If you want to remove a contact from WhatsApp but still keep their phone number saved, you’re not alone. Many people prefer to stop seeing certain contacts on WhatsApp while still having their numbers saved for reference.
Although WhatsApp doesn’t have a built-in way to delete contacts without removing them from your phone, there are a few workarounds. In this guide, we’ll explore reliable methods to hide or manage unwanted contacts on WhatsApp.
Method 1: Block the Contact on WhatsApp
One of the simplest ways to stop seeing a contact on WhatsApp is by blocking them. Blocking a contact means they won’t be able to message you, see your status, or view your profile photo.
Steps to Block a Contact on WhatsApp
- Open WhatsApp and search for the contact you want to block.
- Tap on their name to open the chat, then tap the three dots in the upper-right corner and select View Contact.
- Scroll down and select Block. Confirm to finalize the action.
Note: Blocking a contact does not remove their chat from your list, but it will prevent any interaction until you unblock them.
Method 2: Save the Contact Number in a Note
If you want to completely remove a contact from WhatsApp but still keep their number, you can save it in your phone’s note app.
Steps
- Copy the contact’s number from your phonebook.
- Paste it into a note app (like Google Keep or Apple Notes) and save it.
- Delete the contact from your phonebook.
With this method, the contact won’t appear in WhatsApp, but you’ll still have their number saved elsewhere.
Method 3: Archive the Chat
The Archive feature is a convenient way to hide unwanted chats without blocking or deleting the contact.
Steps to Archive a Chat
- On the main WhatsApp screen, long-press on the chat you want to hide.
- Tap the Archive icon (usually a box with an arrow).
The archived chat will move to a separate “Archived” folder, which you can access anytime. Archiving doesn’t delete the chat but keeps it out of sight.
Method 4: Unsync WhatsApp Contacts
If you want to prevent WhatsApp from automatically pulling in your phone contacts, you can unsync contacts in the settings.
Steps to Unsync Contacts
- Go to your phone’s settings and tap on Accounts.
- Select WhatsApp and look for the Contact Sync option.
- Toggle off the sync option.
Unsyncing prevents new contacts from appearing in WhatsApp, but it doesn’t delete existing ones from your chat list.
In Summary
Removing a contact from WhatsApp without deleting it from your phone is possible with a few workarounds:
- Block the contact to stop interaction without deleting.
- Save their number in a note and delete the contact from your phone.
- Archive the chat to hide it from the main chat list.
- Unsync contacts to prevent WhatsApp from showing new contacts.
These methods help you manage your WhatsApp contacts without losing important numbers. Choose the method that best suits your needs and enjoy a cleaner, more organized chat list!