Phone numbers, emails, and addresses change, and keeping your contacts current saves you from texting the wrong number. On an iPhone 7 you can edit any contact from the Contacts app or from the Contacts tab in the Phone app; the changes sync to other devices that use the same account.
Quick Answer
Open Contacts, tap the person, tap Edit in the top-right corner, change the details, and tap Done.
How to Edit a Contact on an iPhone 7
- Open the Contacts app, or open Phone and tap Contacts.
- Search for and tap the person you want to update.
- Tap Edit in the top-right corner.
- Tap any field to change it, tap the red minus to remove a field, or tap add phone, add email, or add address for new details.
- Tap Done to save.
What You Can Edit
| Field | Notes |
|---|---|
| Name and company | Changes how the contact appears in lists |
| Phone and email | Add several, each with a label |
| Photo | Tap Add Photo or Edit under the picture |
| Delete Contact | At the very bottom of the edit screen |
Troubleshooting
- Edit is missing: the contact may come from a read-only account or a directory. Check Settings, Contacts, Default Account.
- Changes do not show on other devices: make sure Contacts sync is on for that account in Settings.
- To open a contact file on a PC, see how to open a VCF file in Windows 10.
- Once the number is right, you can schedule a message to send later on newer iOS versions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I undo an edit?
Not directly. Tap Cancel before Done to discard changes; after saving, you need to edit again.
Will editing a contact change it in Messages?
Yes. Messages, Phone, and Mail all read from the same contact card.
How do I merge duplicate contacts?
Open one card, tap Edit, scroll down to link contacts, and choose the duplicate.
Summary
- Open Contacts and tap the person.
- Tap Edit.
- Change or add details.
- Tap Done.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.