Top 3 Simple Ways to Remove Duplicate Contacts on iPhone

ByJim Miller

The Contacts app on your iPhone can quickly become cluttered with duplicate entries, causing confusion during incoming calls. But don't worry, removing duplicate contacts has become easier with the new add-on in iOS 16. In this article, we will show you three simple ways to remove duplicate contacts on your iPhone.

1. Remove Duplicate Contacts on iPhone Natively

If you are running iOS 16 or a higher version on your iPhone, you can find and remove duplicate contacts directly in the Contacts app.

Once you have updated to iOS 16, follow these steps to remove duplicate contacts:

  1. Open the Settings on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down to the General menu.
  3. Open Software Update.
  4. Download and install the latest iOS 16 update.

After the successful installation, follow these steps to remove duplicate contacts:

  1. Open the Contacts app on your iPhone.
  2. Select All Contacts at the top.
  3. The Contacts app will find duplicates and display them at the top. Tap on Duplicates Found.
  4. Check the duplicate cards and either merge them individually or tap the Merge All button at the bottom to merge all duplicates.

The Contacts app will merge all duplicate contacts, simplifying your contact list.

2. Cleaner Pro

If you are using an older iPhone model or prefer not to update to iOS 16, you can use a third-party app called Cleaner Pro to remove duplicate contacts.

Here's how to use Cleaner Pro:

  1. Download and install Cleaner Pro from the App Store.
  2. Open the app and allow it to access your contacts.
  3. Select Duplicate Contacts from the Contacts tab.
  4. Go to the Merge menu and review the possible contacts for merging.
  5. Expand Duplicate Contacts to deselect any incorrect cards.
  6. Once you are satisfied with the list, tap the Merge button at the bottom.

3. Smart Cleaner

Another useful app for removing duplicate contacts on iPhone is Smart Cleaner. In addition to merging duplicate contacts, Smart Cleaner offers features like freeing up space, hiding photos, using widgets, and more.

Follow these steps to use Smart Cleaner:

  1. Download and install Smart Cleaner from the App Store.
  2. Grant the necessary permissions to access photos and contacts on your iPhone.
  3. Open the Contacts menu.
  4. Check the Duplicates menu.
  5. Tap the Select All button at the top or manually select contacts.
  6. Tap the Merge button to merge the selected contacts.

The contacts merge function is free to use, but some additional features require a subscription starting at $50 per year.

Avoiding Duplicate Contacts on iPhone

To prevent duplicate contacts from appearing on your iPhone, you can disable sync for Gmail or Outlook contacts. Follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down to the Contacts menu.
  3. Select Accounts.
  4. Open the relevant account and disable the contacts toggle.

Simplify Your Contacts List on iPhone

Manually deleting duplicate contacts on your iPhone can be a tedious task. Instead, try the methods mentioned above to quickly merge duplicate contacts. Also, remember to disable Gmail or Outlook contacts if you no longer use them on your iPhone to keep your contact list clutter-free.

With these simple steps, you can easily remove duplicate contacts and enjoy a clean and organized Contacts app on your iPhone.