iMessage in Contact profile thumbnail images

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Level 1

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iMessage in Contact profile thumbnail images

I have been going through my old phone contacts and removing old numbers. I have noticed that some of my old numbers have a profile picture as a thumbnail, which is nothing to do with the person details or description.

So the question is assuming that phone number has been reused/recycled by another person does their thumbnail image automatically appear if they activate the applicable settings, but the description remains the same? Where is the image stored? is on their phone or iCloud? and can you remove the image from your phone without deleting the contact number?

Posted on Oct 15, 2020 4:35 AM

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Answer 1

judysings

Community Specialist

Oct 19, 2020 6:11 PM in response to MarkMcV

Hello.

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. It sounds like you have some questions requiring your contacts details, specifically the thumbnail image that is saved. We'd like to look into this with you.

There are multiple ways that contact thumbnails could potentially update. A contact using iMessage can update and share their name and photo with you. You can review that information here: Use Messages on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

You'll want to see the section under "Change your name and photo". Certain third-party apps can also gain access to your contacts and update their contact details such as their thumbnails. For example, Instagram and Messenger app can do this. You can limit the access to your contacts by going to Settings > Privacy > Contacts: Control access to information in apps on iPhone

These thumbnails are saved on your contacts details. You can edit and delete these photos in the Contacts app. The following resource has more details:

Edit contacts on iPhone

We hope this information is useful. Cheers.

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