iOS 17 Default Contact Screen Difficult to Read

Latest update to iOS 17 put a big gray poster background with white font on each of my contacts. Unless they used a custom photo, it is nearly impossible to read.


For clarification, I’m an older adult and my eyes aren’t what they used to be so most of my settings are set to a black background with a gray font.


Has anyone figured out how to change that gray poster box without having to do it on each contact one at a time?

Posted on Sep 19, 2023 3:41 PM

Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 3, 2023 3:02 PM

I called Apple support and you can change the background color by hitting edit one the contact then the edit picture and then chose color or for some of them I didn’t have that option so had to hit monogram ( put the first letter in the first circle) then pick the color you want. Each one has to be done individually but for my 95 year old mother I had to do it. Fortunately her iPad and phone are connected so at least I only had to do it on the phone.

177 replies

Nov 29, 2023 11:00 PM in response to Community User

The gray screen is likely not going to be fixed because it was designed to look ugly. Apple wants its users to update their contact posters so they look pretty on incoming calls. But the ugly gray screen will continue to show up for any non-Apple users since they do not have the contact posters feature. It encourages people to buy an Apple phone so they don’t appear ugly on other Apple phones. That is also why Apple chose an ugly green background to identify non-Apple users in iMessage. So please never get annoyed at anyone who has an ugly gray screen or a yucky green bubble. Apple understands aesthetics and could make them look nice if they wanted to.

Nov 30, 2023 1:49 AM in response to Wendola99

BETA participation is not going to solve this problem for two reasons: Apple engineers are changing the aesthetics as well as functionality. And some people are too busy to get involved in something that is distracting and should not be a priority in their lives.


The main theme and request is don’t change the aesthetics. Focus on functionality. How hard is that? Evidently too hard for some young fellows or ladder climbing folks who want to impress their bosses with some off the wall coding.

Nov 30, 2023 6:58 AM in response to Wendola99

Wendola99 wrote:

Do we know if Apple personnel monitor this website? Would be a good chance for them to see in real time if their house is on fire

The only Apple personnel who consistently monitor this site are the Hosts. Their job is to make sure that people follow the rules. They do not have the time or staffing to deal with finding feedback in this fire hose of posts.


If you want Apple to know your thoughts on the matter, use the feedback page:


Product Feedback - Apple


Someone, I don't think a comparatvely minor issue of aethetics is exactly a house fire.

Nov 30, 2023 3:37 PM in response to Community User

iOS 17 Default Contact Screen Colors


The options to change contact screen colors needs to be fixed. The IOS 17 update is anything but pleasant to look at. Also, changing each poster one at a time is incredibly ridiculous expectation of customers. What are iPhone owners who have business contacts supposed to do? Scroll through hundreds and make individual changes?

I chose the iPhone because Apple has always been cutting edge with its technology and look. The iPhone doesn’t look unique or original anymore. It looks like all the other phones.

Dec 1, 2023 3:44 PM in response to lacomi

Well, I knew update again come in for 17.1.2 well guess what? SOS yes right same old crap it did not change the phone contacts. They’re still in the new way. They put them up that nobody likes. I don’t either so don’t expect the new update to go back to the old way that the contacts used to be don’t happen. I knew it wouldn’t, but I updated it anyway just to check, so there you go Apple people who have contacts that was screwed up by the other update it did not change it back so all these comments that people are making it’s not worth the printing that they’re printing it on because they’re not gonna change a dang thing. Oh well, merry Christmas. It is what it is we can’t see our people we’re talking to their smothered and covered in gray color .

Dec 3, 2023 4:18 PM in response to Txlinx

I am amazed at the product manager that allowed this. Using half the screen for nothing and then adding a poster or picture edit bar to waste more space when that could have been in an edit menu. Its unbelievable and so "unApple".


That being said, I was able to go from the first below to the second. It is NOT easy and takes me 5-7 minutes per contact. I did all ma "A".'s this afternoon after updating last night.


If I can do this, Apple can automate this in a similar way as an option. I can live with this if forced to.




I may not do any more hoping for enough outrage to get a quick fix.



Dec 11, 2023 7:17 AM in response to Vhombre

Vhombre wrote:

lol ton of people hate it. Imagine all those suffering in silence because they can’t find this page. When you make a mistake you gotta own it and fix it. Calm before the storm.

Nobody said you can’t do you and Apple does not need you to rescue them. We all make mistakes. Fix the problem.

What you (or anyone else) dislikes is not something I can do anything about. Tell Apple:


Product Feedback - Apple

Dec 13, 2023 11:51 AM in response to Community User

Apple needs to fix the screwup they made with 17 it’s ruined everybody’s contacts and you cannot see them in the evening after daylight is gone etc. Just spent an hour and a half at the Apple Store for them to tell me they have no contact with Apple on such issues and they cannot fix it. This is ridiculous and the ??? Engineers on updates need to be fired or fix this in the next 24 hours

iOS 17 Default Contact Screen Difficult to Read

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