Along with iOS 8, Apple introduced a new feature in the App Switcher that allows you to have quick access to your recently contacted contacts, as well as your favorite contacts. In essence, this is a great feature that can save you time, but it arguably also is a feature that has nothing to do in the App Switcher to begin with. What if you only want to see your favorites in there? Or what if you don’t want to see any contact at all in the App Switcher? There is a solution.
In this post, we’ll show you how to select what kind of contacts you want to show in the App Switcher (favorites and/or recents) or how to hide these contacts altogether.
How to select what kind of contacts to show in the App Switcher
Maybe you don’t want to see your recent contacts in the App Switcher. Or maybe you don’t want to see your favorites and just leave room for recents. This is how to edit the settings and choose exactly what sort of contacts you want in there.
Step 1: Go to Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars.
Step 2: Scroll down to the Contacts section.
Step 3: Select Show in App Switcher.
Step 4: If you only want your favorites to show in the App Switcher, turn off Recents, or vice versa.
Note that this is as much customization liberty as you’ll get. Apple doesn’t allow you to designate specific contacts to show in the App Switcher.
How to hide contacts in the App Switcher
Now maybe you think having contacts in the App Switcher doesn’t really make sense or doesn’t save you time. If that is the case, this is how to remove contacts from the App Switcher.
Step 1: Go to Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars.
Step 2: Scroll down to the Contacts section.
Step 3: Tap on Show in App Switcher.
Step 4: Turn off both iPhone Favorites and Recents.
The changes will take place immediately.
Of course, if you change your mind, you can always come back to the Settings app and turn Recents and/or Favorites on.
What’s your set up? Do you have both recent and favorite contacts showing? Just one of those? None? Share with us.