Our iPhone contact lists can accumulate over time, filled with old phone numbers and outdated information. Thankfully, deleting unwanted contacts is a breeze on iPhone. Here’s a breakdown of the two simplest methods to declutter your contact list:

Method 1: Deleting a Single Contact

  1. Open the Contacts app: Locate the Contacts app icon (it usually resembles a silhouette of a person) and tap to open it.

  2. Find the Contact: Scroll through your contact list or use the search bar at the top to locate the contact you want to delete.

  3. Swipe Right or Tap “Edit”: You have two options here:

    • Swipe Right: With the contact list open, simply swipe your finger to the right on the desired contact. A red “Delete” button will appear.
    • Tap “Edit”: Alternatively, tap on the desired contact to open their details. Once open, tap the “Edit” button in the top right corner.
  4. Tap “Delete Contact”: Whichever method you choose in step 3, you’ll now see a red “Delete Contact” button at the bottom of the screen. Tap on “Delete Contact” to confirm.

Method 2: Deleting Multiple Contacts

  1. Open the Contacts app: Just like in method 1, launch the Contacts app.

  2. Select Multiple Contacts (iOS 16 and above): If you’re using iOS 16 or later, you can now delete multiple contacts in a single go. Here’s how:

    • Tap “Edit” in the top right corner.
    • Tap on the circular selection icons that appear next to each contact you want to delete. The icons will turn blue when selected.
    • Once you’ve chosen the contacts for deletion, tap on the “Trash” icon in the bottom right corner.
  3. Select Multiple Contacts (iOS 15 and below): For iPhones running iOS 15 or below, the process is slightly different:

    • While in the contact list, use two fingers and tap on the first contact you want to delete.
    • Drag your finger upwards or downwards to select multiple contacts in a row. They will be highlighted in gray.
    • Once you’ve selected all the contacts you want to delete, tap on the “Delete” button that appears in the top right corner.

Confirmation and You’re Done!

In both methods, you’ll be prompted to confirm the deletion. Tap “Delete” again to finalize the process. The unwanted contacts will be removed from your iPhone.

Bonus Tip: If you’re unsure about permanently deleting a contact, you can consider merging duplicate contacts or creating a separate contact group for less frequently used contacts.

With these simple methods, you can easily manage your iPhone contacts and keep your list clean and organized. Happy decluttering!