the iPhone information on the interface. If incorrect, select the right information from the drop-down lists. Once done, tap the "Repair" button to start fixing the problem.

fix iphone contact names disappeared using ios system recovery

Fix 11. Contact Apple Support for Help

Suppose that you don't want to use any third-party apps to fix the problem. In that case, you can reach out to the Apple Support team for help. You can get in touch with them via the Apple website, telephone calls, or taking your device to the nearby Apple Store. Don't forget the original warranty or the AppleCare+ package of the iPhone with you. Then, you probably won't cost anything to get the problem fixed.

Part 3. How to Recover Lost iPhone Contacts & Names with/without Backup

If your contacts are lost, you can recover them using the Coolmuster iPhone Data Recovery tool. It is a specialized iPhone data recovery software that scans your device for deleted or missing contacts and restores them, regardless of whether you have a backup.

Highlights of Coolmuster iPhone Data Recovery:

  • Recover missing contacts & names directly from your iPhone.
  • Selectively restore contacts from iCloud or iTunes backups without resetting your device.
  • Support a wide range of file types, including contacts, SMS, images, videos, call history, Safari history, voice memos, notes, calendars, and more.
  • Allow you to view and choose the specific data you want to retrieve.
  • Compatible with all iOS devices, including iPhone 16 series, iPhone 15 series, iPhone 14 series, iPhone 13/12/11/X/8/7/6, iPod touch, iPad, and more.

Here is how to restore iPhone contacts and names using iPhone Data Recovery:

01Open the tool on your computer after you've downloaded and installed it. Later, plug your iPhone into the computer via a USB cable. Typically, the software will quickly detect your device. Please tap "Trust" on your mobile device to enable recognition.

trust your device

02Once connected, you will see the interface below. Select "Contacts" on the interface and tap the "Start Scan" button to scan the contacts.

select contacts to scan

03Once finished, it will display all the contacts on the interface. Preview all contact information from the left panel. After preview, check the wanted contacts to recover and tap the "Recover to Computer" button to save them to your computer. (If you want to save them on your iPhone, you can click here to learn how to transfer contacts from a computer to an iPhone.)

restore contacts using iphone data recovery

Video Tutorial:

Final Thoughts

We hope the methods introduced above can help you quickly fix the iPhone contacts missing names issue. iOS System Recovery is the best choice to fix system problems without data loss. Meanwhile, Coolmuster iPhone Data Recovery is the ideal way to recover lost contacts in minutes. You can select one way according to your demands. That's all for iPhone not showing contact names.

If you run into difficulties when using the above ways, please tell us in the comments below.

Related Articles:

Quick and Easy Fixes: What to Do When You Find iPhone Contacts Missing

iPhone Lost Contacts After Update? Here's How to Get Them Back

iCloud Contacts Missing? Here Are the Reasons and What to Do

iPhone Deleted Contacts Randomly? Here's What You Need to Know

    iPhone Recovery     12 Tricks to Fix iPhone Contacts Missing Names (Comprehensive Guide)
Terms & Conditions Privacy (UPDATED) License Agreement Uninstall Copyright © 2024 Coolmuster. All Rights Reserved.
feedbackFeedback