You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Number instead of name of person texting

Why, all of a sudden, do my text messages show the number they are coming from instead of the name of the person texting me? I have an iPhone 7plus and have never had this issue until today.

iPhone 7 Plus, iOS 14

Posted on Nov 25, 2021 3:30 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 25, 2021 3:42 PM

Try this if your contacts are in iCloud or in your chosen email account

(You might want to back up the phone first, and if your contacts are phone only you have no remedy)

Close Messages app. then for

Contacts in iCloud:

Settings, Your name, iCloud, Turn off contacts

Contacts in another email account

Settings, Contacts, Accounts

Find the account with Contacts turned on. Turn contacts off  

 

When asked if you want to keep them, choose “delete from my iphone ”

 

Open Contacts app and it should be empty.

 

Power the phone off and back on.

 

Then

Contacts in iCloud:

Settings, Your name, iCloud, Contacts. Turn it On

Contacts in another email account

Settings, Contacts, Accounts

Find the account with the Contacts again. Turn contacts On

 

Open Contacts app and it should be re-populated.

 

Then try messages again. 

 

You might find these interesting

About Apple IDs

Sync your contacts

If your contacts do not sync

 

1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 25, 2021 3:42 PM in response to maryspring1938

Try this if your contacts are in iCloud or in your chosen email account

(You might want to back up the phone first, and if your contacts are phone only you have no remedy)

Close Messages app. then for

Contacts in iCloud:

Settings, Your name, iCloud, Turn off contacts

Contacts in another email account

Settings, Contacts, Accounts

Find the account with Contacts turned on. Turn contacts off  

 

When asked if you want to keep them, choose “delete from my iphone ”

 

Open Contacts app and it should be empty.

 

Power the phone off and back on.

 

Then

Contacts in iCloud:

Settings, Your name, iCloud, Contacts. Turn it On

Contacts in another email account

Settings, Contacts, Accounts

Find the account with the Contacts again. Turn contacts On

 

Open Contacts app and it should be re-populated.

 

Then try messages again. 

 

You might find these interesting

About Apple IDs

Sync your contacts

If your contacts do not sync

 

Number instead of name of person texting

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.