WhatsApp has become one of the most popular messaging apps across the world. It allows you to easily connect with your contacts by syncing your phone’s contact list with WhatsApp. This saves you time from having to manually add each contact on WhatsApp. With auto sync enabled, any new contacts added to your phone will also get added to your WhatsApp contacts. Here’s a guide on how to auto sync contacts on WhatsApp for both Android and iOS devices.
Auto Sync Contacts on Android
Android devices allow syncing your contacts with WhatsApp automatically. When you first set up WhatsApp on your Android phone, it will ask you to confirm if you want to sync your contacts. If you chose not to sync contacts at that time, you can enable it later by following these steps:
- Open WhatsApp on your Android phone.
- Tap on the More options icon (3 vertical dots at top right).
- Select Settings.
- Tap on Chats.
- Turn on the toggle for Sync Contacts.
That’s it! WhatsApp will now automatically sync all contacts from your phone. Any new contacts added to your phone will show up in your WhatsApp contacts. You can also manually sync contacts anytime by going into WhatsApp Settings > Chats and tapping on the Sync Contacts button.
Auto Sync on iOS
The process is quite similar for syncing contacts automatically on iPhones. Follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp on your iPhone.
- Tap on the Settings tab located at the bottom right.
- Tap on Contacts.
- Turn on the toggle for Sync Contacts.
This will enable auto contact syncing between your iPhone contacts and WhatsApp. WhatsApp will now stay updated with any contacts added or deleted on your phone.
Troubleshooting Tips
In some cases, you may face issues getting your contacts to auto sync properly. Here are some troubleshooting tips:
Update Contacts Privilege
WhatsApp needs access to your contacts to sync them. Make sure WhatsApp has the ‘Contacts’ permission enabled in your phone’s settings. On Android go to Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Permissions and make sure Contacts is allowed. On iPhone, go to Settings > WhatsApp > Contacts and ensure the toggle is enabled.
Small Contact Groups
If you have too many contacts, WhatsApp may not be able to sync all of them properly. Try syncing contacts in smaller groups of 500-1000 contacts at a time.
Restart App & Phone
Sometimes restarting the WhatsApp app or your phone can help trigger the contact sync process if it has stalled. Close WhatsApp completely from the app switcher and reopen it after a few minutes.
Re-verify Number
Go into WhatsApp > Settings > Account > Verify to re-validate your phone number again. This reconnects your account and can help sync contacts.
Update App
Ensure you are running the latest version of WhatsApp. Older versions may have bugs that prevent proper contact syncing.
Clear App Data
As a last resort, you can also try clearing the app data for WhatsApp from your phone’s settings. Open Settings > Apps > WhatsApp > Storage > Clear Data. This will delete your WhatsApp account and settings, allowing you to re-verify your number and restart the contact sync process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does WhatsApp sync contacts automatically?
Yes, once you enable the contact syncing option in WhatsApp settings, it will automatically sync all contacts from your phone’s address book without any manual intervention needed.
Will WhatsApp sync new contacts added?
When auto contact sync is enabled, any new contacts added to your phone’s address book will also get automatically synced to your WhatsApp contact list.
Is there a limit on how many contacts WhatsApp can sync?
WhatsApp can sync thousands of contacts seamlessly. However, if you face issues, try syncing smaller groups of 500-1000 contacts at a time.
Can I selectively sync some contacts?
Unfortunately, WhatsApp does not allow selectively syncing specific contacts. It’s an all or nothing approach. When enabled, it will sync your entire phone address book.
Will WhatsApp sync contact details like email and groups?
WhatsApp will only sync the phone numbers from your address book. It does not bring over other details like contact name, email, postal address, company, etc.
Can I merge contacts if I have duplicate entries?
If contact sync results in duplicate entries in WhatsApp, you can easily merge them manually. Open the contact, tap the three dots menu > Linked accounts > Merge and select the duplicate contact to merge.
Will it sync contacts saved to my SIM card?
In most cases, WhatsApp will also be able to sync contacts saved directly on your phone’s SIM card as well.
Can I stop contacts from syncing automatically?
Yes, you can disable auto contact sync by going into WhatsApp Settings > Chats and turning off the Sync Contacts toggle.
Will it sync contacts from external accounts?
WhatsApp syncs contacts from your phone’s local address book only. Contacts from external accounts like Google, Exchange, etc. do not get synced currently.
Conclusion
Syncing contacts makes it much easier to connect with your existing phone contacts on WhatsApp. Both Android and iOS provide simple settings to enable auto syncing contacts. This eliminates the need to manually add contacts one by one to WhatsApp. Just make sure WhatsApp has the required permissions, restart the app if needed, and check for any software updates to ensure smooth contact syncing.