Usual ways of determining the source of a text are not working

Question

Tim Murray2 Author

Level 1

122 points

Usual ways of determining the source of a text are not working

I have attached three graphics.

The original text:

This is when I tap their icon at the top:

And this is via the Messages app in Tahoma 26.5.2:

None of the number have a "recent" tag. Any other place to look? (If I had the time I'd look in my carrier's call database. I might do that. But that solution notwithstanding. . . .)

Also, it may be related to this scenario: I get a call from a number not in my contacts, but the number plainly appears on my phone's screen. I answer and while we talk a few minutes, I think that although I don't have any way to write it down right now, I can get the number from the Recent list later.

Well, it's not there. Of course, it not in my Missed list either. This happens quite often, by the way.

Any ideas?

Thanks. OK

iPhone 14

Posted on Jul 31, 2026 9:06 AM

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Answer 1

leroydouglas

Level 10

205,552 points

Jul 31, 2026 10:57 AM in response to Tim Murray2

Tahoma 26.5.2:

Not sure I grok the issue...

appears to be from Goodwill Concord(?)

re: macOS Tahoe

verify your software is up to date—

The current stable release of Tahoe including bug fixes, security updates is macOS 26.6 - I would start there

Keep your Mac up to date - Apple Support

The current stable release of iOS including bug fixes, security updates is iOS 26.6

Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

if it is spam—

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Answer 2

leroydouglas

Level 10

205,552 points

Jul 31, 2026 11:16 AM in response to Tim Murray2

Tim Murray2 wrote:

To clarify, I don't really care so which of the three the text came from. It was more concerned that the text was identified as coming from a source in my contact list, yet Messages could not, or did not, identify which number sent it.

Put another way: When a text arrives that is associated to a contact, iOS or macOS or Messages should show you which number it came from.

[Actually, EVERY text should identify the source number, but that's a pie-in-the-sky wish.]

To be proactive you can submit your feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple

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Answer 3

Jul 31, 2026 11:18 AM in response to Tim Murray2

Product Feedback - Apple

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Answer 4

Tim Murray2 Author

Level 1

122 points

Jul 31, 2026 11:18 AM in response to leroydouglas

Thanks, but Stevie Wonder could see it was from GoodwillNG (NG = North Georgia). In this specific situation I didn't really care which of the three numbers it came from. I was more concerned that the text was identified as a source in my contact list, yet Messages did not identify which number sent it. I'll update my initial post.

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Answer 5

Tim Murray2 Author

Level 1

122 points

Jul 31, 2026 11:09 AM in response to Kilgore-Trout

In this specific situation I didn't really care so which of the three the text came from. It was more concerned that the text was identified as coming from a source in my contact list, yet Messages did not identify which number sent it. I'll update my initial post.

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Answer 6

Tim Murray2 Author

Level 1

122 points

Jul 31, 2026 11:14 AM in response to Tim Murray2

To clarify, I don't really care so which of the three the text came from. It was more concerned that the text was identified as coming from a source in my contact list, yet Messages could not, or did not, identify which number sent it.

Put another way: When a text arrives that is associated to a contact, iOS or macOS or Messages should show you which number it came from.

[Actually, EVERY text should identify the source number, but that's a pie-in-the-sky wish.]

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Answer 7

Jul 31, 2026 12:45 PM in response to Tim Murray2

Mine does. For example this text from Duke Energy. When the name on the text is pressed and held, the menu appears with the number 57801, which corresponds to the number in my contacts. This is exactly as MrHoffman describes.

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Answer 8

MrHoffman

Level 10

158,545 points

Jul 31, 2026 7:34 PM in response to Tim Murray2

Tim Murray2 wrote:

YES. I did not know the "hold" was there!

Apple has included these tap-and-hold controls in various places. With iOS and iPadOS fields involving phone numbers and serial numbers and model numbers and similar strings for instance, a “copy” pop-up might then appear for a press-and-hold. A copy that copies the field contents into the clipboard. Settings > General > About has these. These copies are handy, too.

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Answer 9

Jul 31, 2026 10:50 AM in response to Tim Murray2

What exactly do you want to know? Not sure I quite get it, or what that text has to do with a phone call. If you are questioning that the text is legitimate, call goodwill and confirm.

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