If you have recently added a new phone number to your mobile phone book, it is possible that when you went to look for it in your favorite instant messaging app you did not locate it. Don't worry, all you have to do is update your WhatsApp contact list.
It is a simple and quick procedure that will make everything work normally again and that new number that you have added will now appear on your list of people to whom you can send an instant message.
Why are some of your contacts not appearing on WhatsApp?
There are several reasons why this can happen:
Incorrect or incomplete number
Check that you have written your contact's phone number correctly and, if he is a foreigner, that is saved with the country code included.
Remember that a phone number has nine digits (not counting the country prefix). If you notice that you have saved a contact with more or fewer numbers, there you have the error.
You don't have a WhatsApp account
Although nowadays it is difficult to find people who do not use WhatsApp, the truth is that there are people. If you have already tried updating the WhatsApp contact list and there is a number that still does not appear, it is possible that It is someone who does not use this messaging app.
Synchronization issues
For everything to go well, your phone needs to be configured to synchronize WhatsApp contacts. Follow these routes to check it and activate synchronization if you don't have it working:
- Android devices. Settings > Accounts > WhatsApp > Sync contacts.
- iOS systems. Settings > Privacy > Contacts.
In some cases the problem may be that WhatsApp does not have the necessary permissions to access the contacts. We solve this in the following way:
- Android devices. Settings > Applications > WhatsApp > Permissions > Contacts (check that this option is enabled).
- iOS. Settings > WhatsApp > Contacts.
Hidden or excluded contacts
It is possible that at some point you have decided to hide or exclude a contact and now you do not remember it. Check the list of hidden or excluded contacts in your phonebook, if you locate that number, All you have to do is remove it from that list.
Upgrade issues
If you are using an outdated version of WhatsApp, you may have some problems, including the contact list not updating.
What you have to do in this case is install the latest version of this app. For it, access the Google Play Store or the App Store and check for available updates.
Duplicate Contacts
Duplicate contacts can cause some visibility issues. To avoid them, Check your contact list carefully and merge them if you see that there is duplicate data.
Privacy settings
It is possible that that contact you cannot locate has changed their privacy settings so that their information is not visible to you.
How to update WhatsApp contact list
If there is a contact that does not appear, the first thing we recommend you do is update the contact list. If what we are going to see below does not work, then you can consider exploring other possibilities, such as it being a synchronization problem or that you have saved the number incorrectly.
To update your contact list, first make sure you don't have WhatsApp updates pending. Once you have done so, access the app and click on the floating action button that appears in the lower right corner of the screen. From there click on the three dots icon (locate it at the top right of the screen) and choose “Update”.
Now try searching again for the contact with the name you registered it with, and this time it should appear.
Another alternative is to close the app completely and reopen it, This is how it restarts and the normal thing is that the new added numbers do appear.
Options to fix problems with displaying contacts
If everything we've seen so far hasn't solved the problem, there are still a few more things you can try:
Clear cache
If you use a phone with Android operating system, try deleting the WhatsApp cache. To do this, go to “Settings” and from there to “Applications” > “WhatsApp” > “Storage” > “Clear cache”.
Restart device
With technology, many times the easiest way to solve problems is by turning the equipment off and on again. So try restarting your phone, because this fixes Temporary software issues that may be affecting contact visibility.
Delete and save the contact again
If this doesn't work either, try deleting the contact and adding it again. Make sure you are saving it in the correct format.
Uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp
Make one Backup from your chats (if you think it is necessary) and then proceed to delete the application and reinstall it.
To make the backup you just have to follow the path: Settings > Chats > Backup. During the new installation setup process, restore the backup so you won't have lost your conversations.
Contact WhatsApp support
If you've done everything we've seen, including update the WhatsApp contact list and nothing has worked. Make sure the other person has an account on this app and has their privacy set so that you can send them messages.
If everything is correct, the only thing left to do is contact WhatsApp support for additional assistance.
Enter the app and go to "Setting", from there access "Help" > “Contact us” and communicate your problem.
The normal thing is that this app works well and that solving the inability to find a contact is as easy and fast as updating the WhatsApp contact list, but if you can't, you already know that you have the option of asking for help directly from their support and let them check what may be happening.