Removing a contact from favorites on your iPhone is a simple process that can be done in a few steps. By the end of this article, youโll know exactly how to declutter your favorites list and keep only your most important contacts within easy reach.
You can also check out this video about how to remove a contact from favorites on an iPhone for additional information.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Remove a Contact from Favorites on iPhone
Before we dive into the steps, letโs understand what weโre about to do. Removing a contact from favorites does not delete the contact from your iPhone; it simply removes them from the โFavoritesโ section of your Phone app, which is often used for quick dialing or messaging.
Step 1: Open the Phone App
Open the Phone app on your iPhone. This is the app you typically use to make calls.
When you open the Phone app, youโll see several icons at the bottom. Youโll want to focus on the one that looks like a star, labeled โFavorites.โ
Step 2: Go to Favorites
Tap on the โFavoritesโ icon at the bottom of the screen.
In โFavorites,โ youโll see a list of contacts that youโve previously marked as favorites. These are the ones you can call or message with just a tap.
Step 3: Find the Contact to Remove
Scroll through your list of favorite contacts and find the one you want to remove.
If you have a long list of favorites, you may need to use the search function to find the contact quickly.
Step 4: Swipe Left on the Contact
Swipe left on the contactโs name that you wish to remove from favorites.
Swiping left will reveal a red โDeleteโ button. This action doesnโt delete the contact entirely, just from the favorites list.
Step 5: Tap the โDeleteโ Button
Tap the โDeleteโ button to remove the contact from your favorites.
Once you tap โDelete,โ the contact will instantly be removed from the list. If you change your mind later, you can always add them back.
After completing these steps, the contact will no longer appear in your favorites list. This means they wonโt be as readily accessible for quick calls or messages, but you can still find them in your general contacts list when needed.
Tips: Stay Organized with Favorites on iPhone
- Regularly review your favorites list to ensure it only contains contacts you frequently interact with.
- Use the edit feature in the top left corner of the โFavoritesโ screen to rearrange the order of your contacts.
- You can add a contact back to favorites by tapping the โ+โ icon in the โFavoritesโ tab and selecting the contact.
- Remember, removing a contact from favorites does not delete them from your iPhone entirely; theyโre still in your contacts list.
- If you have multiple numbers or email addresses for a contact, you can add or remove each one individually from favorites.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add a contact to favorites?
To add a contact to favorites, go to the โFavoritesโ tab in the Phone app, tap the โ+โ icon, and select the contact you wish to add.
Adding a contact to favorites makes it easier to reach out to them quickly, without having to browse through your entire contacts list.
Will removing a contact from favorites delete them from my iPhone?
No, removing a contact from favorites does not delete them from your iPhone. They will still be available in your general contacts list.
This means you can still call, message, or email the contact as usual; they just wonโt be in the quick access โFavoritesโ list.
Can I remove multiple contacts from favorites at once?
No, you must remove contacts from favorites one at a time by swiping left and tapping โDeleteโ for each one.
While it may be a bit more time-consuming, it ensures you donโt accidentally remove someone you didnโt intend to.
What happens if I accidentally remove a contact from favorites?
If you accidentally remove a contact from favorites, you can easily add them back by tapping the โ+โ icon in the โFavoritesโ tab and selecting the contact.
Donโt worry about making a mistake; itโs a quick fix to add someone back to your favorites.
Can I rearrange the order of my favorite contacts?
Yes, you can rearrange the order of your favorite contacts by going to the โFavoritesโ tab, tapping โEditโ in the top left corner, and dragging the contacts to your preferred order.
Organizing your favorites can make it even quicker to find the contacts you reach out to most often.
Summary
- Open the Phone app.
- Go to โFavorites.โ
- Find the contact to remove.
- Swipe left on the contact.
- Tap โDelete.โ
Conclusion
Managing your favorites on your iPhone is an essential part of staying organized and ensuring your most important contacts are always just a tap away. With iOS 17, removing a contact from favorites is straightforward, and you can do it in just a few seconds. Whether youโre decluttering your list or simply no longer need quick access to certain contacts, following the steps outlined in this guide will help you maintain a tidy favorites list. And remember, if you ever need to add someone back, itโs just as easy. Keep your iPhoneโs favorites managed and make sure the people you need to reach the most are always at your fingertips.

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelorโs and Masterโs degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.