How to sort contacts by first name on an iPhone
2 min read · 4 steps · Updated 4 October 2026
Open Settings, tap Apps, then Contacts, scroll down and tap Sort Order. Tap First, Last. The contact list is then in alphabetical order by first name. Last, First sorts it by last name.
- Device
- iPhone
- Shown on
- iOS 26.5 (iPhone 17)
- App
- Settings
- Path
- Settings › Apps › Contacts › Sort Order › First › Last
- Real screenshots
- 4 of 4 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 1 official, linked below
The iPhone can sort the contact list by last name or by first name. If you look for people by their first name, a list sorted by last name makes you scroll and guess. One setting changes the order, and no contact is altered.
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. On iOS 17 and earlier, Contacts is in the main list itself.
Tap Contacts
The apps are in alphabetical order, so Contacts is near the top, under C.
Scroll down and tap Sort Order
It is in the last group of the page, below Show Contact Photos. The words at the right show the current order. In the picture that is Last, First.
Tap First, Last
The tick moves to your choice. First, Last sorts by first name, and Last, First sorts by last name.
Good to know
Sort Order only decides the order of the list. Whether a name is written first name first is a separate setting: how to show last names first in Contacts on an iPhone.
In short: Settings, Apps, Contacts, Sort Order, First, Last.
Links checked on 3 October 2026. Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.