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Facebook: Deactivate "Synchronize contacts"

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Preparation: Delete contacts that have already been imported
1st step:
2nd step:
Deactivate "Synchronize contacts"
1st step:
2nd step:
3rd step:
4th step:
Quick guide: Delete contacts that have already been imported
Quick guide: Deactivate "Synchronize contacts"

Don't want Facebook to save your cell phone contacts? We'll show you how to turn off the function and delete contacts that have already been imported..

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In the wake of the data scandal involving Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, it became known that Facebook had also been collecting call data from its users for years. The phone data was transmitted via the "Synchronize contacts" function in Facebook Messenger - allegedly to enable a better user experience. In the following, we will explain to you how to prevent your mobile phone contacts from being synchronized and how to delete contacts that have already been imported.

Preparation: Delete contacts that have already been imported

Before you deactivate the synchronization of your contacts in the Messenger app, you should first remove the contacts that have already been imported from Facebook. To do this, follow our step-by-step instructions or take a look at the brief instructions .

1st step:

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First of all, you should delete the contacts in Facebook that you have uploaded there. To do this, log into Facebook and open this link: https://www.facebook.com/invite_history.php . There click on " Remove all contacts ". You can also delete a selection. However, we recommend removing all saved contacts. Then go to " Show the contacts you have uploaded to Messenger ".

2nd step:

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All the contacts that Facebook has synchronized via the Messenger app are now displayed here. Click here on " Delete all " to remove the saved contacts.

Deactivate "Synchronize contacts"

After you have removed the contacts you have already imported from Facebook, you should now deactivate the "Synchronize contacts" function in your Messenger app. Otherwise, Facebook will syncronize your contacts again. To do this, follow our step-by-step instructions or take a look at the brief instructions ..

Note : The following guide was performed with an iPhone, but works the same way with Android.

1st step:

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Open the Facebook Messenger app on your smartphone and tap your profile picture on the start page .

2nd step:

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Now scroll in your account settings to the point " People " and tap on it.

3rd step:

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Turn off the Sync Contacts feature at the top . The switch should no longer be on "green", but on "white". Confirm the message window with " End synchronization ".

4th step:

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You will now be asked whether you want to remove the contacts that have already been synchronized. Confirm with " Remove ".

Quick guide: Delete contacts that have already been imported

  1. Log in to Facebook and open the following page: https://www.facebook.com/invite_history.php
  2. Click " Remove All Contacts " to delete your imported Facebook contacts.
  3. Then go to " Show the contacts you have uploaded to Messenger. "
  4. There you click on " Delete all " to remove the phone numbers of your contacts that have been synchronized via the Messenger app.

Quick guide: Deactivate "Synchronize contacts"

  1. Open the Facebook Messenger app on your smartphone and tap your profile picture .
  2. Then go to the entry "People".
  3. Deactivate the " Synchronize contacts " function with a tap on the switch and confirm with " End synchronization ".
  4. Then tap on " Remove " to delete all contacts that have already been saved.

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