By default, many iPhones sort contacts by last name, so "Jordan Smith" appears under S. If you think of people by their first names, switching the sort order makes your contact list much easier to scroll. This guide shows how to sort contacts by first name on an iPhone 13 (the steps are the same on other iPhones running current iOS), how sort order differs from display order, and how to fix contacts that still end up in the wrong place.
Quick Answer
Open Settings > Apps > Contacts > Sort Order and choose First, Last. On iOS 17 and earlier, go to Settings > Contacts > Sort Order. The Contacts app and the Contacts tab in Phone update immediately.
Step-by-Step: Sort Contacts by First Name
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap Apps (iOS 18 and later). On iOS 17 or earlier, skip this step.
- Tap Contacts.
- Tap Sort Order.
- Select First, Last.
Open the Contacts app (or Phone > Contacts) and you will see names grouped by the first letter of each person's first name.
Tip: if you cannot find Contacts in Settings, swipe down on the Settings main screen and search for Sort Order.
Sort Order vs. Display Order
| Setting | What it does | Example with "First, Last" |
|---|---|---|
| Sort Order | Which name the list is alphabetized by | Jordan Smith appears under J |
| Display Order | How each name is written on screen | Shows "Jordan Smith" rather than "Smith Jordan" |
You can combine them however you like. For example, sort by first name but display last name first. Most people set both to First, Last.
To change display order, go to Settings > Apps > Contacts > Display Order.
Other Useful Contacts Settings
- Short Name: shows shorter names or nicknames in Mail, Messages, and Phone. You can choose formats like first name only or first name and last initial, and prefer nicknames.
- My Info: tells your iPhone which contact card is you, which Siri and autofill use.
- Default Account: if you use iCloud and another account (such as Gmail or Exchange), this sets where new contacts are saved.
Why Some Contacts Are Still in the Wrong Place
The name is in the wrong field
If someone's full name was typed entirely in the First name or Last name field, the iPhone sorts by whatever it finds there. Open the contact, tap Edit, and move each part of the name into the correct field.
The contact is a company
Contacts saved with only a Company name are sorted by that name. If a person also has a company listed, make sure their first and last names are filled in.
Phonetic names are set
If a contact has a phonetic first name or phonetic last name, the iPhone may sort by the phonetic spelling. Edit the contact to check these fields.
Contacts start with numbers or symbols
Names that begin with a number, emoji, or punctuation are grouped under # at the end of the list.
Some contacts come from another account
Contacts synced from Gmail, Outlook, or a work account follow the same sort setting, but their name fields may have been entered differently. Fix the fields in the original account or on the iPhone.
Change the Sort Order on Mac and iCloud
The iPhone setting does not change other devices.
- Mac: open Contacts, choose Contacts > Settings (or Preferences) > General, and set Sort By to First Name.
- iCloud.com: open Contacts, click the settings (gear) icon, and choose a sort option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my iPhone sorting contacts by last name?
That is the default in many regions. Change it in Settings > Apps > Contacts > Sort Order.
Does this also change the Phone app?
Yes. The Contacts tab in the Phone app uses the same setting.
Will changing the sort order delete or change any contacts?
No. It only changes how the list is organized.
Are the steps different on newer iPhones?
No. The steps depend on the iOS version, not the model. iOS 18 and later put Contacts under Settings > Apps.
Summary
- Go to Settings > Apps > Contacts (or Settings > Contacts on older iOS).
- Tap Sort Order and choose First, Last.
- Optionally, set Display Order to First, Last.
- Fix any contacts whose names are in the wrong fields.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.