How to Delete Call History on Your iPhone: A Handy Step-by-Step Guide

Permanently Removing Your Call History from Your iPhone

So, if your call log is looking a bit cluttered or you’re concerned about privacy, clearing those calls on your iPhone is pretty simple. Just open the Phone app, tap on ‘Recents’, and decide whether to delete individual calls or clear everything at once. It’s all about keeping your personal info secure and tidying up your device.

Easy Steps to Erase Your Call Records

Clearing your call history is a smart move for better organisation and extra privacy. Here’s a straightforward way to do it.

Start with the Phone App

First, find the Phone icon on your home screen. Tap on it — it’s basically the hub for all your call activity.
If you’re having trouble locating it or want to save time, try using Spotlight Search:

Swipe down from the middle of your Home Screen.
Type Phone and tap the icon when it appears.

Access ‘Recents’

When the Phone app opens, tap on ‘Recents’ at the bottom. This is where all your recent calls — incoming, outgoing, missed — are listed.
Depending on your layout, you might just need to tap the ‘Recents’ icon directly from the bottom menu.

Enter Editing Mode

To delete calls, tap ‘Edit’ in the top right corner. This will show red minus signs next to each call, giving you the option to delete.
Quick tip: If you’re on iOS 13 or newer, you can swipe left on a specific call to delete it right away, without needing to enter edit mode.

Removing Individual Calls

Want to delete specific calls? Tap the red minus icon next to the call you want gone, then confirm with ‘Delete’.
Or, for quicker deletion, swipe left on the call and tap ‘Delete’.
Swipe left on call > Tap ‘Delete’.

Clear All Call Logs at Once

Feeling cheeky? If you want to wipe all your call history, tap ‘Clear’ in the top left corner, then confirm with ‘Clear All Recents’.
> Heads up: Sometimes, the ‘Clear’ option isn’t so obvious. If you don’t see it, tap Edit first and look there.
> For a fun workaround, some folks try swiping up from the bottom of the list with three fingers — it’s a bit trial-and-error, but it can sometimes clear everything in a flash.

And just like that, either part of your call history or the whole lot will be wiped clean, helping keep things neat and your privacy intact. The ‘Recents’ tab should update immediately to show the changes.

Tips for Managing Your Call History

Keeping tabs on your call log isn’t just about deleting — it’s also good for privacy. It’s a smart idea to back up your call data before deleting, just in case you want to recover those numbers later.
Use iCloud or iTunes for backups:

Connect your iPhone to your computer.
Open iTunes (Windows or macOS Mojave and earlier) or Finder (macOS Catalina+).
Select your device and tap Back Up Now.

There are also third-party tools available if you prefer, but be cautious and choose reputable options.
If you’re running iOS 14 or later, you can also check out Screen Time settings under Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions to control app access to your call history.

Common Questions About Managing Call History

Can deleted call logs be recovered?

Generally, once you delete them, they’re gone — unless you’ve backed up your data via iCloud or iTunes. If you have a backup, restoring from it could bring those calls back.
To restore from a backup:

Go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
Follow the setup instructions and choose Restore from iCloud Backup or Restore from Mac/PC.

Is it possible to delete individual calls?

Absolutely. Just swipe left on any call listed in ‘Recents’ and tap the ‘Delete’ button. Or, go into Edit mode to see the red minus signs and delete calls selectively.
Swipe left on call > Tap ‘Delete’.

Will deleting call logs slow down my iPhone?

No, deleting call logs won’t affect your device’s performance. It’s just a tidy-up move with no downsides.

Can I delete only specific types of calls, like missed calls?

Not directly. You’ll need to delete calls one by one or wipe all at once, as there’s no filtering option. Calls can be distinguished by small icons indicating incoming, outgoing, or missed.

Is there a way to hide call history from prying eyes?

In iOS, there isn’t a straightforward way to hide specific call logs. You can delete or leave them visible, but hiding requires third-party apps, which often come with security risks. Be cautious if you choose to explore those options.

Quick Summary of How to Clear Your Call History

Open the Phone app from your Home Screen or via Spotlight Search.
Go to the ‘Recents’ tab to view your call list.
Tap ‘Edit’ to enter delete mode.
Select calls to delete or tap ‘Clear’ for a full wipe.
Confirm your choices and keep your call history tidy.

A Few Final Tips on Clearing Your Call Records

Managing your call history regularly is key for your privacy and keeping your device organised. Deleting calls prevents others from seeing your recent activity, especially if someone else uses your phone. Combine this with security features like Face ID or Passcode for added protection.
Remember, once you delete calls, it’s a permanent change — double-check before confirming. Staying safe also means managing app permissions and keeping your system updated with the latest security patches.