How do you stop iphone messages app from saving Recent Contacts (IOS 26.6.1) please. I don't want any contacts saved on my phone.
Apple Intelligence is turned off.
I don't use Siri.
All Siri Apps settings are toggled off.
All Search Apps settings are toggled off.
The Contacts app is removed from phone.
Not signed in to iCloud.
Still the Messages App keeps saving numbers into Recents.
🙏
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Well, yes, that is quite different. And yes they are recent contacts BY DEFINITION. To my knowledge, there is no way to turn this off. Simply don’t use the suggestions if you choose not to.
Here’s the link to the messages section intne user guide if you would explore further.
Get started with Messages on iPhone - Apple Support
You can also offer Apple feedback here: Product Feedback - Apple
Most - the vast majority of users - would consider this a total none issue.
Check especially Settings > Apps > Messages > …
Turn them off by tapping the “I” to the right of each suggestion and choose “Remove from Recents”.
As Kilgore-Trout says, I agree this should not be an issue. But if you want to go to the trouble …
I have been using iPhones for years now. Never have I seen the Messages app result in Recents in the phone app (assuming that is what you mean). Reach out to your cellular provider and see if they have an explanation.
I agree with Kilgore-Trout. Perhaps you do mean something else when you say “Recents”. But if so, assuming you are the only user of this iPhone using your one and only Apple Account (as should be true), why the concern?
Soz... to clarify.....Recents aren't appearing in the Phone App. They're appearing as suggestions in the Messages App when I create a new Message and start typing the contact number. I'm trying to stop the numbers being saved in Recents.
They are just a convenience note. Most email apps will do the same thing. Not related to any hacking attempts or security issues. Simply do not use the suggestions if you do not wish. Its not a “contact stored on your phone” its a text string that has appeared in that app.
thanks for suggestions but both settings already off.......
Drat.... OK.... thanks for info.... I'm recovering from a state hack and don't want any contacts whatsoever stored on my phone.
I'll do Product Feedback 🙏
Cheers Chaps
Yes thanks I know how to remove them. It's a right pain to have to do this after every message I send.... hence me trying to find a way to stop them being saved in the first place 🙏
How do you stop iPhone Messages App saving numbers to Recent Contacts.
