How to Delete Duplicate Contacts on iPhone: Quick & Easy Steps

Summary: Changing devices involves restoring contact data from a backup or syncing it from email accounts. While helpful for preserving data, this often creates duplicate contacts. Therefore, it is crucial to delete duplicate contacts on iPhone to avoid storage space and confusion. Thankfully, there are several fixes to detect and delete duplicate contact entries on an iPhone. This includes both cost-free and automated tool, vCard Duplicate Remover options. In the following section, we will look at these fixes and the step-by-step process to execute them. 

Causes of Duplicate Contacts in iPhone

This is a very common situation when duplicate contacts occur. Users find it frustrating at times to delete Duplicate Contacts on iPhone. Let us see the factors that cause duplicate contacts in your iPhone:

• Having multiple accounts linked to your iPhone can lead to duplicates from different sources.
• A user upgrading to a new iPhone will restore the contact list from the backup. This overlap can cause duplicate entries.
• When restoring a backup from an old iCloud account to an existing one, it creates repeated entries.
• Third-party apps like WhatsApp, LinkedIn may add phone numbers to your iPhone. This might create multiple entries for the same person.
• Sometimes, saving the person’s details twice with slight variations may cause duplicates. 

How to Delete Duplicate Contacts on iPhone?

After reviewing what factors can contribute to duplicate contact entries, move further. In the sections below, we will explore manual fixes and a reliable automated fix that uses a specialized tool. Beginning with the manual fixes first. 

Manually Delete Duplicate iPhone Contacts Using iCloud

It is generally more convenient to manage contacts using iCloud on a system as compared to an iPhone. Moreover, users have the option to bulk select and delete duplicates. 

These are the following steps to initiate the duplicate deletion process:

1. In your web browser, visit the official website of iCloud.com.
2. Now, sign in with your Apple email ID and password.
3. Then, head over to the Contacts app. 
4. Next, look for the duplicates in the contact list.
5. Once the duplicates are detected, select them and click on the Delete key. 

Merge Duplicate Contacts on iPhone Manually

Through this method, users can either link contacts/merge them or directly delete them. This is the simple method to manage a small number of duplicate contacts. 

The following are the steps to merge the contacts:

1. In your iPhone, go to the Phone app or Contacts app.
2. Then, scroll down and search for the duplicate contacts.
3. When identified, tap on one of the duplicate contacts.
4. In the right corner, click on the Edit option.
5. Then, navigate to Link Contacts and select the other duplicate contact to merge.
6. At last, tap Link > Done. 

Individually Remove Duplicate Contacts from iPhone

If the user only needs to remove a few duplicate contacts, then follow this simple approach. This manual method does not require any other extra software or tools. 

Use the following instructions to begin removing t he duplicate contacts:

1. First, directly open the Contacts app on your iPhone.
2. Afterward, manually look through the contact list and identify contacts with the same name.
3. Now, tap on the duplicate contact that you want to remove.
4. In the top-right corner, press Edit and click on Delete Contact.
5. Repeat the same process to delete the other duplicate entries.

Drawbacks of the Manual Methods

• The manual methods are highly prone to human errors.
• A few methods are time-consuming when managing a large number of duplicate contacts. 
• Also, manually identifying and reviewing the needs time and effort.
• Some of the methods do not support the merge option or “auto-merge” option.

Reliable Tool to Delete Duplicate Contacts on iPhone

Instead of removing duplicates one by one, simplify the process by using a reliable automated vCard Duplicate Remover Tool. It simplifies the task of deleting duplicate contacts on your iPhone efficiently. Also, it allows users to adjust the deletion settings according to their requirements. 

Steps to remove duplicate contacts on iPhone:

1. Start by logging in to iCloud.com.
2. Then, go to the Contacts section and export contacts by clicking on Show Actions Menu > Export vCard.
3. After downloading the vCard file, install and run the duplicate remover tool.
4. Now, upload the downloaded vCard (VCF) file and select the files to check for duplicate entries.
5. Now, if required, apply the advanced settings.
6. Then, select a location to save the file and click Next to begin the process.
7. Once completed, go back to iCloud.com > Contacts > Show Actions Menu > Import vCard to upload the updated list.

Conclusion

To conclude, we have covered the essential steps for handling duplicate contacts on iPhone. While manual cleanup works for a few contacts, it’s not practical for long-term use. On the other hand, by switching to an automated solution, the task to delete duplicate contacts on iPhone becomes easy and quick. By using this approach, it will give users a well-organized and clutter-free contact list.

You May Also Read: Delete Duplicate Contacts from iCloud

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