XPM - Allow editing existing contacts without requiring an email address
Since the recent XPM update in Nov/Dec 2025, it is no longer possible to edit an existing contact unless an email address is populated. An email address is now treated as a required field when editing, even if the contact previously existed without one.
Creating a new contact without an email address is still allowed, which makes this behaviour inconsistent. Being able to edit existing contacts without needing to add an email address would restore flexibility and better reflect real-world client contact records.
Natascha Natke
shared this idea
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Elisa Harris
commented
The change with the client contacts is concerning. I have received so many queries from colleagues why they can't find the correct contact info, and also issues from upset clients because we called the wrong number because the mobile number wasn't visible. At best it makes us look incompetent to clients to say we don't have their mobile, when we've had it hidden in the background all along....
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Kathy Jones
commented
new XPM experience - Client contact now has a mandatory field to enter an email. Not all contacts have emails, so having to use an internal firm email just to be able to add someone who we only ring. Wasn't like this in the previous version of XPM. There are still clients out there who do not wanted to be contacted via email as they are in rural areas where it is unreliable or they only want to be called to collect so only a telephone is required. Xero response was to put this to here. So hopefully someone in their development team looks at it and we don't have to get the votes to even get anywhere as this is the first day of using the New Look experience and would think that there would be a feedback centre instead of this forum.