Contacts app is a nightmare on Tahoe.

[poocat]

Chiming in here to continue commiserating - Contacts in 26 is pretty terrible, and all the things are actually just bugs. Fingers crossed this app gets updated someday.

To @MareLuce I use contact notes exactly the way you do. It's such an easy way to take notes on calls/people. I also have like my friends kids birthdays in the notes sections of their contacts, so I know where to find them when I need. It's a great way to reference stuff vs building a new note per friend (and contact card) and keeping both up to date.

It *should* work. The data limitation is like all things, something that could be solved with engineering effort.

 

[MareLuce]

To @MareLuce I use contact notes exactly the way you do. It's such an easy way to take notes on calls/people. I also have like my friends kids birthdays in the notes sections of their contacts, so I know where to find them when I need. It's a great way to reference stuff vs building a new note per friend (and contact card) and keeping both up to date.

Yayyyyy, now I feel better! 🤗

Another thing I use contacts for: Serial #'s of key appliances

Last time I used that - When I called Bosch about a problem with the dishwasher
Before I let the installer of fridge and dishwasher proceed, I took a pic of the serial # label on each.
I already added manufacturer phone # to the contact.
Company Contact name: Bosch [ model name ] 2024 mm dd (date of purchase). Serial # in the notes.

Oh! One more thing! Freaking gadget LED color status meanings.
I take a pic of gadget's LED color status decoder key page.
That's the only thing I need from most gadget manuals.
Then I make that gadget's "Contact Photo" the LED status page.

 

[SalisburySam]

My very anal approach to appliances and their respective warranties:

1- New Contact: for ease in getting relevant info immediately and in one place. Includes acquisition source (store, URL, neighbors, whatever), date of acquisition, length of warranty, warranty expiration date, customer service number, scanned/downloaded copy of receipt, links to online manuals/installation guides, model and serial numbers, anything else I feel is relevant.
2- New Calendar entries: appliance acquisition date, warranty expiration date with a 2-week alert
3- New Folder (macOS) for every document related to that appliance: scanned/downloaded receipt, copy of all documentation (usually *.pdfs from Mfr website if lucky, scanned docs if unlucky), all service correspondence.
4- New Photos: sub-album to my “Appliances” album. Includes photo(s) of the appliance, LEGIBLE photo of the data plate(s), final photo of installed appliance, photo of any included accessories. Minimum of three photos.

Yeah, probably overkill, but very handy for things like warranty issues and insurance claims.

BTW, I consider an “appliance” to be almost everything with a model and serial number. For me this includes everything from automobiles to range, dishwasher, stand mixer, toaster, under-cabinet light bar, iPhones, iPads, HomePods, smartplugs (where WiFi codes supplant serial numbers), irrigation controllers, lawn equipment, and the microchipped dog. Not much of a warranty with the dog if I’m being honest, but we’re keeping and caring for that loving and lovable dog regardless.

Oddity: my 55-year-old Hobart days KitchenAid drop-bowl stand mixer has a model number (K-5A) but no serial number to be found by me nor by KitchenAid. Thankfully, it still works amazingly well as it always has with all its attachments for heavy cookie dough, breads, ice cream churning, and extruding pasta. A definite workhorse and I’m happy I’ve gotten great value out of it for over half a century.

 

[sgtaylor5]

Something I just realized; the avatar portion of the screen is on a layer behind the actual contact information. When you scroll down on the contact card, the avatar portion disappears behind the rest of the contact card. This is true for iOS or macOS.

 

[tbgb50]

After years of being disorganized (had information everywhere) I limit contacts to people or businesses I might actually contact, not as an information management tool. I use contact notes sparingly - for example, hours of operation or maybe the spouse's name for a contact.

For some contacts there is security issue so for banks and credit cards, I just have the customer service number. My account and routing numbers are kept in a password manager, not Contacts.

If I need to keep document something related to a contact, like a dispute, I use Notes. Receipts are in a folder along with a photo of the label. In 40 years I've had maybe 3 warranty issues so I don't want to clutter up Contacts.

When the mood strikes, I am fairly ruthless deleting old contacts.

Calendar and task manager is for things I need to do, with one exception. I keep a calendar for bills I pay 1-4 times year so I am constantly reminded. It's easy to forget a large upcoming payment due.

Whatever method works for anyone is a good one at the end of the day.

 

[nwoodsxx]

Hey there. Not sure if anyone else around here is a heavy user of MacOS' Contacts app. Under Tahoe RC, it's becoming almost useless to me. I'm quite frustrated. Been using Contacts for 15 years, I got more than 6000 records and keep the app always open while working. The interface under Tahoe really sucks big time. I'm devastated.

