How to remove duplicate contacts on Xiaomi Redmi 9T: the complete guide

Duplicate contacts on Xiaomi Redmi 9T — common problem that occurs after synchronization with multiple accounts, importing from SIM-The phone book is a mess, with the same names displayed by the same names. 2-3 And you have to choose from multiple, identical records when you call, and in this article, we'll look at all the possible causes of duplicates and suggest proven ways to remove them -- from embedded tools. MIUI third-party.

The peculiarity of Redmi 9T (codename lime) is that it runs on the basis of MIUI 12/13 with a shell over Android 10/11, where the algorithms for synchronizing contacts sometimes conflict with Google services, Mi Account or third-party messengers. For example, if you used WhatsApp or Viber before, these applications could create their own copies of contacts, which are now displayed separately.

Why do you have duplicate contacts on Xiaomi Redmi 9T

Before we start cleaning, it is important to understand the root of the problem, because duplicates are not accidental, they are due to specific user actions or system failures.

• 🔄 Sync with multiple accounts: if you add a Google account, Mi Account, and email account (e.g. Yandex or Mail.ru) to your phone, each of them can create its own copies of contacts.
• 📱 Imports from SIM-Cards: when transferring contacts from an old phone SIM Doubts are often created, especially if you’ve already synced the same numbers to the cloud.
• 🤖 Mistakes. MIUI: In some versions of the firmware for Redmi 9T There is a bug that causes contacts to WhatsApp/Telegram duplicated in the main telephone book.
• 🔄 Manual Addition: Users sometimes create copies without noticing it (e.g. when editing a number through a call).
• ☁️ Cloud Services Conflicts: If you’ve previously used iCloud (on your iPhone) or other cloud storage, backups may have been overlaid on your current contacts.

Interesting fact: Redmi 9T takes most often appear after updating MIUI to version 12.5+, because this firmware changed the algorithm for processing contacts from messengers. If you notice a problem after the update, it is not a coincidence.

⚠️ Warning: Before any manipulation of contacts, make sure to make a backup copy. MIUI This can be done through settings. → System and device → Backup → Local backup. If something goes wrong, you can restore the original data.

Method 1: Combining duplicates through the standard “Contacts” application

The easiest way is to use the built-in MIUI tools, which don't require any additional software to be installed, and they work even without an Internet connection.

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on the home screen).
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner and select Contact Management → Combine and fix.
3. The system will automatically scan the phone book and suggest a list of duplicate records, and there will be a "Unite" button opposite each contact.
4. Check what data will be saved (for example, if one take has an email and another has an additional number), and confirm the association.

This is a good way to do it for a small number of takes (up to 50 entries). If there are thousands of contacts, manually combining them will take too long. Also note that MIUI does not always correctly define takes, sometimes it suggests combining different people with the same names (for example, two Ivans).

Check backup.|Close all messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram)|Disable synchronization with clouds|Call important numbers (in case of an error)-->

If the Unite and Fix button is missing, update the Contacts app via Google Play or check the display settings:

Settings → Applications → Application Management → Contacts → Permissions

Make sure the app has access to contacts and storage.

Method 2: Remove duplicates through Google Contacts (if sync is enabled)

If your contacts are synced to your Google account, you can clear the duplicates right in the Google Contacts web version, which is more reliable than the built-in MIUI tools, because Google's algorithms are better at recognizing similar entries.

1. Open contacts.google.com on your computer or phone and log in with the same account as Redmi 9T.
2. In the left menu, select Dubbies (or Duplicate Duplicates in the new version of the interface).
3. Google will automatically find all the duplicate contacts and suggest that they be combined. Click Combine all or select specific entries manually.
4. After the combination, wait for the synchronization (usually takes 5-10 minutes) and check the result on the phone.

The advantage of this is centralized management, and all changes will apply to all devices that sync to this Google account, but beware: if you previously edited contacts directly on your phone, some data (such as photos attached) may not be saved to the cloud.

