How to Remove Recent Contacts from the App Switcher in iOS 8

One of the latest additions aiming to help you easily call and text your loved ones in iOS 8 is the recent contacts bar in the app switcher. When you double-press the Home button to switch apps, you’ll see your most recent contacts (and any contacts you’ve set as favorites) on the top of your screen and you can then tap on them to either call them, send them a message, or email them. It’s pretty convenient if we’re honest.

While this definitely helps you save time that you’d otherwise spend looking into your contacts app, it isn’t liked by everyone. Maybe you don’t want your friends to know who you call or text the most, or maybe you just don’t like this feature because you hate having to look at your friend’s faces when you just want to switch apps. Whatever the reason, here’s how you can disable it on your device:

1. Tap on Settings.

2. Scroll half-way down and tap on the option that says Mail, Contacts, Calendars.

3. Scroll all the way down until you see the Show In App Switcher option (it should be listed under Contacts heading). Tap on it.

4. Tap on the switches for both Phone Favorites and Recents (both of these will then be disabled).

And there you go. Your most recent contacts will no longer show up in the app switcher. To confirm that it worked, just double-press the Home button and you’ll see that there’re no contacts on the top that were there previously.

Don’t forget to check out our iOS How To’s section to learn more tips and tricks for your iPhone.