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How to Find and Merge Duplicate Contacts on Mac
Question details
The user needs to identify and combine multiple duplicate contacts within the macOS address book.
- Product
- macOS Contacts
- Device & OS
- macOS
- Scenario
- Managing an address book cluttered with duplicate entries due to syncing multiple email accounts like Microsoft 365.
- Observed behavior
- Duplicate contact cards appear in the address book, making it difficult to navigate and find the correct contact information.
Before making any bulk changes to your address book, always export a backup of your contacts as a vCard file to prevent accidental data loss.
Merge Duplicates Using the macOS Contacts App
Use the built-in duplication tool in the Mac Contacts app to automatically scan and merge identical contact cards.
The macOS Contacts app includes a native feature specifically designed to find and consolidate duplicate contacts. This is particularly useful for Microsoft 365 users who have synced multiple email accounts to their Mac.
Locate and launch the Contacts app on your Mac from the Dock, Launchpad, or by using Spotlight Search.
Click on 'Card' in the top Apple menu bar, then select 'Look for Duplicates' from the dropdown menu.
A prompt will appear showing the number of duplicate contacts identified. Review the sets of duplicates that the system suggests.
Click the 'Merge' button for each set of duplicates you want to combine into a single, unified contact card.
If you want to exclude certain accounts from the merge, select 'Groups' from the sidebar and uncheck the accounts or groups you wish to leave alone before running the duplication check.
Boost Your Productivity on Mac with WPS Office
While you use the native Contacts app to organize your address book, you can enhance your document productivity with WPS Office. It is a completely free, lightweight, and user-friendly office suite that runs flawlessly on macOS.
- 1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the Mac version of the suite.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag the WPS Office icon into your Applications folder.
- 3. Open and Edit: Launch WPS Office from your Launchpad, open any existing Microsoft Office file, and start editing seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do duplicate contacts appear on my Mac?
Duplicate contacts usually occur when you sync multiple email accounts (such as Microsoft 365, Gmail, and iCloud) to the same Mac. If the same person is saved in different accounts, macOS will display them as separate entries.
Can I undo a contact merge if I made a mistake?
There is no direct 'Undo Merge' button after confirming the action. This is why it is highly recommended to export an archive of your contacts (File > Export > Contacts Archive) before clicking Merge.
Will merging contacts on my Mac update my iPhone?
Yes. As long as your Mac and iPhone are signed into the same iCloud account and syncing Contacts, any merges performed on your Mac will automatically update on your iPhone.
How do I manually link contacts without merging them completely?
If you prefer to keep the cards separate but linked, select both contacts by holding the Command key, click on 'Card' in the top menu, and choose 'Link Selected Cards'. They will function as one card on your Mac while remaining separate in their respective accounts.
