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

Duplicate contacts on Xiaomi Redmi 9 — common problem that occurs after synchronization with multiple accounts, importing from SIM-maps or malfunctions MIUI. The same person can appear in the phone book. 2-3 You can use multiple numbers, emails, messengers, and so you can find them and create chaos in the list, and in this article, we'll look at all the current ways to remove duplicates, from built-in tools to third-party utilities, and how to prevent them from appearing in the future.

The Redmi 9 (M2003J15SC, M2003J15SS, etc.) feature is that it automatically combines contacts from different sources (Google, MI-account, SIM), but sometimes does this incorrectly. For example, if a person has a number saved in WhatsApp and separately in the phone book, MIUI can create two different profiles instead of one. We tested all methods on MIUI 12-14 firmware and identified those that are guaranteed to work without data loss.

Why do you have double contacts on Xiaomi Redmi 9?

The reasons for the redmi 9’s duplicate contacts fall into two categories: synchronization errors and user actions.

• 🔄 Multiple syncs with one account (for example, when changing a device or restoring a backup copy).
• 📱 Import of contacts from SIM-maps where numbers are stored without reference to existing profiles.
• 🤖 Conflict between MI-Google and Google: Both services are trying to “glue” contacts in their own way.
• 📲 Installation of messengers (Telegram, Viber), which create their copies of contacts in the phone book.
• 🔧 Failures in work MIUI, especially after system updates or resetting.

It's important to understand that takeups can be not only explicit (completely identical records), but also hidden. For example, one contact is stored in a Google account and another in the device's memory. They look the same on the outside, but the system perceives them as different entities, which makes it difficult to manually delete, because when you try to erase one record, the second one remains.

Another common situation is that you're duplicating after you transfer data from another smartphone through Mi Mover or third-party utilities, in which the contacts are copied over and over and over, but don't replace them, and if you've recently switched from an iPhone or other Android device, you're about 100 percent likely to have duplicates.

Method 1: Connecting contacts through the standard MIUI application

The safest method is to use the built-in merger function in the Contacts app, which requires no additional software installation and works on all versions of MIUI for Redmi 9.

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Slip on three dots in the top right corner and select Contact Management.
3. Go to the "Connect" section (may be called "Find and combine duplicates").
4. Wait for the system to scan the phone book, and the duplicate records will be grouped together.
5. Click on the group of takes, select the main profile and confirm the merger.

If you do not have the option to Join Contacts, update the Contacts app via Google Play or check your display settings:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Contacts, tap three points and select Show Systems.
3. Update the app if a new version is available.

Create a backup copy of your contacts|Check the stability of the Internet connection|Close the background applications (WhatsApp, Telegram)|Turn off sync with MI-account during the procedure-->

An important nuance: when you merge, data from the takes is transferred to the main profile, but if they had unique fields (for example, an additional email or address), they can be lost. Before combining, check each take for unique information.

⚠️ Attention: If you are using MIUI 13+, When you combine contacts, you may need to reboot the device. In rare cases, the duplicates come back after sync, which is a firmware bug. Solution: Turn off automatic sync in Settings. → Accounts 10-15 minutes after the procedure.

Method 2: Delete duplicates through Google Contacts

If your contacts are synced to your Google account, it is easier to clear them through the web version of the service, which is suitable for users who are actively using Gmail or Google Workspace.

1. Open your browser on your PC or phone and go to contacts.google.com.
2. Sign in with the same account that is linked to Redmi 9.
3. On the left menu, select Doubles (a section may be called Merger and Correction).
4. The system will automatically find all the duplicate records. Press Combine all or select specific duplicates for manual merge.
5. Once completed, click More → Export to create a backup (.vcf format).

The advantage of this method is that it can be mass-assembled in a few clicks, but there are also disadvantages:

• 📵 Not all contacts can be displayed on Google (for example, those that are saved only on the Internet). SIM or in the memory of the device).
• 🔄 Changes will not apply immediately – synchronization with the phone can take up to 10 minutes.
• 🚫 If the doubles are created due to conflict MI-Google and Google accounts will have to be manually deleted.

