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On my new iPhone 4, I can add a new contact after talking to them (Add as new contact) but I cannot otherwise add new contacts, or edit existing ones.

It looks like a bug. Is there a way to work around it, or do I have to wait for Apple to fix their issue? The phone is not jailbroken.

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I'm not sure I understand your question. Can you add some more detail please? I can add and edit contacts just fine with my iPhone 4 as I did with my 3G. – Thomas Jul 15 '10 at 12:46
Perhaps it is because I restored a backup from my old 3GS to the new phone? Either way, the + button in the Contacts app isn't there, and neither is the Edit button when I look at a contact... – Allan Mertner Jul 16 '10 at 18:48
There is an issue. When going through the contacts app I am unable to add, edit or delete contacts. I also tried going through my text messages to edit the contact from there and was unable to. But if I go through the phone app and select favorites or numbers that I have recently called, then I am able to edit those contacts. Is this a minor glitch? Before the new software update to my iPhone 4 I was able to edit contacts through selecting my contact book and through txt messages. – user12238 Oct 17 '11 at 17:28
Make sure Contacts is closed and removed from the multitasking menu (double tap home button). Then open it and take a screenshot (power + home button). Post that screenshot please. – cksum Oct 18 '11 at 1:37

5 Answers

up vote 2 down vote

It seems that the problem occurs when adding contacts to these phones after updating to IOS 5 (the + sign on the corner right is missing). IOS 5 added iCloud and if your contacts are not turned ON from the iCloud settings, you won't be able to add, edit or delete contacts.

The Fix: turn ON your iCloud contacts settings from Settings > iCloud and you should see your + sign on the corner back again.

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up vote 2 down vote

I had the exact same problem. Go to settings, then iCloud, go to the 'contacts' switch and set it to 'on' and it will fix your problem immediately.

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up vote -2 down vote

just go to settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > if there is a accont (hotmail, g mail etc.) just delete the account and then automatically you can start adding contacts

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an anonymous commenter adds this: " this just deletes your mail account... see below answers regarding icloud settings for IOS5 and above... I followed this step and now having to re-configure my mail settings...." – Kyle Cronin♦ Nov 3 '11 at 20:49
Citing sources is a helpful practice for tips like this. – Daniel Lawson♦ Nov 9 '11 at 4:45

We're looking for long answers that provide some explanation and context. Don't just give a one-line answer: please explain why you're recommending it as a solution. Answers that don't explain anything will be deleted. See Good Subjective, Bad Subjective for more information.
up vote 4 down vote

You can use the Contacts application provided in the iPhone 4, and create/edit contacts in there.

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On a brand-new iPhone 4, the Contacts application is the only built-in application on the second app screen. Swipe to the right and you should see it. – BradC Jul 15 '10 at 22:47
up vote 3 down vote

What's preventing you from doing so?

The ability to add and edit contacts from the phone app is still available. I tested this just now on mine.

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I can't do that; the + button is missing on mine! – Allan Mertner Jul 16 '10 at 18:47
Are you syncing your contacts with any sources? Please check Settings -> Mail, Contacts, Calendars and see if any accounts say "Contacts" underneath. – Stephen Jennings Jul 18 '10 at 4:54
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-1 - how on earth is "it works on mine" a valid answer? (Except, even though I've got 20k+ global rep, I still can't downvote here. So it's in spirit only) – Mark Henderson Oct 17 '11 at 20:36

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