How to show last names first in Contacts on an iPhone
2 min read · 4 steps · Updated 4 October 2026
Open Settings, tap Apps, then Contacts, scroll down and tap Display Order. Tap Last, First. Contacts are then written with the last name before the first name. First, Last puts the first name in front again.
- Device
- iPhone
- Shown on
- iOS 26.5 (iPhone 17)
- App
- Settings
- Path
- Settings › Apps › Contacts › Display Order › Last › First
- Real screenshots
- 4 of 4 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 1 official, linked below
Display Order decides how each name is written: first name before the last name, or after it. It does not change the order of the list. That is Sort Order, one row above.
The screenshots show iOS 26.5 on an iPhone 17. On older versions the rows have the same names, with a slightly different look.
Step by step
Open Settings and tap Apps
Apps is near the bottom of the main Settings list.
Tap Contacts
The apps are in alphabetical order, so Contacts is near the top, under C.
Scroll down and tap Display Order
It is below Sort Order. In the picture it says First, Last.
Tap Last, First
The tick moves to your choice. The note below says that names in some languages, such as Chinese, Japanese and Korean, follow a fixed order and are not affected.
Good to know
To also sort the list differently: how to sort contacts by first name on an iPhone.
In short: Settings, Apps, Contacts, Display Order, Last, First.
Links checked on 3 October 2026. Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.