Have you ever noticed your iPhone labeling certain contacts with "Maybe" instead of their name? You're not alone——many users have reported the same issue in the Apple Community. This curious "Maybe" label can appear unexpectedly in iMessage, often next to the contact's name. In this guide, we'll explore the reasons behind this issue and show you how to turn off "Maybe" contacts on iPhone, even with the latest iOS 18.

• Part 1. What Does Maybe Mean on iPhone?
• Part 2. Why Does iPhone Say Maybe Contact?
• Part 3. How to Turn Off iPhone Maybe Contact
  • Method 1. Check Saved Contacts
  • Method 2. Disable Contact Suggestions
  • Method 3. Add to iPhone Contact List
  • Method 4. Turn Off iCloud Sync
  • Method 5. Sign In and Out of Apple ID
  • Method 6. Update iPhone to the Latest iOS
• Part 4. How to Get Rid of the Maybe Contact Name
• Part 5. Conclusion

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Part 1. What Does Maybe Mean on iPhone?

The "Maybe" label on iPhone appears when iOS detects a possible contact match but doesn't fully recognize the number or email. This typically happens when you receive a message, call, or email from an unsaved number that has appeared in previous communications. iOS tries to match the incoming number with any relevant information from past texts or emails and suggests a name if it finds a potential match.

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Part 2. Why Does iPhone Say Maybe Contact?

So why exactly does your iPhone add "Maybe" in front of certain contacts? It usually comes down to how iOS handles contact information. Whenever your iPhone receives a message or call, it checks whether the sender's number is saved in your Contacts app. If it isn't, the phone tries to figure out who the sender is by searching through any available data, including past conversations, email addresses, or even social media links tied to that phone number. Additionally, here are three possible causes for this issue.

Cause 1. No International Dialing Prefix

When a number is saved without the correct international dialing code, iOS may fail to properly identify it, triggering the "Maybe" label as it attempts to match the number with previous data.

Cause 2. Shared Phone Numbers

If multiple contacts share the same phone number, iOS can't determine the correct contact. The "Maybe" label indicates the identity uncertainty.

Cause 3. Linked Email Address

When an email address is associated with a phone number in your Contacts, and that email is used for iMessage, iOS might guess the sender's identity based on past interactions but display "Maybe" if the phone number isn't saved in the contact card.

Cause 4. iPhone iOS Bugs or Issues

On outdated iOS versions or iOS betas, it's common to encounter bugs and issues on your iPhone. These issues can affect iCloud sync and lead to problems such as the "Maybe" contact label.

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Part 3. How to Turn Off iPhone Maybe Contact

If you're tired of seeing the "Maybe" label, there are several steps to diable "Maybe" contacts on iPhone. Whether it's due to inorrect contact settings or iCloud sync issues, here's how to regain full control over your contact list. Let's dive in.

Method 1. Check Saved Contacts

The first step in removing the "Maybe" label issue is to verify that the contact is indeed saved in your contacts list. To check your saved contacts, open the Contacts app and search for the name or number that's appearing with the "Maybe" label. If you can't find the contact, you'll need to update the contact. If you do find any duplicates or incomplete contacts, delete the duplicated entries and ensure that the contact information is complete with the right phone number and email.

Method 2. Disable Contact Suggestions

Sometimes, iOS automatically suggests contacts it thinks you might want to add based on recent interactions. While this feature can be helpful, it can also cause confusion with the "Maybe" label. To prevent this, you can turn off contact suggestions. Here's how to take off the "Maybe" suggestion on iPhone for different iOS versions.

Option 1. Turn Off Siri Suggestions [iOS 16 or Earlier]

Step 1. Enter Settings and then choose the Contacts section.

Step 2. Continue to select the Siri & Search option.

Step 3. Then toggle off Find Contacts in Other Apps to avoid the "Maybe" contacts.

Option 2. Turn Off Contact Suggestions [iOS 17 or Later]

Step 1. Go to Settings and then Apps.

