Question:

Why does my Samsung Phone/Contacts app close unexpectedly when I open it?

Answer:

Samsung has identified an issue causing some Galaxy devices running Android 11 (also known as R OS) to experience forced closures of the Phone/Contacts app. This problem will be addressed through upcoming updates to the Phone/Contacts app, specifically versions 12.1.06.0 or later. To avoid this issue in the future, please ensure that your device's app software is up-to-date by checking for updates using the Firmware Over-the-Air (FOTA) feature. It is recommended to maintain regular software and app updates on your device.

As a temporary solution, you can merge duplicate contact information using a third-party app until the updated Samsung Phone/Contacts app becomes available in the market.