When i click + then Add New List, i get a new blank group highlighted in the side frame.
i type the new name and hit return.
It disappears, never to appear again.
i have been using Contacts for many years. i have learned from other threads to hold down shift when i open it, otherwise i cannot add a contact to a group. This has not solved the create new group problem.
Macbook Air Apple M1
MacBook Air 13″, macOS 13.1
Hi tmcdanel,
Thanks for contacting Apple Support Communities!
We understand that you're unable to create a new list in Contacts on your Mac.
What do you have set as your default account for Contacts? Do you use an Exchange account? If so, the contacts associated with the Exchange account can only belong to one folder at a time. You can learn more here: Create and change lists in Contacts on Mac – Apple Support
"Add contacts to a list
on your Mac, select one or more contacts listed in the sidebar.If the contacts aren’t added to the list, check if it’s a Smart List — you can’t add contacts to a Smart List.
If you use an Exchange account in Contacts, those contacts can belong to only one folder at a time. Any contacts that aren’t in a folder you create are in the default Exchange Contacts folder."
If you're not using Exchange, are you able to create a list while your Mac is in safe mode? Safe mode will prevent certain software from loading and check your disk in the process: How to use safe mode on your Mac – Apple Support
"How to use safe mode
Determine whether you're using a Mac with Apple silicon, then follow the appropriate steps:
Apple silicon
We look forward to your reply.
Cheers!
Thank you Old Toad and Miche11e_P for your canned responses, none of which helped.
In case, it helps someone else here, it looks like i may have solved the problem, for a time. My best guess is that the data set is frequently collecting errors. The fix was to delete extraneous and/or duplicate contacts and garbage lists (historically called groups). i think it was the empty duplicate lists that were causing the problem. At some point app was able to write newly created lists. In short, simpler is better. Less Contacts and fewer groups is better.
By way of explanation, the Contacts app is a buggy mess coding. It is constantly trying to sync across iCloud and other devices. Duplicate contacts (actually records) and even duplicate lists are very frequently and very randomly generated. The app's programmers even tried to build a routine into the app Cards > Look for duplicates that finds and merges these, which only marginally works. i understand the complexity of what is intended and appreciate the attempt, but the app has been a headache for years, though i think it's getting better. i also understand that any criticism of Apple software here generally gets deleted. It's not possible for the Specialists to admit that the app randomly generates duplicate empty lists in its continuous syncing process. So for what's it worth, good luck.
If all else fails give this a try: boot into Safe Mode according to How to use safe mode on your Mac and test to see if the problem persists. Reboot normally and test again.
NOTE 1: Safe Mode boot can take up to 3 - 5 minutes as it's doing the following;
• Verifies your startup disk and attempts to repair directory issues, if needed
• Loads only required kernel extensions (prevents 3rd party kernel/extensions from loading)
• Prevents Startup Items and Login Items from opening automatically
• Disables user-installed fonts
• Deletes font caches, kernel cache, and other system cache files
NOTE 2: if you have a wireless keyboard with rechargeable batteries connect it with its charging cable before booting into Safe Mode. This makes it act as a wired keyboard as will insure a successful boot into Safe Mode.
Cannot create new group in Contacts
