Imagine wanting to gift your iPhone to a friend or simply trade it in for the latest version. You want to erase all the personal data from it, including the contacts stored in it. However, deleting the contacts individually is a daunting task, and it is not a practical solution. Most people would like to remove all contacts from iPhone in one go. Deleting contacts permanently from your iPhone ensures that they can never be accessed or recovered in the future. Read on to understand how to delete all contacts from iPhone permanently.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
Before you set out to delete all contacts from your iPhone, make sure that you have everything ready. You need to have your iPhone and a computer with iTunes or Finder installed. It would help if you also had a USB cable to connect your iPhone with the computer.
What Requires Your Focus?
Deleting all contacts erases all information about your phone, such as names, phone numbers, emails, and images from your device and iCloud. You will not be able to recover the data once you carry out the process. Before starting, ensure that you have a backup of the data if you want to revisit the data someday.
Different Methods to Delete All Contacts from iPhone Permanently
Method 1: Using iCloud to Delete All Contacts from Your iPhone Permanently
This is one of the simplest methods to erase all contacts on your iPhone. Follow the steps below carefully to avoid losing any data.
1. Go to your iCloud.com address through any web browser.
2. Type in your Apple ID and password.
3. Click on "Contacts" from your iCloud homepage.
4. Press the Command+A button on your Mac or Ctrl+A on a Windows computer.
5. Right-click on the selected contacts and click on "Delete."
6. Confirm the action by clicking "Delete," and your contacts will permanently delete from iCloud and your iPhone.
Pros:
– Simple method to delete contacts in one go.
– Free of cost.
Cons:
– You need to have a stable internet connection while using iCloud services.
– You cannot recover the deleted contacts once the process is complete.
Method 2: Using iTunes to Delete All Contacts from Your iPhone Permanently
iTunes is Apple’s homegrown software, and it is a great tool to manage your iPhone’s data. You can use iTunes to delete all contacts from your iPhone permanently. Follow the steps below:
1. Launch iTunes on your computer.
2. Connect your iPhone to your PC using a USB cable.
3. Your device will appear on the top left corner of iTunes under "Devices."
4. Click on your iPhone.
5. Click on the "Info" tab in iTunes.
6. Find and click the "Sync Contacts" checkbox and choose "None" from the dropdown menu.
7. Press "Apply" to start deleting contacts.
8. A pop-up will ask "Are you sure you would like to remove existing contacts from your iPhone?"
9. Press "Remove Contacts," and your contacts will be deleted from your phone permanently.
Pros:
– Deletes all contacts at once.
– No need for an internet connection.
Cons:
– You may accidentally delete other data if you’re not careful.
– The deleted contacts cannot be recovered.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Software to Permanently Delete All Contacts from Your iPhone
There are various third-party software available to help you erase all contacts from your iPhone permanently. These tools work efficiently and almost work the same way. We recommend you use a trusted and verified software.
1. Choose a paid or trustworthy third-party software package such as "iMyFone Umate Pro" or "Dr.Fone."
2. Install the software on your computer and connect your iPhone through a USB cable.
3. Open the software.
4. Click on the "Erase All Data" option.
5. Select and confirm the deletion of contacts by clicking "Erase Now."
6. Wait for the process to complete, and your contacts will be erased permanently.
Pros:
– Easy to use, thanks to intuitive interfaces.
– Accurate and reliable.
Cons:
– Most third-party software comes at a cost.
– You should only use reliable, well-known software to avoid losing other data.
Why Can’t I Delete All Contacts from iPhone Permanently?
1. Apple restricts users from accessing essential files and folders on iOS devices to prevent accidental loss of data.
Fix: Use iCloud, iTunes or third-party software to erase all contacts on your iPhone.
2. The iOS operating system is crafted to store data in many locations with the intent of providing backup points.
Fix: Reset your iPhone using iTunes and select the "Restore iPhone" option- this will permanently delete all contents from your iPhone
3. The iPhone’s screen is not immune to the phenomenon of ghost touch, which increases the possibility of errant tapping leading to accidental deletion of data.
Fix: Always use trusted software to delete contacts.
Implications and Recommendations
Deleting all contacts from your iPhone permanently should be done with caution. Make sure to have a backup of all your important data before erasing all contacts from the iPhone permanently. We recommend that you use the first two methods because they are safer than third-party tools. If you need to use third-party software, make sure to go for one that is highly rated and safe to use.
5 FAQs about Deleting All Contacts from iPhone Permanently
Q1. How do I back up my contacts before deleting them permanently from my iPhone?
A1. You can back up your contacts by connecting your iPhone to a laptop and syncing data with iTunes.
Q2. Can my contacts be recovered after deleting them from iPhone permanently?
A2. No, once deleted, the contacts cannot be recovered through any means.
Q3. Can I selectively delete contacts from my iPhone?
A3. Yes, you can selectively delete contacts by selecting them manually from your phonebook.
Q4. How can I ensure that Apple cannot access my data even after it is deleted from my iPhone?
A4. You can use third-party software such as iMyFone Umate Pro or Dr.Fone to ensure that your data is deleted entirely from your iPhone.
Q5. Should I opt for using iCloud or iTunes for permanent deletion of contacts?
A5. You can use any of the methods as based on your preference, but we suggest using iCloud or iTunes as they are the safest methods.
In Conclusion
Deleting all contacts is an excellent way of making sure your phone is ready to be handed over to someone else or traded in for a new one. Having a backup is essential as your data can be lost forever. We recommend using iCloud or iTunes, but if you want to use third-party software, make sure it is safe and dependable.