iOS app contacts not syncing with MeRM or device contacts

[jaburges]

Problem

The iOS app is not syncing contacts bidirectionally with MeRM or importing contacts from the device's native contact list.

Expected Behavior

The iOS app should:

1. MeRM → iOS: Display contacts stored in MeRM (PostgreSQL CRM database)
2. iOS → MeRM: Allow importing device contacts into MeRM
3. Bidirectional sync: Keep MeRM and iOS app contact views in sync

Actual Behavior

• Contacts added/synced to MeRM (e.g., via email sync from CLI) do not appear in iOS app
• iOS app does not offer import from device contacts
• No apparent sync mechanism between MeRM database and iOS app contact display

Impact

Users managing contacts through multiple interfaces (CLI, web, iOS) see inconsistent contact lists. Work done in one interface (e.g., syncing 49 email contacts via merm_sync_emails) is invisible in the iOS app.

Related Systems

• MeRM: PostgreSQL-backed CRM with contacts, interactions, action items
• Turnstile: Credential vault (working correctly — see iOS app not displaying work credentials authorized via web app #8488)
• iOS app: Currently appears to have isolated contact storage

Suggested Implementation

1. iOS app should query MeRM API on contacts page load
2. Provide "Import from Device Contacts" button to bulk-import to MeRM
3. Real-time or periodic sync to keep iOS app view current with MeRM database
4. Consider using MeRM as single source of truth for all platforms

Reproduction

1. Run merm_sync_emails(account='work', count=25) from CLI → contacts created/updated in MeRM
2. Open iOS app contacts page
3. Observe: newly synced contacts do not appear

Environment

• iOS app version: [current]
• MeRM: working correctly (verified via CLI)
• Database: PostgreSQL