Comments on: Messages app and iMessage contact names missing, shows number? Fixes

By: Maureen

Maureen — Tue, 13 Sep 2022 17:55:03 +0000

In reply to MR. Yes! this was the answer for me. I had to add my Google account. Thank you!

By: Joe King

Joe King — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 00:07:30 +0000

I transferred data from android to new iPhone using Move to iOS app, but many messages on new iPhone only showing numbers and not names, duplicated some numbers into area code for country and non-area code number and also separated messages into either one and not the other!

By: wookiee

wookiee — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 20:32:09 +0000

In reply to Eric.

I think that Apple hired a bunch of MS programmers. It’s really gone downhill this last decade.

I’e tried all the recommendations over the last 6 months with no change. In a group message, ALL responders only shows their numbers instead of names. They’re ALL in my Contacts. It’s really annoying to have to refer to a list or search Contacts to see who’s replying.

By: Eric

Eric — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 19:11:21 +0000

What worked for me was two hours of turning contacts off and on in iCloud, plus restarting both the mac and iPhone in various sequences and combinations. I didn’t record the last combo that finally worked, but it seemed like it was about the fourth time it was tried.
I switched to Apple to avoid this stuff…

By: Eric Strid

Eric Strid — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 17:08:32 +0000

I have to restart messages and the mac several times every time it upgrades?? Does Apple ever try using their products? Maybe I should go back to Windows.

By: Benjamin

Benjamin — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 04:48:08 +0000

The solution that worked for me was to add my Google account under ‘Internet Accounts’ under System Preferences to get my contact names to show.

By: Steve

Steve — Sun, 30 May 2021 17:14:22 +0000

In reply to AG. that worked! finally!! thank you!!

By: Kim

Kim — Wed, 05 May 2021 14:12:23 +0000

In reply to AG. That worked for me!!! Thanks!

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 21:35:55 +0000

In reply to MR. THIS DID IT FOR ME! Had to Sync Google contacts! Thank you!!!

By: Martin

Martin — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 14:40:22 +0000

Thanks. Went through the steps for Mac OS and toggling short names on iOS and contact names are back.

By: MR

MR — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 14:54:50 +0000

NONE of these fixes worked for me, and I wasted hours trying everything suggested. I installed a new OS – Big Sur – and names didn’t show up in messages on my computer. What FINALLY worked was: Apple Menu/System Preferences/Internet Accounts. Then click not only iCloud, but also Google (which I wrongly assumed was already in play since I was getting my emails). There are several options, but anyway, Google will require authentication, you sign in to Mac OS with your password and follow the prompts from there. Amazing that out of all the support and help out there, I hadn’t read about that!

By: Mary Ragna Yetter

Mary Ragna Yetter — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 14:39:58 +0000

When I installed the latest operating system (Big Sur), all of the text messages that came to my computer showed phone numbers only – no name. I did every one of the suggestions, clicking numerous boxes, toggling all the switches multiple times, restarting computer every time, and making sure phone/iCloud were linked and synced, etc. – but nothing worked. Here’s what finally worked: go to the Apple Menu on your Mac – System Preferences – Internet Accounts – then click what’s relevant (for me, iCloud and Google). What’s important is that through everything I had tried with iCloud, I had not clicked Google accounts, which I guess I assumed was already part of the mix, since that’s what’s getting my email! Never mind. Google will require authentication, then you sign in to Mac OS with your password and follow the prompts. Amazing that I had not been led to do this earlier.

By: AG

AG — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 04:32:06 +0000

NOTHING WORKED FOR ME until I did this. System preferences > internet accounts > iCloud > toggle contacts on and off a few times. Suddenly all my iPhone contacts names were showing up on my Mac iMessages 😀

By: Sam

Sam — Sat, 07 Nov 2020 02:35:59 +0000

It worked!! My problem was not on an IOS device, it was on my iMac. I tried three times the “enable disable this account”, turned iMessages off and on and there they were! Thank you so much for the this article. It really works!

By: karl

karl — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 05:10:31 +0000

the fact that “Reset network settings” deletes all your saved wifi passwords should be highlighted in RED and in big bold letters. i was trying to fix some problem, and quickly went through all the steps of the fix i found online, little realizing that years of stored wifi passwords just disappeared. many people have “lost” the little bit of paper they wrote some garbled password on, and i’d be stuck. over and over and over. and my problem still wasn’t fixed by doing that.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 21 Oct 2020 00:01:53 +0000

Thank you for this article. For the life of me, I could not figure this out (why my contacts were not showing up on my MBP iMessage, but they were on my iPhone). Your suggestion worked immediately. It doesn’t even require a restart or anything.

By: Zano Turningpit

Zano Turningpit — Sun, 26 Jul 2020 17:56:59 +0000

The Mac OS iMessage contacts not showing up fix referenced in this article worked for me! Thanks 🙂

By: online typing tutor

online typing tutor — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 12:05:10 +0000

An excellent post, thank you

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 13 May 2020 09:49:52 +0000

Here’s what fixed it for me:

Messages>Preferences>iMessage… Apple ID – Sign out, sign in again.

Boom. Fixed it… for now. We’ll see if it lasts.

By: AJ

AJ — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 15:05:16 +0000

My “contacts” was unchecked on my MacBook after the Catalina update. All you have to do is go to SYSTEM PREFRENCES > APPLE ID > APPS ON THIS MAC USING iCLOUD. Check the box marked “Contacts” and you’re good to go!