How to fix Contact drag issues on MacBook Air with Ventura 13.2.1

I have absolutely no idea why this works, but when I had this problem, someone suggested this:

"Quit Contacts, then restart the Contacts app while holding down the shift key. Then the drag & drop function works again."

And they were right! Maybe it'll work for you, too? They said it has been a problem since Catalina was released.

Restarting Contacts while holding the Shift Key did work! Thanks :)

What worked for me was exit and reopen Contacts app (because others said to).

Then I selected a number of contacts using Command + click on each name, and dragged the names to the list I wanted them in. (Go figure why it works for multiple contacts but not for just one.)

Weird solution when you don't have more than one contact you want to move, but it worked for me. Note: When you create a contact you can create it in the List you want the contact to be in. Still, this is a bug for Apple to address as it's an obvious needed feature.

Quit Contacts, then restart the Contacts app while holding down the shift key. Then the drag & drop function and delete or add contacts to a list works again.

last time I tried, you can amend contacts lists on iPad or iPhone which will then update your Mac.

The developers have known about this problem for a year (at least) and haven’t been able to fix it, apparently.

Other features have also been lost, such as creating stationery for emails, although this is a ‘nice to have’ rather than essential.

I think “this” might be pressing shift when opening contacts. I had no success with that approach and it seems a bit of a quirky way of doing something! My only success has been to edit contacts on my iPhone or iPad. I scroll down to the bottom of the properties and there is a “List” option. You can add or delete List membership here. For me that is the only reliable - and sensible - way of doing it. My iMac still has the problem!

I am having this same problem. I still cannot add a contact to a mailing list (not a smart list) on my MacBook Pro. However, I was able to add it to the list using my iPhone. Worked like a charm!

I have this same problem--I can't move an existing contact from the "All iCloud" to a group list on my Mac. But it worked fine when I did it on my iPad, and that synced back to the Mac. Why it won't work on the Mac is annoying and if dealing with a larger list, the Mac is a much better device. But if you can't get it to work on your Mac, try doing the same list management on your iphone or ipad.

Got the drag to work by dragging TWO contacts then had to mess around to delete the extra.

[Edited by Moderator]

Not sure this will help but it's worth a try to resolve what your are reporting. If not, perhaps submitting a bug report or feature request may be helpful too.

Contacts:

Import contacts into Contacts on Mac - Apple Support

Bug report and/or feature request:

Feedback - macOS - Apple

I have had exactly the same problem for many months now. Talking with Apple support, they suggested that I wipe my computer, clean, twice, with no improvement. I was even so desperate I bought a new iMac, but it has the same problem. Now, Apple support suggests that it is a problem with the Contact app, but has no solution.

Now I spend spend many extra hours per month doing mailings for a club. A job that was simple last year before this function was lost.

It's hard to believe this problem hasn't been fixed even a year. Restarting holding the shift key worked for me, but the problem soon recurred, so it's a sticking plaster, not a solution.

February 19, 2024... this is still an issue with Contacts. MacBook Pro, 13.6.4 (22G513). Contats Version 2539.10 Really frustrating. The "hold shift" technique works for a few contacts moves, but then it becomes an issue again.