Deleting favorites on your iPhone is a straightforward process, but the exact steps depend on what you're trying to delete from your favorites. This guide covers the most common scenarios: Safari bookmarks, frequently contacted phone numbers, and app shortcuts on your home screen.
How to Delete Safari Bookmarks (Favorites) on iPhone?
Safari uses the term "bookmarks," not "favorites," but the function is essentially the same. Here's how to remove unwanted bookmarks:
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Open the Safari app: Locate and tap the Safari icon on your iPhone's home screen.
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Access your bookmarks: Tap the "Bookmarks" icon (it looks like an open book) at the bottom of the screen. You may need to swipe up from the bottom to view the bookmark bar, especially if you're using a smaller iPhone screen.
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Locate the bookmark to delete: Scroll through your bookmarks until you find the one you wish to remove.
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Delete the bookmark: There are two ways to do this:
- Swipe to delete: Swipe left on the bookmark you want to delete. A red "Delete" button will appear. Tap "Delete."
- Edit bookmarks: Tap "Edit" in the top right corner. This allows you to select multiple bookmarks for deletion. Tap the red circle next to the bookmarks you want to remove, then tap "Delete" in the top right corner.
How to Delete Frequently Contacted Numbers from Favorites?
While there isn't a dedicated "Favorites" list for frequently contacted numbers in the iPhone's Phone app, contacts frequently called appear at the top of your recent calls. You can't directly delete them from this list, but you can delete the contacts themselves, removing them from your recent calls list as well.
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Open the Phone app: Find and tap the Phone app icon on your home screen.
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Navigate to Recents: At the bottom of the screen, tap "Recents."
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Identify the contact to delete: Locate the number you wish to remove.
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Delete the contact (or block the number): There are two options:
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Delete the Contact: If you want to completely delete the contact from your phone, open the contact's information (by tapping on the number). In this view, you'll find an option to "Edit" the contact. Once in edit mode, you will typically find a "Delete Contact" option.
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Block the number: This will prevent calls and messages from that number, without deleting the contact. In the contact's information, look for a button to block the number.
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Note that deleting a contact only removes it from your list of contacts, not from your phone's memory completely. Your call history might remain.
How to Delete App Shortcuts from the Home Screen (Favorites)?
Many users consider app shortcuts on their home screen as "favorites." Deleting these is easy:
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Locate the app shortcut: Find the app icon you wish to remove from your home screen.
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Delete the app shortcut: Press and hold the app icon until it starts to wiggle. An "X" will appear in the corner of the app icon. Tap the "X" to delete the shortcut. Note: This only removes the shortcut from the home screen; the app itself remains on your phone.
How do I clear my iPhone's browsing history?
Clearing your browsing history in Safari is different from deleting bookmarks. This removes the record of websites you've visited, not the bookmarks themselves. To clear your history:
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Open the Safari app.
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Tap the "Bookmarks" icon, then tap "History."
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Tap "Clear History and Website Data." This will remove all your browsing history.
How do I manage my favorites in other apps?
Many apps have their own favorite or bookmark systems. The process for deleting these will vary depending on the app. Generally, you'll find settings or options within each app to manage its internal favorites. Consult the app's help documentation or settings if you need assistance.
This comprehensive guide should help you manage your favorites across various iPhone applications. Remember to always back up your data regularly to prevent accidental data loss.
