Contact Photos Missing in Google Messages? You’re Not Alone

Some users have reported that their contact photos have disappeared from Google Messages following a recent update. While the profile images still appear in the Contacts app and briefly show when opening a conversation, they vanish afterward, leaving only the default initials in chats.

Multiple people have shared similar experiences online. Some noted that the issue appears to impact contacts who use iPhones, while others said uninstalling recent updates temporarily brought the photos back—only for them to disappear again. Both Pixel and Samsung phone owners are affected, particularly those using the beta version of Google Messages.

Attempts to replicate the bug have been inconsistent. On some devices, including newer Pixel models running the latest beta, the contact images remain visible without issue. This suggests the glitch may only affect certain users or configurations rather than being a widespread problem.

Workarounds such as clearing app cache or uninstalling and reinstalling Google Messages have had mixed results. Some users opted to leave the beta program altogether, with reports that switching to the stable version brought their contact photos back. However, not everyone is willing to abandon beta features just to restore profile pictures.

There’s no confirmation yet from Google on whether they’re aware of the issue. The problem appeared around the same time the company rolled out its “Delete for everyone” feature, so the timing could point to a related change unintentionally causing this bug.

With no official fix or timeline announced, users affected by the problem might consider backing up their messages, removing the latest updates, or switching to the stable app version until the issue is resolved. Many hope Google will soon restore the familiar contact images that make messaging feel more personal.

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