Deleting a contact in Messenger removes them from your contact list, but it does not delete your message history with them or prevent them from messaging you
When you delete a contact in Messenger, you are removing that person's name and information from your saved contacts — the list you see when you start a new conversation. The person can still find you and send you messages. Your old conversations with them stay in your chat history unless you delete those separately. Deleting a contact is useful when you want to clean up your contact list or stop seeing someone's name appear in your suggestions, but it is not the same as blocking someone or erasing your chat history.
The steps to delete a contact differ slightly depending on whether you are using Messenger on a phone, tablet, or computer, but the end result is the same: that person's name disappears from your contact list, and you start with a blank slate if you want to message them again later.
Key Takeaways
- Deleting a contact removes their name from your contact list but does not erase your message history with them.
- The person you delete can still message you and find your profile unless you block them separately.
- The steps differ slightly depending on whether you are using Messenger on a phone, tablet, or computer.
- If you change your mind, you can add the person back to your contacts at any time.
How to delete a contact on iPhone or Android
Open the Messenger app and go to the Chats tab at the bottom of your screen. Find the person whose contact you want to delete and swipe left on their name (iPhone) or long-press their name (Android). A menu will appear with options including "Delete Chat" or "Remove Contact." Tap the delete or remove option. The contact will be removed from your list.
If you do not see a delete option when ready, look for a trash icon or a three-dot menu button next to the person's name. Tapping that will show more options. On some Android phones, you may need to tap "More" or a settings icon to see the full menu. Once you tap the delete option, the contact disappears from your list right away.
How to delete a contact on a computer or web browser
Go to messenger.com or open Messenger through Facebook. In the left sidebar, find the person whose contact you want to delete. Right-click on their name (Windows) or Control-click (Mac). A small menu will pop up with options like "Delete Chat" or "Remove." Click that option.
If right-clicking does not work, look for a three-dot menu icon next to the person's name when you hover over it. Click that icon and select the delete or remove option from the menu that appears. The contact will be removed from your sidebar when ready.
The difference between deleting a contact and blocking someone
Deleting a contact only removes them from your contact list. They can still send you messages, see when you are online, and view your profile. Blocking someone prevents them from messaging you, seeing your profile, or finding you in search. If you want to stop someone from contacting you entirely, you need to block them separately.
To block someone in Messenger, open your conversation with them, tap the three-dot menu at the top, and select "Block." The person will not be able to message you or see your activity. You can unblock them later if you change your mind. Blocking is a stronger action than deleting a contact, so use it only when you truly want to prevent someone from reaching you.
What happens to your message history when you delete a contact
Deleting a contact does not delete your messages with that person. Your conversation history stays in your Messenger inbox. If you want to remove both the contact and the conversation, you need to delete the chat separately. To do this, find the conversation in your Chats tab, swipe left (iPhone) or long-press (Android), and select "Delete Chat."
On a computer, right-click the conversation and select "Delete Chat." Be aware that deleting a chat removes all messages in that conversation. You cannot undo this action, so make sure you do not need those messages before you delete the chat. If you only want to delete the contact but keep the messages, just delete the contact and leave the conversation alone.
How to add a contact back after deleting them
If you delete a contact by mistake, you can add them back. On your phone, open Messenger and start a new conversation by tapping the pencil icon or "New Message" button. Search for the person's name or phone number. When you find them, tap their name to start a conversation. They will now appear in your contact list again.
On a computer, click the pencil icon next to "Chats" and search for the person's name. Click their profile to start a conversation. They will be added back to your contacts. This works as long as you know their name or have their phone number. There is no penalty for adding someone back — you can delete and re-add contacts as many times as you need to.
Why you might want to delete a contact
People delete contacts for different reasons. You might want to clean up a long contact list, remove someone you no longer talk to, or reduce clutter in your Messenger app. Deleting a contact does not hurt anyone's feelings — the person will not be notified that you removed them from your contact list.
If you are trying to distance yourself from someone, deleting a contact is a first step, but blocking is more effective because it stops them from contacting you. If you just want your contact list to be shorter and easier to navigate, deleting inactive contacts is a straightforward way to do that without any lasting consequences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the person know if I delete them as a contact?
No. Deleting someone from your contact list does not send them a notification. They will not know unless you tell them. They can still see your profile and message you unless you block them.
Can I delete a contact without deleting our conversation?
Yes. When you delete a contact, your message history stays in your Messenger inbox. You only lose the contact information. If you want to keep the conversation but remove the contact, just delete the contact and leave the chat alone.
What is the difference between "Delete Chat" and "Delete Contact"?
Deleting a contact removes the person from your contact list but keeps your messages. Deleting a chat removes the entire conversation and all messages with that person. You can do one without doing the other.
If I delete someone and they message me later, will I see it?
Yes. Even after you delete a contact, their messages will still come through to your Messenger inbox. A new conversation will start, and you can respond if you want. You can add them back to your contacts at that point.