Permanently Delete Numbers/Contacts from iPhone Memory [4 Ways]

How do I permanently delete Contacts from iPhone to iCloud?

When switching to a new phone, it's vital to delete the contacts and numbers on your iPhone, the old iPhone storage contains a lot of personal information. Deleting a phone number from your address list might not completely remove it, residual data may persist. To ensure permanent deletion, you need to take additional steps.

This article will provide you with all the possible ways on how to permanently delete numbers from iPhone memory, making sure that you can protect your privacy from being recovered by others.

Permanently delete numbers and contacts from iPhone memory

Deleting contacts from iPhone is very simple, but it is difficult to delete contacts and numbers thoroughly. Don't worry, follow the 4 methods on how to permanently delete contacts from iPhone step by step, the operations are all simple.

 Way 1.  Permanently delete iPhone contacts without recovery [Easiest]

We will first introduce you to the simplest and most efficient solution - FoneTool, which can help you permanently delete all numbers and contacts on iPhone memory in one click, and even more other data types. Rest assured, once your contacts is erased, it cannot be recovered.

Now please download the free FoneTool, connect your iPhone to PC, and learn how to permanently delete contacts and numbers from iPhone.

Step 1. Launch FoneTool, and click Toolbox > Data Eraser > Mouse over to Erase private data and click Get Started.

Step 2. Check the Contacts icon > You can check Enable Deep Erase Technology to ensure complete data erasure > Tap Start Erase to begin the task.

Way 2. Drictly delete a phone number from iPhone 

The built-in Contacts app on your iPhone allows you to delete individual or multiple contacts, making it a convenient method for removing unwanted phone numbers, or deleting the blocked numbers on iPhone. Follow the steps below to know how to delete a phone number on iPhone Contacts app.

Step 1. Launch the Contacts app on your iPhone > Locate and select the contact you wish to remove.

Step 2. Once you have the contact open, tap on the Edit button > Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and tap Delete Contact.

Step 3. Confirm the deletion by tapping on Delete Contact again.

By following the steps outlined, you can delete a single contact from your iPhone. Once deleted, the contact will be permanently removed from your device and cannot be recovered.

Way 3. Delete multiple telephone numbers from iPhone Contacts

If your iPhone is running iOS 16 or later, you can effortlessly mass delete contacts from iPhone using the new feature in Contacts app. Just swiping your finger across the desired entries, you can complete the process of how to permanently delete contacts on iPhone.

Step 1. Open the Contacts app on your iPhone or access the Phone app and navigate to the Contacts collection.

Step 2. Locate the group of contacts that you wish to remove.

Step 3. Utilizing two fingers, press and hold on a contact within the list.

Step 4. Then proceed to slide your fingers upwards or downwards to highlight adjacent contacts as part of your selection. Release your fingers once you have finished selecting the contacts you want to delete.

If you wish to select other contacts, simply scroll through the contacts list and repeat the steps above.

Step 5. To delete the selected contacts, press and hold with one finger on any of the highlighted contacts. From the dropdown menu that appears, tap Delete [X] Contacts option.

Step 6. Confirm the deletion by tapping on Delete Contacts in the prompt that appears.

Way 4. Remove contacts from iPhone memory via iCloud

Another method to delete phone numbers from iPhone memory is by using iCloud. By logging in to the iCloud website and accessing your contacts to delete, your iPhone contacts will be cleared automatically.

Let's follow the steps to learn how to remove numbers from iPhone.

Step 1. Open a browser and go to iCloud.com > Log in using your Apple ID and click the Contacts icon.

Step 2. Press and hold the Control key on a PC and select all the contacts you want to delete. They will be highlighted in blue as you select them.

Step 3. In the lower-left corner of the screen, click on the gear icon > From the pop-up menu, choose Delete.

Step 4. Confirm the deletion by clicking on Delete in the dialogue box that appears.

How to delete contacts from iPhone but keep them in iCloud

You can turn off the contacts sync to delete all contacts on iPhone at once. However, these contacts will still be saved in iCloud. If you want to permanently delete your contacts from iCloud as well, go ahead:

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

Step 2. Locate and toggle off Contacts > From the prompt window, choose Delete from My iPhone.

Summary

The above four methods on how to permanently delete a number from iPhone are very simple, and you can choose the appropriate deletion method according to your situation, whether it is to delete a single number or delete all contacts.

In general, we recommend you to use FoneTool, which helps you completely delete contacts or even erase the entire iPhone in the easiest and professional way, in addition, there are more efficient iPhone backup, transfer, and management functions. Happy organizing and deleting!