Suddenly, WhatsApp is hiding my contact list. Can anyone lend a hand?
There are a number of potential causes for your WhatsApp connections to disappear, but no matter the root of the problem, it’s frustrating for everyone involved.
If your WhatsApp connections aren’t showing up, don’t panic; we’ve got you covered with the simplest solutions. Hmm, I wonder…
Part 1: How to Fix Contacts Not Showing on WhatsApp

We have compiled fixes for every possible WhatsApp issue, including issues with permission grants and the loss of contacts when transferring the program from one device to another. The following are some tried-and-true methods for addressing this problem:
Method 1: Save the contact number in full international format.
Due to missing or incorrect information, such as a country code, some of your international or even domestic connections may not show up in WhatsApp. If you want your WhatsApp contacts to show up correctly, you’ll need to save them with the appropriate country codes (in international format).
When saving contacts in an international format, remember to always preface them with a + symbol.
Method 2: Choose “Show All Contacts” in Settings.
Typically, the people that are already in your phone’s address book will also be in WhatsApp. So, the plan is to expose all the contacts in the phonebook so that they may be imported into WhatsApp. Here’s the procedure:
- Step 1: By tapping the three vertical dots button next to Contacts on your phone, you can access Settings.
- Step 2: Select All Contacts after tapping Display Preferences.
Method 3: Update to the Latest WhatsApp Version
The “WhatsApp contact not showing up” issue can be caused by a number of factors, including bugs, glitches, or even simply using an outdated version of the app. So, to avoid these odd situations and maintain fluid communication, update WhatsApp frequently. Here’s a detailed walkthrough of the latest WhatsApp update:
- Step 1: Open the App Store for iOS or the Google Play Store for Android on your device.
- Step 2: Right-click on your profile image and select “Manage apps and devices.”
- Step3: Tap on Updates Available.
- Step 4: Click “Update” after locating WhatsApp in the list.
Method 4: Allow WhatsApp Contacts Permission
The permission grant is one of the most frequent issues for both Android and iOS users. If you notice that some of your WhatsApp contacts have vanished, check to see if you have allowed the app access to that particular set of data. If you don’t add your contacts, WhatsApp won’t recognize them, and you won’t be able to talk to anyone.
For Android:
- Step 1: Select “Applications” in the Settings menu. Sort the list and select WhatsApp.
- Step 2: Toggle the contact’s permission on by tapping Permissions and switching it on.
For iPhone
- Step1: Go to Settings>WhatsApp.
- Step2: Toggle to Turn ON the contact’s permission.
Method 5: Refresh WhatsApp Contacts
WhatsApp might not automatically sync contacts if you’re using a power-saving mode or battery-saving settings. As a result, in order for the app to display all of your contacts, you’ll need to manually refresh the contact list on your Android or iOS smartphone.
For Android
- Step 1: Tap on New Chat after launching WhatsApp.
- Step 2: Click Refresh by tapping the three dots in the top right corner of the screen.
For iPhone
Unlike Android phones, which feature a dedicated “refresh contacts” button, iPhones do not. The authorization to refresh the list can be toggled on and off for each contact.
- Step1: Go to Settings>WhatsApp.
- Step 2: For the list to update, toggle the contact’s permission off, then back on.
Method 6: Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp again.
If none of the aforementioned solutions work, you can always delete WhatsApp and reinstall it. To avoid issues, uninstall WhatsApp and reinstall the most recent version.
- Step 1: Find WhatsApp in the list of apps by navigating to Settings > Applications. Select “Uninstall” to permanently delete WhatsApp.
- Step 2: Reinstall WhatsApp’s most recent version there and check to see if the issue is fixed.
We recommend making a backup of your WhatsApp data before uninstalling it.
It’s a hassle to back up data to the cloud, and not everyone has the space or access to the internet to do so. Instead, you should use Wondershare MobileTrans.
Is Wondershare MobileTrans WhatsApp backup something you’re interested in? Here is a basic, instructional outline:
MobileTrans: WhatsApp Transfer
With a few clicks, move WhatsApp between phones!
- You may share your WhatsApp chat history, media, emoticons, and attachments between devices.
- Allow data to be moved from one iOS device to another, as well as between iOS devices.
- WhatsApp may be backed up to a computer and then restored to another device.
- WhatsApp Business, Viber, Line, Wechat, and Kik are just some of the social apps that have your back.
Step 1: Open Wondershare MobileTrans, then join the device to the PC from which you want to backup your WhatsApp data.
Step 2: The Backup option can be found in the App Backup and Restore menu by tapping the Backup and Restore tab.
Step 3: From the following window, select WhatsApp.
Step 4: Choose your data’s format and then hit “Start” to begin the backup procedure.
WhatsApp chats and media can be backed up promptly with Wondershare MobileTrans, ensuring that you never lose any of your important data files or conversations with friends and family.
Bonus: The Best WhatsApp Management Tool
WA Deleted Messages is a cutting-edge program that enables you to access deleted messages from numerous WhatsApp accounts on the same device. Never again will you lose track of a discussion or a crucial communication thanks to this handy software.
- You can use the same smartphone to access several WhatsApp accounts.
- Examine hidden texts that were erased.
- There is no requirement for administrative privileges or root access.
- User-friendly layout that’s quick to learn.
FAQs, Part 2
1. Why are WhatsApp contacts not showing on Samsung phones?
There are many possible causes for WhatsApp contacts not appearing on Samsung, including an outdated app version, WhatsApp being transferred from another device, bugs or other issues, permission not being granted, and many more.
2. Why is the new contact not showing on WhatsApp?
If your internet connection is slow or your phone is set to battery save mode, WhatsApp won’t be able to sync your contacts for you automatically. So, after adding a new contact and saving it, try manually refreshing the contacts to see if it helps.
3. How do I make contacts visible on WhatsApp?
To make contacts visible on WhatsApp, you can manually refresh the contacts or try updating WhatsApp, granting permission from the settings, or uninstalling and reinstalling WhatsApp.
4. How do I fix dual WhatsApp contacts not showing?
Try this strategy if the contacts section of your dual WhatsApp is blank.
You can disable Dual Messenger’s “Use separate contact list” feature by going to Settings > Advanced Features > Dual Messenger.
5. Why is one contact not showing on WhatsApp?
This can occur if a contact is not recorded in the proper format or if the country code associated with that contact is incorrect. To fix this, make sure all contacts are displayed in the settings.
Conclusion
Many users are experiencing issues with their WhatsApp connections not appearing, which has disrupted their ability to stay in touch with loved ones. The ability to communicate with friends and family will be lost. Don’t panic! The aforementioned options can be tried out to see whether they help with the issue at hand. You can also use Wondershare MobileTrans to back up your WhatsApp conversations in case you ever lose them.