Hide Recent Contacts on iPhone App Switcher

iOS8 App Switcher Contact Visibility Control

The iOS8 operating system introduced a new feature within the app switcher – accessed by double-pressing the Home button – designed for quick access to contacts. However, this addition hasn't been universally welcomed by users.

If you prefer to maintain privacy or simply wish to revert to the previous experience, it's straightforward to disable the display of frequently contacted individuals in this view through your device’s settings.

Understanding the Change

For clarity, consider the visual difference before and after adjusting this setting. The initial view, as seen on the left, showcases both Favorite and Recent contacts prominently.

Conversely, the right-hand side demonstrates the app switcher’s appearance after modification, mirroring the functionality present in iOS7, where these contacts were not displayed.

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How to Disable Contact Display

To adjust this preference, navigate to the Settings application on your iPhone. Then, select the “Mail, Contacts, Calendars” option.

Within this section, locate and tap on the “Show in App Switcher” setting to access the relevant controls.

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This panel allows you to easily enable or disable the visibility of recent contacts within the app switcher. A simple toggle switch controls this functionality.

By adjusting this setting, you can customize the app switcher to better suit your privacy preferences and workflow.