This is the code I'm using to call the people picker, but the prompt label text doesn't change: ABPeoplePickerNavigationController *picker = [[ABPeoplePickerNavigationController alloc] init]; picker.peoplePickerDelegate = self; picker.displayedProperties = [NSArray arrayWithObjects: [NSNumber numberWithInt:kABPersonEmailProperty], nil]; picker.navigationItem.prompt = @"Choose a contact to..."; [self presentModalViewController:picker animated:YES];