Notifications from iMessage don't show the contact name, even though conversation list properly does

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Notifications from iMessage don't show the contact name, even though conversation list properly does

macOS 11.2.3 // MacBook Air M1 2020

Desktop notifications from iMessage don't show the name of who is messaging me; it only displays the phone number. In some cases the notification will say Maybe: Contact Name.

I'm not sure why this is happening. I did not have this problem on my MacBook Air Intel 2020.

When I go to the conversation picker in iMessage, all of my conversations are there with name and contact photo.

I've disabled and re-enabled contact syncing for iCloud and my other accounts (MS, Goog) from both Contacts.app and System Preferences > Internet Accounts. I've even gone through and updated individual contacts so that their phone was listed as 'iPhone' and not 'mobile'.

I know another person who is having the same issue. I feel I've checked every setting, de-duped my contact list, done everything I could, but it's still not fixed.

I think my next step is to wipe my MacBook and set it up as a new device. I used the Transfer Assistant and am wondering if that caused the issue.

MacBook Air (2020 or later)

Posted on Apr 13, 2021 8:51 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

DiZoE

Level 4

2,931 points

Apr 13, 2021 9:42 PM in response to Greg Plancich

Hey Greg Plancich!

Can you say on which account you sync most of your contacts? Google, iCloud, etc?

Likewise is the same happening on any other devices? (If you have others).

If you do sync most contacts with iCloud, my first instinct is to do what you’ve already done, disable/enable, etc. However, since you’ve done that, could you try signing out of your Apple ID all together in System Preferences > Apple ID > Overview, restart and sign in again?

It could be something else, but likewise, testing while signed into another admin account, or even in safe mode are really good tests, let me know how it goes!

https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/start-up-your-mac-in-safe-mode-mh21245/mac

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Answer 2

Apr 15, 2021 11:18 AM in response to DiZoE

Thank you DiZoE!

To answer your first question: Yes, I was already using iCloud as my primary contact service.

I followed your steps to completely sign out of iCloud (and subsequently sign back in). It took a little while to get Contacts.app to pull down my contacts, but this seems to have resolved my issue!

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Answer 3

DiZoE

Level 4

2,931 points

Apr 15, 2021 8:57 PM in response to Greg Plancich

Oh awesome! Good to hear you worked it out!

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Notifications from iMessage don't show the contact name, even though conversation list properly does

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