How to return names in WhatsApp instead of numbers, restore them?

How to return names in WhatsApp instead of numbers, restore them - briefly?

To display contact names instead of phone numbers in WhatsApp, you need to ensure that the contacts are saved with both the name and number on your device's address book. Once this is done, WhatsApp will automatically sync and show the contact names in your chat list.

How to return names in WhatsApp instead of numbers, restore them - in detail?

If you're seeing phone numbers instead of contact names in WhatsApp, it can be quite frustrating. Fortunately, there are several ways to resolve this issue and ensure that your contacts appear with their proper names. Here’s a detailed guide on how to restore names in WhatsApp:

Sync Your Contacts

  1. Update Contact Information: First, make sure the contact information is up-to-date on your phone. Add or update any missing details such as first and last names.
  2. Sync with WhatsApp: Open WhatsApp and go to the "Contacts" tab. Pull down to refresh the list. This should sync the updated contacts with WhatsApp.

Enable Contact Permissions

WhatsApp requires access to your contact list to display names correctly.

  1. Go to Settings: On your Android device, navigate to Settings > Apps & notifications > WhatsApp.
  2. Permissions: Tap on "Permissions" and ensure that the "Contacts" permission is enabled. If it’s not, tap on it and select "Allow".

Check for Duplicate Contacts

Sometimes, duplicate contacts can cause issues with name display.

  1. Merge Duplicates: Use your phone's contact manager to find and merge any duplicate entries.
  2. Refresh WhatsApp: After merging duplicates, open WhatsApp and refresh the contact list again.

Re-install WhatsApp (Android)

If syncing and permissions don’t resolve the issue, re-installing WhatsApp can help.

  1. Backup Data: Before uninstalling, back up your chat history to Google Drive.
  2. Uninstall: Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > WhatsApp, then tap on "Uninstall".
  3. Re-install: Download and install the latest version of WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
  4. Restore Data: During the setup process, you’ll be prompted to restore your chat history from the backup.

Reboot Your Device

A simple reboot can sometimes fix minor glitches that might be causing this issue.

  1. Reboot: Turn off your device and then turn it back on.
  2. Check WhatsApp: Open WhatsApp to see if the contact names have been restored.

Check for Software Updates

Ensure both your operating system and WhatsApp are up-to-date.

  1. OS Update: Go to Settings > System > System update (or similar) to check for and install any available updates.
  2. WhatsApp Update: Open the Google Play Store, search for WhatsApp, and tap "Update" if an update is available.

By following these steps, you should be able to restore contact names in WhatsApp effectively. If the problem persists, consider reaching out to WhatsApp support for further assistance.