How to Merge Duplicate Contacts on iPhone Without Data Loss

iOS's contact book is convenient for iPhone users to keep in touch with friends, family, colleagues, and more. You can store up to 50,000 contacts on your iPhone. As time goes by, you might save lots of contacts on your handset. That makes it difficult to search for specific contacts, especially when you have many duplicate contacts on your device. To keep your contact list clean and clear, you can learn how to merge contacts on your iPhone and delete duplicate names.

• Part 1: The Easiest Way to Merge Contacts on iPhone [All Models]
• Part 2: How to Combine Contacts on iOS 16 and later
• Part 3: How to Merge Contacts with Different Names on iPhone
• Part 4: FAQs about Merging iPhone Contacts

Part 1: The Easiest Way to Merge Contacts on iPhone [All Models]

iPhone contact list likely comes from a number of different channels: an iCloud backup, Gmail, or other email account. As a result, one name could have several duplicates. Fortunately, Apeaksoft iPhone Transfer can help you merge duplicate contacts on any iPhone easily.

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How to Merge Duplicate Contacts on Your iPhone

Install the best contact manager on your computer and launch it. The software is compatible with Windows 11/10/8/7 and Mac OS X 10.7 or above. Hook up your iPhone to your computer with a Lightning cable. As long as your device is detected, the software will scan all data on your iPhone immediately.

Go to the Contacts tab from the left sidebar, and you will see all contacts on your iPhone. Hit the Duplicate Contact button on the top ribbon. Then the software will find out all duplicate contacts within a few seconds.

Next, select the contacts that you want to merge, and click the Merge Selected button on the pop-up. The software will do the rest of the job. All you need to do is wait for the process to finish. Then close the software and disconnect your iPhone. You will find your contact list becomes compact.

Note: In addition to the latest iOS devices, the software works smoothly for iPhone 7/6s/6 and earlier.

Part 2: How to Combine Contacts on iOS 16 and later

Before iOS 16, it is not an easy task to clean up your contact list and merge duplicate contacts. With iOS 16, Apple added a native feature to scan and merge duplicate contacts on an iPhone automatically. If you have updated software, follow the steps below to get the job done.

Step 1 Run the Contacts app from your home screen, and you will get an alert if you have duplicate contacts.

Step 2 Tap the View Duplicates button under the alert, and your iPhone will display the list of Duplicates Found.

Step 3 Press the Merge All button at the bottom, and hit the Merge Duplicates button to confirm your action. Then iPhone will merge contacts for you automatically.

Note: iPhone only gives you two options: Merge All or Ignore All on the Duplicates Found screen. It means that you can only merge all duplicate contacts or ignore them. If you wish to merge specific contacts, you will need a third-party contact manager. Bear in mind that you cannot unmerge contacts on your iPhone once you tap the Merge All button.

Part 3: How to Merge Contacts with Different Names on iPhone

iPhones find duplicate contacts according to the same name. In other words, the native feature copies the phone numbers under one name, and delete the duplicate contact card. When it comes to the contact cards for the same person but with different names, you can link them by following the steps below.

Step 1 Select one contact that you wish to merge in your Contacts app.

Step 2 Tap the Edit button at the top right corner, scroll down, and press the link contacts option. Then find and select the target contact card on the list.

Step 3 Press the Link button at the top right corner, and then tap the Done button to confirm the action.

Step 4 if you want to unmerge contacts on your iPhone, find and tap the merged contact, press the Edit button, tap the Red Circle, hit the Unlink button, and press Done.

Note: This way merges two contact cards with different names as one entry on your contacts list. It keeps both contacts and won't delete any card.