The options offered in the Android operating system are greater than many believe (and this is saying a lot, since if there is one thing that Google's development stands out for, it is the extensive customization possibilities so that its use can be adapted to the needs of the users). The fact is that it is possible to establish the order in which the contacts are seen in the “pure” version of Android Lollipop o Android Marshmallow.
In this article, we're going to explain how to do what we've discussed intuitively and using the options offered by Google's operating system. Obviously, we're dealing with a simple process and that has no complications or risks, which we hope will allow us to adapt how they look on screen sorted the contacts on Android Lollipop or Marshmallow, the version for which Google released factory images for the Nexus. In addition, we incorporate recommendations for organize, filter, and debug your calendar using the official Google Contacts tools.
Steps to take
To achieve the purpose of this tutorial you must have a terminal with Android unmodified (or with very few modifications, such as some Motorola models). If this is your case, you can follow the instructions we've provided; otherwise, the steps may vary depending on the manufacturer's layer, but they shouldn't be particularly complex.
This is what has to be done to establish how contacts are displayed that are saved in the Android Lollipop or Marshmallow operating systems:
- The first thing is that open the application which is used to make phone calls.
- Once this is done, look for the three vertical buttons icon which is at the top right. When you find it, click on it.
- Select option Settings of those that appear in the menu and then go to the General section (or General Settings).
- Now in Options for displaying contactsClick the first option available: Sort by. First name is selected by default, but you can change the selection to Last name, depending on what's best for each user.
- If you want to be more specific, you can also adjust what best suits your needs by choosing the Name format with which you want to work; it is the second option at the top.
Once this is done, the order in Android Lollipop or Marshmallow will be the established one and everything will look as it is. to the taste of the device owner. If your phone includes a manufacturer layer, look for equivalent settings in the Phone or Contacts app. On some models, it appears as “Order of ordination"And"Name format".
Manage tags (groups) and filters
In addition to sorting by first or last name, Google Contacts allows you to organize your calendar by labels (what used to be called groups). These labels do not change the order, but they do help to segment contacts by categories such as Friends, Family or Work, and filter views or send communications to multiple contacts at once.
How to create labels from the Google Contacts website: go to the web version, in the left column search for “Tags” and click on “Create label”. Assign a name and save. To add or remove contacts from a label, select contacts and use the label button to check or uncheck them. If you need rename or delete a label, select it on the left and follow the menu options.
These labels sync with your account, and on Android, you'll see the associated label within the contact's profile. In some versions of the app, the main list can't be sorted by label, but you can filter by accounts (Google, SIM, Exchange) or quickly access Favorites for frequent calls.
Other useful Contacts features
The Contacts app is designed to keep an address book updated and consistent between devices. Allows you to view contacts by source account, add and edit data (phone numbers, emails, addresses, company, notes) and save birthdays or anniversaries as events.
If you migrate or make backups, you can export and import Your contacts are stored in vCard (.vcf) format. This makes it easy to transfer your address book to another phone or create a local backup when needed.
To keep your address book clean, the Google Contacts tool offers suggestions to combine and remove duplicates. Accepts suggestions for matching repeated tokens, improving search and sorting.
Another advantage is that you can keep a list of Favorites (pinning contacts) and, in some clients, creating lists or labels for batch communications via SMS or email, saving time on repetitive tasks.
Troubleshooting common problems
If you don't see "Sort by" or "Name format", verify that you are using the Google Contacts app or that your manufacturer has not replaced these options. If the contacts have disappeared, consult What to do if contacts have disappeared. Update the app from the store if possible.
If the labels do not appear as a general filter, it is normal in certain versions: they are used to organize and find each card faster, but the order of the overall list still depends on name or surnameFor more specific views, use Favorites, search, or filter by account.
When contacts are missing, check the “Contact Settings” optionContacts to display” and activate the desired account. If something isn't syncing, enable Google account sync and clear the Contacts app cache.
Other tutorials for Google development can be found at this section Android Help, where you'll find all kinds of options, from complex to simple. With these tools and settings, you'll have a calendar tidy, clean and safe, adapted to your way of working and ready to sync across all your devices.
