Google Pixel and Samsung users have recently raised concerns regarding missing contacts on their Android devices. Several individuals have reported that their contacts have inexplicably disappeared from their phones.
Update: Google has officially acknowledged a bug within Google Contacts that have caused contact data to not appear for certain Android and Web users. The problem has been identified as a “data access issue,” but it is important to note that no contact data has been directly affected. Google has successfully deployed a bug fix for affected users.
To resolve the issue, users can manually sync their contacts with their Android devices through Google Contacts sync. This can be done by accessing the device’s Settings app, navigating to Google > Settings for Google apps > Google Contacts sync > Status, and tapping the Sync arrow. Alternatively, refreshing contacts.google.com in a web browser will also implement the fix and restore contact data.
Impacted users have encountered a disconcerting message of “No contacts in this account” upon opening the Google Contacts app on their Android devices. However, it is reassuring to know that all contacts remain accessible online at contacts.google.com, offering a satisfactory mobile web experience.
Although attempts to restore or re-sync contacts have not universally resolved the issue, some users have achieved success by following these steps: accessing the Settings app, selecting Passwords & accounts, choosing the [@gmail.com address] associated with their account, and toggling the Contacts sync option under Account sync.
It is worth noting that this missing contacts problem on Android appears to be a sync-related issue, potentially associated with Google Play services. While it remains unclear if this is directly related, a recent update (version 23.20+) of Play services introduced a change wherein disabling sync with Google Contacts will remove previously synced contacts from an Android device. The current problem users are encountering may be connected to this underlying alteration.
Top comment by Carl Steffen, Liked by 26 people
Thank you for the suggestion regarding Google Play services. On my Pixel 7, I performed a long tap on the Play Store, selected “app info,” force stopped the app, and cleared its storage. Following this, I refreshed my contacts, and all of them reappeared. I’m not certain whether this was a coincidence or the actual fix, but my device is now functioning properly once again.
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Numerous reports of this issue have emerged within the past day alone, primarily among Pixel owners across all generations. It is crucial to note that this problem does not seem to be limited to a specific OS version, including the recently released Android 13 QPR3 update. Reports from Samsung and another original equipment manufacturer (OEM) device users suggest that this is a more widespread issue likely associated with Google Play services.