Reinstall default SMS app to fix name not showing bug?

TechNormie

Grateful new guy here. I installed grapheneos on my new (used) Pixel 6 last month and have had a nearly seamless experience.

In default SMS app and sometimes for incoming calls my contact names aren't showing up, only the #. Have tried some interventions without success. I'd like to reinstall the default messaging app but don't know how-- fdoid or aurora, name of app... ?

Any help is appreciated!
*Sorry if answer already on forum. I looked but didn't find anything on the topic

matchboxbananasynergy

TechNormie Is it that you're perhaps in a secondary user profile when you get those calls? If you're in a different profile than the one where you have your contacts, you'll still get the call, but you won't see the contact name.

That is expected, as app data and things like files and contacts are separated on different profile, so the profile you'd be on at the time doesn't know who that number is.

MetropleX

TechNormie Under settings>system>multiple users the bar isn't turned on. I assume that means only 1 user/profile?

Yes that will mean you are only using the Owner profile. However from reading your initial post again, are you stating that you have somehow uninstalled the default SMS app?

TechNormie I'd like to reinstall the default messaging app but don't know how

It shouldn't be possible as the only option in the default SMS app 'App Info' pane is to 'Disable it'.

It is highly inadvisable to disable or interfere with any system apps.

Check SETTINGS>APPS>SEE ALL APPS>MESSAGING and see if you have it disabled, if so reenable it.

Do the same for any stock app you may have tampered with and restore to default settings. If you continue to struggle it may be advisable to do a backup SETTINGS>SYSTEM>BACKUP on a USB drive and Factory Reset the device.

TechNormie

matchboxbananasynergy Thanks. Researching profiles (I have SO much to learn!)

TechNormie

TechNormie In my OP I didn't articulate well that some contacts come up and others as just numbers. I don't know if that would alter the diagnosis.
Under settings>system>multiple users the bar isn't turned on. I assume that means only 1 user/profile?

TechNormie

MetropleX
I didn't uninstall default msg app or disable it. A YT video suggested reinstalling as a method for fixing the contacts problem. I'm not sure how (or if I should try) to.
Sorry for unclear writing on my part

MetropleX

TechNormie Found the video you are referring to and this is related to the Google Messages app not the stock AOSP, Messaging app that comes with GrapheneOS.

Google Messages comes built in with the stock Pixel software but not with GrapheneOS.

As for Messaging on GrapheneOS, you cannot uninstall this as mentioned in the video or reinstall it as it is only updated with the OS not via a store front. So the video instructions won't work. Can you link me to a screenshot with relevant sensitive info blurred of the app you are referring to?

It's worth checking that the SMS app you are trying to use has the Contacts permission.

TechNormie

MetropleX
Only using stock apps for SMS and contacts. I created a .vcf file on old device (OnePlus 6t, stock contacts app) and imported onto current phone.

Couldn't figure out how to post screenshots. What you'd see is:

Phone icon>recent calls
List of last 8 calls, all are contacts, only 2 of their names show up, others are numbers
Stock msg app
List of last 9 texts. 3/9 show contact names, others are numbers

** oddity- When I push the edit icon for a screenshot the image becomes blurry. Probably unrelated problem

matchboxbananasynergy

TechNormie ** oddity- When I push the edit icon for a screenshot the image becomes blurry. Probably unrelated problem

That's a known bug with the AOSP Gallery app that comes with GrapheneOS. The plan is to replace that app completely eventually, as it's pretty out of date.

madduke

TechNormie This kinda sounds like a formatting error during the contact import. Were your contacts stored locally on your old device or were they Google contacts? If they were/are Google contacts you could try exporting them as a .csv file from Google directly on the web.

TechNormie

madduke

madduke
Sorry so late in replying. Not sure which, I exported from the default contacts app on my old phone (OxygenOS, oneplus).
Is there any privacy consideration signing into Google on my new (GrapheneOS) phone?

unwat

TechNormie Is there any privacy consideration signing into Google on my new (GrapheneOS) phone?

Yes. You're logging in with an ID. That ID can be used by to easily trace you, even if you don't give Google Play Services permission to things like contacts or location.

madduke

TechNormie I exported them from my Google account using my pc then moved the files over to my phone. Granted this was a while ago because I self host my contacts and calendar on my NAS now.
It might be worth a try.

TechNormie

madduke
Will give it a go, thanks for the lead!