How to Delete Multiple Contacts on Android Device (3 Methods)

Amelia Garcia
2025-08-04
Home > Resources > Android Manager > How to Delete Multiple Contacts on Android Device (3 Methods)

"How do I delete a phone number from my phone? I am using an Android phone, and I want to delete a contact."

- Reddit

If you're looking to declutter your Android phone or simply remove old, unwanted contacts or delete multiple your contacts, you have three effective methods at your disposal. Whether you want to delete contacts on Android manually or use a dedicated tool, you can follow the steps below to make it.

how to delete contacts on android

Take a quick look at these 3 ways:

Feature/Method Contacts App Google Contacts iReaShare Android Manager
Ease of Use Very Easy Easy (web-based) Easy
Effect on Device Deletes from the specific device Syncs deletion across all linked devices Delete and edit Android contacts on computer
Batch Deletion Yes Yes Yes
Requires PC No No (can be done on mobile browser) Yes
Cost Free Free Paid
Primary Use Case Quick removal of a few contacts Managing contacts across multiple devices, bulk deletion Manage Android contacts on a computer, back up contacts

Way 1: How to Delete Contacts on Android Manually via Contacts App

The most straightforward way to remove contacts is directly through your Android device's built-in Contacts app. This method is ideal for deleting a few or all contacts at a time. However, if there is a trash bin or recycle bin in the Contacts app, you need to empty the bin after deleting your contacts because your deleted contacts will be moved to the bin and stay there for 30 days.

Delete contacts on Android manually:

  1. Locate and tap the Contacts app on your Android phone. This is typically found on your home screen or in your app drawer.

  2. Tap on the contact you wish to delete. Tap and hold one contact until a checkbox or selection option appears. Then, tap on other contacts you want to delete to select them.

  3. Look for an icon that resembles a trash can or an option that says "Delete" or "Remove". This is usually found at the top of the screen or within a three-dot menu (often labeled "More options").

  4. You'll likely be prompted to confirm your decision. Tap "Delete" > "OK" to finalize the removal. If the app move your deleted contacts to the built-in recycle bin, please go to the bin and delete your contacts again. After that, you cannot access your deleted contacts on your Android device.

    manually delete contacts on android

Way 2: How to Delete a Contact on Android via Google Contacts

Most Android phones sync contacts with your Google Account. This means you can also manage and delete contacts directly from Google Contacts, which will then sync the changes back to your Android device. This is particularly useful if you prefer managing contacts from a computer or want to ensure your contacts are consistent across all your synced devices.

Here's how to remove contacts from Android via Google Contacts:

  1. Open a web browser on your computer or phone and navigate to contacts.google.com.

  2. Sign in with the same Google account that is linked to your Android phone.

  3. Click on the contact you want to delete. In the contact's details, click the three-dot menu (More actions) and select "Delete".

  4. To delete multiple contacts, you can hover over a contact's profile picture or initial until a checkbox appears, then check the box; repeat for all contacts you wish to delete. Then click "More" > "Delete" > "Move to trash".

    delete android contacts with google contacts
  5. The deleted contacts will be moved to the "Trash" and will be deleted after 30 days unless you restore them. You can also empty the trash to remove your contacts.

    empty the trash to delete contacts forever

Way 3: How to Delete Multiple Contacts on Android via iReaShare Android Manager

If you want to manage your Android contacts on your computer with a large screen, and delete multiple or all contacts easily, you can use iReaShare Android Manager, a comprehensive Android data management tool. With it, you can edit and delete your Android contacts on your desktop, and back up your contcts to your computer swiftly.

Main features of iReaShare Android Manager:

* Allow you to preview your Android contacts on your computer.

* Easily delete specific contacts from Android.

* Enable you to select multiple or all contacts at once, and then delete them.

* Export your contacts from Android to a PC or Mac for backup.

* Back up your Android data in 1 click, and restore backup to Android without data loss.

* Support Android 6.0 or later, including Android 16.

Download iReaShare Android Manager.

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Here's how to delete multiple contacts on Android with the contact manager:

Here's how to delete multiple contacts on Android with the contact manager:

  1. Launch the Android Manager software on your computer after downloading and installing it.

    launch the android manager
  2. Connect your Android phone to your computer with USB, and activate the USB debugging mode on Android. Once connected, click "Contacts" to go on.

    connect the android phone to the computer
  3. Select the contacts you don't want anymore, and tap the "Delete" menu to remove them from your Android device.

    delete contacts from android on the computer

Tips: If you're selling your phone, giving it away, or are concerned about your data's privacy, simply deleting contacts from the Contacts app isn't enough. These contacts can often be recovered with data recovery software. For true, unrecoverable deletion, a specialized data eraser tool like iReaShare Android Data Eraser is recommended.

Tips: FAQs About Deleting Contacts on Android

Q1: If I empty the trash in the Contacts app on my Android phone, have I completely deleted those contacts?

Not necessarily. Even though the chances of recovery are significantly lower after you empty the trash bin on your Android phone, someone can use dedicated recovery apps to recover your deleted contacts that haven't been overwritten by new data. If you want to remove your contacts completely, you need to overwrite your deleted contacts. Besides, if you enable Google Contact Sync on your phone, your contacts can be easily restored with your account.

Q2: Why do deleted contacts keep coming back?

This may happen if:

  1. Sync is on for Google or other accounts.
  2. Contacts are stored in read-only accounts (like WhatsApp or Facebook).
  3. You didn't delete the contact from the correct account.

To fix it, turn off contact syncing in: Settings > Accounts > [Account Name] > Sync > Turn off Contacts.

Conclusion

Deleting contacts on Android is easy, whether you prefer doing it manually, conveniently through a data management tool - iReaShare Android Manager, or via your Google Account. Each method serves different needs - from quick deletions to contact management with a large screen. Choose the method that suits your purpose best and keep your contact list clean and organized.

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Amelia Garcia Editor
Amelia is a generalist of mobile devices and understands Android devices in particular. Due to her passion for mobile devices and their technology, she has been sharing her insights and advice, and answering related questions on various platforms, including Android backup, Android erasure, mobile data migration, and more.