Turn off contacts in the iOS 13 Share Sheet

I need to be able to remove the list of suggested contacts on the top row of the "share sheet" in Safari and other iOS 13 applications. In just the past week since I switched to iOS 13, I've had a couple accidental shares; moreover, sometimes I present the contents of my screen to an audience, and I do not want them to see my frequent contacts. Finally, most of the suggested contacts are not contacts I would use anyways and are actually in frequent. This create some awkward circumstances an accidental sharing possibilities that can result from an accidental tap or brush with the screen. (Please see attached image from a similar request from another discussion group.) Thank you for your answers.




[Image Edited by Moderator]

Posted on Oct 2, 2019 5:01 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Oct 15, 2019 7:32 AM

The share tab was changed and while there is some ability to control what apps you can share to, there appears to be no way to turn off having contacts listed on the share tab nor is there an ability to control which contacts appear. They appear to be selected based on most recently used possibly among other factors or "secret formula".


I think Apple took this move as a strong arm approach to promote/force more usage of the iMessage app over other sharing apps. For example, when I do share links, it is usually with WhatsApp, which now requires deeper screen navigation to get at each time because the screen real-estate is now taken up by Apple's choice of my iMessage recipients (none of whom I ever share links with).


I put in an apple feedback to: Feedback - iPhone - Apple. Recommend that anyone who does not like this feature to put in a feedback for it also asking Apple to allow the user to configure whether they want iMessage/text message contacts to appear there or not.


261 replies

Feb 14, 2020 9:06 PM in response to jwater7

This feature is ridiculous- why hasn’t it been fixed yet? Huge privacy issues with inevitable accidental taps.

Exactly how is it a privacy issue? A recipient is suggested, not used. Nothing is sent until you press send. I don't see a privacy issue. Many have suggested it is, but never explain why.


The feature is unliked, not broken. Big difference.


If you want to offer Apple Feedback where they prefer it to be sent.


Feedback for Apple goes here >>> http://www.apple.com/feedback/



Feb 14, 2020 9:13 PM in response to KrazyCat

i want the option to use my phone the way i choose,

Apple, under Mr. Jobs or otherwise, is not known for providing this.


the simple truth is that this thread demonstrates that a lot of people hate this feature, saying that only a few of us in this thread are angry about it is disingenous, this forum represnts a fraction of users on all subjects but it can and should be taken as an indication of what the wider iphone user base is thinking, on all subjects

I don't believe anyone has disputed what this demonstrates. And the number of unhappy users is really moot.


The purpose of this community is not to complain. I would suggest many of us with the "large point collections" contribute here BECAUSE complaining is not permitted. It's much more civil when debating policy is not on the table and the discussions are primarily technical.


Apple gladly takes Feedback. Just not here.

Feb 14, 2020 9:24 PM in response to jwater7

this is what Google bring up for everyone else on the subject and why I posted here too.

In order to post, you must sign in. Before you can sign in, you agree to the terms of the community. The terms clearly state that questions about Apple policy and decisions are not permitted.


This seems to be lost on some contributors.


And that Google may index these conversations and "brings you here" does not alter the purpose of the community.


If it’s too easy (I know, subjective but real here) to share something that shouldn’t be shared, it’s broken.

Sorry. This is an abdication of personal responsibility. I don't believe it's easy at all to unwittingly share something to a suggested contact. It's the same "effort" as choosing Airdrop, or Messages or Mail, or any of the other ways to share that were present before this new feature.


I guess agree to disagree.

Absolutely.

Feb 14, 2020 10:04 PM in response to LACAllen

you guys are hilarious, this thread is hilarious ... what the **** ever happened to just not responding ?


no, you patiently recite the apple party line chapter and verse


"sorry" "no, you can't" "don't even think about it"


you guys just love to slap everyone's hand


nothing can be done, there is no solution, why ... because there is no problem


whatever happened to not wasting all of our time .... and just close and lock the **** thread :)

Feb 14, 2020 10:21 PM in response to KrazyCat

what the **** ever happened to just not responding ?

A question for you really.


because there is no problem

A disliked feature, working as designed is not a technical problem to solve, in my opinion. The purpose of the community is to ask and answer technical support questions.


"I don't like this feature" "This feature is the worst piece of programming I have ever been subject to in my life" "Apple should remove this feature as I dislike it immensely"


None of the above are technical support questions, so don't have technical support answers.


They are constructive criticisms, which are permitted and have been offered.



whatever happened to not wasting all of our time

Once again, I will ask you the same question.


Calling me names. Profanity. None of this will get you what you want.



nothing can be done, there is no solution

Tell me where this has been said. What has been offered is context.


Nothing can be done, here.

There is no solution, here.

Feb 15, 2020 2:10 AM in response to LACAllen

LACAllen wrote:
Exactly how is it a privacy issue? A recipient is suggested, not used. Nothing is sent until you press send. I don't see a privacy issue. Many have suggested it is, but never explain why.


I’d rather keep information about who I most regularly communicate with private. Apple is forcing me display it on my screen every time I use the share button, free for anyone to see who happens to be looking at my screen whilst I’m using my phone (someone sitting/standing next to me for example). I consider this a privacy issue easily solved by giving us the option of disabling this feature.

Feb 15, 2020 9:09 AM in response to LACAllen

as many, many people have said (look at the replies and the views of the thread) we get tired, we work too quickly, we stay up late, we text while inebriated, we text when we're angry, we text when stressed


some of us have vision disabilities, many us have physical limitations in the use of the touchscreen, some of us are working outside in difficult conditions ...


in other words ... we make mistakes .... you know what a mistake is ... right ? ... i'm sure you've made one at some point in your life


you send the wrong text to the wrong person and the consequences can be dramatic, life changing, job losing and relationship ending


clearly, many of us are deeply frustrated with this "feature"

Feb 15, 2020 9:32 AM in response to IdrisSeabright

IdrisSeabright wrote:

Have you told Apple?

Yes


Meanwhile, I've found that a good way to keep people from peering at my phone is to not let people stand that close to me.


I hope Apple don't also have this opinion. Wreaks of "you're holding it wrong". The issue for me is not people being able to see my screen. The issue is not having control over what information is shown on my screen.


Feb 15, 2020 3:31 PM in response to opodder

opodder wrote:

I hope Apple don't also have this opinion. Wreaks of "you're holding it wrong". The issue for me is not people being able to see my screen. The issue is not having control over what information is shown on my screen.

I wouldn't know,. I don't speak for Apple. I don't think it reeks or anything. I simply don't understand why, if privacy is important to you, you let people get that close to you and your phone. Who you share things with is hardly the only thing they can see if they're peering over your shoulder.


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Turn off contacts in the iOS 13 Share Sheet

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