How to batch remove custom labels from iOS AddressBook programmatically?

Question

I want to batch remove custom labels from AddressBook programmatically. But there are no public API. Any one have better resolve, thanks!

Answer 1

Assuming you're talking about the labels associated with the emails, phones, and addresses, you would presumably

1. Use the AddressBook.framework;
2. Get a list of the contacts (e.g. ABAddressBookCopyArrayOfAllPeople);
3. Iterate through the contacts;
4. Use ABRecordCopyValue to get the ABMultiValueRef associated with multivalue properties you're interested in (e.g., possibly kABPersonEmailProperty, kABPersonAddressProperty and/or the kABPersonPhoneProperty).
5. Use ABMultiValueGetCount to get the count of the labels;
6. Use ABMultiValueCopyLabelAtIndex to get the actual labels;
7. Compare those labels against kABHomeLabel, kABWorkLabel, and kABOtherLabel; and
8. If the label doesn't match, do whatever you want with that record's particular multivalue label.

For more information, see Address Book Programming Guide for iOS: Direct Interaction: Programmatically Accessing the Database as well as the Address Book Framework Reference for iOS.