Getting support for a tough issue

I have been working with a senior APPLE engineer since May on a problem that they have not been able to solve. The problem seems to be getting worse. I have a case number and am having trouble getting anyone at Apple to care. The problem is complicated and is well documented in the case. I am having trouble getting anyone at APPLE to actually care. Any advice from the community?


  1. Some text messages that I used to get do not come to my iPad (mainly sign in verifications)
  2. On my phone, I am unable to create any lists. If I open the phone app, select contacts, and hit the left arrow (at the top), it goes to a page that says “LISTS” at the top and an EDIT button. If you hit the edit button, the button changes to a checkmark. The only way off that page is to close the phone app entirely
  3. Any changes to the individual contacts from that list do not change the contacts on the iPad.
  4. The music app: the library shown are significantly different.
  5. iCloud when I look at the iCloud app. It does not show that contacts are there at all, and I have not been able to add CONTACTS to the list of apps on the iCloud+ app screen.


iPhone 12 Pro, iOS 26

Posted on Sep 25, 2026 2:46 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 25, 2026 3:21 PM

1- Sign in verification messages are sent by SMS. The iPad alone is not capable of receiving SMS messages, you would need a linked iPhone. The iPhone must be using the same Apple Account and you will want Messages in iCloud turned on at Settings > [name on top] > iCloud > Messages. The set up to turn on iCloud Messages on your iPad and using your iPhone as a Text Messaging forwarding device are here.

Set up Messages on iPad - Apple Support

2- It may help to see a screenshot of the List page on your iPhone. If you have increased the Text Size, the Add List button may have been pushed offscreen. You can try decreasing the Text Size at Settings > Appearance to see if the Add List button appears. When tapping the Edit button, it will change to a Checkmark and to exit editing, just tap the Checkmark and the Edit button will return. Should be no reason to quit the app.

3- Of course both devices must be using the same Apple Account and Contacts must be turned on both devices at Settings > [name on top] > iCloud > See All > Contacts. If you have a VPN on either device, you should remove it to test, not just turn it off. If you have Low Power Mode turned on either device, it will not sync (Your battery indicator will be yellow if Low Power Mode is on).

4- Again on both devices Music must be turned on at Settings > [Name on top} > iCloud > See All > Music. And on both devices go to Settings > Apps > Music and make sure Sync Library has been turned on. The same VPN rule in number 3 applies here too.

5- Not sure what iCloud app you are referring to here. If you mean at iCloud.com, then review the information here. Both devices will have to have Contacts turned on for iCloud to see those there, from the instruction in step 3.


For most of what you describe, they all seem to be related to any of these 3 possibilities:

  • The use of a VPN
  • Low Power Mode is enabled (yellow battery indicator)
  • iCloud has not been turned on for the Setting you want to sync.
11 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 25, 2026 3:21 PM in response to gr8white6

1- Sign in verification messages are sent by SMS. The iPad alone is not capable of receiving SMS messages, you would need a linked iPhone. The iPhone must be using the same Apple Account and you will want Messages in iCloud turned on at Settings > [name on top] > iCloud > Messages. The set up to turn on iCloud Messages on your iPad and using your iPhone as a Text Messaging forwarding device are here.

Set up Messages on iPad - Apple Support

2- It may help to see a screenshot of the List page on your iPhone. If you have increased the Text Size, the Add List button may have been pushed offscreen. You can try decreasing the Text Size at Settings > Appearance to see if the Add List button appears. When tapping the Edit button, it will change to a Checkmark and to exit editing, just tap the Checkmark and the Edit button will return. Should be no reason to quit the app.

3- Of course both devices must be using the same Apple Account and Contacts must be turned on both devices at Settings > [name on top] > iCloud > See All > Contacts. If you have a VPN on either device, you should remove it to test, not just turn it off. If you have Low Power Mode turned on either device, it will not sync (Your battery indicator will be yellow if Low Power Mode is on).

4- Again on both devices Music must be turned on at Settings > [Name on top} > iCloud > See All > Music. And on both devices go to Settings > Apps > Music and make sure Sync Library has been turned on. The same VPN rule in number 3 applies here too.

5- Not sure what iCloud app you are referring to here. If you mean at iCloud.com, then review the information here. Both devices will have to have Contacts turned on for iCloud to see those there, from the instruction in step 3.


For most of what you describe, they all seem to be related to any of these 3 possibilities:

  • The use of a VPN
  • Low Power Mode is enabled (yellow battery indicator)
  • iCloud has not been turned on for the Setting you want to sync.

Sep 25, 2026 3:18 PM in response to gr8white6

Regarding your item 2 (and possibly 3 and/or 5), I have an additional button shown in the upper right.


I store my Contacts in iCloud. (Where are yours housed? Check Settings > Apps > Contacts > Contacts Accounts. Hopefully you have exactly one account there capable of housing Contacts, and that is iCloud.) The “Other Known” entry was something I concocted from an email address.


Sep 26, 2026 9:07 AM in response to sberman

Here is my second page of the contacts page. This is the first time I noticed, but the voicemail button is also missing. I am sorry for sounding like I am panicking, but I am. I have a case with Apple, but either they can’t reach me, or they don’t care.


where are my contacts saved? I don’t know, but I can’t find them in the cloud.


Thanks to those who read this.


[Edited by Moderator]

Sep 25, 2026 10:27 PM in response to gr8white6

gr8white6 wrote:
This is the first time I noticed, but the voicemail button is also missing.

The voicemail button as well as the Favorites button are both missing when you choose Unified View in the Phone app. They appear when you choose Classic View.


These views are chosen by tapping the three parallel horizontal bars in the upper right of the Phone app while looking at “Recents”. Undoubtedly you don’t see those bars for the same reason you don’t see “Add List” above.


Getting support for a tough issue

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