Useful macOS defaults: Contacts

Contacts settings live under com.apple.AddressBook (the original app name). After changing these, quit and reopen Contacts.

Sort by first name or last name

Sort contacts by first name:

defaults write com.apple.AddressBook ABNameSortingFormat -string "sortingFirstName sortingLastName"

Sort contacts by last name:

defaults write com.apple.AddressBook ABNameSortingFormat -string "sortingLastName sortingFirstName"

Display order

Show first name before last name:

defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSPersonNameDefaultDisplayNameOrder -int 1

Show last name before first name:

defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSPersonNameDefaultDisplayNameOrder -int 2

This setting lives in NSGlobalDomain and affects name display across the system, not just Contacts.

Show the Contacts debug menu

defaults write com.apple.AddressBook ABShowDebugMenu -bool true

This adds a Debug menu with tools for checking and fixing the contacts database.

Default address format

Set the default country format for new addresses:

defaults write com.apple.AddressBook ABDefaultAddressCountryCode -string "gb"

Use the two-letter country code: gb for the United Kingdom, us for the United States, de for Germany, and so on.

vCard format

Set the vCard version used when exporting contacts:

defaults write com.apple.AddressBook ABUseVCard3 -bool true

Set to true for vCard 3.0 (better compatibility with older systems) or false for the newer format.

Show contact images

Show profile pictures in the contacts list:

defaults write com.apple.AddressBook ABShowPhotoInList -bool true

Read all current Contacts settings

defaults read com.apple.AddressBook

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