Iirc contacts used to be stored on older devices using SQL database if you wanted the true list. And i think accessing contacts that way doesnt work quite the same anymore.

If you do find your contacts list in a db file, dont delete it. It's apparently a no-no. some file explorer apps had capabilities, but this was years ago

well here's what I did.

Deleted the system database. This removed it from default contacts app but not fossify app.

I then deleted all the contacts from fossify app too, so now there are no contacts in either fossify or default app.

then I disabled default app and wrongly hoped this would link the remaining (fossify) app to contact system db.

I imported contacts into fossify app, but this doesn't seem to update the system db, as phone couldn't see the new contacts.

still trying to figure out a way to:

  1. have another contact apps integrate with system db, other than default app which is quite useless.

  2. need a way to merge local vcf with google account contacts, but remove all duplicates.

  3. then i can remove local contacts from default app, and just use google account - otherwise it shows duplicates in default app.

not found solutions yet

such a simple task, but so hard in gos. Hope they streamline this somehow.

    lawman I don't think this is a GOS issue. The more I read about Fossify apps, the more I think they're spaghetti code. Try a different contacts app and see if it works.

      9 days later

      I'm wondering. Is there a decentralized foss solution for synced Android contacts?

      Possibly even more?

      Thx

      lawman
      have another contact apps integrate with system db, other than default app which is quite useless.

      I would use Tutanota's contact sync feature. It integrates well with native or third-party contacts app. However, you are now going to use the Tutanota app to add/delete/modify contacts details. Ask yourself if this is a deal breaker.

      need a way to merge local vcf with google account contacts, but remove all duplicates.

      Tutanota has a "merge" feature and ability export vcf for backups

      then i can remove local contacts from default app, and just use google account - otherwise it shows duplicates in default app.

      If duplicates show on the contacts app, try clearing cache and data from the contacts storage (the system app) and not in the contacts app

      PS: I'm not shilling for Tutanota. I just found what works for me regarding contacts syncing.

          10 days later

          lawman If you're doing this on mobile, perhaps. However, in Tuta Desktop, if you hover you cursor to all contacts, a 3 dot button should appear. Go to the third option "Merge" to merge all duplicates. To delete all contacts on Tuta, click the box at the very top to select all contacts, and the thrash can should appear at the right hand side of the screen.

            DeletedUser87 can confirm. Changed the contacts app the day before and contacts scopes I chose remained.