Google Messages missing contact photos? You're not alone
TL;DR The latest Google Messages update introduced a new bug that's making contact photos disappear.
The issue appears to only affect some beta users and is not widespread.
Affected users are still seeing contact photos in the Contacts app, and it briefly shows when tapping a conversation, but then defaults back to the monogram.
If you're running the beta version of Google Messages, you might have observed something strange. Don't worry — you're not going crazy. There appears to be a bug in the latest update that is causing contact photos to not show up in chat threads.
The issue was brought up by Reddit user Typicalg123 in r/GoogleMessages. Though users can still view their contact photos in the Contacts app, it looks like the images only briefly show when you tap a conversation before defaulting back to the original monogram. From the Reddit discussion, another user, u/Jmerse, states that the bug only seems to affect contacts who use an iPhone.
Again, this issue seems to only affect certain users and applies to Google Pixel and Samsung devices. The common factor appears to be the Google Messages beta. However, it isn't a widespread issue affecting everyone, just some, as Tech-Issues Today was unable to replicate the problem themselves, even while running the beta.
We don't know if Google knows about this bug yet. But if this problem is affecting your device, you could try clearing the cache or even performing a full uninstall and then reinstalling Google Messages. If that doesn't work, then leaving the beta program and going back to a stable public build might fix it. Just remember to back up your messages before troubleshooting if you care about chat history.
We saw a 'Delete for Everyone' feature that also recently started to roll out to beta users. This vanishing contact photo bug might be an unintended result of that feature, given the timing, or it might not be. You do have to admit that the timing is a bit of a coincidence, though, and it's not uncommon for a new bug to show itself when there's a new feature. That's just the name of the game when it comes to software development.
If you're experiencing this issue, unfortunately, you'll have to try one of the fixes we mentioned above or just wait it out. Since this bug is only affecting a small subset of users and Google might not be aware of it yet, there is no telling when there will be an update to patch this.
Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at
Email our staff at news@androidauthority.com . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
7 minutes ago
- Yahoo
The S&P 500 Is Soaring: 3 No-Brainer Vanguard ETFs to Buy Right Now
The market is reaching new heights, which can make it a fantastic time to invest. ETFs are a hands-off investment that can help you build wealth with minimal effort. No matter your goals or risk tolerance, there's an ETF for your portfolio. 10 stocks we like better than Vanguard Information Technology ETF › The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) reached a new all-time high in late June, soaring by more than 26% from its low point in April, as of this writing. Many investors are optimistic that the market will continue climbing, making right now a fantastic opportunity to load up on quality stocks. ETFs are a simple way to build wealth with little effort, but the right investments are key to maximizing your earnings. With the market reaching new heights, these three Vanguard exchange-traded funds (ETFs) could be poised for significant growth. A staple in many investors' portfolios, the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO) is a rock-solid option both when the market is thriving and during slumps. The S&P 500 ETF includes all the stocks listed in the S&P 500 index itself. From tech behemoths like Apple and Nvidia to century-old brands like Coca-Cola and Procter & Gamble, the companies within the S&P 500 are among the largest and strongest in the world -- making them more recession-proof than many smaller stocks. Investing in an S&P 500 ETF is also an easy way to build a diversified portfolio with next to no effort. Because this fund contains hundreds of stocks across all sectors of the market, you're more protected if one or two stocks (or an entire industry) get hit hard during a downturn. Despite its relative safety, though, this ETF can still generate life-changing wealth. The market itself has historically earned an average rate of return of around 10% per year. At that rate, investing just $200 per month could add up to nearly a quarter of a million dollars after 25 years. If you're looking for the safety of an S&P 500 ETF but with a little more power, the Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF (NYSEMKT: VOOG) is a fantastic choice. This fund also tracks the S&P 500, but it only includes the companies with the most potential for growth. This ETF shares many advantages with the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF, in that all the companies within the fund are among the largest and most powerful in the world -- helping to reduce risk. With 212 stocks across all sectors of the market, it also offers ample diversification. However, because it focuses more on growth rather than simply following the market, it's also more likely to earn above-average returns. In fact, over the past 10 years, this ETF has earned an average rate of return of nearly 16% per year. At that rate, investing $200 per month for 25 years could add up to around $598,000. Just keep in mind that growth ETFs tend to thrive when the market is surging, but they're often hit harder than S&P 500 ETFs during downturns. The key to success with this type of investment is to hold your investment for several years, at least, to take full advantage of the upswings. For those looking to add a powerhouse performer to their portfolio, the Vanguard Information Technology ETF (NYSEMKT: VGT) is a strong investment. This ETF contains 319 stocks exclusively from the tech sector. Industry-specific ETFs can be a smart way to gain exposure to a particular sector of the market, with less effort than buying individual stocks. Also, when you invest in hundreds of stocks at once, you gain more diversification than you would by investing in just one or two stocks from each industry. The Vanguard Information