Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 4

3,285 points

Duplicate Contacts

I’ve disconnected from iCloud, it has never worked for me. Now iCloud had duplicated itself numerous times in addition to duplicating groups within each iCloud group:

Howcan I fix this easily and remove the duplicate iCloud groups? I tried using the duplicate removal tool but only got “The operation has failed” dialog.

I guess from now on it is iTunes syncing over USB. This started when I tried unsuccessfully to log into iClod from an external disk plugged into my Mac. It just seems like iCloud has been nothing but a headache and I’m sorry I ever got involved.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5), Thunderbolt 27, iPhone 5S

Posted on Feb 24, 2015 10:05 AM

20 replies

Gnarlodious Author

Level 4

3,285 points

Mar 1, 2015 1:29 PM in response to Glenn Leblanc

OK I did a bunch of stuff you suggested, in addition to trashing all my caches and deleting several *.plist files that had “iCloud” in them. Rebooted a few times and it seems I am down to 2 zombie login windows instead of 5.

Apparently when I get these zombie windows I am already logged in, which means the computer is keeping me logged in between booting.

Maybe in a few days I’ll have more time to work on this. Thanks for your help.

Mar 1, 2015 3:19 PM in response to Gnarlodious

Yea. That makes no sense at all. If your Contact list is empty, when you sign into iCloud, it should only put back what's on the server. Don't understand it duplicating the account when you reboot. Just not seeing what causing the problem.

I'm pretty much out of ideas. Hopefully someone with more knowledge on Mavericks can give some insight.

Gnarlodious Author

Level 4

3,285 points

Mar 1, 2015 5:17 PM in response to Glenn Leblanc

YAAY ITS FIXED! It turns out iMessage was not logged into iCloud with a 2FA generated “Application specific password". Sheesh!

That is especially stupid since I have not run iMessage for at least 3 months and never even knew about such a maximum-security password, and iMessage is shown nowhere on the iCloud Prefpanel.

Gargantuan fail, Apple.

Mar 1, 2015 7:18 PM in response to Gnarlodious

No, iMessage is not part of iCloud settings and neither is FaceTime. That's why I said to sign out of both and sign back in when done. The 2FA is generally done when you first set it up on a new device. Funny that it should have asked for it again. Probably was the deletion of the KeyChain item for it. or a .plist file.

Glad it's fixed, but it still doesn't explain the duplicate accounts in Contacts.

Sures Ma

Level 1

34 points

Mar 1, 2015 7:27 PM in response to Gnarlodious

icloud is backup storage from iphone stills,videos and dwnlds.
u may have to reinstall from working browser.
It as additional email
increment the applications will surely enhance interface storage of icloud,
Hence you'll retrieve icloud.

Duplicate Contacts