Text message notifications on iOS 9 not recognising contacts

Since upgrading to iOS 9, any text message notifications seem to appear with the number rather than a contact name, but if i open the message app they are listed against the correct contact name.

This means that no custom text notifications are working either as the notification doesn't seem to be able to link the number to the contact record. It seems to work for iMessage, but anything sent as a normal text comes through as a number not the stored contact. I've tried the usual - reboot, switching off dial assist etc, but none of that has made a difference. I've also tried making sure the contact record has the same format as the number showing in the notification (e.g. with +44 in front) but that hasn't helped either. Can anyone help?

iPhone 5s, iOS 9

Posted on Sep 21, 2015 1:17 AM

160 replies

Jmahan81

Level 1

4 points

Jan 10, 2017 8:44 PM in response to recsat

I tried turning on short names in the contact settings and it worked for me... I tried EVERYTHING eLearning suggested. Nothing worked but that.

Adammey

Level 1

4 points

Jan 15, 2017 8:47 PM in response to iamgeni

This worked!!!!!!!

thank you sooooooo much!

Jan 18, 2017 11:33 PM in response to andyr.

Try Settings>contacts>Short name and turn off the two buttons for Short Name and Prefer Nicknames

LARD1

Level 1

12 points

Jan 30, 2017 6:51 AM in response to Jeg@apple

After trying many, many fixes, this one instantly did the job. Thanks!

Feb 7, 2017 10:10 AM in response to SimonK4034

that worked! thanks so much

ML2360

Level 1

4 points

Feb 7, 2017 8:56 PM in response to recsat

I was able to fix this on my iPhone 6 iOS 10 by switching

Mar 13, 2017 8:32 AM in response to andyr.

Reset your settings it worked for me just go back in and change your settings afterwards and you'll be set also best part is you keep everything :)

Mar 17, 2017 12:41 PM in response to Jeg@apple

Turning off short name and nicknames worked for me. Thanks

May 13, 2017 10:20 AM in response to trav012000

I added the step of powering off the phone after turning all text features off then turning them back on after turning the phone back on.

Cyfry77

Level 1

4 points

May 31, 2017 10:31 AM in response to Jeg@apple

Thanks, Jeg. I did it and that worked. Even after I turn short name and prefer nickname back on, all the contacts are showing the names now.

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Text message notifications on iOS 9 not recognising contacts