topic Re: Group contacts and text messaging in XZ Series

Group contacts and text messaging

Steve_b67 — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 09:39:36 GMT

After the update to android 7 group contacts are not shown in contacts. You favourites and all are the only fields shown, but no groups? All my grouped contacts still have the group assigned but there's no way I can see to display the group?

Likewise you can no longer select a group to send a message to under the standard Sony messaging app.

Any ides?

Re: Group contacts and text messaging

Jeffrey77 — Sat, 10 Dec 2016 12:34:17 GMT

Hi,
Same problem here updated my Xperia XZ Dual.

Re: Group contacts and text messaging

MarlonUk1 — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 03:10:03 GMT

it seems that contacts app was upgraded and the group feature was removed.. i'll try to get more information about this.

Re: Group contacts and text messaging

Lynford — Sun, 11 Dec 2016 10:39:04 GMT

I have the same problem really is frustrating. If I go on Contact to display & my Google account I can see them there but can't do anything with them.

Re: Group contacts and text messaging

sprete98 — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 09:15:35 GMT

I noticed this right away as soon as I updated and it is very frustrating. I use group texting weekly and hope there is an easy way to get it back.

Re: Group contacts and text messaging

PNM123 — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 10:46:30 GMT

Very annoying. I use groups to message parents of Scout group that I run. If Google contacts have the functionality then it should be available on your phone as well. Hope this is sorted quickly!

Re: Group contacts and text messaging

Korben-Dallas — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 16:30:28 GMT

@PNM123 wrote:
Very annoying. I use groups to message parents of Scout group that I run. If Google contacts have the functionality then it should be available on your phone as well. Hope this is sorted quickly!

It depends on what functionality you are talking about. There are lots of possible functionalities that can be based on contact grouping. But the only thing Google's own devices support using "standard" apps is contact filtering: selecting which contacts to display in "standard" Contacts app. That's all. And this is exactly how it works now in Xperia XZ under Android 7.

Everything else were just "bonus" features implemented by Sony on their own accord. I don't know why they decided to remove these features now (time constraints, maybe?). But I'm sure you can always find a replacement messaging app that supports group messaging.

Re: Group contacts and text messaging

sprete98 — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 19:27:04 GMT

Even if they had contact filtering and then I can hit message all that would at least be a temporary workaround for me, but I can't seem to do that as well.

@Korben-Dallas wrote:
It depends on what functionality you are talking about. There are lots of possible functionalities that can be based on contact grouping. But the only thing Google's own devices support using "standard" apps is contact filtering: selecting which contacts to display in "standard" Contacts app. That all. And this is exactly how it works now in Xperia XZ under Android 7.
Everything else were just "bonus" features implemented by Sony on their own accord. I don't know why they decided to remove these features now (time constraints, maybe?). But I'm sure you can always find a replacement messaging app that supports group messaging.

Re: Group contacts and text messaging

PNM123 — Fri, 16 Dec 2016 15:27:36 GMT

Thanks for the update, but all my previous phones (including Sonyz3) have pulled through the groups on my Gmail contacts.
If I want to email from a pc I can use these groups and used to be able to use with email on phone, or messaging apps (text, WhatsApp, etc) so I don't understand why the groups are not here if it is standard Google functionality.

Re: Group contacts and text messaging

Lynford — Sat, 17 Dec 2016 00:06:33 GMT

It was the last system update I relly hope Sony sort it out as it really is a pain & a big backward step. I even sent back my xz phone but the new one is doing the same after the system update. Even the Sony helpline seem puzzled.

Where ale the grups in contacts app

MakuMakinen — Sun, 18 Dec 2016 14:16:28 GMT

Hi, after an upgrade to newest android I've lost groups from the contacts app. I can not and Group, create or send Group message. All that was possible before the upgrade. When I am viewing contacts thru HTML everything is ok. I have xperia xz.

Re: Group contacts and text messaging

MarlonUk1 — Mon, 19 Dec 2016 03:58:56 GMT

Unfortunately , we wont be able to see an update to this missing feature for sometime , I suggest that if this is really an inconvenience for you. you can disable the deafault contacts app for the moment and install a 3rd party app.

here are some suggestion: http://www.tomsguide.com/us/pictures-story/609-best-contact-apps.html

Re: Group contacts and text messaging

sprete98 — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 20:46:01 GMT

Hi nolramlb, I can understand that we won't see an update soon which is disappointing but I understand. Thanks for responding, is there a way we can get this known to Sony so that we can be assured it will be in the next update? It seems Sony is committed to brining the next Android update quick to the Sony phones and would love to have this (for me necessary) feature back in.

Also thanks for the suggestion and link to 3rd party solutions, appreacite it. Note that my friend's samsung device has group messaging as well and I hate the fact that he has that on me lol.

Groups

Gobuybike — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 22:24:35 GMT

How do I see groups I have made within contacts?

Re: Groups

Uliwooly — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 22:25:56 GMT

@Gobuybike

Contacts > menu > filters > make sure that groups are selected.

Re: Groups

Jake-SonyXperia — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 22:50:06 GMT

Hi @Gobuybike,

Welcome to the community,

Groups are found within the Contacts application under Groups at the top of the page.

Just so we are on the right track here are you referring to seeing the group contacts in other apps like Messaging or do you mean the above?

Let us know.

Re: Group contacts and text messaging

FlyingMaster — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 15:03:00 GMT

No "Group" at the top of the page in Contact application after an updated to Android Nougat 7.0. At the top of the page, it has only Favorites and All.

Re: Groups

Korben-Dallas — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 19:12:49 GMT

@Jake-SonyXperiaSupport wrote:

Groups are found within the Contacts application under Groups at the top of the page.

No, there is no such thing there anymore. 'Groups' tab has been removed from the built-in Contacts app in Android 7 version of Xperia XZ ROM.

The only groups-aware feature of Contacts app is '<three dots> -> Contacts to display' setting.

Re: Groups

sprete98 — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 22:33:55 GMT

Hi Jake,

As the others previously mentioned, all the xperia phones I had, or at least that I remember had a groups tab built in stock, look at the picture below:

http://www.gizmobolt.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/lk12.png

On the Xperia XZ with nougat, the group tab is missing:

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/d9147523606479f655e74dccee61a0c434bd4d3f4274bde649c6b1c9d310c76c.jpg

Personally a very much missed feature since I am able to go to that tab, and say message this group.

@Jake-SonyXperiaSupport wrote:
Hi @Gobuybike,
Welcome to the community,
Groups are found within the Contacts application under Groups at the top of the page.
Just so we are on the right track here are you referring to seeing the group contacts in other apps like Messaging or do you mean the above?
Let us know.

Re: Group contacts and text messaging

MarlonUk1 — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 02:28:49 GMT

@sprete982: you can email sony here---> Local support , hopefully they can include this in the next updates