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Original poster

Do you delete the numbers of old friends you’ve fallen out with or don’t see yourself speaking to again?

36 replies

MerryPinkCritic · 08/11/2025 16:48

I’ve been going through my contacts and realised how many people I no longer speak to - friends I’ve drifted from, people I’ve fallen out with or those I just know deep down I’ll never reconnect with. Part of me thinks, why keep their number? It’s not like we’re in touch and it feels a bit weird having all these digital ghosts in my phone. But the other part wonders if it’s petty or final to delete them. What if we reconnect someday? What if it’s just part of life to have a trail of past people?

So do you delete old contacts or keep them out of sentiment, habit or just in case?

OP posts:
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TheTortiePuffinNeedsHerBreakfast · 09/11/2025 07:40

I delete old work contacts from years ago, or acquaintances from expired common interests, eg so-and-so's mum from a hobby my DD no longer does. I've never fallen out with a friend seriously enough to consider deleting their number, and I do keep numbers of friends I just haven't spoken to in a while.

Standingtree · 09/11/2025 07:33

NotForTheMoneyandNotForTheApplause · 08/11/2025 17:42

Why? Does your phone have a limited number of contacts allowed?

Show quote history

Just an act of tidying up, really.If you actually have fallen out with people clear it all out then you won't think of them when you scroll through.

Needspaceforlego · 08/11/2025 21:30

BlueIndigoScarlet · 08/11/2025 19:28

I’ve never fallen out with anyone as an adult but I do have a number of friendships that have drifted over time.

I don’t delete their numbers.

Recently someone from a previous friendship group got in touch with us regarding a funeral for a mutual old friend - we were pleased they were still able to reach out to us.

I've done that too got intouch with an old friend to let them know a mutual old friend had passed away.

Old friend is still in my phone.

BlueIndigoScarlet · 08/11/2025 19:28

I’ve never fallen out with anyone as an adult but I do have a number of friendships that have drifted over time.

I don’t delete their numbers.

Recently someone from a previous friendship group got in touch with us regarding a funeral for a mutual old friend - we were pleased they were still able to reach out to us.

NotForTheMoneyandNotForTheApplause · 08/11/2025 19:23

shhblackbag · 08/11/2025 18:48

What would it matter? If I haven't heard from someone for say a year, why would I want or need to text them or speak to them agai? If someone I used to know really need to find me for some reason, they would know what social media I have and could try there. I don't block people.

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I meant that the people calling you are old friends but you don't know the numbers because you've deleted them

We're all different but it seems weird to me that you wouldn't want to speak to someone simply because you hadn't heard from them for a year, I can't imagine having a friend cut off. In my life catching up with a friend you've lost touch with is a nice thing to do

shhblackbag · 08/11/2025 18:48

NotForTheMoneyandNotForTheApplause · 08/11/2025 17:56

Do you think the two things might be connected😂

Show quote history

What would it matter? If I haven't heard from someone for say a year, why would I want or need to text them or speak to them agai? If someone I used to know really need to find me for some reason, they would know what social media I have and could try there. I don't block people.

AsMyWhimsy · 08/11/2025 18:09

I’m struggling to think of anyone I’ve fallen out with. The only people I delete tend to be colleagues from old jobs I don’t stay in touch with, or windowcleaners from a country I no longer live in, stuff like that.

RuncibleSpoons · 08/11/2025 18:07

I have never fallen out with a friend, so not an issue there.

I did recently delete school mums from back in the day when everyone shared their numbers before the holidays. I haven’t seen some of them for years.

Brightbluesomething · 08/11/2025 18:05

I don’t think I’ve ever deleted a number. I’ve blocked plenty! But that’s when I don’t want to hear from them.
One person told me they’ve deleted my number but I know that was designed to cause upset. But it didn’t work.
I see no reason to spend my time sorting phone contacts.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 08/11/2025 18:03

I do delete numbers - something about a cleanse xx

MoominMai · 08/11/2025 18:00

If it’s been approx 5 years since any contact and it’s apparent neither one of us for whatever reason wants to put effort into maintaining the friendship then I’ll delete with no qualms.

NotForTheMoneyandNotForTheApplause · 08/11/2025 17:56

shhblackbag · 08/11/2025 17:48

Yes. I also don't answer unknown numbers.

Do you think the two things might be connected😂

Needspaceforlego · 08/11/2025 17:51

I delete acquantices and people like Ryans Mum, DS primary school pal.

But I cannot bring myself to delete a couple of dead friends.

RatsAss · 08/11/2025 17:51

I block and delete as I’ve no wish to speak to them again and want to make sure they can’t contact me.

shhblackbag · 08/11/2025 17:48

Yes. I also don't answer unknown numbers.

FlatErica · 08/11/2025 17:45

Of course I delete them!

NotForTheMoneyandNotForTheApplause · 08/11/2025 17:42

Standingtree · 08/11/2025 16:51

You should defintely clear up you phone, get rid of contacts you no longer want or need.
(I also need to do this by the way.)

Why? Does your phone have a limited number of contacts allowed?

cariadlet · 08/11/2025 17:40

I've never fallen out with anyone but there are plenty of friends that I've drifted away from and people in my contact list that I'm no longer in contact with (eg fellow mums from dd's school or clubs when she was younger).

I've never thought to delete the contacts. They're saved to my gmail account and don't take up loads of room on the phone. They don't make it harder to find current contacts. If I'm scrolling through to look for someone and come across a name of someone I used to be in contact with, it can bring back nice memories.

Netcurtainnelly · 08/11/2025 17:37

No I haven't.

Edwinstarrihavefaithinyou · 08/11/2025 17:35

Flipthrfhxsd · 08/11/2025 17:31

I just change their contact names to cheer me up

ie
Lier Lier pants on fire (self explanatory)
provident (owes me money 😆)
fruit loop

Oh I couldn't do that I'd end up saying Hi liar.
I done it with a customer his surname was Dover ,all week we had been joking about Ben.
Yip on call to confirm his order..HI Ben..oops.

gamerchick · 08/11/2025 17:34

Eastie77Returns · 08/11/2025 16:55

Personally I keep them so that if they randomly contact me one day I know who it is and can ignore the call if needed. I hate getting calls from unknown numbers. There are former friends/acquaintances whose numbers I have blocked so this doesn’t relate to them.

Yep

MouseCheese87 · 08/11/2025 17:33

After a while, yes.

Flipthrfhxsd · 08/11/2025 17:31

I just change their contact names to cheer me up

ie
Lier Lier pants on fire (self explanatory)
provident (owes me money 😆)
fruit loop

BreakfastOfChampignons · 08/11/2025 17:25

I don't think I've ever deleted a number from my phone. I still have my midwifes phone number (from almost 8 years ago), the guy who catered my wedding (10 years ago), and the amount of times I've almost accidentally called the coroner who dealt with my mums death 5 years ago instead of my manager who has the same name is unreal.

I also have in excess of 46,000 emails. Judge away 🤣

MatildaTheCat · 08/11/2025 17:20

I definitely can’t delete dead friends. I’ve only ever really fallen out with one person and even then we have very occasionally been in touch. I do sometimes go through and delete names when I have absolutely no recollection of who they are!