How to Delete Duplicate Contacts on iPhone and Mac

Duplicate names and phone numbers can be created on iPhone if you’ve set up multiple accounts and turned on contacts for them. In addition, when you import numbers from a SIM card, Android phone, or vCard, duplicate entries may also be created.

The threat of seeing the same name multiple times while calling or sending a text message. To solve this problem, let’s take a look at some effective ways to delete duplicate contacts on iPhone and Mac.

Before we start:

If you use the same Apple ID (and iCloud contacts) on your Mac and iPhone, the changes will sync. Thus, when you delete duplicate Macs, they are automatically deleted from iPhone and vice versa. To do this, make sure iCloud Contacts is turned on on both devices.

On Mac: Click on the Apple logo in the top right corner → System Preferences → Apple ID → iCloud → make sure Contacts is turned on.

On iPhone: Open the Settings app → your Apple ID from the top → iCloud → make sure the Contacts toggle is on.

How to Merge Duplicate Contacts on iPhone

It is not easy to remove duplicate iPhone contacts with the built-in Contacts app. But there is a workaround that allows you to link contacts. On the other hand, third-party iOS apps allow you to quickly delete or merge duplicate contacts. Let’s take a look at both methods!

Merge contacts using the linked contacts feature

1. Open the Contacts app. Or the Phone app and tap Contacts.
2. Click on an entry that you think exists more than once.
3. Click Edit.
4. Scroll down and click on the contacts link.
5. Click to select the contact you want to link.
6. Click on the link in the top right corner.
7. Finally, click Finish.

Now these two (or more) contacts are linked together. This does not delete the other entry, but adds both phone numbers to the same contact.

Let’s say you have a contact named Donald with a home phone number of 1234567 and another contact named Donald T with an office number of 9876543. When you link them, one entity will have both phone numbers under the same contact. You will only see one entry in your iPhone’s address book.

To unlink, tap on a contact → Edit → Tap on the red minus icon under RELATED CONTACTS → Unlink → Done.

Use Third Party iPhone Apps to Delete Duplicate Contacts

1. Download Duplicate Contact Remover for free from the App Store.
2. Launch the application and click “Contacts”. Click OK on the pop-up window to allow the app to access your contacts.
3. A pop-up window will show how many duplicate contact records with the same number were found. Click OK. One copy of the repeating contact has already been reviewed and selected. You can click on the checkboxes to select or deselect manually. After viewing, click on the trash can icon in the upper right corner. Click “Delete”to confirm.
4. Return to the main screen of the app and tap Name. Follow the same process to remove contacts with the same name. Note. If a contact has the same name but different numbers, make sure you review it carefully and proceed with deletion only after double-checking.

If you want to merge duplicate contacts, download the Duplicate Cleaner app and click Merge Duplicates. Then click Duplicate Names, Duplicate Phones, or Complete Duplicate.

Click on the individual entries and click “Merge”→ “JOIN”→ “OK”.

To bulk merge duplicate iPhone contacts, please download the “Contact Manager & Backup “app.

Click on a duplicate name or a duplicate number. Review the list and click Merge → OK.

These were three of the many applications for the successful completion of this work. We have a separate list of the best applications for removing duplicate contacts. Be sure to take a look and use the one that excites you the most.

How to Merge Duplicate Contacts on Mac

macOS makes it quick and easy to eliminate duplicate contacts. Here’s how.

1. Open the Contacts app on Mac.
2. On the top menu bar, click Map → Look for Duplicates.
3. Finally, click “Merge”.

As mentioned above, if you use iCloud contacts on other Apple devices with the same Apple ID, this change will be reflected everywhere.

You can also visit iCloud.com, sign in with your Apple ID, click Contacts, and manually delete duplicate entries.

Signing

Here is how you can delete duplicate contacts on iPhone and Mac. What method are you going to use? Let us know in the comments below.

Do you use Google or Outlook contacts on iPhone? If yes, be sure to check their support articles for removal of duplicate entries.