Level 1

54 points

iCloud Contacts failing to sync after High Sierra

All of my other iCloud information synchronizes perfectly. Photos, Notes, Calendars, Reminders... But Contacts is not updating. The only account I’m using is iCloud. It downloads a version that might be a day old, but any changes I make are not synchronized back to the server.

I have tested my iPhone running iOS 11 and iCloud.com to make sure they are talking to each other, both ways. I can create a contact on both, and it will show up on the other consistently and instantaneously. My Mac, on the other hand, will never update changes in either direction.

I have attempted to disable and re-enable Contacts (with or without a restart in between), I have signed completely out of iCloud and back in (ugh), which seemed to get the latest Contacts initially, but then it failed to update after that. I’m now back to a stuck Contacts list. I’ve also disabled Contacts and deleted ~/Library/Application Support/AddressBook as well as anything with AddressBook in the title in ~/Library/Preferences.

Has anyone else experienced this issue, and has anyone found a workaround?

MacBook Air, macOS High Sierra (10.13)

Posted on Sep 26, 2017 5:11 PM

Top-ranking reply

Dave Sag

Level 1

18 points

Posted on Oct 11, 2017 2:40 AM

I have found a solution that works for me.

quit Contacts
open ~/Library/Containers and delete anything with addressbook in its name
open ~/Library/Application Support and delete anything with addressbook in its name
open ~/Library/Preferences and delete anything with addressbook in its name
open ~/Library/Caches and delete anything with addressbook in its name
opened System Preferences : iCloud and uncheck contacts
restart your mac
when it boots back up open System Preferences :iCloud and check contacts

a little spinner spins saying "setting up"

Once that's done then open Contacts and wait. I have around 5000 contacts so it took about 10 minutes to fully sync.

View in context

237 replies

Dec 8, 2017 1:20 PM in response to Rob Hulson

I spoke with the advanced tech team at Apple this morning...I was told that they need more time with this issue as all the data points to nothing wrong with syncing, iCloud, nor the settings.

As soon as the team reaches back out to me I will update you.

Dec 10, 2017 6:03 PM in response to Dave Sag

The computer is a new mac book pro, it is running high sierra, no issues on icloud, internet connection, settings, servers, nor over limit on allowed contacts.... Apple has escalated this and I will know as soon as the computer comes back.

Dec 11, 2017 12:22 PM in response to Rob Hulson

I'm glad it's being escalated - and just reiterate what I said in my previous post in this thread, I'm getting the problem on my mid-2012 MBP 13" but my colleague who has a new MBP touch bar isn't having the problem. Go figure.

Dec 11, 2017 12:24 PM in response to oskarmatzerath

I am awaiting a response from Apple as I sent them the computer as they want see what the issue is.

The tech team determined that it can't be a software issue as I have sent them numerous data collections and have been dealing with this issue since July. The contacts sync perfectly on iPhone and online via iCloud... so it is strange it does not work on the computer. The bigger issue is that contacts are part of the OS system and can't be singled out.

As soon as I find out what what the issue is and the resolve I will let you know.

Dec 11, 2017 12:26 PM in response to Sazzarocksdahouse

Yes, and they have the MacBook Pro as well and working on determining the issue. My computer is a brand-new 2017 computer so they are curious to see what the issue is. They told me iCloud should work on everything no matter how old the computer is...

Dec 12, 2017 11:45 AM in response to GwMichas

Yes, I have the same issue as a contact created on icloud.com, iPhone, and iPad does not update to computer.

Apple physically has the computer and working on resolving the issue.

It will be interesting to see what you get as well.

Dec 12, 2017 2:35 PM in response to Sazzarocksdahouse

Try the commands in the terminal window from my previous post as that might solve your problem.

Just so you know this contact issue was happening before iOS11 and High Sierra.

Beyond annoying, but rest assured Apple will let me know a fix.

Rob Hulson Author

Level 1

54 points

Dec 13, 2017 10:33 AM in response to chrisadamswilson1087

I tried the Terminal commands but didn’t find any luck.

I’ve also noticed that my Notes were having problems synchronizing things like what was pinned, and a great delay between when I’d create a Note on my iPhone and when it would appear on iCloud.com, and then on my Mac. More troubleshooting is in order.

Looking forward to hearing more from you, Chris.

Dec 19, 2017 10:46 AM in response to keepk

This issue is driving me crazy. I have tried everything after reading this thread... not working. Does anyone have anything new to add to this? I spent all day today reading threads and trying solutions online till I am back in the US later January to see a genius bar. MBP and Iphone are definitely not syncing Contacts 😟 FRUSTRATING

GwMichas

Level 1

8 points

Dec 19, 2017 11:29 AM in response to EvilMarcia

Yes Frustrating. I have been working with Apple. There is nothing that they will be able to do for you at the Genius Bar. This is with the engineers and had been escalated to them. We will have to wait until they come out with a release to fix this. I am waiting for a follow up call with them, and will post that info after I talk to them.

Dec 20, 2017 4:04 AM in response to GwMichas

Oh boy... so no Genius bar then.... now it's just wait and see if they can solve the issue somehow with an update. Shouldn't have updated to HS 😟 ... on the process of trying to fix this issue I lost my whole desktop folders (it was all backed up.. but still) so annoying. I had to walk away from my computer/phone yesterday. I love my MBP and Iphone and how everything syncs (or used to). Thanks for the help and I will be on stand by here waiting to hear from you. Cheers.

GwMichas

Level 1

8 points

Dec 20, 2017 5:04 AM in response to EvilMarcia

Not sure what desktop folders you are referring to. If you deleted anything from the library, it will recreate again after a reboot. It is a bit of a bummer, but unfortunately things happen. For the most part Apple has one of the best QA process, you usually do not see issue like this when a release comes out.

@Dave-The SKYPE thing is interesting to me, because of the add in address folder in the ~library. I am a little stuck on this myself, because I have both SKYPE & SKYPE for Business installed on my MBP. I am not even sure that this has anything to do with this problem. I was looking for something that may/could impede the address book.

Dec 20, 2017 10:23 AM in response to EvilMarcia

....the process of trying to fix this issue I lost my whole desktop folders

This sounds like you selected to sync Desktop & Documents folders.

If you did you can find your Desktop folders in the sidebar under iCloud.

Uncheck the option then you can move the data back to the default location.

kauai

Level 1

43 points

Dec 22, 2017 12:17 PM in response to chrisadamswilson1087

Two points:

Others prior thought they had a solution, only later for the malady to

resurface later.

a 'real fix' needs to be integrated into macOS and/or iOS. for each

troubled soul reporting here, we can assume many more have the condition

and are unaware. This needs a real software fix.

On Fri, Dec 22, 2017 at 11:12 AM, Apple Support Communities Updates <

Jan 3, 2018 6:10 PM in response to Sazzarocksdahouse

If you select to add Facebook in System Preferences > Internet Accounts, it will add the photos and other info for your Facebook friends to Contacts. If you turn it off, it leaves the info for the contacts that were already in Contacts but it does leave the images and Facebook info.

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iCloud Contacts failing to sync after High Sierra