Mac Contacts displays deleted contacts and new contacts are missing.

BiffOneOh wrote:

Contacts in MAC 26.7.1 are displaying contacts that have been previously deleted, and "new" contacts are missing.

For sync issue—Sign out of your Apple ID/Account /iCloud on the Mac and back in again and compare your results

Sign in to or out of your Apple Account on Mac - Apple Support

Mac Contacts in macOS 26.7.1: Deleted Contacts Reappearing and New Contacts Missing

If previously deleted contacts keep reappearing in Mac Contacts while new contacts are missing, the problem may be related to synchronization, account settings, or multiple connected cloud-based accounts.

Contacts can display information from several accounts at once, including iCloud, Google Contacts, and Microsoft Exchange. 

A contact deleted from one account may still exist in another, making it appear to have returned. New contacts may also have been saved to a different account than expected.

Try the following steps to identify the cause.

Step 1: Check which accounts are connected.

Open Contacts and look at the sidebar to see which contact lists are available. Then select Contacts >> Settings >> Accounts to review the accounts connected to Contacts. You can also check Apple menu >> System Settings >> Internet Accounts to confirm that Contacts is enabled for the relevant accounts.

Step 2: Find out where the deleted contacts are coming from.

Search for a contact that keeps reappearing, then check each account separately. If necessary, verify the contact directly on the provider's website, such as iCloud Contacts or Google Contacts. If the contact still exists in another account, deleting it from the original account alone will not remove that separate record.

Step 3: Look for the missing new contacts.

Search for a recently added contact in each account. If you find it in a different account, open Contacts → Settings → General and check the Default Account setting, if available. This setting determines where new contacts are saved.

Step 4: Check synchronization.

If a contact exists online but is missing from your Mac, confirm that Contacts is enabled for that account and check for internet connection or sign-in problems. Also make sure you are viewing the correct contact list.

Apple provides further guidance here:

Add contacts from iCloud, Google, and more to Contacts on Mac

If your iCloud Contacts, Calendars, or Reminders won't sync

Step 5: Check the results before making further changes.

Once you have identified the affected account, check whether the contacts now appear correctly on your Mac and online. Avoid removing accounts or resetting synchronization until you have confirmed where your contacts are stored, especially if some records may not have synchronized.

The key is to establish which account contains each contact. 

This will help determine whether the problem involves duplicate records, the default account, display settings, or synchronization. 

If the online records are correct but your Mac still displays outdated or incomplete information, contact Apple Support for further assistance.