After cleaning through Google Contacts, it is recommended to perform forced synchronization on Redmi 9:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Google.
2. Slip on your account and turn on the Contacts slider (if it is turned off).
3. Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Sync Now.

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If after synchronization the doubles returned, try to disable the synchronization with the MI-account in Settings → Accounts. → Xiaomi – Often conflict arises between two cloud services.

Method 3: Using Third-Party Applications

If the built-in MIUI or Google tools didn't work out, you can use specialized utilities. We tested 5 popular applications and selected the two most effective for Redmi 9:

Instructions for using Simpler Merge (recommended for Redmi 9):

1. Install the app from Google Play and open it.
2. Please provide access to your contacts (required!).
3. Press Scan for Duplicates and wait for analysis.
4. Look at the groups of takes. The app will show which fields match (number, name, email).
5. Choose Merge All or mark specific entries for the merger.
6. Confirm the action and wait until it's done. The app will suggest you back up -- you can agree.

Critical: Some applications (like Contacts Optimizer) can delete contacts without recovery. Always back up in.vcf format before using third-party utilities.

⚠️ Attention: Redmi 9s MIUI 12 and below, some contact cleaning applications may conflict with system services. If after installing the utility, the phone starts to brake or overheat, remove it and use another method.

Method 4: Manual removal of duplicates (for power users)

If you don't have enough duplicate contacts (up to 20 to 30), you can manually delete them, and this method requires care, but it guarantees the safety of all the data.

1. Open the Contacts app on Redmi 9.
2. Switch to three points → Settings → Show contacts.
3. Select All Contacts (to see records from all sources).
4. Scroll through the list and find the takes. Pay attention to the: 📞 Same phone numbers with different names. 👤 Same names with different numbers (maybe different people!). 📧 Repeated email or addresses.

Edit

To speed up the process, use contact search:

1. In the top line of the Contacts app, enter the name or take number.
2. The system will show all the matches. Compare them and leave only the current record.
3. Import contacts back: Open Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Import from the file. Select the previously saved.vcf file.

Google

Once reset, the duplicates should disappear, as you import the "clean" version of contacts. If the problem returns, then the duplication occurs at the cloud service level (Google or Google). MI-account. In this case:

• 🔗 Check Google Contacts for duplicates and manually remove them.
• 📱 For MI-Contact Xiaomi Support via Settings → The phone. → Revocation.

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Contact resets are a last resort, only if other methods have failed, and after the procedure, avoid syncing with multiple accounts at once.

How to Prevent the appearance of doubles in the future

To avoid the problem recurring, follow simple rules:

• 🔄 Sync with only one account (Google or Google) MI-Simultaneous synchronization with both services is the main reason for duplicates.
• 📱 Do not import contacts with SIM-If you already have a card in your phone book, use it. SIM backup storage only.
• 🤖 Turn off automatic messenger synchronization: WhatsApp: Settings → Account. → Synchronization of contacts (disable). In Telegram: Settings → Confidentiality → Contacts (select Not to sync).
• 📲 Check your contacts regularly for doubles (every 2-3 months).
• 🔧 Update. MIUI. In new versions of firmware, the algorithm of combining contacts is improved.

If you often move contacts between devices, use cloud services instead of local export/import.

• 📱 For Android devices: sync through Google Contacts.
• 🍎 To switch from iPhone: use iCloud → export → Google-import.

Redmi 9 also allows you to set up automatic contact backups:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Enable Automatic Backup and select Contacts.
3. Please indicate the frequency (we recommend weekly).

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you delete duplicates, users often face typical problems, and we've collected the most common ways to solve them:

If none of these methods worked, maybe the problem is that the contact database is damaged.

1. Make a backup copy through Contacts → Export.
2. Delete the data of the Contacts and Contacts Store application in Settings → Applications.
3. Reset the device.
4. Import contacts back from the.vcf file.

If that doesn't work, the last option is to reset the phone to factory settings, but you should only use it as a last resort, because it will delete all the data from the device.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions