[2024 Updated] How to Delete All Contacts on iPhone

Maintaining an organized contacts list on your iPhone is essential for seamless communication. However, there are instances where you might need to start afresh or clear out all contacts due to various reasons.

Whether you're switching to a new iPhone or simply wish to declutter your address book, this article will guide you through how to delete all contacts on iPhone. Without further ado, let’s get started.

1# How to delete all contacts on iPhone at once via FoneTool

FoneTool is a versatile and user-friendly data management tool designed to help iPhone users manage their data efficiently. Deleting all contacts from your iPhone with a single click is made effortless with FoneTool's "Erase private data" feature.

To backup iPhone contacts: Connect your iPhone to PC > Choose Phone Backup in FoneTool > Selective Backup > Choose wanted contacts to backup > Start Backup.

 🚩 Video Tutorial for Deleting All Contacts At Once on iPhone Using FoneTool

How to delete all contacts at once on iPhone using FoneTool
Step 1. Keep connecting your iPhone to PC > Launch FoneTool, and click Toolbox > Data Eraser > Mouse over to Erase private data and click Get Started.

Step 3. Check the Contacts icon > Check Enable Deep Erase Technology to ensure complete and deep data erasure > Tap Start Erase to begin the task.

2# How to delete all contacts on iPhone with iCloud

Using iCloud, Apple's cloud-based storage and synchronization service, you can delete all contacts from your iPhone with its services. It's important to note that this method doesn't ensure permanent deletion, as deleted contacts can be recoverable within a limited time frame.

Besides, before utilizing iCloud, you should make sure you have contact sync turned on and all contacts have been uploaded to iCloud. You can go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud to turn on Contacts sync.

How to delete all your contacts on iPhone via iCloud.com
When you delete contacts from iCloud website, they'll be also erased from your iPhone, enabling easy deletions. Try this feature for a hassle-free contact cleanup!

Step 1. Open a web browser and go to iCloud.com > Sign in with your Apple ID and password.

Step 2. Click on the Contacts icon to access your contacts.

Step 3. Hold down Ctrl key and click on all contacts in the list.

Step 4. Press the Delete icon and confirm the deletion when prompted.

How to delete all your contacts on iPhone via iCloud sync
To delete all contacts on your iPhone using iCloud settings on iPhone, you can follow steps below.

Step 1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone > Tap [your name].

Step 2. From the list of options, select iCloud > Find and toggle off the Contacts option.

Step 3. A prompt will appear asking if you want to delete contacts from your iPhone or keep them on your device. Tap on Delete from My iPhone to proceed with the deletion process.

3# How to delete all contacts on iPhone running iOS 16

If you wonder how to delete all contacts on iPhone without iCloud, you must try the particular contacts deletion feature in iOS 16 and later. You can simply delete all contacts from iPhone using two of your fingers. Follow these steps to accomplish contact erasure on your iOS 16-powered iPhone:

Step 1. Open the Contacts app on your iPhone > Utilizing two fingers, press and hold the first contact within the list.

Step 2. Slide your fingers from top to bottom to highlight all contacts. Release your fingers.

Step 3. Press and hold on any of the highlighted contacts with one finger. From the dropdown menu that appears, tap Delete x Contacts option.

Step 4. Finally, tap Delete Contacts again to confirm your deletion.

By following these steps, you can easily delete all contacts on iPhone. However, this feature is only available for iOS 16 and later. If you do not want to update your iPhone, you can create contact groups on iPhone and then delete this group.

Conclusion & FAQs

That’s all for how to delete all contacts from iPhone. With the right methods, it can be a straightforward process to make it. With this comprehensive guide at your disposal, you can confidently manage your contacts and start afresh whenever required, keeping your iPhone organized and ready for efficient communication.

FAQs

Q1: What happens to contacts synced with third-party email accounts when I delete all contacts on my iPhone?
A1: When you delete all contacts on your iPhone, it will also remove contacts synced with third-party email accounts. However, if the email account is set to sync contacts bidirectionally, changes made on other devices may sync back to your iPhone.

Q2: How can I make sure the deleted contacts are permanently erased and cannot be recovered?
A2: To ensure the contacts are permanently erased, it's recommended to use specialized data erasing software that can overwrite the data multiple times, making it extremely difficult to recover.

Q3: Will deleting all contacts from my iPhone affect other data, like photos or apps?
A3: Deleting contacts will not directly impact other data on your iPhone, such as photos or apps. However, it's always a good idea to back up your device before making any major changes.

Q4: If I delete all contacts on my iPhone, will they be removed from other connected devices?
A4: If your contacts are synced across devices using iCloud, deleting them on one device will remove them from all devices linked to the same iCloud account.