Having someone’s profile picture or “DP” show up when they call you or text you can be a nice way to identify who is reaching out before you even look at the name. However, sometimes having their photo pop up isn’t ideal, and you’d rather just see the name without the picture there. Removing someone’s DP from showing up on your calls and texts is easy to do if you want to eliminate it.
Checking Your Phone Settings
The first thing to check is your general phone settings. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Phone > Show Contact Photos and toggle this off. This will remove DPs from showing up for all contacts when they call or text you. On Android, go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > Default Apps > Phone > Caller ID and photo, and toggle off Contact photo. Again, this turns off DPs from all contacts.
If you only want to remove the DP for specific people, you’ll have to edit each contact individually. Keep reading for instructions on that process.
Editing Individual Contacts on iPhone
To edit an individual iPhone contact’s info and remove their DP:
- Open the Phone app and tap Contacts at the bottom.
- Find the contact you want to edit in your contacts list and tap on their name.
- Tap Edit in the upper right corner.
- Tap the contact’s profile picture to remove it.
- Tap Done to save your changes.
Once you remove the photo, when that contact calls or texts you, their name will show up but no profile photo. You can always add the photo back later if you change your mind.
Editing Individual Contacts on Android
Here is how to edit a single Android contact to stop their DP from displaying:
- Open the Contacts app.
- Tap the contact you want to edit.
- Tap Edit contact in the upper right corner.
- Tap the contact’s profile picture to remove it.
- Tap SAVE in the top right corner.
As with iPhone, this will make that specific contact’s name appear without a DP when contacting you going forward. Add the photo back anytime if wanted.
Preventing Contact DP from Showing in Specific Apps
If you only want to stop a contact’s DP from showing up in certain apps, like WhatsApp or Messenger, you can do that too.
In WhatsApp:
- Open the chat with the contact.
- Tap their name at the top.
- Tap Media, links, and docs.
- Tap their profile photo and select Delete to remove it.
This eliminates their DP just for WhatsApp. They’ll still show up normally in your phone’s contacts and other apps.
Messenger
To remove someone’s DP in Facebook Messenger:
- Open your messages with that contact.
- Tap their name at the top of the chat.
- Tap Remove Photo.
Again, this only changes their DP within Messenger itself. Everywhere else remains unaffected.
Removing DP Using Contacts on Your Computer
If you prefer to manage your contacts on a computer, like through iCloud or Gmail, you can remove DPs that way too:
iCloud
- Go to iCloud.com and sign in.
- Click Contacts.
- Find the contact and click Edit.
- Click the photo icon to delete the picture.
- Click Done to save changes.
Gmail
- Open Gmail on your computer.
- Click Contacts on the left side.
- Open the contact you want to edit.
- Click the photo and select Remove photo.
- Click Save to finish.
Managing contacts online lets you remove DPs from multiple places at once, like both your iPhone and iPad.
Conclusion
Having someone’s DP show up on your calls and messages can be a nice touch, but occasionally you may want to remove it. Doing so is simple from your phone’s settings, by editing individual contacts, removing it in specific apps only, or using your computer’s contact management tools. With just a few taps, you can eliminate any contact’s photo from popping up when they reach out.
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Settings | – Turns off all DPs at once – Very quick |
– Disables all DPs, not just specific ones |
| Editing Contacts | – Target specific contacts – Change anytime |
– Must edit each one individually |
| Removing in Apps | – Only affects that app – Keeps DP in other places |
– Need to do separately in every app |
| Computer Contacts | – Edit multiple contacts at once – Syncs across devices |
– Requires computer access |
As you can see in the table above, each method of removing a contact’s DP has certain advantages and disadvantages. Using your overall phone settings is the fastest way, while editing individual contacts gives you the most precision. Find the option that makes the most sense for your needs.
At the end of the day, profile pictures are a minor component of your contacts. Don’t hesitate to remove DPs if you don’t want them showing up unnecessarily. With the steps outlined here, you can easily stop any contact’s photo from popping up on calls and messages whenever you want.
Managing your contacts and their associated photos is just one small part of setting up your phone to work for you. Optimizing your notifications, home screens, app layouts, and other settings can also help streamline your mobile experience. Don’t be afraid to customize things to match your preferences.
Your smartphone is a deeply personal device that is with you nearly everywhere you go. Setting it up in a way that fits your needs and style is important for making the most of this ever-present technology. Keep your contacts tidy by removing any DPs you don’t need. But don’t stop there—continue tweaking your phone to make it uniquely yours.
With billions of smartphones in the world, no two are exactly alike when it comes to their settings and configurations. Your device reflects your life and personality. Personalize it to help you use it more efficiently and make it feel like an extension of your daily rhythms and needs. Remove unnecessary DPs if you want—and keep customizing your phone in other beneficial ways as well.
In today’s modern world, we depend on our phones to stay connected, informed, entertained, and productive. Given how much time the average person spends on their smartphone, it pays to optimize the experience by tailoring it specifically for you. Eliminating unwanted DPs from your contacts is one of many modifications you can make.
Don’t settle for a generic, factory default smartphone. Take control and mold it into a tool that fits your lifestyle perfectly. Remove DP clutter, streamline your home screens, set up useful automations—the options are endless. With a personalized device in hand, you can make the most of each minute spent interacting with this incredible piece of technology.
Our phones are gateways to information, communication, services, and more. Make yours faster and more pleasant to use by taking charge of the details. Prune unnecessary profile pictures from your contacts, choose apps that serve your needs, and determine notification rules that work for you. Now is the time to make your phone the perfect match for your habits and preferences.
In our modern world, smartphones are inescapable. But they don’t have to be imposing, confusing, or chaotic. With a little effort, you can bend these devices to your will, removing anything undesirable and enhancing the features you value most. Contact DP clutter got you down? Banish it. Notifications a distracting deluge? Tame them. Your phone should work for you, not the other way around.
Take a few minutes today to think about how your smartphone could better serve you. Streamline contacts, experiment with automation, eliminate unused apps and widgets. Don’t settle for the generic out-of-the-box experience—customize. Personalize your smartphone and make it a tool tailored for your needs. Reclaim control and start enjoying this amazing technology on your own terms.
Smartphones offer us so much—let’s appreciate them while also guiding them to work perfectly for our lives. Take some time to remove bothersome DPs from your contacts and make other helpful tweaks. Your phone should be a seamless part of your routine, not a source of confusion or complication. With a few personalized touches, you can help this ever-present piece of technology fade into the background while still enabling you to seamlessly communicate, stay informed, be entertained, and more. Start improving your smartphone experience today.
In our modern world, smartphones have become essential tools we depend on every day. But they don’t have to be impersonal devices that frustrate or distract you. Take charge of your phone and customize it to match your lifestyle perfectly. Eliminate unwanted contact photos, streamline app layouts, adjust notifications to your liking. The power is at your fingertips—make your phone uniquely yours. Tailor it to help you be more connected, informed, productive, and entertained. Set yourself up for smartphone success by personalizing the device that’s with you wherever you go. Don’t settle for the default settings. Take control and optimize your mobile experience starting today.