10 Easy Fixs to WhatsApp Contacts Not Showing Up [Complete Guide]

Communication has evolved drastically, with instant messaging platforms like WhatsApp becoming integral parts of our daily lives. However, amidst the convenience these platforms offer, users often encounter frustrating issues, such as "WhatsApp contacts not showing".

So, why contacts are not showing in WhatsApp, leaving individuals perplexed and disconnected? Understanding the reasons behind this phenomenon is crucial, especially in situations where seamless communication is paramount. OK, in this article, we dwell on this perplexing challenge and explore ten effective fixes to troubleshoot this common problem.

Part 1: Why Is a Contact Not Showing in WhatsApp Android/iOS

• Privacy Settings: Contacts may not appear if privacy settings restrict their visibility on WhatsApp.
• Sync Issues: Contacts might not show up due to synchronization problems between your phone's contacts and WhatsApp.
• No App Permissions: If WhatsApp lacks the necessary permissions to access contacts, it could prevent them from appearing.
• Outdated version of WhatsApp: Using an outdated version of WhatsApp might cause issues with displaying contacts.
• Phone Book Issues: If contacts are not saved properly in your phone's address book, they may not appear in WhatsApp.
• Server Issues: Temporary problems with WhatsApp servers could lead to contacts not showing up.
• Blocked Contacts: If you've blocked certain contacts, they won't be visible in your contact list.

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Part 2: Android/iPhone WhatsApp Contacts Not Showing? 10 Quick Fixes

> Fix 1: Begin Initial Verifications

We just explained, "Why are my contacts not displayed in WhatsApp?" Now, if you cannot find your desired contact from the list after showing all, make some necessary initial verifications like restarting WhatsApp or your phone, disabling dual WhatsApp apps, closing other messaging apps, and removing conflicting apps.

> Fix 2: Refresh Contacts on WhatsApp (Android)

For Android users, launch WhatsApp, select "New Chat", tap the three-dot button, then press "Refresh". On iPhone, navigate to "Settings > WhatsApp", toggle the contact permission off, and then on again to refresh the list.

> Fix 3: Enable WhatsApp to Reach Your Contacts

To fix Android/iPhone WhatsApp new contacts not showing, grant it permission to access your contacts. On Android, long-press the WhatsApp icon. Tap "Info > Permissions > Enable Contacts". On iPhone: Open "Settings > WhatsApp". Toggle "Contacts" under "Allow WhatsApp to Access".

> Fix 4: Clean WhatsApp Cache

Excessive caches in WhatsApp can hinder app functionality, leading to contact names not showing. Clear the cache by accessing "Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage", then tap "Clear Cache" to resolve this. For iPhone users, please navigate to "Settings" > "General" > "iPhone Storage" to resolve the issue by removing unnecessary apps and cache.

> Fix 5: Get SIM card Activated

If you save contacts on your SIM card, ensure it's properly inserted and detected by your phone. Misplacement due to dropping, changing the SIM, or negligence may cause detection issues, preventing WhatsApp Android contacts not showing.

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> Fix 6: Enable Background App Refresh (iOS)

• Access the Settings app on your iPhone. Scroll down to find WhatsApp.
• Locate "Background App Refresh" at the bottom of the menu and tap to enable it by turning it green.

> Fix 7: Update WhatsApp

Regularly updating WhatsApp is crucial to prevent issues like WhatsApp contacts not showing up. Here's the guide:

• Open the Google Play on your Android device or the App Store for iOS devices.
• Tap your profile picture from the top-right corner and select "Manage apps & device".



• Choose "Updates Available".
• Locate WhatsApp in the list and tap the "Update" button.

> Fix 8: Force WhatsApp Sync

If you're seeing numbers instead of names, your synchronization might be causing the issue. Reset your WhatsApp sync by following these steps:

• Open "Settings" and go to "Users & Accounts".
• Choose WhatsApp, sign out, and sign back in again.



• Tap "Account Sync" and verify if "Contacts" is enabled.
• Select the three-dot menu at the top and pick "Sync Now".

> Fix 9: Store Contacts in Standard International Format

Are all contacts not showing in WhatsApp? Ensure all your contacts have correct country codes saved in international format so they appear on WhatsApp. Start international numbers with a plus sign (+) followed by the country code and phone number.

> Fix 10: Reinstall WhatsApp

If previous solutions fail to fix saved contacts not showing in WhatsApp, ensure you're on the latest WhatsApp version. If not, reinstall it. Further, removing your WhatsApp account is a last resort after all troubleshooting. Note: WhatsApp backs up chat history, but enabling this is optional.

Extra: How to Extract WhatsApp Contacts/Chats on Android

If you are an Android user, you might find it useful to have a backup of your WhatsApp data on your computer. This can be helpful if you want to keep a copy of your contacts or if you simply want to ensure the security of your data. MobiKin Recovery for WhatsApp is a highly dependable tool that allows you to extract your data quickly and efficiently. As a professional recovery product for WhatsApp, it effortlessly backs up and restores all of your WA conversations from your device.

How to back up WhatsApp contacts on your computer with MobiKin Recovery for WhatsApp?

• Download the appropriate version of the tool and proceed to install and open the program on your computer.
• Then, connect your device to the computer using a USB cable and activate USB debugging on your Android device.
• Select the "Recover from Android Device" mode from the main interface.
• Refer to the instructions provided on the program window to easily activate end-to-end encryption for your Android WhatsApp backup.
• Following the backup process, review WhatsApp messages by navigating to the "WhatsApp" option in the left panel.
• From there, select specific chats from the message list for further action.
• Conclude the process by clicking the "Recover to Computer" button and saving your WhatsApp messages directly onto your computer.

Round Off

Whether you're a business professional relying on WhatsApp for client interactions, a parent keeping tabs on your child's whereabouts, or an individual maintaining connections with friends and family, this post can help you overcome the frustration of missing contacts on WhatsApp. By implementing the 10 workarounds, you have a good chance of finding all your WhatsApp contacts. Finally, if you find this post helpful, kindly consider sharing it on social media.

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