Technology ETF has a long history of earning above-average returns. Over the past decade, it's earned an average return of more than 21% per year. If it were to continue earning those types of returns, investing $200 per month would amount to more than $1.3 million after 25 years. Again, though, keep in mind that tech stocks tend to face more severe downturns during periods of volatility. If the market takes a turn for the worse, be prepared to hold your investment until the recovery period. This ETF has a long history of surviving downturns, but maintaining a long-term outlook is key. Investing in ETFs can help you build life-changing wealth with less effort than buying individual stocks, and right now may be a fantastic time to invest as the market soars. By loading up on quality funds and holding them for the long haul, you could earn more than you might think. Before you buy stock in Vanguard Information Technology ETF, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Vanguard Information Technology ETF wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $699,558!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $976,677!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 1,060% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 180% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 30, 2025 Katie Brockman has positions in Vanguard Admiral Funds-Vanguard S&P 500 Growth ETF, Vanguard Information Technology ETF, and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Apple, Nvidia, and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. The S&P 500 Is Soaring: 3 No-Brainer Vanguard ETFs to Buy Right Now was originally published by The Motley Fool
Entrepreneur
16 minutes ago
- Entrepreneur
Create Visuals, Content, and Presentations That Land with This $25 Bundle
Learn how to command attention and build brand trust in any room. Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you'll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. Building a business in 2025 means wearing a lot of hats—strategist, marketer, designer, communicator, and leader. If you're looking to sharpen your edge across these roles without spending months (or thousands), the 2025 Complete Entrepreneur's AI Branding & Business Skills Bundle is designed for you. This five-course bundle delivers real, actionable training on the tools and techniques today's entrepreneurs need to stand out in a crowded market. Whether you're building your first brand or refining your pitch deck for investors, this package teaches practical skills that actually matter. At the heart of the bundle is a course on using ChatGPT for business branding and marketing—yes, a real AI application, not just hype. You'll learn how to quickly generate branding assets like logos, typography, and social media templates that align with your business identity. Then there's the Branding Fundamentals course—perfect for founders who want a solid foundation in how to create trust and recognition across every touchpoint of their business. It's your chance to stop "guessing" your way through brand strategy. Next up: speaking and presenting like a leader. Public Speaking Mastery and Presentation Skills for Freelancers & Entrepreneurs offer pro techniques for overcoming nerves, structuring your message, and connecting with audiences—skills you'll use in pitches, meetings, videos, and team calls. Finally, the Entrepreneurship & Freelancing Business Blueprint offers workflow tips and productivity habits you can implement immediately, whether you're bootstrapping your first business or scaling your side hustle. For just $24.99 (reg. $100), this Entrepreneur's AI Branding & Business Skills Bundle gives you the tools to show up like a pro across every aspect of your business. The 2025 Complete Entrepreneur's AI Branding & Business Skills Bundle See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change
Gizmodo
17 minutes ago
- Gizmodo
No Need To Be a Prime Member, Amazon Is Giving You This 32″ Smart TV Almost for Free
The best-selling smart TV on Amazon right now isn't from a tech giant, but Insignia, a Best Buy-owned brand. Insignia TVs have become super popular for being so trustworthy and inexpensive and this model's Prime Day price is unbelievable. This 32″ HD Fire TV is available for only $69, down from its normal price of $129. That's 46% off and better still is the fact that this sale is open to anyone (not just Prime subscribers). Whether you're looking for a TV for a bedroom, guest room, kitchen or office, this model is for you. With Prime Day officially kicking off this Tuesday, there's a high likelihood this best-seller will be sold out before the big day even gets here. See at Amazon The 32-inch LED TV is 720p and that is enough to give sharp and clear images on smaller spaces. The 60 Hz refresh rate ensures smooth play whether you watch live sports, movies or your favorite TV shows. Wi-Fi 5 built-in gives speedy and stable connection for streaming and the 16:9 aspect ratio gives cinematic feel on a compact screen. You will appreciated the Fire TV experience coming pre-installed out of the box: You'll get to enjoy over a million streaming movies and TV shows, plus tens of thousands of channels, apps and Alexa skills. The Alexa voice remote allows you to access it all with your voice – search for something, open an app, switch inputs, or even control your smart home devices. It also supports Apple AirPlay, which makes it easy to share photos, music and video from your Apple devices on the TV. HDMI ARC allows you to send audio straight from the TV to an AV receiver or soundbar with ARC compatibility without extra cables, and keeps your installation simple and tidy. The TV comes with a stand and AC power cord so you can start using it immediately. Though compact in size, this TV is designed for regular use and offers reliable performance for gaming, streaming, or just plain watching. Through the Miracast function, you are able to beam the screen of your smartphone or tablet onto the TV. With over 31,000 reviews and a 4.5 out of 5 star rating, people are happy with the quality and value they're getting. At just $69, this is an incredible deal if you're looking for a smart TV. But given how quickly these are selling (and the fact that this is the lowest price ever), it's smart to act fast before stock runs out. See at Amazon
