Here are some of the methods to fix the problem of WhatsApp Contacts not showing on iPhone, WhatsApp showing numbers instead of names or newly added Contacts not showing in WhatsApp on your iPhone or iPad.
WhatsApp Contacts Not Showing On iPhone
The most common reason for new WhatsApp Contacts not showing on iPhone is due to WhatsApp not having access to Contacts on your iPhone.
While you can send and receive WhatsApp messages without allowing the App to access your Contacts, you will run into problems like new Contacts not showing in WhatsApp and WhatsApp showing Numbers instead of Contact Names.
So, let is go ahead and fix the problem of WhatsApp Contacts not showing on iPhone or WhatsApp showing Numbers and not Contact Names.
1. Update WhatsApp Manually
It is possible that WhatsApp has come up with an Update to fix the problem of Contacts not appearing or missing Contacts in WhatsApp. Hence, follow the steps below to make sure that you are running the latest version of WhatsApp on your iPhone.
Open the App Store on your iPhone and tap on Updates option located in the bottom menu of App store.
On the Updates screen, tap on the Update button located next to WhatsApp.
2. Allow WhatsApp With Access to Your Address Book
WhatsApp needs access to the Address book on your Phone in order to display Contacts in WhatsApp Messenger. Follow the steps below to make sure that WhatsApp has access to your Phone’s Contacts.
Open Settings on your iPhone, scroll down and tap on Privacy.
On the Privacy screen, tap on Contacts.
On the Contacts screen, toggle-on the option for WhatsApp by moving the slider to ON position.
3. Show All Contacts
It is quite possible that you may have added the new Contact to a Hidden Contact Group on your iPhone. Follow the steps below to display all Contacts on your Android Phone, including those in Hidden Contact Groups.
Open the Contacts App on your iPhone and tap on the Groups option located at the top left corner of your screen.
On the Groups screen, tap on Show All Contacts. If this option is not available tap on All iCloud option.
This will make WhatsApp show all the Contacts, including those in the Hidden Contact Group.
4. Add Phone Number in Full International Format
If your international Contacts are not showing in WhatsApp, make sure that you have added the Contact’s phone number in full International Format.
To add international number to your phone’s address book, always start with a +plus sign followed by Country Code and the Phone number.
For example, if you have a Contact in United States with phone number 408-123-4567, you will be entering it in your address book as +14081234567.
In case of phone numbers in United Kingdom and certain other countries, you will have to remove the leading ‘0’ before the Phone number.
For example, a UK phone number 0798123456 needs to be entered in your phone book as +44798123456 (where 44 is the Country code).