Finding irrelevant contacts popping up in your Messenger “Suggested” list can be frustrating. While you can’t entirely disable the feature, there are ways to manage it and remove specific suggestions on your iPhone. 

This guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.

Understanding Suggested Lists on Messenger

Messenger’s “Suggested” list aims to connect you with people you might know based on various circumstances and factors, such as:

  • Your Facebook friends: People you haven’t messaged yet but share mutual friends with.
  • Phone contacts: Individuals from your phonebook who are also on Facebook (if you’ve uploaded your contacts).
  • Search history: People you’ve recently searched for on Messenger.

While the feature can be helpful in reconnecting with lost acquaintances, it can also show irrelevant or unwanted suggestions.

Easy Methods to Remove Suggested Lists on Messenger for iPhone

Here are several strategies, using which you get to manage and remove suggested contacts on Messenger for iPhone:

1. Turn Off Contact Uploads

This process prevents future phonebook contacts from being uploaded and appearing in suggestions.

  • First, open Messenger, and in the top left corner, tap your profile picture.
  • Next, you have to scroll down and tap the “Settings” option.
  • Now, select the “Phone Contacts” option and toggle off “Upload Contacts”.

This prevents future phonebook contacts from being uploaded and appearing in suggestions.

2. Manage Uploaded Contacts

Before you proceed, remember, that this also removes them from Messenger search results.

  • To initiate, you have to follow steps 1 and 2 from the previous method.
  • Next, tap “Manage Contacts”.
  • Finally, select “Delete All Contacts” to wipe the uploaded list.

3. Delete Contacts to Prevent them from Being Suggested

Deleting a contact from your phonebook also removes them from Messenger suggestions.

  • First, open your iPhone’s Contacts app.
  • Next, look for the contact you want to remove and tap edit.
  • Finally, scroll down and tap “Delete Contact.”

Remove Someone from Suggested on Messenger for Android

While the specific steps differ slightly, the overall approach for Android is similar:

1. Disable Contact Uploads

  • Open Messenger and tap your profile picture.
  • Scroll down and tap “Settings.”
  • Select “People” and then “Sync Contacts.”
  • Toggle off “Sync Contacts.”

2. Delete Uploaded Contacts

Remember, deleting a contact from your phonebook also removes them from Messenger suggestions.

  • To begin with, you have to follow steps 1 and 2 mentioned in the previous method.
  • Tap “Manage synced contacts.”
  • Select the contact you want to remove and tap “Remove.”

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively manage and remove unwanted suggestions from your Messenger “Suggested” list on both iPhone and Android. Remember, these methods address individual suggestions, not the entire feature itself. However, they provide control over who appears on your list, ensuring a more streamlined and relevant messaging experience.