Existing users, 
A workaround for slow contacts in iPhone OS 2.0
Posted 30 July 2008 @ 9am in Troubleshooting
We previously reported inordinately sluggish system performance from the iPhone 3G, particularly with regard to scrolling, text input, and return to the home screen. The issue appears to be endemic to iPhone OS 2.0, as users of first-generation phones who have updated to the new software are also experiencing lag.
Lag is especially apparent in the contacts application, which can exhibit slow scrolling, delays in switching between panes and more.
iPhone Atlas reader Jeff reports that he has resorted to Google’s third-party application (see our review), which can search the iPhone’s contacts faster than Apple’s own app.
Jeff writes:
“I found a little workaround to the incredibly slow-to-load-and-search contacts app. It has been mentioned before, but I haven’t seen it mentioned as a fairly decent replacement. Google’s App. It searches your contacts database instantly, every time. The only thing you can’t do with it is edit or add a contact. So when I decide to look someone up and call them. I now always use the Google App to do it.”
In some cases, the lag can be eliminated by resetting the iPhone: Turn the iPhone off completely, by pressing and holding the Sleep/Wake button (on top of the device) for a few seconds then slide the red slider. Turn it back on by holding the Sleep/Wake button until the Apple logo appears.
Unfortunately, poor performance generally returns after a period of normal operation post-reset.
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3 Comments
Posted by Mr Lucky
30 July 2008 @ 11am
Another solution:
Whereas before, I could select just a few groups of contacts to sync to my phone, iPhone 2.0 only allows syncing of ALL contacts. For me this means more than 2,000 contacts for my iPhone’s wimpy little search engine to slog through. While my business requires keeping all these contacts on my Mac, I only need around 5% of them to hand when I’m out and about.
So, I turned off Push for Contacts (in the MobileMe Account in the iPhone’s “Mail, Contacts, Calendar” preferences). Contacts are no longer synced via Cloud, but when I connect the phone to my Mac, iTunes once again offers the option of selecting only a few contact groups to sync (under the Info tab).
With only a hundred contacts clogging up my phone, the app operates at much more acceptable speeds. Other apps that reference the Contacts database (such as Maps), are also noticeably snappier.
Posted by likeafox24
30 July 2008 @ 11am
Genius.
Thanks!
Posted by marjdiz
7 August 2008 @ 11pm
I found that accessing your contact list from the phone icon gives you virtually no lag time at all. I was frustrated because I would accees my contact list from the contacts icon and it would literally take 3 or 4 swipes before it would scroll at all. Try this method, I think it will work for you all.