iPhone Contact Sharing Not Working: Why Does it Happen?

With iOS 17.1 or later and watchOS 10.1 or later, you can use NameDrop to quickly share new contact information with a nearby iPhone or Apple Watch. However, some iPhone users have reported that contact sharing doesn't work or is not available to choose after the iOS 17 update. This can be pesky and annoying for many.

Fortunately, we know how to fix it. In this guide, we will take a look at why iPhone Contact Sharing isn't working and explore a few options to troubleshoot the issue.

Let's get right to it.

Why Is Contact Sharing Not Working on iPhone?

Many people might wonder why their Contact Sharing is not working on their iPhones after updating to the latest iOS. There are a few common reasons:

• Incorrect Settings: Make sure that "Show My Contact Card" is turned on in your iPhone settings under Contacts. Also, ensure that Contacts is enabled under Privacy settings.
• Restrictions Enabled: If your device has restrictions enabled, contact sharing may not work properly. Check your Screen Time settings to ensure that contact sharing is not restricted.
• Software Bugs: Sometimes, new software like iOS 17 can have bugs that affect features like contact sharing. You may need to update your iOS to fix any issues.
• Carrier Limitations: Certain phone carriers might not fully support this feature yet. Contact your cell provider to find out if there are any limitations affecting contact sharing.
• Third-Party App Incompatibility: Contact sharing may not function properly when using certain third-party apps for calling or texting. These apps may need updates to support the feature. You can try reaching out to the app developers for assistance.

To troubleshoot and get your contact sharing working correctly, start by checking force quitting Phone and Contacts apps.

Force Quit Phone and Contact Apps

If the Phone and Contact apps aren't working right including the contact sharing feature not working properly, try to force quit them first. Here's how to do it depending on your iPhone model:

For iPhones with Face ID:

1. From the Home Screen or while in any app, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold.
2. Swipe left or right to find the Phone and Contact apps.
3. Drag the app's preview card up to close it.

For iPhones with the Home Button:

1. Double-click the Home button to see all open apps.
2. Swipe left or right to find the Phone and Contact apps.
3. Drag the app's preview card up to force quit it.

Enable Name and Photo Sharing with Contacts

If you recently created your Contact Poster but can't share it with your contacts, you might have accidentally turned off the sharing feature. No worries—everyone makes mistakes, and fixing this is quick and easy! Just follow these steps:

1. Open the Phone app on your device and go to the Contacts section at the bottom.
2. Tap on "My Card" at the top of your contact list, and then tap on "Contact Photo & Poster."
3. Check if "Name & Photo Sharing" is turned on. If not, simply switch it on.
4. Make sure that the "Share Automatically" setting is set to "Contacts Only."

If you can't see someone else's Contact Poster, ask them to follow these steps and make sure the feature is enabled!

Make Sure 'Show My Caller ID' Is Enabled

Caller ID is the name or number that pops up on someone else's iPhone when you call them. Some network providers offer the option to hide this ID so the person you're calling can't see your number.

If you've hidden your Caller ID on your iPhone, it might cause issues with contact sharing. Here's how to make sure it's not causing any problems:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and find the Phone settings.
3. Tap on "Show My Caller ID" and make sure it's turned ON.
4. If it's not ON, switch it ON to avoid any problems with contact sharing on your iPhone.

Delete and Recreate the Contact Poster

If that doesn't work, you always have the option of deleting and recreating your contact poster altogether. To delete your current Contact Poster, follow these simple steps:

1. Open the Phone app and find your contact card by tapping on "My Card."
2. Tap on "Contact Photo & Poster" and then hit the "Edit" button located below your current poster.
3. Swipe up on the poster you want to delete, and then tap on the Trash icon. Confirm by tapping "Delete."
4. Lastly, create and customize a new Contact Poster for yourself and your contacts.

Disable Name and Photo Sharing and Restart Your iPhone

But that's not where the troubleshooting ends. It's possible that a software bug is causing the problem. Luckily, the easiest way to fix these kinds of glitches is by restarting your iPhone. Before you do that, go to Phone > My Card > Contact Photo & Poster and turn off Name & Photo Sharing.

Whether you have a newer iPhone with a notch or Dynamic Island or an older one with a physical Home button, restarting is simple. Even if your buttons aren't working properly, you can still restart your iPhone. Once it's back on, just follow the steps above to turn Name & Photo Sharing back on and try again to share your contacts.

Set Allow Changes for Contacts in Screen Time Settings

Another reason why you're still facing this issue is that you may not have set your iPhone up to support it. You might have disabled "Allow Changes" in the Screen Time Settings. To fix this, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on Screen Time.
3. Select Content & Privacy Restrictions.
4. Tap on Contacts.
5. Make sure "Allow Changes" is enabled.

Update Your iPhone

When all else fails, there's nothing like a good update. For many, updating their iOS to the latest version available helps them get rid of any bugs and glitches. This especially holds true for newly released features like contact posters, which haven't seen the test of time yet.

To fix the issue of your iOS 17 contact sharing not working or being disabled, try updating your iPhone. Sometimes, there can be conflicts between the Contact Sharing and the new iOS system. Updating your iOS to the latest version can help resolve these occasional conflicts.

Fix Common iOS Issues with Ease - TinyFix

Another common line of defense is to count on a third-party app to handle your iOS system issues. Many people experience iOS problems, but there's a helpful solution called TinyFix. It's a user-friendly tool created by Foneazy that can fix any system issues on your iOS device.

With TinyFix, you can easily repair problems, upgrade or downgrade iOS versions, reset your device, and enter or exit recovery mode with just one click, all from the comfort of your home. Just connect it to your device via your computer and follow the instructions on the screen. It can't get any simpler than this!

Factory Reset Your iPhone

If you've tried everything and nothing seems to fix your iPhone issues, it might be time for a factory reset before reaching out to Apple Support. Resetting your iPhone to its factory settings can be like giving it a fresh start.

This process wipes out all your data and settings, cleaning out any clutter or software issues that might be causing problems. It can make your iPhone feel like new again, restoring it to its original performance.

To Conclude

That surely was a lot to take in. Sometimes, when new features are released, they can often glitch or stop working due to bugs. In our guide, we've detailed all the different ways in which you can get your contact sharing to start working again. However, if none of this seems to work, consider contacting Apple Support. Since it is a new feature, you might be experiencing something unique, so reporting it could help others with the same issue.