Why Is WhatsApp Showing Numbers but Not Names?
There are several reasons why contact names may not show up in WhatsApp. They include:
- Contacts are not saved: Ensure the contacts are saved on your smartphone.
- Revoked permission: Check if you have given the permissions.
- Contact deleted their WhatsApp account: If a contact deleted their WhatsApp account, their name might not show up in your WhatsApp contact list.
- Outdated version of WhatsApp: The current version of WhatsApp on your smartphone might have some issues. Update to the latest version for a bug-free experience.
Basic Fixes:
- Check if WhatsApp is down: Like every online service, WhatsApp occasionally faces server-side errors. This might be why WhatsApp is not showing contact names. You can visit Downdetector and search for WhatsApp to confirm this.
- Clear WhatsApp app cache: Cache files accumulated over time can cause issues, such as contact names not appearing in WhatsApp. Hence, it’s best to occasionally clear the cache for WhatsApp to avoid such issues.
- Update the WhatsApp app: WhatsApp always pushes updates occasionally to address reported issues, like WhatsApp showing numbers but not names. So, check and ensure WhatsApp is updated to the latest version on your phone.
- Reinstall WhatsApp: Sometimes, giving things a fresh start is the best thing to do. So, uninstall WhatsApp and then reinstall the app on your phone. This will remove any bug associated with the app files and fix the issue of WhatsApp not showing contact names.
Fix 1: Refresh Whatsapp Contacts on Android
WhatsApp allows you to refresh your contacts to check for any newly added contacts to your phone. Hence, if WhatsApp is not showing you the contact names, follow the below steps on your Android phone to manually refresh the contacts.
Step 1: Open WhatsApp and tap the Chats icon.
Step 2: Tap the three-dot icon at the top right and choose Refresh.
Fix 2: Enable All WhatsApp Permissions
If you haven’t given enough permission to WhatsApp, you won’t see the contact name on WhatsApp. So, open WhatsApp settings on your phone and enable the relevant permission. Here’s how to do it.
On Android
Step 1: Open Settings > tap on Apps > See all apps.
Step 2: Choose WhatsApp > tap on Permissions.
Step 3: Tap Contacts > choose Allow. Repeat these steps for all other permissions.
On iPhone
Step 1: Open Settings > tap on WhatsApp.
Step 2: Enable all app permissions, especially Contacts permission.
Fix 3: Check Whatsapp Sync Settings
WhatsApp will not show the contact name if you have disabled automatic contact syncing. Here’s how to check and re-enable it.
On Android
Step 1: Open Settings > tap on Passwords and accounts.
Step 2: Choose WhatsApp > tap Account sync > enable the relevant toggle.
On iPhone
Step 1: Open Settings > tap on Privacy & Security.
Step 1: Tap on Contacts > turn on the toggle for WhatsApp.
Once done, close and restart the WhatsApp app. Then, check again to see if the issue has been fixed on your phone.
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Last updated on 30 August, 2024
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