This article began in 2019 after reports that Facebook had unintentionally collected contact data from some users during account verification. The old instructions are now obsolete: the privacy controls have moved into Accounts Center, and Facebook and Messenger need to be checked separately.
Stop new contact uploads
Open Facebook and go to Settings & privacy → Settings
Menu placement can vary slightly by device.
Open Accounts Center
Meta now groups many account-level controls here.
Choose Your information and permissions
This is where uploaded-contact controls live.
Open Upload contacts and select the Facebook account
If you use multiple accounts, make sure you are changing the correct one.
Turn off Continuous contacts upload
Meta says the setting must be turned off on each device where you use the Facebook app.
Turning off access is not always the same as deleting old uploads
Meta’s Help Center provides a Manage Uploaded Contacts page where Facebook contacts can be removed. On supported app flows, the contact-upload settings also expose management/deletion controls.
Check it too
Messenger has its own contact-upload setting
Turning off Facebook’s setting does not automatically disable Messenger contact uploading.
Messenger can remove uploaded contacts
Meta’s current help flow includes Manage contacts → Delete all contacts.
If uploading stays on, contacts can return
The source setting must be disabled on devices where you do not want future synchronization.
Repeat the check
A tablet or old phone can keep the upload process alive.
Do this while you are already in Settings
Check which apps have Contacts permission on the phone
Remove access from apps that do not need the address book.
Review Facebook and Messenger upload settings
Do not assume they match.
Delete previously uploaded contacts if you do not want them stored
Use Meta’s own management pages/settings.
Repeat on old devices
A device you rarely use can still retain an app configuration.
Recheck after major app redesigns
Privacy settings move; the principle should remain the same.
Stop the upload and remove the old copy — they are two different jobs
The 2019 version of this article focused on a Facebook controversy and menu paths that no longer exist.
The 2026 version is simpler: Accounts Center for Facebook, separate contact controls for Messenger, and explicit deletion if you want previously uploaded contacts removed.