Mac Messages app showing phone numbers not names

Just updated to Ventura and my Messages app is now only showing phone numbers, not names.

All the phone numbers ARE IN my Contacts. My MacBook and iPhone work fine with this. It is NOT an icoud issue, but messages is not talking to my Contacts for the names. If I try to connect the phone number in Messages with Contacts it makes me create a NEW contact, rather than letting me connect the two. HELP! Anyone know what's up??

--My contacts are NOT synced thru iCloud, and worked perfectly on my previous computer. (Which I copied over to this one)

iMac (M1, 2021)

Posted on Aug 8, 2023 12:44 PM

Best reply

lpak1234

Level 1

16 points

Posted on Nov 8, 2023 6:30 PM

Hi John,

I had a similar problem and found somewhat of a solution. If you haven't already resolved your issue, give this a try:

On Macbook: contacts → settings → accounts → with iMessage open, toggle "enable this account" for each active account (watch your messages app to see if contact names reappear).

In my case, disabling my google account made my contact names and photos reappear. I noticed for all the contacts that were unknown when my google account was enabled, each contact card included the person's email. Having their email in their iMessage contact was unnecessary for my use, so I simply removed their emails from their contact, reenabled my google account, and the issue was still resolved.

My apologies if this is not useful for your purposes; good luck!

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29 replies

Mar 11, 2024 4:28 PM in response to John Boyarsky1

I couldn't solve this on my own by just looking at these things, but what worked for me (and may work or at least give lots of clarity on your SPECIFIC situation) was calling Apple Customer Service -- wow they are frickin professional! They solved my problem today, while answering another question with an unrelated issue that's been bothering me too! Just do it!

darelldd

Level 1

4 points

May 3, 2024 11:09 AM in response to paulahyns

The more we learn, the more it seems like the system just needs to be kicked every so often. It would sure be great if Apple would make this happen automatically of course. But in the meantime yeah.... we just need to find a way that wakes it up to do a refresh.

bailier

Community Specialist

Aug 9, 2023 12:05 PM in response to John Boyarsky1

Hi John,

Thank you for the update. At this point, we suggest you contact Apple Support so that they can look into this with you further.

They can be reached here: Apple Support

Take care.

Nov 11, 2023 3:11 PM in response to lpak1234

Hi,

Where is contacts on Mac?

Jan 8, 2024 9:57 AM in response to lpak1234

Thank You! I hav ben struggling with this for months now, but your solution worked perfectly!

jpdemers

Level 1

89 points

Jan 15, 2024 10:07 AM in response to MarissaLa

Should be in the Applications folder. Or enter cmd-spacebar, then type Contacts.app into the spotlight search field.

Jan 21, 2024 2:33 AM in response to BonarnoldElsie

Yes.. this worked for me too. Gracias.

Mar 8, 2024 4:53 PM in response to Webmb

Dont use 3rd party accounts on Messages. Just my iphone number and Apple ID, both synced to a single Apple ID.

Mar 13, 2024 4:13 PM in response to lpak1234

This was a simple and easy fix! Worked for me. Thank you!!

Mar 17, 2024 10:55 AM in response to John Boyarsky1

On your mac, go to settings-> tap on your profile-> icloud-> show more apps -> messages in icloud -> on

Also make sure contacts is turned on in both iphone and mac

dada64

Level 1

12 points

Apr 4, 2024 5:23 PM in response to John Boyarsky1

I deleted my Google account due to multiplied calendar alerts. That caused the names to disappear. Reconnecting that Google account and rebooting made the names reappear.

Apr 23, 2024 11:49 AM in response to lpak1234

Thank you so much! I've been dealing with this issue for so long and its been driving me crazy.

PatriceB

Level 1

4 points

May 15, 2024 2:21 AM in response to John Boyarsky1

The previous answer by ipak1234 worked. Disabling Google solved the problem. Thanks.

PatriceB

Level 1

4 points

May 15, 2024 2:21 AM in response to lpak1234

Thanks, it worked.

Mac Messages app showing phone numbers not names