Top 3 Methods to Delete Duplicate Contacts from iCloud

Summary: Restoring an old backup can cause contacts to get re-imported onto the device. As a result, this leads to multiple copies of the same contact, cluttering the contact library. Start reading this article to help you identify duplicates. Moreover, learn how to efficiently delete duplicate contacts from iCloud. Duplicate entries may store outdated phone numbers, which causes inconvenience. Also, for those who want quick and error-free results, use a professional vCard Duplicate Remover Tool. 

Manual Methods to Remove Duplicate Contacts in iCloud

To delete duplicate contacts from iCloud, one can choose from these methods:

• Use iCloud to delete duplicates directly
• Using the Contacts app to merge duplicates on a Mac
• Fix Duplicates through Google Contacts “Merge and Fix” option

These methods are effective for cleaning up a limited number of duplicates. If the contact list has thousands of duplicates, a more advanced solution is also available. This advanced solution ensures that the data stays safe. Read on to explore them. 

Method 01: Delete Duplicate Contacts in iCloud 

Effortlessly remove duplicate contacts in the iCloud in a web browser. This method is useful for small-scale clean-up only. 

These are the steps to begin deleting the duplicates in iCloud:

1. In any web browser, open iCloud.com. 
2. After that, type in your Apple ID and Password. Hit Sign In.
3. In the iCloud home screen, find and click on the Contacts icon.
4. Now, in the left panel, all your iCloud-synced contacts will appear.
5. Then, manually look through it and try to identify duplicate entries. 
6. When found, select the duplicate entry, press the Settings menu, and choose Delete. 
7. Delete the duplicate entries one by one.

Limitations: This approach becomes impractical when identifying thousands of duplicates. Manually finding and deleting increases the chances of accidentally deleting the wrong one. 

Method 02: Remove iCloud Duplicate Contacts in iPhone

It is a convenient process as the user does not need any extra tools or software. He/She can simply do it directly on their iPhone.

Use the following instructions to begin the process:

1. In your iPhone, open the Phone app and then head to the Contacts tab.
2. Your contact list will be displayed. 
3. Now, look through the complete list and find out the duplicates.
4. Open one of the duplicate contacts and click on Edit.
5. Then, tap Link Contacts and choose the other duplicate contact. 
6. Click on Done to merge the duplicate contacts into one entry. 

Limitations: This is a slow process while handling many duplicates. It does not provide a feature to delete duplicates in bulk. Also, it is not practical for business users. 

Method 03: Delete Duplicate iCloud Contacts 

Make sure your contacts are synced with your iCloud account. This method involves exporting the contacts into a vCard file. After being exported to a vCard file, users can easily access the file in Excel or Google Contacts. Users need to re-import the vCard file into iCloud after removing the duplicates. 

To delete duplicate contacts from iCloud efficiently, perform these steps:

1. First, open the Contacts app on your macOS system.
2. Before doing anything, create a backup by clicking on File > Export > Contacts Archive. Save it on your Mac system.
3. Now, again, head to File > Export > Export vCard and save the file.
4. Then, open Google Contacts.
5. After it opens up, click on Import > Select File and choose the exported vCard file.
6. Once the file gets imported, it automatically detects and merges the duplicates using “Merge and Fix”.
7. Now, head to iCloud.com > Contacts > Settings > Select Import vCard.

Limitations: This process needs a little bit of technical knowledge to export, edit, and re-import. Also, this involves multiple steps and, therefore, is a slow process. 

Method 04: Remove Duplicate Contacts in iCloud on Mac

Ensure that your iCloud account is synced with the Contacts app; only then will your contacts appear. This is the most efficient manual method that automatically detects duplicate entries. Moreover, it ensures cleaner results. 

The following is the step-by-step process to clean the contacts by removing duplicates:

1. On your Mac, navigate to Applications > Contacts.
2. On the top, press Card > Look for Duplicates.
3. Now, the Contacts app will start to scan for the duplicates, both exact and partial.
4. After the scanning process is completed, tap Merge to combine the duplicates.

Limitations: It identifies only the exact duplicates and not the partial duplicates. There can be a risk of overwriting. Also, this process does not merge duplicates efficiently.

Professional Tool to Delete Duplicate Contacts from iCloud

Quickly delete duplicate contacts from iCloud with the professional vCard Duplicate Remover. The tool automatically scans the duplicates by comparing details like first name, last name, phone number, etc. Moreover, it is fully compatible across all vCard and iCloud versions. 

The process involves three phases:

• Take out iCloud contacts (vCard file) locally
• Automated Tool steps
• Re-import the vCard file into iCloud

Simple steps to remove duplicate contacts in iCloud:

1. In iCloud.com, go to Contacts and select the contact(s) that you want to export. Then, click on Show Actions Menu > Export vCard.
2. Then, download and install the duplicate remover tool.
3. Now, add your VCF file(s) with contacts and select the ones that you want to scan for duplicates. 
4. After that, use the advanced options for better duplicate detection.
5. Next, choose the output destination location to save the updated contact list.
6. Afterwards, hit Next to start the process.
7. Then, open iCloud.com > Contacts > Show Actions Menu > Import vCard.

Finally, import the vCard file that you’ve saved after removing the duplicates. All the imported contacts will be added to the All Contacts list. 

Conclusion

A cleaner and organized contact list boosts productivity, saves time, and reduces communication mistakes. By using the above-mentioned methods, one can delete duplicate contacts from iCloud. Doing this will be useful to declutter your digital space. Once done, you’ll maintain a contact list that is efficient, clean, and reliable.

You May Also Read: Delete iCloud Emails in Bulk, Remove duplicate contacts from VCF file

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