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recsat Author

Level 1

9 points

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

Top-ranking reply

iamgeni

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Jan 10, 2017 10:34 AM

I tried almost everything mentioned above. Finally, I edited the contact for just one of the phone numbers affected within my iMessages by adding a +1 to the beginning of the number. Went back to my Messages app, and all names had reappeared.

Maybe this will work for someone else? Soooooo frustrating! And weird.

View in context

160 replies

Oct 31, 2015 1:13 PM in response to recsat

Me too it's kee!

mess2

Level 1

0 points

Nov 11, 2015 7:37 AM in response to recsat

I had the same problem as everyone and it's driven me mad. I tried everything including resetting my network settings and going into Apple to speak to their "genius" who couldn't sorted and reported it as an error.

Today I'm quite excited as I think I've cracked it. The contacts I was having problems with had +44 at the start of their number so I changed it to start with 0. This didn't totally sort the problem, what I then did was delete the text message thread from that person and now when they text it is coming through with their name and not number. You have to delete the old text messages from them as well as ensuring the number doesn't start with +44.

It's worked for me so I'd be interested if its worked for anyone else

Feeling quite chuffed with myself.

Nov 12, 2015 8:49 AM in response to mess2

I'm pleased you found a way to make it work for you. Sadly deleting my text message threads is out of the question. When a fix requires me to delete my backed up data I can't really consider it a fix for me, but I am pleased that it worked out for you.

Nov 12, 2015 8:51 AM in response to recsat

A little point to note while I am here: One of my contacts toggles between using text messages and iMessage. They send a lot of group texts including non-iOS users so this is necessary. I have found that when they send using iMessage the notification identifies them correctly, but when it is a text message it doesn't.

Nov 12, 2015 9:16 AM in response to mess2

Thanks Mess this worked for me!!

Danski69

Level 1

15 points

Nov 12, 2015 1:36 PM in response to recsat

I have also noticed that one of my contacts shows up as a name when texting me only using iMessage, but when sending a group message (iMessage + SMS) it's just the number that shows up. The only fix I've not tried is deleting the text message threads, but this isn't an option for me either. Over 16,000 views on this particular Apple Support Community thread now - surely a proper fix will be released soon!?!?!?

recsat Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 5, 2015 12:41 AM in response to recsat

So it's 2.5 months and 22k views since I raised this and I'm still having this problem. the only thing I haven't tried is deleting the threads of all affected numbers because I need to keep that data. Not a great turnaround time for a bug fix!

My issue is also only with sms. If any of the affected numbers are able to send as iMessage it's recognised. If they send as sms its not.

I really hope this is addressed soon!

Dec 6, 2015 1:20 PM in response to recsat

Yep, me too. I'm also reluctant to delete threads, especially as there's no guarantee it will fix the problem.

Anyway, we shouldn't have to delete stuff, Apple should have sorted this by now!

Dec 8, 2015 11:44 PM in response to recsat

Yay! 9.2 was released overnight.

Hang on. No fix. Disappointed.

Dec 9, 2015 12:00 PM in response to gavinions

Gutted as well. Does Apple actually acknowledge when they are working on stuff? Seem to spend a lot of time and effort on launching new products but aftercare is not so good!

Dec 10, 2015 1:40 AM in response to Markinealing

For what it's worth I have the exact same issue. iMessages seem to show with the name of the sender in banners and the Notification Center but SMS messages just show the number.

I updated to iOS 9.2 yesterday and the problem is still there. Apple have to be aware of this issue and yet still no fix. Not great considering how long this thread has been going.

Dec 10, 2015 8:16 AM in response to recsat

Same issue for me on iPhone 6 on Virgin (EE) since the first iOS9 upgrade. Still not fixed in 9.2

Maybe more replies to this thread will get it noticed......

Rob Hope

Level 1

5 points

Dec 10, 2015 8:23 AM in response to recsat

Yeah update didn't fix it for me either. I had to delete the message thread to get it to work which I weren't happy about and quite a drastic measure really.

That number is working fine now but weirdly has started doing the same issue when in what's app? is this coincidence and an issue with what's app or same issue as previous but now in my what's app? Which I wont be deleting the thread off there.

wktuna

Level 1

0 points

Dec 10, 2015 1:56 PM in response to recsat

I just solved it for me. I had read just about all of the replies. The other night I had put this person on Do Not Disturb. I went to Details within the conversation and turned it off. Then deleted all of the texts and the person as a recent messenger. Works fine now.

Dec 11, 2015 1:48 AM in response to wktuna

Hi wktuna,

could you explain this a bit more? Are you saying to get this to work you deleted all the texts the person had ever sent you, and then deleted the person too?

This doesn't really sound like a fix. Hopefully i've misunderstood.

Text message notifications on iOS 9 not recognising contacts