To delete contacts quickly on your iPhone, the most efficient method is to use the multi-select gesture combined with iCloud if your contacts are synced there.

Fast Ways to Delete Contacts on iPhone

Using Multi-Select Gesture in Contacts App

• Open the Contacts app or the Phone app and go to Contacts.
• Use two fingers to tap and hold on a contact, then drag up or down to select multiple contacts at once (highlighted in gray).
• Once you've selected all the contacts you want to delete, release your fingers.
• Tap on the delete option that appears (or use the context menu by long-pressing the selected contacts).
• Confirm the deletion.

This gesture was introduced in iOS 17 and is a quick way to bulk delete contacts directly from your device without needing a computer or iCloud [web results, ].

Using iCloud on Your Computer

• Visit iCloud.com and log in.
• Click Contacts.
• Use Command + A (Mac) or Control + A (Windows) to select multiple contacts.
• Click the Delete button and confirm.
• These changes will sync automatically across all your Apple devices.

Using the Settings to Delete All Contacts from an Account

• Go to Settings.
• Tap Contacts > Accounts.
• Select the account with contacts you want to remove.
• Toggle off Contacts and tap Delete from My iPhone.

This erases all contacts from that account, useful for bulk cleanup if contacts are stored in specific email accounts.

Summary

The quickest way on your device is using the multi-contact selection gesture, and for more control or deleting large amounts, iCloud or account removal is efficient.

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