iMessage Not Showing Contact Names on iPhone? 7 Ways

Since the invention of smartphones, messaging apps have replaced traditional letters and become one of the most important ways people communicate. Today, sending texts through messaging applications is a common and essential part of daily life.

Recently, however, many iPhone users have complained that their Messages app no longer shows contact names and displays only phone numbers instead. This can be frustrating and confusing. To address this issue, we've created this guide to help you fix iMessage not showing contact names on iPhone and restore proper message display.

Part 1: Why Is My iMessage Not Showing Contact Names on iPhone?

This issue usually occurs due to incorrect contact settings, iMessage sync problems, or temporary iOS system glitches. For example, contacts may not be properly synced with iCloud, the phone number or email address used for iMessage may not be linked to a saved contact, or the Messages app may fail to refresh contact information after an iOS update. In some cases, minor system errors can also prevent iMessage from displaying contact names correctly.

Part 2: How to Fix iMessage Not Showing Contact Names on iPhone?

Now that you know the causes, here are some simple ways to fix iMessage Not Showing Contact Names on iPhone and restore normal message display.

Way 1: Close Messages App Temporarily

If you are running iMessage or Messages app and the names not showing up in iMessage issue never goes away, you can try quitting the app for a while.

To close the iMessage/Messages app, first you need to launch the app switcher. Based on your iPhone models, swipe up from the bottom of the home screen (for iPhone X and later) or click the Home button twice (for other models). When the app card showing apps you have recently used, find the Messages app and swipe the card. Wait for minutes, and then open the app from the home screen to check if you can see the contact names.

Additional tip: Otherwise, you can turn off the Messages/iMessage from the Settings app. Then, choose Messages > iMessage and toggle off/on the button.

Way 2: Force Restart iPhone

Apart from refreshing the app itself, you can also attempt to do the same for the device. Here, we suggest the adoption of a force restart to fix iPhone Messages not showing contact names. Such a way can be applied to the case that a simple reboot cannot fix the issue you are facing. The steps to force restart your iPhone hinge on iPhone models.

For iPhone 6 series: Keep holding the Home and Power buttons simultaneously. Once you see the Apple logo on the home screen, release the buttons.

For iPhone 7 series: Press and hold the Power and Volume down buttons at the same time until the Apple logo occurs.

For iPhone 8 and later: Quickly press and release the Volume up button > then Volume down button. Next, keep holding the Power button before the Apple logo appears.

Way 3: Try iOS System Recovery Tool [Most Effective]

In terms of the issue described in the tutorial, give an iOS repair tool a shot. Why must the tool? It will produce the highest efficacy in solving the iMessage not showing contact names on iPhone error.

TunesKit iOS System Recovery can do such things for you. It is a professional desktop repair tool, fixing more than 150 issues including iPhone green screen, blank screen, boot loop, frozen screen, restore errors, iTunes issues, and more. As for what you concern most, the data of your iDevices like iPhone/iPad/iPod touch will not be lost or deleted using the program. Moreover, TunesKit is able to enter or exit recovery mode with one click and downgrade iOS.

In the following part, here is a guide on how to use TunesKit to fix the issue.

Step 1Connect Your iPhone

Launch TunesKit on your computer to which the iPhone should be connected via a USB cable then. After that, TunesKit will confirm your device after seconds. Next, tap the iOS Sytem Repair button, and simply click the Start button to move on.

Step 2Select Standard Repair

Now, select a repair mode - the Standard or Deep Repair. You are recommended to choose the Standard Repair to avoid data loss. Only proceed with Deep Repair when Standard Repair doesn't resolve the issue.

Step 3Download firmware package

Last, you should download the firmware package. Before tapping Download button, you can check the device info.

Step 4Repair iMessage not showing contact names

After the firmware is downloaded, tap Repair to fix names not showing up in iMessage. Afer repair, your iPhone will restart, then your issie should be resolved.

Way 4: Turn off/on MMS Messaging

In some cases, fault settings on your iPhone lead to problems. The iMessage not showing contact names on iPhone issue can be fixed after adjusting some settings. One of these is the MMS Messaging option. To refresh the option, go to Settings > Messages > MMS Messaging. switch off the button, wait for seconds, and then turn it on again.

Way 5: Disable/Enable Short Name

Another setting that deserves your attention is the Short Name option. Just go to Settings > Contacts > Short Name. Toggle the button off. Wait for a while, and then toggle it on again. Open the Messages app and see if the iPhone Messages not showing contact names issue are gone.

Way 6: Check Contacts Are Syncing

It is necessary to ensure that Contacts are syncing with iCloud properly. If there is not well syncing, you may encounter the iMessage not showing contact names on iPhone problem. To check this, go to Settings. On the top of the interface, choose Apple ID, iCloud…, and then tap iCloud if you are already logged in. From the options shown, see if Contacts is on or off. When it is off, switch the button on. If a page prompts, tap Merge. When it is not, switch it off and on again.

Way 7: Reset Network Settings

Resetting the network settings also helps, although it may not work so well. Doing this will erase settings like Wi-Fi passwords and cellular data settings. If you decide to do so, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. A page may prompt to ask you to confirm the action and Just tap Reset Network Settings again.

Part 3: FAQs about iMessages Not Showing Names on iPhone

Part 4: The Bottom Line

If your iPhone's Messages app shows only numbers instead of contact names, don't worry—this is a common iMessage issue. There are several ways to fix it, from checking your contacts and iCloud settings to restarting your device. For a quick and reliable solution, TunesKit iOS System Recovery can repair system glitches without data loss, restoring your iMessage contact names effortlessly.