Merging of contacts between 2 phones Unwanted

I share an Apple ID with 2 others in my family. Right now when I text one of them their number is merged with the other. Not sure on how to unmerge the contacts. We all have different numbers and plans we just share the same Apple ID.


Happened after everyone downloaded IOS 12

iPhone 6, iOS 12

Posted on Sep 24, 2018 5:30 PM

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24 replies

Oct 2, 2018 5:23 PM in response to Dd262

We've given you the correct answer; if you don't like it, then you're on your own. Good luck.


BTW, Apple anticipated this, which is why they clearly warn NOT to share ID's.

Can I share an Apple ID with someone else?

Your Apple ID should not be shared with anyone else. It provides access to personal information including contacts, photos, device backups, and more. Sharing your Apple ID with someone else means you are giving them access to all your personal content and may lead to confusion over who actually owns the account. To share iTunes & App Store purchases, photos, a calendar, and more with someone else, try Family Sharing, iCloud Photo Sharing, or other easy-to-use sharing features.

Oct 3, 2018 6:23 AM in response to Dd262

See my reply to Deggie on this. Yes, it became obvious in iOS 12, but is evidently acting the way Apple intended it to. You had a workaround that worked for you, pre-iOS 12. You likely don't have the same workaround available to you.


Here's the article in iDrop News validating this is now by design: iOS 12 Users Report iMessages Are Being Sent to the Wrong People

Oct 3, 2018 10:13 AM in response to lobsterghost1

Trying to change “behavior” of a comfortable way that families conduct social messaging is not an acceptable answer. As the article clearly states, this is a bug, I called Apple and they said they are working on a solution for this as THEY REALIZE MANY FAMILIES share an Apple ID! So the proper solution for the thousands in my situation is to wait for the IOS update. Obviously, the people who are commenting on individual Apple ID’s don’t realize that parents don’t want to create individual ID’s for all 6 family members!!! Hope this helps and please accept my apologies for the unsavvy techs on here trying to force improper solution on us!!! Live and learn and contact Apple directly!!!

Sep 24, 2018 6:10 PM in response to laforzaland

This is driving us nuts too! Have multiple family members on one user ID... we will type a text message and another’s name will automatically pop up. It has nothing to do with Contacts as the emails under the contacts have not changed. The only way to change is to delete all conversations with the two family members and start again but then the problems resurfaces. Definitely started after new update. Mainly happens with one phone on Verizon (work phone) while others are on ATT.

Oct 2, 2018 2:23 PM in response to Zorksortronz

You obviously do not know the problem here! Most parents who have multiple kids with phones all use one Apple ID. Most people do not use Apple Cloud for photos as there are much better options! You do not see other people's text messages when using one Apple ID... that feature is set up in the settings. There has been a glitch since IOS 12 where, when you type a text message to say child #1 John... it will automatically change and send it to child #2 Ben. This is a major problem. Having 4 kids with phones, your solution of having 6 Apple ID's for each phone in the family is not a reasonable solution!!! Wow, we have some unsavvy tech people on here! Let me guess, you have no kids? Anyway, the problem still exists and is growing if you search on here for it! Please try and use rational and basic solutions when you answer or post on here! You sound silly (and uneducated) in your attempt to solve this problem!!!

Oct 3, 2018 4:21 AM in response to Michael Black

When you have little kids, you simply set things like Facetime, and text messages, to their specific email on their device when sharing one Apple ID....every parent I know shares their one ID on multiple phones and/or iPads! Once again, this problem arose specifically with the IOS12 operating system so your solution is not a true solution! Please educate yourself on the subject before posting unhelpful and ridiculous advice.

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Merging of contacts between 2 phones Unwanted

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