How to Clean the Call Log on Xiaomi Phone: From Standard Methods to Hidden MIUI Features

Why Cleaning the Call Log on Xiaomi Needs a Special Approach

Unlike the naked Android devices, MIUI integrates history with Mi Account cloud services, duplicates data in the Contacts app, and can even save deleted entries in hidden cache for up to 30 days, meaning that the standard "Clear All" tap on the phone menu often doesn't work as the user expects.

If you’ve ever tried to erase a particular number or massively delete calls over a long period, you’ve probably encountered a situation where, after cleaning, records suddenly “return” after a few hours, this is due to synchronization with Mi Cloud or backups created by system applications. In this article, we’ll look at all possible ways, from basic to advanced, including those that are not documented in the official Xiaomi Help.

Particular attention will be paid to models with MIUI 14 and later (including Redmi Note 12, POCO F5, Xiaomi 13T), where the logic of the magazine has changed due to stricter privacy policies. For example, in recent versions of the firmware, the feature “Secure calls” has been introduced, which blocks the deletion of certain records without additional authentication.

Method 1: Standard cleaning through the application "Phone"

So, to start with the most obvious method, which is suitable for most users, it removes calls locally, but it doesn't affect data in the Mi Cloud, and if sync is enabled, records can be restored the next time you connect to the Internet.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Phone app (the tube icon on the home screen).
• ⚙️ Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Choose the Call log.
• 🗑️ Touch the basket icon (or "Delete") in the top panel.
• 🔘 Check the required records or click Select all.
• 🗂️ Confirm the action with the Remove button (some models will require a password / pattern lock input).

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 13+ After mass deletion, the system may suggest backing up before cleaning, and if you agree, all "erased" calls will be archived along the way. /MIUI/backup/CallLog/ and will be available for recovery through Settings → Memory. → Backup copies.

Disable sync with Mi Cloud| Check /MIUI/backup for old copies | Make sure important numbers are saved in Contacts | Close all background apps (especially messengers)

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Method 2: Remove via System Settings (for MIUI 12 and older)

This method allows you to clear the call log without opening the Phone application, which is convenient if you have a custom shell or removed the tube icon from your desktop, and you can also control synchronization with the cloud.

Step-by-step:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. In the search bar, enter the Phone and select the system application.
3. Slip on Memory and Cache → Memory Management.
4. Select Clear Data (this will delete the entire history, including the app settings).
5. To selectively delete, go back a step and click the Call Log → mark the required entries.

🔍 Important: On some models (Redmi 10, POCO X3 Pro) after cleaning through Settings, the Google account may be reset to the Phone application. To avoid this, turn off automatic sync in Settings before the procedure. → Accounts. → Google.

Method 3: Mass deletion through file manager (for power users)

If standard methods fail, you can manually delete the database files where the calls are stored, which requires root rights or ADB, but is guaranteed to erase all traces, including hidden records from system applications.

Algorithm of action:

1. Install a file manager with access to the root folder (such as MiXplorer or Root Explorer).
2. Go to /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db
3. Make a backup copy of the file contacts2.db (copy it to SD-map).
4. Delete the original file or edit it with the help of SQL-editor (e.g., SQLite Editor) by executing the command: DELETE FROM calls;
5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect file editing contacts2.db If the Contacts app stops working after the reboot, restore the file backup and repeat the procedure using specialized utilities like Call Logs Cleaner.

Once a week | Once a month | Only when necessary | Never clean | I don't know what's stored there.

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Method 4: Disable synchronization with Mi Cloud before cleaning

One of the most common reasons for remote calls to come back is automatic sync with Xiaomi's cloud, and even if you cleaned the log locally, the next time you connect to the Internet, the records can be restored, and to avoid that, you have to pause sync before and after cleaning.

How to do this:

• 🌐 Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account.
• 🔄 Click on Data Sync and turn off the slider next to the Call log.
• 📱 Return to the Phone app and clean the log in any of the ways described above.
• 🔒 Wait 5-10 minutes (for changes to apply) and then turn the sync back on.

📌 Useful tip: If you want to permanently prevent Mi Cloud from saving your call history, after you turn off sync, go to Settings → Confidentiality → Special permits → Auto-run and disable the Mi Cloud application from automatically running.This will prevent background synchronization.

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Create an empty Mi Cloud account specifically for backups if you don’t want to store real data in the cloud, sign up for a new account, log in on your phone, and then immediately turn off syncing the call log.

Method 5: Reset the settings of the "Phone" application (radical method)

If previous methods didn't work, you can reset the phone app completely, and that will bring it back to factory status by removing all call history, call settings, even personalized tunes, and it works without root rights, but requires reconfiguration of the app.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Phone app (or com.android.dialer in the list of all apps).
3. Press Warehouse. → Clear all data.
4. Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter a password from your Mi Account).
5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: Some models (Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi) K50) Once reset, the phone application may no longer be defined as a system application:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and tap 7 times to activate the developer mode.
2. Return to “Settings → Additional → For Developers” and turn on the option Reset Application Rights.
3. Once again, clean the data for the "Phone" application.

Comparison of Call Log Cleaning Methods on Xiaomi

🔍 Conclusion: For most users, the best solution is to combine the sync disablement with the Mi Cloud. + If you want to permanently remove all traces (for example, before selling a phone), you should use database editing or a complete reset of the application.

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On devices with MIUI 14+, after cleaning the call log, it is recommended to additionally go to Settings → Privacy → Activity Logs and manually delete the call records, as they can be duplicated in the system log.

Frequently asked questions