Why aren't recently added contacts appearing on iMessage?

Question

Level 1

7 points

Why aren't recently added contacts appearing on iMessage?

I recently added a few new contacts onto my iPhone, but these names are not appearing under contacts/iMessage on both my MacBook Air and MBP. Texting from either device works just fine, but on the computers, all I'm seeing are their telephone numbers and not their names.

I've searched through multiple forums to find a solution, but I'm not sure I've seen anyone with a similar problem. I've inked and unlinked accounts, logging in and out of iCloud, did hard restarts, etc. Nothing has worked thus far. Any other suggestions anyone might have?

Thanks in advance!

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Jun 9, 2014 8:55 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 29, 2017 5:56 AM in response to emjay23

For me turning iCloud contacts off, restart and then on in both devices together with importing my contacts again from SIM to iCloud and Gmail or any other service worked for me. Also iCloud has to be set as default account for contacts in all devices.

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Answer 2

Jun 9, 2014 12:42 PM in response to emjay23

Hi,

To be clear.

On the iPhone and the Mac is iCloud set to Sync the Contacts lists ?

It needs to be set on Both.

8:42 pm Monday; June 9, 2014

 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad

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Answer 3

emjay23 Author

Level 1

7 points

Jun 9, 2014 12:44 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Yes, they've both always been selected to be synced.

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Answer 4

Jun 9, 2014 12:58 PM in response to emjay23

Hi,

On the Mac open the Contacts app and select the Preferences in the app menu.

In the accounts section does it list iCloud as the active Option ?

Is any other option also active ?

Is iCloud the top one if there are two or more ?

8:58 pm Monday; June 9, 2014

 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad

Reply

Answer 5

emjay23 Author

Level 1

7 points

Jun 9, 2014 1:15 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Hi Ralph,

Yes, the iCloud is the selected.

There are two accounts: iCloud and "On My Mac."

iCloud is on top.

Thanks,

emjay

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Answer 6

Jun 9, 2014 1:23 PM in response to emjay23

Hi,

And the account is also Enabled ?

I ask as when I open this preference the top item is selected (highlighted in my chosen blue) but there is also and Enable this Account box - which should be linked to the System Preferences > iCloud settings fro the Contacts app.

I take it on the iPhone the Settings > Mail, Contacts and Calendars > Accounts > iCloud shows the Contacts as Active ?

Using the iCloud button should go straight to the same place.

Try toggling the Mac version Off and ON again (it will ask if you want to keep the Contacts "On your Mac" - say yes)

9:23 pm Monday; June 9, 2014

 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad

Reply

Answer 7

emjay23 Author

Level 1

7 points

Jun 9, 2014 1:42 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Ralph,

Yes, the account was also slected to read "enabled."

And yes, on the iPhone settings, iCloud is showing up with the contacts as active.

I tried toggling contacts off and on, for both devices, keeping contacts on my device.

Still no changes.

Thanks,

emjay

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Answer 8

Jun 9, 2014 1:49 PM in response to emjay23

Humm,

I am as stuck as you are now.

On the Mac do the Numbers show on the individual Address Cards ?

(i.e. is the detail on the card or is it not getting there).

9:49 pm Monday; June 9, 2014

 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad

Reply

Answer 9

emjay23 Author

Level 1

7 points

Jun 9, 2014 1:57 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Yes, detail is on the address card.

It's just my most recent contacts that aren't showing up in contacts at all.

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Answer 10

Jun 10, 2014 11:24 AM in response to emjay23

Ok,

Can Card be created on the Mac version with just a Name ?

Does then sync to the the iPhone ?

Can you then add Numbers ?

In an Edit is the Number set as an iPhone ?

(I have two other Address Cards that reflect they come from my two other computers - hence the odd name to this one.)

Next in Messages > Preferences > Accounts > iMessages account > Details Button (You will have to Login to view here) Is the country code (Locations at the bottom) right ?

Does this match the fact that the numbers in the Contacts app have Country codes ?

7:24 pm Tuesday; June 10, 2014

 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad

Reply

Answer 11

emjay23 Author

Level 1

7 points

Jun 11, 2014 12:35 PM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

Ralph,

I created the contact, updating just the name, on my MacBook Air. For testing purposes, I used the name "Jessica" on my MacBook Air and "Jess" on my iPhone. Neither one synced to another.

I set the number to iPhone.

The country code is correct.

Thanks.

Reply

Answer 12

Jun 11, 2014 12:40 PM in response to emjay23

Hi,

And you are sure that both the Mac and the iPhone are suing the same Apple ID for this sync to go ahead ?

If this is the case try a Safe Boot

8:40 pm Wednesday; June 11, 2014

 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Mavericks 10.9)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 Couple of iPhones and an iPad

Reply

Answer 13

kamari18

Level 1

0 points

Nov 13, 2014 10:00 AM in response to emjay23

Ive had the same exact problem but what i did was go to the settings on my iphone and went to mail, contacts, calenders then I scrolled until i saw "Import SIM Contacts" and i imported them to my Yahoo account along with my iCloud account and then they showed up in my contacts on my MacBook. I hope this helps

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