Contacts not syncing with Google

[cosmos-man]

No matter what I try, my contacts on my Mac (BigSur 11.2.3) refuse to sync. I have both my iPhone and my iPad syncing with Google Contacts but if I make a change on the Mac, it never shows on Google and therefore never updates to the iPhone & iPad. Any suggestions?

 

[appltech]

Check if the apps on Mac have needed access to Contacts.
Open System Preferences>Security&Privacy>Privacy>Contacts. Unlock the page, add checkmarks to apps that you need.

 

[BabblingBafoon]

Check if the apps on Mac have needed access to Contacts.
Open System Preferences>Security&Privacy>Privacy>Contacts. Unlock the page, add checkmarks to apps that you need.

I am having the same issue with two different Mac's, and I even blew one away and started over with a clean install and not migrating my data from another Mac. BTW, I thought maybe you were on to something with the Privacy thing... but nothing listed at all.

I *feel* like this is a new thing, but I am not positive. I always had many different accounts sync contacts and wanted to pare it down to one personal account and one work account. I decided on Gmail for personal contacts, and it works fine on my iPhone 12 Pro, but not Big Sur. I'm hoping I can get this figured out soon though. Hopefully I remember to come back here and update if I figure it out.

 

[kestudi]

I am having the same issue with two different Mac's, and I even blew one away and started over with a clean install and not migrating my data from another Mac. BTW, I thought maybe you were on to something with the Privacy thing... but nothing listed at all.

I *feel* like this is a new thing, but I am not positive. I always had many different accounts sync contacts and wanted to pare it down to one personal account and one work account. I decided on Gmail for personal contacts, and it works fine on my iPhone 12 Pro, but not Big Sur. I'm hoping I can get this figured out soon though. Hopefully I remember to come back here and update if I figure it out.

I was having the same issue (Big Sur, M1 Mac). Spent too many hours checking/unchecking the Contacts sync button. This is how I solved it:

1. Enable "Notes" as one of the things that the Google Account is sharing (in addition to Contacts).
2. Open the Notes App, and under the "Google" subheading in the sidebar, create a new folder.

This somehow forced the Mac to actually talk to the Google servers to communicate the fact that a folder had been added, and my contacts instantly magically appeared.

 

[BabblingBafoon]

I was having the same issue (Big Sur, M1 Mac). Spent too many hours checking/unchecking the Contacts sync button. This is how I solved it:

1. Enable "Notes" as one of the things that the Google Account is sharing (in addition to Contacts).
2. Open the Notes App, and under the "Google" subheading in the sidebar, create a new folder.

This somehow forced the Mac to actually talk to the Google servers to communicate the fact that a folder had been added, and my contacts instantly magically appeared.

WT-A-F??? This trick worked on my M1 Mac mini!! It took a little bit for the Google account to show up in the Contacts app, but it actually worked! I don't get why this is needed, but I'm happy, so THANKS @kestudi !!

 

[tsufleta]

THANK YOU @kestudi!!!! This worked for me too.

 

[immortale]

Huge thanks. This worked for me as well. How annoying, Please fix this apple!

I created an account just to thank you. lol. Thanks again!

 

[kestudi]

Huge thanks. This worked for me as well. How annoying, Please fix this apple!

I created an account just to thank you. lol. Thanks again!

Haha, I created my account just to report this hack of a fix. Glad it helped!

 

[BrianBaughn]

Does it keep working if you turn Notes syncing "OFF"?

 

[MagicMarcV]

So thankful for this tip @kestudi worked for me as well. Saved me so much time.

 

[posguy99]

No matter what I try, my contacts on my Mac (BigSur 11.2.3) refuse to sync. I have both my iPhone and my iPad syncing with Google Contacts but if I make a change on the Mac, it never shows on Google and therefore never updates to the iPhone & iPad. Any suggestions?

What container are the contacts in? Turn off the Google Contacts on the Mac. Does the Mac still know the contact? Contacts do not sync cross-container.

It's a common misconception.

 

[Sumari Healing Arts]

I was having the same issue (Big Sur, M1 Mac). Spent too many hours checking/unchecking the Contacts sync button. This is how I solved it:

1. Enable "Notes" as one of the things that the Google Account is sharing (in addition to Contacts).
2. Open the Notes App, and under the "Google" subheading in the sidebar, create a new folder.

This somehow forced the Mac to actually talk to the Google servers to communicate the fact that a folder had been added, and my contacts instantly magically appeared.

Wow this totally solved the issue for me on a new 2021 MacBook pro! Thanks so much! I created an account on this forum just to say Thank You!!! ?

 

[eelpout]

Question. I've been using Eltima's Syncmate for years to do the Mac syncing (though lately it seems to have issues). Does Apple have its act together enough now to let it do the bidirectional Google contact sync instead of having to use a third party? Does it work for "labels/groups" too?

 

[JeanLouisC]

I was having the same issue (Big Sur, M1 Mac). Spent too many hours checking/unchecking the Contacts sync button. This is how I solved it:

1. Enable "Notes" as one of the things that the Google Account is sharing (in addition to Contacts).
2. Open the Notes App, and under the "Google" subheading in the sidebar, create a new folder.

This somehow forced the Mac to actually talk to the Google servers to communicate the fact that a folder had been added, and my contacts instantly magically appeared.

Top answer... Thx