Can I change white text in Contacts notes on iOS 26?

No longer can one copy text from IOS 26 "Contacts" and paste it to a typically white background document, as the default white text is unreadable against the white background.

To read the text requires at least one, and possibly 2 additional steps, Select the white text, choose a text color, choose text size, and possibly change text font. Then repeat for every additional text group that you need from that contact.

Apple, please provide the option of a white background or the option of black text on any color background.

First: iSO 26.1 update has just made my contacts display WORSE and didn't help or inprove in any way. I HATE dark mode and do not/refuse to use it as much as possible. Seems I'm now being forced to do so at this point. I would love to go back to the update that was prior to any "26" and also get rid of Liquid glass completely. Can I do that?

Not joking, I've read all 6 pages (at this time) of possible fixes, tried it sees like all, and about 10 contacts are finally back to black text on white backgroud. YEA!! but not the other 650+ contacts. Those that now have a white background, no longer have the Contact name showing up under the icon, and some now have white letters on a gray background and I can't read them. What a pain! I have 7 different contact areas for 1 company (this is common for my work contacts) and now have to bring up each contact to find the right one. Not to mention, I no longer can quick find account numbers, rep's emails, phone number. I have spent about the last 2-3 hours trying the various suggestion & just have had a h*** of lot frustration and impolite language. Yes - sent feedback to Apple. Doubt it will do any good.

I have: Settings>Accessibility>General>Per-App Settings>App customization>Add App>Contacts.

Reduce Transparency OFF Increase Contrast OFF Differentiate Without Color ON Smart Invert OFF (again - no Dark mode for me) Everything else is default.

Do I need to change every individual contact? How & what setting options? Do if change from withing the App customization eary contact? White background/poster background doesn't seem to exist. Is there any way to go back a couple updates? Get rid of Liquid glass? I NEVER use dark mode and that setting is just as bad for me. Someone posted about opening up a contact, tapping edit but don't edit, then go to the live card. What does this mean? What's a live card? For me and my special needs son, this update is an absoulte nightmare. Sorry for the rant but this is just so frustrating. In my opinion, Apple really screwed up big time with the Liquid glass and thie current updates.

Hello Justfoosit. Yes iOS 26.1 "fixed" this one thing, but like you I am disappointed with the Apple developers for ever thinking it was ok. And we are still left with a strange purple-ish color in the Contacts app, even when Dark Mode is turned on. So in a sense this is still broken. In Dark Mode, it should be white text on a black background like it was in iOS 18. A lack of consistent application of Dark Mode lowers my confidence in iOS all around to do what I want with other toggles. What if I turn on a privacy toggle, and the Apple Developers decide to honor it only 90% of the time? How can I trust my settings preferences are being honored absolutely everywhere when I can't easily know, like I can when Dark Mode is ignored in specific places?

Is there some other Contacts app that one can use on one's computer or iPhone - export your contacts and bin the Apple app?

[Edited by Moderator]

If Notes in Contacts is a feature, it is implied that it is a solid feature, not flaky. That's not an answer to put on the user as a cautionary explanation. I suggest either solving the issue or making a readable feature, please.

This is totally unacceptable and especially disrespectful to seniors or those with impaired vision.. I use contact notes extensively, and now I can't even read them. I do have "increase contrast" and "reduce transparency" turned on because without those settings, I can't read text in other areas. I remember when Apple was good with user interface and usability, but now it's gone to **** in favor of flashy design.

I have read most of everyone's comments and I am so frustrated with the changes in update 26, I just wish Apple would give me/us a new update that allows me to void update 26 and go back as though I'd never done this update.

Stein101 wrote:

I have read most of everyone's comments and I am so frustrated with the changes in update 26, I just wish Apple would give me/us a new update that allows me to void update 26 and go back as though I'd never done this update.

Have you told Apple that?

Product Feedback - Apple

Apple, please fix this bug! Notes within contacts are unreadable! It's not a fix to open "Edit" to see a note. It's not a fix to reduce transparency. Who would design white text on the lightest blue background? No contrast and unviewablle.

The new white on blue text in contact notes has now made all my notes nearly invisible to me. I have loads of notes and now I can't see any of them, unless Im in a dark room on a cloudy day, like in a dungeon where apparently the devs were when they made the decision to do this.

i need a fix, now.

I am the same i cannot read anything in my contacts notes section I now wish I had not updradedy iOS to ios26.0.1 I seriously thinking about changing my phone to something different and certainly not apple these problems after every update are ridiculous and I am fed up of it every time

I can’t read notes in my contacts with white letters since last upgrade. I have important information in my notes and this is a big enough issue that I am considering an Android after 19 years of being apple only.

alexpm77 Thank you so much for your solution! I can now read my contacts while outside!!

While it’s not as good as the previous version it now is very good.

I also think that like with anything you adjust and often forget about an issue. At first it’s hard but after time we adjust.

Apple will eventually fix this.

In all honesty, if this is our biggest problem in life we are fine :)

God Bless everyone!!

[Edited by Moderator]

believer777 wrote:

Do you know how I could get the beta update?

Apple Beta

Please note that, by definition, beta releases are unfinished and have bugs. It is inadvisable to use them on device you rely on everyday. You will also no longer be able to get help here in the forums.

Not being able to make system wide background, lettering, and color changes in "Contacts" on IPhone with IOS 26 other than through each Contact "Poster" change just makes no sense.. Why put "White" lettering in Notes in Contacts on a pale background as a default color. 😖.. Changes just to make changes.. Apple, PLEASE FIX THIS. Impossible to read and why should we have to hit "Edit" to see the lettering in Black??