Contact names missing
Android
iOS
Android
iOS
If numbers are shown instead of your contact's names, or if some contacts are missing, there are a few things you can try:
Reset your contacts
To reset the sync betwee WhatsApp and your phone's contacts:
- Open your phone's Settings, then tap Accounts and Backups > Manage accounts > WhatsApp.
- Tap Remove account > Remove account.
- Open WhatsApp.
- Start a new chat, then tap > Refresh.
Note: Tapping Remove account might generate a notification saying that your WhatsApp messages, contacts, and other data will be deleted from your phone. This is not the case.
Search your contacts
- Go to the Chats or Calls tab and tap the search bar.
- Alternatively, go to the Calls tab and tap .
- Alternatively, go to the Calls tab and tap
- Type a contact's name or phone number.
Check your phone's permissions
Ensure WhatsApp permissions are turned on in your phone’s settings.
- Open your phone's Settings, then tap Apps > WhatsApp > Permissions.
- Tap Contacts > Allow.
You can use your phone's search feature to find your permissions settings. Contact your phone's manufacturer for specific instructions.
If you deny WhatsApp permissions to access to your phone's contacts, you can still:
- Create contacts on WhatsApp that don’t sync to your phone.
- Receive messages from other WhatsApp users and groups.
- Change WhatsApp settings.
Check missing international or Exchange contacts
If you still can’t see some of your contacts on WhatsApp, try the following:
- For international contacts, make sure you've added the correct phone number in full international format.
- If the missing contacts are stored in an Exchange account, your account administrator might not be allowing WhatsApp or other apps to access your contacts. Try copying your Exchange contacts into your phone’s address book, or ask your IT administrator to make WhatsApp a managed app in your phone.
Note: Exchange accounts are likely to be work accounts.
