Is WhatsApp not showing you the names of your saved contacts?

The issue usually occurs with a specific contact you’ve recently saved.

Other times, it affects all the contact names in your phone’s address book.

Gboard’s editing mode on an Android phone.

Where does this issue come from, and how can you fix it?

In this article, we’ll explore possible causes of WhatsApp not showing contact names.

Why Does WhatsApp Stop Showing Contact Names?

new WhatsApp privacy feature

WhatsApp stops showing contact names for various reasons.

Ensure the Problem Isn’t Coming From the Backend

The WhatsApp backend undergoes unforeseen issues from time to time.

While engineers work to fix the problem, users continue to encounter bugs in the tool.

Checking the WhatsApp Backend Status on the Downdetectors Official Website

Therefore, you should check whether WhatsApp’s backend is responsible for WhatsApp not showing contact names.

To verify that, visitDowndetector’s official website.

In the top-right corner, punch in"WhatsApp"into the search bar and pressEnter.

Whatsapp warning that the sender isn’t in our contact list

After that, click WhatsApp or WhatsApp business, depending on which platform you’re experiencing the issue.

Downdetector will inform you if the app is down.

If there have been similar issues reported lately, it’s probably a backend problem.

Adding the contact to our contact list via WhatsApp

Therefore, you should wait until the problem is resolved.

In the meantime, you’re able to switch to WhatsApp Web or the WhatsApp desktop app.

Therefore, you gotta save the contact to make the name show up in WhatsApp.

Opening New Chat in the Bottom-Right Corner of WhatsApp

Tap onAdd to contacts, name the contact, and save it.

Once the contact has been saved, WhatsApp will display the contact’s name instead of the phone number.

confirm you save the number in the correct international format.

Clicking on the Three Vertical Dots in the Top-right Corner of WhatsApp

Wait for the Contact to Show Up

WhatsApp doesn’t always display newly saved contacts immediately.

At times, it takes a few minutes or a restart to fetch the contact name.

Have you recently saved a specific contact name and WhatsApp failed to show it?

Refreshing the Contact List on WhatsApp

If so, close WhatsApp and restart it.

If restarting the app does not work, you should refresh all your contacts.

Here are the steps to refresh saved contacts:

This will fetch your latest contact list.

an empty address book you need to fill

When that happens, the problem doesn’t affect just WhatsApp.

The contact names will no longer appear in any other app that uses those contacts.

Telegram, Signal, your phone’s Messages app, and others will also be affected.

iphone sim card

Is the problem of contacts not showing on your gadget widespread?

If so, there is a problem with your phone’s address book.

Ensure Your SIM Card Is Active

Do you back up your contacts on your phone or your SIM card?

Going to the Apps Option in the Settings App for Android

If you always choose the latter option, ensure the SIM card is accessible for your phone.

If it can’t detect the SIM, it won’t display the contacts saved to that card.

If the SIM card is functioning normally, proceed to the next step.

Clicking on the Three Vertical Dots in the Top-right Corner of Apps Settings

For instance, WhatsApp may display only contact numbers if it does not have access to your saved contacts.

Therefore, it is crucial to rule out this possibility.

On Android, open theSettingsapp and tapApps.Tap on thethree vertical dotsin the top-right corner and tapPermission manager.

Opening the Permission Manager in the App Settings

Then, go toContactsand selectWhatsApporWhatsApp Businessfrom the list of applications.

Ensure the circle forAllowis checked.

On iOS, open theSettingsapp, go toPrivacy and Security, and tapContacts.

Going to the Contacts Option in the Permission Manager of Apps Settings

Turn on the toggle next toWhatsApp.

The same is the case for Android apps, such as WhatsApp.

Installing these updates is essential to enjoying new features and keeping your gear protected.

Clicking on WhatsApp from the List of Other Apps

However, there are times when the released updates have bugs and cause unforeseen issues.

If you’re not familiar with the process, refer to our guide onhow to downgrade Android.

Likewise, you candowngrade Android apps without losing any data using ADB.

Allow WhatsApp to Access Contacts in the Permission Manager Settings

Does that also apply to you?

Going to Privacy Settings in Settings App for iOS

Clicking on the Contacts Option in the Privacy Settings for iOS

Allowing the Contacts Access to WhatsApp in iOS

Select Users and Accounts From Android Settings App

Select WhatsApp From the List of Available Apps

Ensure the Box Next to Contacts Is Checked

Click on Sync Now to Freshly Sync Contacts