Are you tired of scrolling through your iPhone contacts only to find a duplicate of the same name with multiple numbers and emails? Duplicates can make it hard to find the right contact in a hurry, and also just make your contact list look cluttered. But don’t worry, deleting duplicate contacts from your iPhone is easier than you might think. In this blog post, we will discuss different methods to delete duplicate contacts on iPhone for free.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
There are a few things you will need before you can start deleting duplicate contacts on your iPhone:
– An iPhone (obviously)
– Access to the Contacts app on your iPhone
– A computer with internet access (for method 3)
What Requires Your Focus?
Before we jump into the different methods, it’s worth noting that deleting duplicate contacts can be a time-consuming task, especially if you have a lot of duplicates. Therefore, it’s important to stay focused and patient while working through each method. Make sure to double-check every contact before you delete it, to ensure you don’t accidentally delete the wrong one.
Different Methods to Delete Duplicate Contacts on iPhone
Method 1: Delete Duplicate Contacts Manually
The first method is the most basic, but it can be very effective for those with only a few duplicate contacts. Here’s how to delete duplicate contacts manually on iPhone:
1. Open the Contacts app on your iPhone.
2. Look for duplicate contacts.
3. Tap on the contact you want to delete.
4. Tap Edit in the top-right corner.
5. Scroll down and tap Delete Contact.
6. Confirm that you want to delete the contact.
Pros: It’s a free and simple method to delete duplicate contacts.
Cons: It can be time-consuming for those with a lot of duplicates.
Method 2: Merge Duplicate Contacts
If you have a lot of duplicates and don’t want to delete all of them manually, the next method is to merge the duplicates. Here’s how to merge duplicate contacts on iPhone:
1. Open the Contacts app on your iPhone.
2. Look for duplicate contacts.
3. Tap on the contact you want to merge.
4. Tap Edit in the top-right corner.
5. Scroll down and tap on Link Contacts.
6. Choose the contact you want to merge with the current one.
7. Tap on Link.
Pros: This method helps you to keep the information, phone numbers, or email addresses from both contacts.
Cons: It doesn’t delete duplicate entries.
Method 3: Use iCloud Account to Remove Duplicate Contacts
The third method is to use your iCloud account to remove duplicate contacts. Here’s how to do it:
1. Open your computer and go to https://www.icloud.com/.
2. Login to your iCloud account with your Apple ID.
3. Click on Contacts.
4. Press both the “Ctrl + A” keys to select all of your contacts.
5. Click on the gear icon in the lower-left corner of the screen.
6. Choose “Export vCard…”
7. Save the contact file to your desktop or a specific location.
8. Go to Google Contacts from your computer or other devices.
9. Click on the “Import” button, and navigate to the vcf file you just saved on your computer.
10. Select the vCard file and click on Open.
11. Once all your contacts have been imported by Google Contacts, click on the “Find Duplicates” button.
12. Click on the “Merge” button to remove all duplicate contacts.
Pros: This method can easily remove duplicate contacts without any manual effort. It can also help you back up your contacts.
Cons: This method is only suitable for people who use Google Contacts.
Why Can’t I Delete Duplicate Contacts on iPhone?
There may be several reasons why you’re unable to delete duplicate contacts on your iPhone. Here are some of the common reasons and solutions:
1. The contacts are linked: If you have multiple email accounts or social media accounts linked to your iPhone, it’s possible that the duplicate contacts are linked. To fix it, head to the linked accounts and unlink or edit the contacts.
2. Sync issues: If you’re trying to delete contacts but they keep reappearing, it’s possible that there is a syncing issue between your device and iCloud. To fix it, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > turn off Contacts and turn it back on.
3. iCloud sync: It’s possible that you have your iPhone syncing with iCloud automatically. Therefore, when you delete a contact, it will reappear after the sync. Turn off the automatic iCloud sync and delete each duplicate contact manually.
Implications and Recommendations
Deleting duplicate contacts can come with a few implications, especially if you accidentally delete a contact that you needed. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to back up your contacts before deleting any of them. This way, you can always recover the lost contacts in case of any mishap. Additionally, it’s also a good idea to keep your contact list organized by sorting them by first or last name, and grouping them into categories like “Work” and “Family.”
5 FAQs about Deleting Duplicate Contacts on iPhone
Q1. How do I find duplicate contacts on iPhone?
A: Open the Contacts app and look for contacts with the same name or number. Alternatively, there are also third-party apps like “Cleaner” that can help you identify duplicate contacts more easily.
Q2. How do I recover deleted contacts on iPhone?
A: If you have backed up your contacts, you can easily restore them by going to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Manage Storage > Backups > your device > Restore Contacts.
Q3. Can I delete multiple contacts at once on iPhone?
A: Unfortunately, you cannot delete multiple contacts at once using the built-in Contacts app on iPhone. However, third-party apps like “Cleaner” can help you delete multiple contacts at once.
Q4. How long does it take to delete duplicate contacts on iPhone?
A: The time it takes to delete duplicate contacts on iPhone depends on the number of duplicates you have. If you have only a few duplicates, it should take only a few minutes. However, if you have dozens or even hundreds of duplicates, it can take several hours.
Q5. Can I merge duplicate contacts on iPhone without iCloud?
A: Yes, you can merge duplicate contacts on iPhone without iCloud by using third-party apps like “Contacts Merge.” These apps allow you to select the contacts you want to merge and then merge them with just a few clicks.
Final Words
Deleting duplicate contacts on iPhone can be a pesky task, but it’s also an important one to ensure that your contacts are organized and easy to find. With these different methods, you can choose the one that works best for you and get rid of those pesky duplicate contacts. Remember to stay patient and double-check each contact before deleting it, to avoid any mishaps.