Missing contacts after updating to IOS 27

I had the same symptom on a family member's iPhone running iOS 27.0.1: new contacts would show for a few minutes and then disappear, while older ones stayed. In our case the cause was Settings > Contacts > Default Account, which was set to Outlook, and that account wasn't syncing. After switching the default account to iCloud, new contacts stay. Worth checking if you have a non-iCloud default account. This may not apply to everyone in the thread, but it fixed it for us.

I had the same issue since updating. FOUND A WORK AROUND

I have since found that adding the new contact NAME in the ‘Company’ box, and adding phone number, address, etc details in their rightful place, it saved and synced. No need to change default account from Outlook to iCloud

Once saved and synced, you can then edit name from ‘Company’ to ‘First Name’ and ‘Last Name’ if you so desire. It’ll save and sync as it should, and life as we know it is good again.

Thank you for sharing this.

Creating an update before you update or upgrade your iPhone is also recommended by Apple in the related article:

...

1. Back up your device using iCloud or your computer.
2. Plug your device into power and connect to the internet with Wi-Fi.
3. Open Settings.
4. Tap General.
5. Tap Software Update. The currently installed version of iOS is shown, and whether an update is available.
6. If an update is available, tap Download and Install, then follow the onscreen instructions.

...

copied from: Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

I would also recommend, that you have the automatic backup for iCloud enable in Settings -> Your Name -> iCloud -> iCloud Backup -> Back Up This iPhone -> ON.

I have been using iCloud for the last 15 years and single contacts only got deleted, when I removed the Information from one of my devices, syncing with iCloud, using the same Apple Account.

Set up iCloud for Contacts on all your devices - Apple Support

Keep your contacts up to date with iCloud - Apple Support

This is a completely separate issue that hasn’t been found yet. He didn’t delete any contacts his contacts that were from a recent period weren’t importing. We also did the trouble shooting with the contacts as well with the other emails weren’t even showing. We did a ICloud restore and that fixed it. Just wanted to report it to the forums to make it well known

I just discovered this issue when adding a contact. The contact adds and once you leave the app and go back the contact disappears. I’ve gone through all the suggested things to do to solve the issue numerous times, but nothing has worked! Is Apple going to issue a fix for this? I really don’t want to go through the restore process! Things are never the same…

I continued with my attempts to add my contact by only entering a company name and the entry added and remained in the list. I then edited the contact and was able to add the first and last name and it remained. However, when I look at my contact list(s) it’s putting the contact in what’s called a “Pending List”. What? It seems Apple clearly caused an issue with their recent upgrade to IOS 27.0…

Thank you so much for the tip. Had tried all other tips, then found yours. Although annoying to have to put the name in the ‘Company’ box then edit all other info into the proper boxes later, it has worked. I don’t see a ‘pending list’ (yet??), but so far so good even after closing iPhone. I’m using iPhone 17 Pro with latest iOS update 27.0.1

So to tell you he had on backup on the entire time which is insane. The issue was the iCloud was only backing up contacts from 4 years ago. It is something that needs to be adressed

Same here.. all my contacts are there but I can’t add any new ones. They appear for a second then it just disappears…