Yes, I tried BusyContact and Cardhop. They are paid software and present a lot of stuff that I just don't need. I'd gladly pay for any app to give me back the old Contacts interface.

Thinking about going back to Sequoia now.

Glad to know someone else is feeling the pain from the UI overhaul to OS/X Contacts in Tahoe! As <rebelo> mentioned, these changes might not be troublesome unless you are a HEAVY user of Contacts. Many years ago, I chose to make this app my go-to database for all sorts of details (account numbers, URL's, phone #'s, email addresses, family members, userid's) and much more. Consequently, I access the Contacts app dozens of times daily, so any change to the tried and true UI is disruptive. Since respondents to <rebelo's> post have asked for specifics, here are the two most disruptive changes to the Contacts UI in the recent Tahoe OS upgrade:

1) The search bar was moved from top left of screen to top right. Changing this is like reversing the buttons and button holes on your shirt.
2) The width of the contact details screen has been considerably reduced. If you're putting A LOT of info in the <notes> field of a contact, you really want to make it readable. The reduced field width causes long lines to now be indented and become quite messy.

I realize this gripe sounds rather anal to some users, but the bottom line is, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I was a user experience manager for a large SW company for many years and our company was just as insensitive to this as Apple. As the steward of your user community's adoption of your app(s), don't pull the rug out from under them by making unnecessary cosmetic changes to the UI. If your programmers don't have anything better to do with their time than that, you'd be better off to reassign them cleaning trays in the employee cafeteria.

 

[nwoodsxx]

I must agree with the OP. Contacts under Tahoe is HOPELESS and a disgrace.

1. On my Mac Mini M2 with Tahoe and Apple Cinema Display 20 inch displays, the screen flickers in Contacts. It never used to - and it only happens in CONTACTS.

2. The SEARCH box is located on the top right, which is the opposite of where you want it, because you scroll on the left, and then have to move the cursor to the far right to enter some text. Designed by an idiot.

3. The TEXT SIZE is TOO SMALL, and there is no way to make it bigger just for Contacts, or within Contacts, or within System settings (App specific)

4. The GREY background screen is HIDEOUS, and it makes the text difficult to read. Why not allow users to have a clean white background, like previous versions? So bad.

5. Then there is that HUGE space for an image, when you have no image for the person ... so why take up half the screen with a giant circle of an empty head, when it is just an empty head.

6. DISPLAY OF PHONE NUMBERS:
Say you have a COMPANY card, and then enter different phone numbers for different people at the company as say:
0401 111 222 -Dave Black
0402 333 444 - Sam
Under Tahoe, Contacts removes the spaces between the number and the name, and it reads as:
0401111222DaveBlack
Just hopeless. Designed by an idiot.

7. The tiny Notes field.

Hope Apple could release such crap beggars belief.

100% agree with all of these observations. Looks like it was designed by a newhire. And who asked for a makeover anyway? Weren't we all fairly happy with the tried and true Contacts we came to depend on?

 

[nwoodsxx]

The OS including contacts WAS tested through all the betas. I was one of them. Did I like the previous way messages was set up? Yes. Do I find I can still use contacts well? Yes. The changes are cosmetic basically and trust me, the Mac world went crazy when the settings app was changed. Did the world end? Nope. We found out how  wanted it to work and we learned the new way. If you intend to stay in the  ecosystem you too will come to accept the new way forward. But all the hate and dislike comments will wither away and life will go forward and those of us fully vested in the ecosystem will be happy when the hate mongering goes away so we can get back to actual informative posts.

"But all the hate and dislike comments will wither away and life will go forward and those of us fully vested in the ecosystem will be happy when the hate mongering goes away so we can get back to actual informative posts."
***
Typical arrogant attitude of the design community in a large software company (I lived it in another prominent software company for nearly 20 years so I know it when I see it). Cosmetic changes to established productivity apps are rarely an improvement- more likely a way for marginal employees to justify their (non)productivity. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[Bazza1]

"But all the hate and dislike comments will wither away and life will go forward and those of us fully vested in the ecosystem will be happy when the hate mongering goes away so we can get back to actual informative posts."
***
Typical arrogant attitude of the design community in a large software company (I lived it in another prominent software company for nearly 20 years so I know it when I see it). Cosmetic changes to established productivity apps are rarely an improvement- more likely a way for marginal employees to justify their (non)productivity. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Apple has a tradition of relying on a contingent of basement-dwelling Macolyte fanboys (and girls) who largely inhabit Apple Communities, seemingly to justify all the bad decisions made by Apple that cause users to write in with a issue or feedback. Usually these lurkers respond to the comment by saying these users are incapable of seeing the bigger picture and are morons. Apple is perfect.

