Level 1

30 points

can't add new contact

On MacBook Pro macOS Big Sur Version 11.0.1, I suddenly cannot add a new contact in "Contacts." I click the plus sign to begin adding a new contact, start typing in the information, but within several seconds suddenly the whole new contact abruptly vanishes, and I'm back in the basic view of all Contacts. There is no trace of the new contact I was trying to add, not even the few characters I was able to type. This happens whether or not I try actually entering information - even if I just sit there and wait several seconds, the new contact abruptly vanishes.

I thought "maybe too many contacts?" so deleted several. Same result.

Tried Quitting all other open apps. Same result.

Tried quitting and restarting Contacts. Same result.

Tried restarting the whole computer. Same result.

Workaround for the time being: add new contact on my iPhone, then (after a bit) it appears in my computer's Contacts, and I can edit it.

But I really want to be able to add new contacts on my computer.

Anybody know what the cause and cure might be?

Thank you.

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 11.0

Posted on Jan 10, 2021 6:06 PM

Top-ranking reply

elmo11159

Level 1

14 points

Posted on Mar 17, 2021 11:16 AM

I just spoke to apple support (1 hour 50 min)and was told that this is an issue with Big Sur, and having the presence of a Google account setup on the device: syncing google account with contacts. If you disable the account, then you are able to add a new contact. But once you enable the google account again, you're back where you started from and cannot add a new contact. Their Engineering group is currently investigating that for a resolution. Which may come in the form of another software update.

I was given this workaround, "One solution would be to migrate your contacts and move them all over to iCloud via Drag/Drop and then turn the google account off for now if you wanted. Then you'd also want to set your default on your iPhone to iCloud as well so that any new contacts you create on your iPhone do still sync to your Mac."

Personally, I'm just going to keep adding contacts on my iPhone or iPad until they come out with a fix.

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24 replies

RezzZ81

Level 1

8 points

Apr 29, 2021 1:52 AM in response to yashww

Four months later and still this issue... I'm glad I found this topic, it's annoying when you try to add a contact to your google account only to see the window disappear in a few seconds. This worked just fine (for sure with Sierra) so don't understand why this broke now.

yashww Author

Level 1

30 points

Apr 30, 2021 2:13 AM in response to gba-llc

Yes, I found that I have an extensive list of contacts at contacts.google.com, which I had never been aware of or used. Would it be possible to simply 'un-sync' it from my Apple contacts, without abandoning everything else I do on google (lots of stuff in google drive, google docs, google sheets, etc, etc...)?

I wonder how google contacts got synced with apple contacts; I don't remember ever asking to do that...

barbmac8

Level 1

21 points

May 29, 2021 2:48 PM in response to Roobars

Same problem on my MacBook Air Big Sur 11.4. I also have a gmail account and DO use it for email - through Safari. Had hoped that once they upgraded to 11.4 the problem would be fixed. Yes, of course we can add contacts on our iPhone or iPad - but that's no excuse. Apple doesn't seem to be paying attention to this thread to try to give us an explanation or fix. Very disappointing. I'm just wondering if it has anything to do with Apple and Chrome being in competition with each other.

Eb-7298

Level 1

4 points

Jun 3, 2021 1:06 AM in response to yashww

It so happens, I have the same problem related to creating a new contact on my MacBook Pro. However, I am still using Catalina. So, it looks like this problem 'yashww' is discussing is not a new problem after all! When is Apple going to resolve this for Catalina uses?

I have no intention of changing over to Big Sur anytime soon. I need absolute certainty I will not be compromised with all of my current applications, and unfortunately, I do not have that confidence as yet!!!

alexbmbk

Level 1

23 points

Feb 21, 2021 6:13 PM in response to alexbmbk

Additional info - My Contacts app version is 2452.4

Mar 28, 2021 5:37 PM in response to yashww

You are very welcome!

Apr 22, 2021 5:00 PM in response to gba-llc

Thank you gab-llc for your workaround. It is definitely easier to type on a laptop than phone.

Owl-53

Level 10

102,373 points

Apr 29, 2021 3:06 AM in response to yashww

Workaround is to Add the New Contact via iPhone and Sync iPhone to computer. Same thing occurring on Adding a Birthday on 11.2.3 - have not attempted since 11.3 yet

RezzZ81

Level 1

8 points

May 12, 2021 1:00 AM in response to HeywoodJablomi4

adding contacts on my iphone works as well... it's a pain this still isn't fixed yet.

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can't add new contact