Skip to content
LogoTechnipages
LogoTechnipages
  • Topics
        • Android
        • Browsers
        • Gaming
        • Hardware
        • Internet
        • iPhone
        • Linux
        • macOS
        • Office
        • Reviews
        • Software
        • Windows
        • Definitions
        • All Recent Posts
  • Product Reviews
  • About

iPhone Contact Names Missing From Message Notifications

Mitch BartlettMay 1, 2018 Comments (14)
Apple logo

Apple iPhone users may encounter a problem where contact names are missing from text message notifications. The problem is commonly solved with these fixes.

Fix 1 – Edit One Name

This is the most common fix. Open the Contacts app and edit any of the names. Make any small change and save the contact. This will “refresh” the contacts database and often fix the problem with missing names.


Fix 2 – Restart iMessages

  1. Open “Settings” > “Messages” and turn “iMessages” to “Off“.
  2. Restart the iPhone.
  3. Open “Settings” > “Messages” and turn “iMessages” to “On“.

Fix 3 – Reset Syncing

  1. Open “Settings” > “Contacts” > “Accounts“.
  2. For any accounts you have, (like iCloud, Exchange, Yahoo, etc.), select the account, then set “Contacts” syncing to “Off“.
  3. Restart the iPhone.
  4. Return back under “Settings” > “Contacts” > “Accounts” > account name, and toggle the setting back to “On”.
Categories: iPhone

Author Mitch Bartlett

My name is Mitch Bartlett. I've been working in technology for over 20 years in a wide range of tech jobs from Tech Support to Software Testing. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful reference for all.

You Might Also Like

  • Apple logo

    How to Delete Apps From iPhone 8/X

    Mitch BartlettiPhone
  • How to Copy Playlist From iPhone, iPad, or iPod to iTunes on Computer

    Mitch BartlettiPhone
  • Does Wi-Fi Consume More Battery Power Than 3G or 4G/LTE?

    Mitch BartlettAndroid
  • How To Unlock Features in iOS 13

    MonaiPhone

Comments

  1. Donald says:
    November 6, 2022 at 9:15 pm

    I’m having this issue with my iPhone SE – IOS 15.7.1 I tried all fixes – but cannot do Fix 3 as there is no sync option for Settings – Contacts – Accounts. I still have a mix of names and numbers. On top of that, some contacts have disappeared completely (coworkers, my sister)

  2. Dale Katz says:
    October 9, 2021 at 4:32 pm

    I do not recommend this on iPhone 8 with iOS 15.0. Fix 1 and Fix 2 did not work. When I tried Fix three, even more of my names disappeared from my Messages (more of my Messages contacts show up only as phone numbers, not names).

  3. Andy M says:
    March 22, 2021 at 1:46 pm

    followed instructions and it works, many thanks

  4. Carl says:
    March 17, 2021 at 4:37 pm

    Thanks #2 worked for me

    So frustrating I literally added several duplicate contacts in my phone over and over again as I tried to get it to stick it will be nice to know going forward my phone is less of a piece of crap. Smart phones my a…

  5. maxwell smart says:
    March 16, 2021 at 5:26 am

    Thanks. Fix 2 worked perfectly on an iphone 12.

  6. Dean Wainwright says:
    February 28, 2021 at 2:39 pm

    This has happened to me this evening, in messages all of the names have been replaced by the numbers and instead of them displayed as 07984 they are now displayed in messages only as +447984. WhatsApp is working fine and when I go into contacts all contacts are stored how they were but incoming text messages or iMessages are coming in starting with +44. Ive tried all the fixes but nothings working.

  7. Judy says:
    February 17, 2021 at 1:40 pm

    I have the same problem. iPhone 11 and all of a sudden I just get phone numbers and no names on messages. There has to be a way to fix this.

  8. Deb Paschal says:
    January 21, 2021 at 12:17 pm

    I’ve tried all the fixes and I still only have numbers on test messages, any other suggestions

  9. christine says:
    November 11, 2020 at 9:19 am

    When I go to settings – contacts – accounts – icloud – contacts I am asked if i want to delete all contacts from my home. Am i supposed to do this? Will they come back when i turn the phone on and toggle ‘on ‘

  10. AMIT MISHRA says:
    September 15, 2018 at 6:37 am

    THANKS IT JUST WORKED

  11. Alison says:
    September 14, 2018 at 6:58 am

    After trying a number of other complicated “solutions “ to the problem of missing names in IMessage with NO results, I followed instructions for Fix 1 and….success!!! Thanks so much!

  12. Pamela says:
    August 25, 2018 at 9:40 pm

    Worked like a charm! Thanks so much…this happens every now and then and it’s very much a first world problem, but still, super annoying ?

  13. Doreen Choquette says:
    April 26, 2018 at 12:09 pm

    My message contacts are suddenly missing, My email contacts are still there.

  14. Morven Seib says:
    September 23, 2017 at 7:33 pm

    This post did not help at all. I have just updated to OS 11.0 on my iPhone and the contact names on ‘Messages’ have been cleared ~ I just have the phone numbers. Your article says to go to ‘Settings>Contacts>Accounts’ but in my ‘Contacts>Settings’ there is no ‘Accounts. All I have is the following: Siri & Search, Sort Order, Display order, Short Name, My Info and at the bottom in blue ‘Import SIM Contacts’ so your suggestions are no help to me.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

How to Enable Dark Mode on WhatsApp Updated Methods for 2023

How to Send HD Pictures and Videos on WhatsApp

How to Share Files Using Google Nearby Share

How to Share Files Using Google Nearby Share

Android Battery Will Not Charge Fix

Android Battery Will Not Charge Fix

Turning on Triple Touch Zoom on Android

Turning on Triple Touch Zoom on Android

How to Connect Outlook 2023 to Gmail

How to Connect Outlook 2023 to Gmail

profile pic

The Experts Behind Technipages

My name is Mitch Bartlett. I've been working in technology for over 20 years in a wide range of tech jobs from Tech Support to Software Testing. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful reference for all.

Learn More

technipages logo white
linkedin icon

Technipages is part of Guiding Tech Media, a leading digital media publisher focused on helping people figure out technology. Learn more about our mission and team here.

© 2023 Guiding Tech Media All Rights Reserved

  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Legal & Privacy

© 2023 Guiding Tech Media All Rights Reserved

Information from your device can be used to personalize your ad experience.
Do not sell my personal information.