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Account to sync, disable it before working with Google Contacts to avoid conflicts. → Accounts. → Mi Account → Synchronization of contacts.

Method 3: Export and import contacts via VCF file

This is a method that works for a complete phone book rewriting, and it helps if the duplicates are due to a failure in the MIUI database.

1. Export all contacts to.vcf: Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/exports → Export to storage Select a folder (e.g. Downloads) and confirm export.
2. Connect Redmi 9T to your computer and copy the contacts.vcf file to your PC.
3. Open the file in a text editor (like Notepad++) and manually delete duplicate entries. Each contact in the file starts with BEGIN:VCARD and ends with END:VCARD.
4. Save the edited file and import it back to your phone: Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/exports → Import from the device

This method requires attention, but it is guaranteed to remove all duplicates. If you are not confident in your abilities, use specialized programs for editing VCF, such as VCF Editor or Contacts Optimizer.

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Before you edit the VCF file, make a copy of it, and if something goes wrong, you can return the original version.

Method 4: Third-party applications for cleaning contacts

If the built-in tools didn't work, we'll have specialized tools to help, and we've tested some of the popular apps and picked out the ones that work best on the Redmi 9T:

• 📱 Simpler Merge: automatically finds and merges duplicates, supports backup.The free version is limited to 50 contacts.
• 🔍 Contacts Optimizer: removes not only duplicates, but also empty / incorrect entries. There is a function of merging by phone number or email.
• ☁️ Cleanup: Duplicate Contacts: works with Google Contacts, offers cloud sync, and is suitable for users who have duplicates due to conflicts between accounts.

Example of Simpler Merge:

1. Install the app from Google Play and open it.
2. Press Scan for Duplicates and wait for the analysis to be completed.
3. You can see the list of duplicates you found, and the app will show you what data you're going to save after the merger.
4. Tap Merge All or select specific entries to merge.

Warning: Some apps (like Duplicate Contacts Remover) request access to SMS and call logs.This is not necessary to delete duplicates - opt out of such permissions so as not to risk privacy.

Method 5: Reset the settings of the Contacts app (extreme case)

If none of the methods worked, the problem may lie in the damaged settings of the Contacts app, in which case the factory reset (without removing the contacts themselves) will help.

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the “Contacts” list and tap on it.
3. Select Warehouse → Clear the data and confirm the action.
4. Reboot your phone. Once turned on, contacts will be restored from synchronized accounts (Google or Mi Account), but the local settings of the application will reset.

This method doesn't delete the contacts themselves, it just resets the cache and display settings, but after the reset, you'll have to reconfigure:

• Order of sorting (by name or surname).
• Display contacts from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram).
• Contact groups (e.g., “Favourites” or “Workers”).

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Account to sync, you may need to re-authorize after resetting the app. Make sure you remember the password from your Xiaomi account.

How to Prevent the appearance of doubles in the future

To prevent the problem from returning, follow these recommendations:

• 🔄 Turn off unnecessary synchronization: Go to Settings → Accounts and keep sync with only one cloud enabled (e.g., Google only or Mi Account only).
• 📱 Do not import contacts with SIM: This method is outdated and often leads to duplicates. VCF-file-sync.
• 🤖 Update. MIUI: new firmware versions fix contact bugs. Check the updates in Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.
• ☁️ Clean your contacts periodically: once in a while 2-3 Start checking for duplicates through Google Contacts or third-party apps for a month.

If you use instant messengers often, turn off automatic addition of contacts:

• WhatsApp: ⋮ → Settings → Account. → Confidentiality → Contacts (disable the option).
• In Telegram: Settings → Privacy → Contacts (select Nobody).

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Regular checks of contacts for doubles take 5 minutes, but saves hours on manual cleaning in the future.

FAQ: Frequent questions about the duplicate contacts on Xiaomi Redmi 9T