# whatsapp is duplicating contacts

**URL:** <https://forum.kirupa.com/t/whatsapp-is-duplicating-contacts/634820>\
**Category:** Uncategorized\
**Created:** [June 23, 2016, 1:42am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/whatsapp-is-duplicating-contacts/634820 "2016-06-23T01:42:46Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Luxion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/59ef9b/32.png) [@Luxion](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/Luxion)\
**Post date:** [June 23, 2016, 1:42am UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/whatsapp-is-duplicating-contacts/634820/1 "2016-06-23T01:42:47Z")

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I’m using the 4.4.2 version with the stock contacts app and having a problem that Whatsapp duplicates my contacts

Before installing whatsapp I had 1 contact:

Smith family  
John 12345  
Ann 98765

Now, after installing whatsapp I have 3 contacts:

Smith family  
John 12345  
Ann 98765

Smith family  
John 12345  
Whatsapp 12345

Smith family  
Ann 98765  
Whatsapp 98765

If the contact have only 1 phone number it doesn’t duplicate itself.  
No other change was made except installing whatsapp.

I filtered the list to show only the gmail accounts so it showed me only the original contact. But in the search it shows, again all the 3.

Of course, what I want is one record:

Smith family  
John 12345  
Ann 98765  
Whatsapp 12345  
Whatsapp 98765

1- Why did it happen? How do I overcome it?  
2- Alternatively, are there contacts apps that DO know to “merge” the records?

Other ideas?  
thanks