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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:
Edwinstarrihavefaithinyou · 08/11/2025 17:17

PearlTeapot · 08/11/2025 17:11

I had a big clear out last summer and it felt great! There was a bit of me thinking 'but what if they contact me' and then I remembered that we don't speak now so it really doesn't matter.

I can't delete my dead friends though.

That something I can't bring myself to do either regarding dead friends.
It's a bit silly as their number is no longer required obviously.

PearlTeapot · 08/11/2025 17:11

I had a big clear out last summer and it felt great! There was a bit of me thinking 'but what if they contact me' and then I remembered that we don't speak now so it really doesn't matter.

I can't delete my dead friends though.

ThatKeenShaker · 08/11/2025 17:03

I don't think I"ve fallen out with many people so that's never been an issue 😂

LeavesTrees · 08/11/2025 16:58

I delete the numbers. I figure I only need the numbers in my phone if I contact them, if I haven’t in years then I get rid. If you haven’t heard from them in years, they are unlikely to suddenly remember you exist and contact you.

randomchap · 08/11/2025 16:56

Newsenmum · 08/11/2025 16:53

I don’t but only because I want to see them calling me as unlikely as that is

Same, I want to know it's them if they call.

estrogone · 08/11/2025 16:56

I have deleted all social media connections (I maintain empty Meta account because it's tied to my work). I also delete phone / WhatsApp messenger contacts of anybody I don't speak with regularly.

I wish I hadn't done it but I can't go back now.

Barcamug · 08/11/2025 16:56

I can't say there's a long lost of people ive fallen out with, but no, I'd always leave the possibiity there.

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.

Newsenmum · 08/11/2025 16:53

I don’t but only because I want to see them calling me as unlikely as that is

Devonmaid1844 · 08/11/2025 16:53

I delete old numbers every now and again, not in some big act, but just so I don't end up butt dialling someone I've not spoken to in 10 years 😂

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.)

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