For the longest time, Apple let these rabid fans do the work of dissuading users there was a problem - only acting when it finally hits the greater public Media. Foolishly, Jobs even tried to use the same method publicly - "You're holding it wrong" - before retreating into the background and eventually 'fixing' it only after the issue and his comment hit the PR fan.

Comments of displeasure (especially from those that are 'fully vested in the ecosystem') do often whither away at such a barrage or indifference. But the issues do still exist - people just give up on it ever becoming better and find work-arounds instead.

Combine that with Apple's Nanny behaviour ("We know how you should use your computer and use the internet far better than you") and its penchant most recently for creating "Squirrel!' distraction software and, now, GUI tweaks - rather than do any real, innovative work (or just fix old problems) - does reflect why there are fewer "...informative posts".

Tradition.

 

[nwoodsxx]

It gets even worse.

Just found a problem with the Notes section of contacts.

It doesn't start displaying from the top. So it cuts off the first line or two. Which of course, are the most important notes I have under each contact. For instance, my account number for frequent flyer programs or hotels.

So not only does it make you hover over the contact with all the wasted space for the non existent picture. And then my earlier complaint where you have to scroll down to see information. Then you don't actually see that information because it's hidden. You have to click on the notes area. And then you still can't scroll up with the touchpad because that will just scroll you back up to the other part of the contact. You have to use the arrow keys as though you want to edit something in notes!

I did try to add a few blank lines to move the information down and of course, the notes helpfully ignores those black lines and reverts to hiding the first few lines of actual information.

This is insanity!

Same here. You have to get into <edit> mode to get the first several of the lines in the Notes field to appear. Clearly a bug although Apple will try to pass it off as a feature

 

[nwoodsxx]

Yayyyyy, now I feel better! 🤗

Another thing I use contacts for: Serial #'s of key appliances

Last time I used that - When I called Bosch about a problem with the dishwasher
Before I let the installer of fridge and dishwasher proceed, I took a pic of the serial # label on each.
I already added manufacturer phone # to the contact.
Company Contact name: Bosch [ model name ] 2024 mm dd (date of purchase). Serial # in the notes.

Oh! One more thing! Freaking gadget LED color status meanings.
I take a pic of gadget's LED color status decoder key page.
That's the only thing I need from most gadget manuals.
Then I make that gadget's "Contact Photo" the LED status page.

I use the Notes field of Contacts for similar random data. I understand other users recommending alternative apps (like the Notes app), but I would rather not maintain tidbits of info in two separate apps and have to guess which one to look in

 

[bluespark]

While I am among those who overall like Mac OS 26, it still beggars belief that the Contacts app hasn't been even tested. Because I take for granted that an internal tester would have flagged these issues. In fact how did it go unaddressed through 8 betas? Maybe only few people actually use Contacts...

My contact card displays my "poster" picture from the teeth down. Not that I needed a poster picture in the first place. It also shows six phone numbers for me, four of which are not numbers I have ever had. When I click edit, it shows only the two correct phone numbers.

Beyond all that, the giant wasted-space app is clearly intended to look a certain way that some designer liked rather than to easily and succinctly present contact information for those of us who actually have jobs. It's completely non-serious.

 

[diego.caraballo]

for those of us who actually have jobs

😂 😂 😂

Contacts need an "Adult mode" toggle, for the rest of users it's fine to display a gigantic "poster".

 

[BigBlur]

😂 😂 😂

Contacts need an "Adult mode" toggle, for the rest of users it's fine to display a gigantic "poster".

Yeah, I don't like how the Contacts app basically forces you to create a poster now. I've started managing my contacts through iCloud.com, where there is no poster functionality. Hopefully it stays that way, but I suppose it's only a matter of time when they update iCloud to do the same.

 

[JoeSilver]

Yeah, I don't like how the Contacts app basically forces you to create a poster now. I've started managing my contacts through iCloud.com, where there is no poster functionality. Hopefully it stays that way, but I suppose it's only a matter of time when they update iCloud to do the same.

Regarding the poster. I'd like to use it more often, but it's either the cringey memoji/avatar or a photo which must be present in your photos library already. A simple drag 'n drop of a picture doesn't work. Of course the solution would be to import the contact's photo (maybe taken from their website, if it's a professional contact) into your library, choosing it as a poster and then deleting it. But it's such a cumbersome method.

