Need a contact’s messages to default to their Apple ID email address and not their landline.

Question

Level 1

4 points

Need a contact’s messages to default to their Apple ID email address and not their landline.

I have a contact with whom I iMessage frequently. She does not have a mobile number, she does have a landline. When I ask Siri to send her a message, it always tries to send to her landline, and I receive an error message that it did not go through. So I have to cut and paste the message, go to contacts > iMessage > then both landline and email address appear, and I have to manually choose the email address. Is there any way to default Siri to this particular person’s email address (which is her Apple ID)?

Posted on Jul 3, 2023 1:20 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

FrankieTG Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 5, 2023 8:38 AM in response to Chris_V89

I worked with apple support and they confirmed my fears. Siri is not capable of defaulting to an apple ID email address if any phone number is present in the contact. They suggested either removing the phone number altogether, or creating a second contact with the phone number only. I did the former, because I was not sure how creating a 2nd contact with the phone number only would work. Wouldn't Siri choose that first over the 2nd contact with email only?

Reply

Answer 2

Jul 4, 2023 3:45 PM in response to FrankieTG

Hey there FrankieTG,

In this case, open the Contacts app and tap on the affected contact, then tap Edit. Remove their phone number (be sure to save the number so you can add it back.) Then try contacting them with the number removed. It should definitely use their Apple ID this time. Restart your iPhone, add the number back while making sure the Apple ID is still the preferred contact method. See if the issue is resolved. Sometimes removing the number could force it to correct itself.

Regards.

Reply

Answer 3

Jul 4, 2023 2:56 PM in response to FrankieTG

Hello FrankieTG,

Here is how to set up the default method of contact if you are using an iPhone:

Open Messages
Tap "New Message"
Start to enter in Contact in To: field
As contacts populate in the drop down, click the arrow pointing right
The different contact options should appear
Click on preferred option

Cheers.

Reply

Answer 4

mingoslkd

Community Specialist

Jul 5, 2023 8:50 AM in response to FrankieTG

Hi FrankieTG,

We're glad you got in touch with Apple Support for some assistance.

In answer to your question, we'd suggest making the second contact with a different name. For example, first name only or first and last name.

It may take Siri some time to choose the correct name. However, if you use their entire name for the email address, and ask Siri to send an iMessage to the "full name", that may just work.

We wish you the best!

Reply

Answer 5

Chris_V89

Community Specialist

Jul 4, 2023 4:40 PM in response to FrankieTG

Hey FrankieTG,

Thanks for keeping us updated.

From here, based on the information you've provided and the steps you've gone through, we would recommend reaching out to Apple Support for additional assistance at this link here: Apple Support

They would be the best option to take a closer look into the issue from here.

Take care!

Reply

Answer 6

FrankieTG Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 4, 2023 3:59 PM in response to barberlives123

Didn’t work. I followed the instructions as written. Restarted the phone, added back in a ‘home’ number. Asked Siri to send message and it again tried to send to the newly entered landline. Using an XSMax with latest software update. I notice that the preferred method of contact defaulted to the ‘home’ number (which is a landline). I re-selected the email address (Apple ID) and Siri still defaults to the landline.

Reply

Answer 7

FrankieTG Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 4, 2023 3:00 PM in response to srbwanderer

Just tried your advice, but the contact’s email address is the preferred contact already, which is the Apple ID. I also tried Siri again, and it still defaults to the landline phone number.

Reply

Need a contact’s messages to default to their Apple ID email address and not their landline.

Similar questions