How to Delete a WhatsApp Contact on Android & iOS

In Short
  • On Android, open the WhatsApp contact you want to delete -> tap the contact name -> three-dot icon -> view in address book -> three-dot icon in Phone app -> Delete.
  • On iPhone, open the chat of the contact you want to delete -> tap the contact name -> Edit -> Delete contact.
  • You can only delete a WhatsApp contact from the address book of your iPhone or Android phone, as there is no way to directly delete them within WhatsApp.

Do you remember that time you had to save a food delivery agent’s number on WhatsApp to share your live location and satiate your cravings? Or, maybe you just want to clear some of that contact clutter that has developed over the years. Either way, knowing how to delete a WhatsApp number can come in very handy.

You’re probably here because you can’t find the option to do so. Don’t worry, as here is a detailed guide on how to delete a contact in WhatsApp on Android and iOS with ease!

How to Delete a WhatsApp Contact on iOS

First, let’s start with how you can remove a contact from WhatsApp on iOS. Here are the steps you need to follow:

  • Open the WhatsApp iOS app, and go to the contact’s chat you wish to delete.
  • If it’s an older chat, you can use the search bar at the top to search for the contact.
  • Once the chat is open, tap on the contact name at the very top.
  • Next, tap on the Edit icon at the top right corner to open the Contact Details page.
  • Here, tap on Delete contact at the bottom. That should do the trick!
Deleting a WhatsApp contact on iOS

How to Delete a WhatsApp Contact on Android

Unlike iPhones, the method of deleting a WhatsApp contact on Android requires a few extra steps. So, let’s go over them here:

  • Open Whatsapp and head to the chat of the contact you wish to delete.
  • Tap on the contact name at the very top of the chat window.
  • Next, tap the three-dot icon at the top right and select View in address book.
View a WhatsApp contact in address book on Android
  • This will take you to your phone’s Contact app. Since most Android phones these days use the Phone by Google app, that’s most likely where you will see the contact details.
  • From the contact page, tap on the three-dot icon at the top right and select Delete.
  • In the confirmation window, tap on Delete again.
Deleting a WhatsApp contact through the address book

With that, the WhatsApp contact should instantly be deleted with just the number being shown in the conversation. You can now delete the WhatsApp chat permanently and block them if you want to distance yourself from them. And if you are unsure if someone has blocked you on WhatsApp or not, follow our guide to know the telltale signs.

And just as easily, you can delete a WhatsApp contact on your Android or iOS device. Now, since you are basically deleting a contact from your phone’s address book and not from the app directly, you can’t carry out the action on the WhatsApp web or desktop app. So, you will always need your phone to do so.

Additionally, note that deleting a contact on WhatsApp doesn’t delete your chat history with them. You can still text each other, unlike when you block someone on WhatsApp. However, since they are not in your WhatsApp contact list anymore, so they might not be able to see your last seen, profile picture, or status depending on your privacy settings.

Furthermore, whenever you delete a WhatsApp contact, the other person is not notified about this action of yours. So, you won’t have to worry about coming off as impolite. But, do note that if your privacy settings prevent those outside your contact list from viewing your profile picture and other details, they may get a whiff of the fact that something’s wrong.

Well, that’s it. We have also answered a couple of other questions below, so you can check that out. If you have any further queries, tell us in the comments below!

Why can’t I delete a contact on WhatsApp?

You can’t delete a contact from within WhatsApp directly. Instead, you will need to delete the contact from your phone’s address book. That’s probably why you can’t see the option to delete the contact from WhatsApp.

Why is a deleted contact still showing on WhatsApp?

A deleted WhatsApp contact will still show up as a mere number with the chat history with it intact. However, if the name of the contact is still saved on your phone, chances are that WhatsApp hasn’t refreshed to reflect the changes. A simple restart should fix the problem.

How do I delete all messages from a contact on WhatsApp?

To delete all your WhatsApp chats with a particular contact, when in the chats tab of the mobile app, long press the chat and hit the delete button (recycle bin icon) at the top.

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