 

[bluespark]

😂 😂 😂

Contacts need an "Adult mode" toggle, for the rest of users it's fine to display a gigantic "poster".

Can "adult mode" also make the window corners a bit less round? If so, I'm all in.

Seriously, though, I'm now finding aspects of Windows to be refreshing to use by comparison, and that's really too bad.

 

[rebelo]

You know what's even worse about the Contacts mess? The alternatives are messy as well. I've tested them all. None of them is even slightly similar to the minimalist look of the Contacts app before Tahoe. The alternatives are way too colorful or try to add a lot of functions you don't really need. They offer more resources and functions, but lack in speed and usability. What a mess. For the first time in decades I find myself missing AZZ Cardfile in Windows. It's a shame that marvelous piece of software got stuck in time and never had a Mac version.

 

[Wolf1701]

You know what's even worse about the Contacts mess? The alternatives are messy as well. I've tested them all. None of them is even slightly similar to the minimalist look of the Contacts app before Tahoe. The alternatives are way too colorful or try to add a lot of functions you don't really need. They offer more resources and functions, but lack in speed and usability. What a mess. For the first time in decades I find myself missing AZZ Cardfile in Windows. It's a shame that marvelous piece of software got stuck in time and never had a Mac version.

Ultimately, it's a database... if you can't find the right one, there's always FileMaker or similar programs... not as ideal as an app already included in the operating system, but definitely more adaptable to your tastes

I miss the old Bento.

 

[zenmacx]

We found out how  wanted it to work and we learned the new way.

The company shills are thrilled.

 

[zenmacx]

😂 😂 😂

Contacts need an "Adult mode" toggle, for the rest of users it's fine to display a gigantic "poster".

Apple panders to the easily amused and narcissistic types who're passionate about Memoji, animations, selfies and the like. The company devotes lots of space in Contacts for this type of thing.

It’s annoying for those serious users focusing on productivity, but advantageous for third party apps that demonstrate what a proper contact app is like along with its many benefits.

 

[diego.caraballo]

Apple panders to the easily amused and narcissistic types who're passionate about Memoji, animations, selfies and the like. The company devotes lots of space in Contacts for this type of thing.

It’s annoying for those serious users focusing on productivity, but advantageous for third party apps that demonstrate what a proper contact app is like along with its many benefits.

I get the idea that Apple has of people browsing the Contacts app and "admiring" other's people "posters"...however, I have 2k contacts (99.9% of them with iPhone devices), only one had a poster created.

Not quite sure how popular this feature is to keep trying to pushing it to their users. Is like Animoji all over again.

 

[MareLuce]

You know what's even worse about the Contacts mess? The alternatives are messy as well. I've tested them all. None of them is even slightly similar to the minimalist look of the Contacts app before Tahoe. The alternatives are way too colorful or try to add a lot of functions you don't really need. They offer more resources and functions, but lack in speed and usability. What a mess. For the first time in decades I find myself missing AZZ Cardfile in Windows. It's a shame that marvelous piece of software got stuck in time and never had a Mac version.

I started subscribing to Cardhop (Fantastical) during that week after 26.0.0 dropped and I couldn’t even open Contacts on my iPhone. Have you tried it? It’s a low cost sub, the app actually works, it’s FAST, and their tech support replied to my questions same day.

 

[SalisburySam]

Ultimately, it's a database... if you can't find the right one, there's always FileMaker or similar programs... not as ideal as an app already included in the operating system, but definitely more adaptable to your tastes

I miss the old Bento.

RIP Bento. FileMaker is an option, though pretty heavy duty for simple Contacts. Perhaps ninox? I quickly put together a simply ninox database for Contacts…but there are free templates available on their website for download. A single-user device-based ninox license is free on iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. It’s only when you want to use their cloud servers or multiple licensees that costs are involved. The free versions can create a database in iCloud accessible by all your connected devices, just only one at a time.

 

[mscuthbert]

To add insult to injury the Feedback on Contacts doesn't even have the list of Apple's current mac products right (no Airs or iMacs since M2...). So you can't even complain about the product properly. :-D

 

[zenmacx]

To add insult to injury the Feedback on Contacts doesn't even have the list of Apple's current mac products right (no Airs or iMacs since M2...). So you can't even complain about the product properly. :-D


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It’s rather mind boggling that these types of issues exist given the massive resources Apple has at it’s disposal.

And that this type of thing has existed for years within the company with the fruity logo.