Contacts Stuck in Lists post 16.1.1 Update

I had this problem as well, and I just realized that all I needed to do is select “All iCloud”.

I didn’t realize all of my contacts belong to a default list. And apparently, I’m not the only one!

Now that I have this understanding, the UI makes sense.

I learned this fix from a supervisor at Apple customer support:

Surprisingly, the “Lists” view is actually the default view of the Contacts app.

Here’s how to have your device open up to the “Contacts” view:

Go to the top of the Lists view, and touch “All Contacts”.

Next, close down the Contacts app by swiping up.

When you reopen the contacts app, it appear in “Contacts” view

I fixed mine! What I did was tap on one of my contacts let it come up then tapped the back button in the upper left-hand corner. And, miraculously, all my contacts came up starting with the As!

Looks like Apple is becoming as poorly managed as the rest of the companies out there. Sorry to see that and for all of you out there struggling with this issue!

Hi tjskimt,

Got it. Thanks for keeping us updated.

The next steps, since you're already updated is to remove the Contacts app and redownload it. This will allow you to redownload a fresh copy of your Contacts. We're sure you're concerned about your current contacts, but they will stay in the Phone app until you're done. You can read more about that here: Delete built-in Apple apps from the Home Screen on your iOS 14 or later or iPadOS device or Apple Watch - Apple Support

When you're ready to get started, go ahead and complete these steps:

Delete a built-in app from your device

1. On your iOS or iPadOS device, touch and hold the app.

2. Tap Remove App from the shortcut menu.

3. Tap Delete App from the submenu.

If you have an Apple Watch, deleting an app from your iPhone also deletes that app from your Apple Watch.

Restore a built-in app that you deleted

1. On your iOS or iPadOS device, go to the App Store.

2. Search for the app. Make sure that you use the exact name of the app.

3. Tap the Redownload button .

4. Wait for the app to restore, then open it from your Home Screen.

If you have an Apple Watch, restoring an app to your iPhone also restores that app to your Apple Watch.

Let us know how that goes.

Cheers!

After weeks of contact with Apple my only solution was to completely wipe my phone, NOT backup from icloud but to reinstall every single app through the app store and then import all info back on phone.

Strike that. I got it to work by making an editing change in one of my contacts.

Hello tjskimt,

If the Contacts app isn't working as expected for you, then we'd recommend taking these steps to try and solve it:

1. Close the Contacts app: Close an app on your iPhone or iPod touch - Apple Support
2. Then restart your iPhone normally: Restart your iPhone - Apple Support

Should it persist, are you able to select on a list in the List View? Are you syncing contacts with iCloud? Are you able to get to Contacts using the tab in the Phone app?

Let us know, take care.

I have been on the phone with apple for 2 weeks now. Have done a full factory reset twice and i still don't have contacts. I downloaded Contacts+ app, and all my contacts downloaded from the cloud. So it is a true contacts software issue. Super frustrating! My issues have been going on since November and every update I hope my contacts will magically appear.

I'm on IOS 16.1.2 I have the same problem. I was able to delete the app and reload it following the instructions in the link. Hope anyone with 16.1.2 with this problem will find this helpful. I was going nuts trying to get out of LISTS...

My gods, the answer is we have to delete an indigenous Apple app to fix their problem? I should really know better than to EVER allow Apple to install a point release until all of these things are worked through.

Exact same problem. Can't believe we have to do this. But thanks for the pointers.

Same here. It appears that "Lists" is now the top level of Contacts. So to clarify for everyone, is it true that....

A) Lists is the NEW top level of Contacts and Apple didn't bother telling us so it feels like a bug?

or

B) Lists has ALWAYS been the top level of Contacts and we just didn't notice before?

or

C) There is a genuine bug and the only workaround is to click on the All Contacts list?

i agree. i keep having to do this over and over. have to be so careful where i am in the app when i CLOSE it. APPLE…. please fix this and make it so contacts app automatically opens in the contact list screen, regardless of which screen you were last using !!! please and thank you.

I tried deleting the app and download it from the App Store. I still have the same problem