After Lion upgrade, my addressbook does not work++

This works.....but it keeps happpening

Barney, you just made my day.

Thanks 🙂

My thanks too--clear instructions, happy ending!

Had the same problem. In my case I had to Repair Permissions (using Disk Utility) as well before it worked. Cheers!

You might have some more complex issues in your home folder if it keeps getting corrupted. Also, syncing with MobileMe (now iCloud) may be causing the issues. Restting SyncServices might elminate it coming back. If you don't sync the contacts, then perhaps your home folder permissions are messed up. Take a look at jsd2's post on resetting home folder permissions: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3578673

SocratesRules wrote:

Had the same problem. In my case I had to Repair Permissions (using Disk Utility) as well before it worked. Cheers!

Not sure how that helped, but it seems there is a lot of voodoo in that whole process. Repair Permissions doesn't touch anything in your home folder, which is where the address book data lives. But, the behavior everyone has seen here touches upon the whole "strange behavior" that I would suspect some sort of permission issue is possible.

If you ever think you need to reset your home folder permissions, see the link I posted above.

Thanks Barney! That worked for me too.

Barney-15E, thanks! You are a life-saver. Your suggestion worked!

🙂

Thank you for your help: it worked for me, too!

Barney's method works great! There is another solution. If you have more than one device using Address Book through iCloud, then simply go to:

1. System Preferences

2. Click on iCloud.

3. Uncheck Contacts, when the computer asks if you want to delete your contacts on your computer, say YES.

4. Wait a few seconds, check Address Book and it should be empty.

5. Re-Check Contacts in the iCloud screen, and Voila your contacts will be repopulated from iCloud and the Address Book works once again!

This fix works - that's the good news. The bad news is that it doesn't seem to last for long and then one must do it again, and again.

Is there anything newer in posts than from last year which might indicate a more permanent fix or source of the conflict? [I am begining to suspect merging duplicate contacts may have something to do with it...]

This did NOT work for me, but I see why it might for some.

What DID work for me was deleting the listed file, unchecking iCloud synd in System Prefs, and choosing to remove the addresses from my Mac. I then closed and reopened system prefs and rechecked to sync my address book. It was redownloaded from icloud and all is working again.

IMPORTANT NOTE: You obviously need to have your address book synced somewhere to then resync.

Unchecking iCloud sync was the first step; the method of syncing was not specified on purpose as it could be various things.

I've just experienced this issue tonight. I have lost all of my address book contacts from not only my MBP but also my iphone. I have tried (repeatedly) the steps outlined by Barney and they work for about 2 seconds before they delete before my eyes again. Please help!

Do you have anything that is syncing the contacts? If so, disable syncing.