Step 2. Find and select the Contacts tab, and then choose Siri.

Step 3. Switch off Learn from this App and Show Contact Suggestions.

Method 3. Turn Off iCloud Sync

In some cases, syncing your contacts via iCloud can lead to issues with duplicate or missing contact information, resulting in the "Maybe" label appearing. If iCloud syncing is causing confusion, turning it off and re-syncing your contacts might help disable the iPhone "Maybe" contact. You can follow the instructions below to do so.

Step 1. Enter Settings and switch to the Apple account.

Step 2. Tap on iCloud and then choose See All under the Saved to iCloud tab.

Step 3. Select the Messages in the iCloud option. Then enter to enable the Use on this iPhone button and tap Sync Now.

Step 4. Next, switch to General > Storage, and then iMessage to delete the conversations.

Step 5. Once the Message sync is enabled again, the "Maybe" note will be removed.

Method 4. Reset All Settings on iPhone

If the issue persists despite the above solutions, resetting all settings might help stop "Maybe" contacts on iPhone. This will restore your settings to their default state without deleting your data. Resetting settings can fix any configuration issues causing the "Maybe" label to appear. Here's how to reset all your iPhone settings.

Step 1. Head to Settings and enter General on your iPhone.

Step 2. Swipe up to pick the Transfer or Reset iPhone button.

Step 3. Press Reset and then Reset All Settings to reset all iPhone settings.

Method 5. Sign In and Out of Apple ID

To turn off the iPhone "Maybe:" in front of unknown contacts, another option is to sign out and sign back into your Apple account. This refreshes the iCloud server and data, including contact names. Doing so will restore the correct contact name and remove the "Maybe" label.

Step 1. Go to Settings and tap your Apple account icon.

Step 2. Scroll down to select the Sign Out button and enter the Apple ID password.

Step 3. After that, sign back the Apple ID to see if the "Maybe" contact is removed.

Method 6. Update iPhone to the Latest iOS

Updating your iPhone to the latest version of iOS can often resolve various bugs and glitches, including the "Maybe" label issue. Apple regularly releases updates that fix minor bugs, improve features, and enhance compatibility. After updating, check the "Maybe" label again.

Step 1. Navigate to the Settings app and enter General.

Step 2. After that, select the Software Update option.

Step 3. Choose Install Now to install the latest iOS version on your iPhone.

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Part 4. How to Get Rid of the Maybe Contact Name

If the "Maybe" contact label still doesn't go away after iOS updating, MagFone iOS System Recovery can help. This powerful tool fixes various iOS issues, including contact problems, without data loss. When iCloud syncing or settings adjustments fail, MagFone provides a simple solution to clear the "Maybe" label by repairing underlying system glitches on your iPhone or iPad. It works by repairing your iPhone's software, ensuring your contacts sync properly and appear correctly. Next is how to remove maybe contacts on iPhone by using the MagFone iOS repair tool.

Step 1 Link Your Device to a PC

Initially, link your iPhone or iPad to a computer using a USB cable, then open MagFone iOS System Recovery. On the main screen, select iOS System Repair and click Start to begin.

Step 2 Pick System Repair Mode

Choose the Standard Repair mode to save device data and ensure your device is detected by the software. Follow the on-screen instructions to enter recovery mode on your iPhone.

Step 3 Select Firmware Package

Check the device information displayed on the screen. If necessary, correct any discrepancies manually. Select your desired firmware version and click the Download button to start the download.

Step 4 Finish iOS Repair Process

After the firmware download finishes, click the Start Standard Repair button to begin the process. The software will extract the firmware and repair your iPhone. Finally, the "Maybe" contact is turned off permanently.

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Part 5. Conclusion

In conclusion, the "Maybe" contact label on your iPhone can be frustrating, but it's usually caused by issues like incomplete contact information or syncing problems. With a few adjustments to your settings and a software refresh, you can easily get rid of the label and restore your contact list to normal. Keep your device updated for smoother performance and better contact management.