My deleted contacts still show up when I want to send a text message

i went into settings, looked at facebook, turned off contacts and mail, then i went into mail and calenders, turned off mail and contacts, then tried my messaging typed a couple of letters and only got my original people that are in my contacts list, there are also no groups for facebook, and hotmail showing in my contacts it worked for me guys give it a try, these deleted contacts could still be on hotmail or any other email you have, or facebook contacts.

I had the same issue but I fixed mine the way I wanted to. I don't know I we have the exact same issue but I figured it was linked to Facebook. So I went to my settings and under Facebook you just turn off the contacts button under it. Hope this helps a couple people!

Thanks for the suggestion. I've gone through Facebook, email accounts, ICloud etc to make certain nothing is linked to the contacts. The issue is solely with the inability to clear the SMS cache. The deleted contacts and deleted text messages remain in the cache even after being deleted. I suspect that it affects everyone but only a small percentage discover the flaw and, or are as bothered by it as some of us are. As an educator, I ad and then delete lists contacts each semester. Any deleted contact that a text message has been sent or received from remains in the cache. The speculation is that the matter will be resolved with IOS 7 but as with all of the updates since IOS 6 it remains unconfirmed speculation.

I'm having the same problem and nothing seems to work.

I can't seem to work out your suggestion which the inital user had marked as solving the problem.

When i have a text conversation with the person (who isnt in my contacts and is selected when writing a new message), at the top it says either 'call', 'facetime' or 'contact.'

When i go on contact i can click edit and then delete the contact but the contact still appears when i go to write a message and type the name that they were saved as even though they're not in my contacts.

Any advice?

Thanks

The deleted contacts are still stored in the SMS cache. Unfortunately, the only way to clear the cache is the drastic step of total system restore "as new". Apple has to add the functionality of clearing the cache independently. It is enormously frustrating.

Anyone one can get the new ios. All you need to do is want it. There are 3 legal ways of getting it. You can either register yourself as a developer, pay $99 or registering ur UDiD. I wouldn't encourage you to get it illegally since since it's a beta version and you have no idea what the hackers inserted into the OS.

Anyways, the official release is right around the corner along with the new iPhone 5S.

I believe I figured out a "work-around" solution without having to restore your entire phone.

1. Connect your phone to Sync it to Itunes

2. Within Itunes click on your phone on the left side and within the right nav menu click on "Info" tab

3. Within the Advanced Section click on Contacts

Hit "Sync"

What this will do is allow iTunes to replace your contacts on your iPhone with the contacts on your computer / laptop.

This worked for me, I was able to successfully send text messages without it coming back and saying the number doesn't exist.

Make sure your contacts on your computer is up to date. I have a MacBook Pro so the contacts were easy to update on my laptop.

Not sure about windows, sorry.

I hope this solution works for you all.

In 2000, My first NEXTEL flip phone allowed for management of contacts.

I have visited the Apple store twice, have emailed Apple several times, and have called Apple to discuss this issue.

The inconvenience here is somewhat minor. What is most troubling, as an Apple Stockholder, is that the company is not fixing issues this basic.

This is truly pathetic. I will pass on Apple products in the future.

THANKFULLY, I'VE FOUND A WAY! (Version 6.1.3 IPhone)

Without restoring your phone to factory set!

I was just scrolling through all the comments on here because it become a slight annoyance to me to. Scrolling through, I found out it was all to do with this "spotlight search" but by the time I ha read about 50 or more comments I got bored, so I went for a browse in my settings for this spotlight search and I found it. It appears on most things from old contacts, to old and "deleted" text messages. All I had to do was to click on the things I didn't want to have spotlight search on and it removed. I only can see the things I want to now! I am well happy I figured this out as it is one of those things which ain't big but are so irritating. If you want to get rid of the spotlight search on things go to;

Settings > general > spotlight search. Then untick (by clicking) on the things you don't want things to appear on search. Thanks! I hope this helps, I don't know if its the same as other apple products (iPads, iPods etc) as it is with my iPhone. :D

Unfortunately, this does not resolve the issue being discussed. It will prevent actual text messages from appearing in the search but will not prevent deleted contacts from appearing when entering new to compose new messages. Essentially deleted contacts are never actually deleted. Waiting to see if IOS 7 allows the ability to clear the new message cache which is the issue being discuss.

Whilst the problem isn't solved, this message makes me feel slightly better as I had to restore my phone to get rid of unwanted contacts when composing a message and would have been frustrating if LouPatts solution worked after me restoring my phone which was something I really didnt want to do. Got fed up of not being able to solve it haha

Work Aroung!!!

I figured out a work around for this issue. Put the old number back into the existing contact information as another number to call. Make the older number either second or third to the list of the numbers you want for that contact. Whatever number you wish to text moving foward should be listed first under your contact. This has worked for me. Good luck.

This was a problem for me when people changed their number...

I would replace their old number with the new one. Yet when I start a new message and begin typing in their name both the new and old would come up... which when your in a rush is very frustrating... I used to end up texting both just in case lol!!

Very silly considering what my Iphone can do but can't REALLY delete a phone number....I mean its a phone yet can't carry out one very basic task...SHOCKING!!!

My "work around" has been to put the old numbers back in but put them all under one contact which I've named "Old number".... SO when I'm typing in a contacts name atleast when an old number appears in the list since it has "Old number" written above it I know not to select that one! TaDa!

Similar to what Prmcconn said..however what a shame to be having to do this on something that cost ££££!!

APPLE SORT IT OUT!!!!!!!!!

perfectlyME wrote:

Unfortunately, Apple routinely deletes such legitimate comments as "rantings".

How does that square with the fact that this thread has been here for over six months? Even if they did, you agreed to allow them do so when you signed up for the forums and agreed to the Terms of Use.

reza651 wrote:

...then i restored from my backup the problem is back.

Of course it is, your backup is where the information is stored. If you restore without loading a backup, then that cleans this up.