Forum Discussion
Workaround: How to 'Delete A Category' in the People tab in New Outlook
Thanks Teresa_Cyrus
I have an "interesting" variant. A couple of weeks ago I tested the Phone Link app (with a device/mobile that's not fully compatible). When the apps (Outlook & Phone Link) paired a new Category named MyPhoneName (contacts synced by Link to Windows) was auto. created. Everything worked well but 1 thing that was probably due to my incompatible device
I bought a fully compatible (with Phone Link) device. Awaiting that new device I broke the link between the Phone Link app & Outlook and did exactly what you suggest
Unfortunately the MyPhoneName (contacts synced by Link to Windows) Category still shows up, even after uninstalling/reinstalling Outlook New. Also tried to get rid of it going to outlook.com with no luck (no Delete Category option there either)
Any advice will be more than welcome
Thanks
@L
I will try my best to assist you. I don't have Outlook.com to test it and be confident of my response.
With my MS365 plan, here are a couple of things to try. Read these steps first to ensure you are comfortable with implementing these steps.
1) Let's see if your mobile devices are listed in Outlook.
- Open Outlook | View Settings | General | Mobile Devices (noted in the red boxes)
- If your screen looks different from mine, type Mobile in the Settings Search Bar.
- Next, you will see a list of devices you are connected to—image 1.
- Click on an Outlook device, review the mobile device details, and close this screen. See Image 2.
Image 1
Image 2 - By the way, never share your Device ID. I am looking for the First and Last Sync dates and Device models, which usually help identify my phones.
2) From both your mobile devices, uninstall the app and restart both devices. This way, you are starting from scratch.
3) Open Outlook and navigate to the Mobile device page again (from Step 1). Please allow time for the apps to sync. Give it 5 minutes.
- If they were not listed before, you can skip this step.
- If you could see your devices on the list before, they should be removed.
- If they are still there, click the trash can icon to delete both mobile devices only. Close and reopen Outlook. (See image one and green box.)
4) In Outlook, navigate to your Contacts. Here is what I see for Categories on a Contact Profile. Press the X to remove the category. If you don't see the X, I am out of options.
5) Finally, install the Outlook Phone App to your new phone only from Google Play or the App Store. Here are the images to ensure you are downloading the proper app.
That's all I have for you. I hope this works for you, and enjoy your new phone.
If you find this information helpful, please mark it as the best response, which will assist others with the same question.
/Teresa
#traccreations4e
- LorenzoFeb 11, 2024Silver Contributor
If you don't mind and knows. What are the UniversalOutlook "device" supposed to do?
Asking as in trying to fix the problem on my own, I probably deleted one that I shouldn't have
- Teresa_CyrusFeb 12, 2024MVP
UniversalOutlook is details about other computers or tablets connected to your account. No worries. Once you launch the device, it will update here.
/Teresa
- LorenzoFeb 12, 2024Silver Contributor
OK, Thanks much again Teresa
(PC died an hour ago. Next update following last advice from Vince on the other thread will be in days in afraid...)
- LorenzoFeb 11, 2024Silver Contributor
Following the above notification I re-setup the Phone Link between the PC and the Mobile phone. The "old" MyPhoneName (contacts synced by Link to Windows) category has been auto. re-used and Contacts in that special Category currently show (as expected):
Awaiting clarifications from Vince R. (on https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook_com/forum/all/outlook-how-to-remove-category-created-by-phone/0aa82a48-99d2-497d-8fba-c0aa230b8374) who seem to have found a way to get rid of that special category when it's no longer in use (we'll keep you posted...)
- LorenzoFeb 11, 2024Silver Contributor
Hi Teresa_Cyrus
Highly appreciated. Unfortunately this didn't fix the issue 😞
- To be safe I waited > 15 mins at step #3
- I didn't get something like which wasn't a surprise as (I mentioned it earlier) I clicked the x for all contacts in Category MyPhoneName (contact synced by Link to Windows) a couple of days ago
Interestingly enough I got the following notification this morning:
I'll see how this develops & will keep you posted...
EDIT No idea why (site bug???), there's no Mark as best response link at the bottom of your post