In iCloud, why won't Apple let me delete a phone number I can be reached at?

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Level 5

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In iCloud, why won't Apple let me delete a phone number I can be reached at?

In iCloud, why won't Apple let me delete "a phone number I can be reached at"?

( I am not trying to delete the phone number of this iPhone. )

I am using iOS 11.1 on iPhone 8.

I go to Settings > Name, Phone Numbers, Email > Edit > The phone number I want to delete has a red dot to the left of it. Tapping on that red dot, I get a large red square that says "Delete".

I tap "Delete" and a pop-up comes up confirming the number I want to remove, I tap "Remove". The pop-up goes away and the number I am trying to remove is still there.

Suggestions appreciated.

Posted on Nov 1, 2017 7:38 PM

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Answer 1

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gail from maine

Level 9

52,681 points

Nov 1, 2017 8:01 PM in response to Ziatron

Hi Ziatron,

Unfortunately I cannot test this because a) both my numbers have "Messages & FaceTime number" underneath them and b) because of this, I get no red dot next to any of my numbers. This is because I have both iPhone phone numbers set up in Messages under Send & Receive on all of my devices and Mac (also I don't have an iPhone 8....) 🙂

But a couple of suggestions:

- First try closing out the app entirely by double-clicking the Home key and swiping up on the Settings thumbnail

- If that doesn't clear it up, try signing out of iCloud and then back in again

- You can also try a reset:

On an iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Then press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

The other thing you can do is to go to a browser and sign into your Apple ID and see if the number in question is listed there so you can delete it on the account itself. It may not be. I have an email address that shows up on my iOS device, but not on my Apple ID. Possibly because it is the account that am Family Sharing with. So, that email is an Apple ID. I'm guessing that the phone numbers would all be on your Apple ID.

Cheers,

GB

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Answer 2

Ziatron Author

Level 5

4,205 points

Nov 1, 2017 9:54 PM in response to gail from maine

I remember "gail from maine"! 🙂

You are the very nice person that helped me with my struggles using iMessage on two iPhones that have the same account.

Just so you know, I did separate those phones for about six months. I later put both phones on the same account and I like it much better. It just makes it easier for me to do maintenance and other sharing tasks when my wife and I are on the same account.

Yesterday we purchased two new iPhone 8s and I was (once again) having a little trouble with iMessage.

Here is what I did to get everything working with two phones on the same account.

Settings > iMessage turned ON, below is Send & Receive > make sure that only the iPhones actual phone number is checked. Other iPhone should be unchecked.

Once the above is done it doesn't seem to matter that both numbers are listed under "a phone number I can be reached at" in iCloud.

FaceTime is also turned on.

Great hearing from you again! You are a lot of help on Apple Discussions and, an asset to all of humanity.

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Answer 3

Nov 2, 2017 7:40 AM in response to Ziatron

Wow! Thanks for that Ziatron - you are a very kind person. I remember you too, and I see that you have been helping quite a few folks yourself 🙂.😍

That's great to know that making sure that only the number of the phone you are setting up should be in Send & Receive. And you are correct in surmising that having both numbers showing in the "You Can Be Reached" section will have no effect on how your Messages work, but glad you confirmed it!

Thanks for posting back with all your great info. It will be helpful for many going forward 🙂

One question - with only the iPhone's number listed in the Send & Receive section, does that prevent your call logs from getting mixed? (Was that the original problem? The 3X5 index cards in my brain are a bit worn....)

Cheers,

GB

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