How to remove contact with SIM-Xiaomi Redmi cards: all working methods

Removal of contacts with SIM-Xiaomi Redmi cards often raise questions from users, unlike the phone’s internal memory, where contacts are synchronized with a Google or Mi Account account, SIM-The card stores the numbers in an isolated format, which means that standard contact editing methods may not work. In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to remove contacts from the contact information. SIM-Maps on Redmi Note devices 12/11/10, Redmi 13C/12C, Redmi A2/A1 and other models under control MIUI 14/13/12.

Feature of working with SIM-Contacts on Xiaomi is the limitations of the SIM card itself: most operators (MTS, Beeline, Tele2, MegaFon) block the possibility of mass removal or editing through standard menus. But there are workarounds, from manual removal through the Contacts app to the engineering menu, and we tested all of these methods on the actual firmware and collected only the working solutions.

Why you can’t remove contact with SIM-standard-model?

Many users are faced with a situation where, when trying to remove contact with the SIM-The contact app will send a notification saying "Can't be deleted: contact is protected" or the deletion button is simply inactive:

• 🔒 Operator restrictions: some SIM-cards (especially the old model) block editing contacts at the card firmware level.
• 📱 Features MIUI: In some versions of the shell, the removal function SIM-Contacts are hidden in deep settings.
• 🔄 Synchronization conflict: if the contact is duplicated in the internal memory and on the SIM-The system can block changes to the map.
• 🛠️ Data Damage: Incorrect Import/Export Contacts SIM-The card can go to "read only" mode".

It is important to understand that SIM-A card is a separate storage facility with a limited amount of storage (typically up to 250 contacts) and unlike cloud services, there is no function to restore deleted numbers.

Method 1: Delete via the standard Contacts app

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Contacts app (or Contacts in global firmware), but the interface may vary depending on the version of MIUI.

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. At the top of the screen, tap three points (⋮) and select "Contact Management" or "Settings".
3. Go to the section "Import / Export" → "Show contacts SIM" (In some cases, the item is called “Contacts”. SIM-map").
4. Choose the desired contact with a long press, then tap on the basket icon (🗑️) or paragraph “Delete".

If the delete button is inactive, try an alternative path:

Contacts → Three points (⋮) → "Settings" → "Contact Display" → Select "SIM" → Long-term contact press → Delete

Check the balance. SIM-cards (some operators block functions at zero balance)

Make sure that SIM-The card is inserted into slot 1 (on some Redmi models, functions are only available for the main slot)

Disable sync with Google/Mi Account to avoid conflicts

Make a backup of contacts through "Import / Export"-->

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 12 and below the removal function SIM-The contact may be hidden if you don't see the item "Show contacts" SIM", proceed to the next method.

Method 2: Use of an engineering menu (for advanced users)

If the standard methods do not work, you can use the Xiaomi engineering menu, which requires caution, as incorrect actions can lead to network failures.

1. Open the Phone app and type the combination: ##4636## This will open the testing menu.
2. Go to the "Phone Information" section.
3. Scroll down to the "SIM Management" or "SIM Management" block.
4. Choose yours. SIM-map, "SIM 1").
5. Slip on "Contact Management" or "Edit SIM Contacts".
6. Make the right contact and press "Delete".

On some Redmi models (such as the Redmi Note 10 Pro), the engineering menu may not display the contact management option, in which case, try the alternative code:

##83781##

Method 3: Remove through settings SIM-card MIUI

In the latest versions MIUI (13 and above) a separate section for management has been created SIM-Contacts, to get there:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose yours. SIM-map, "SIM 1 (MTS)").
3. Put it on "Contacts." SIM-"card "SIM Contacts".
4. With a long press, select the contact(s) and press "Delete" (basket icon).

If there is no removal option in this menu, try the following trick:

• 🔄 Reboot the phone with the retrieved one SIM-with a card, then insert it back in.
• 📱 Install. SIM-Card to another slot (if you have a dual-SIM model).
• 🔧 Update the firmware to the latest version (in) MIUI 14 bugs with SIM-contact-corrected).

Method 4: Use ADB-Teams (for experienced users)

If none of the previous methods worked, you can try to delete contacts from the SIM-Maps via Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method requires connecting the phone to a computer and basic knowledge of working with the command line.

Instructions:

1. Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI Version (tap 7 times) Then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers and activate “Debugging by USB”.
2. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
3. Open the command line (Windows) or the terminal (macOS/Linux) and type: adb shell content query --uri content://com.android.contacts/simcontacts --where "display_name='Replace the name of the document with a real name (for example, display_name='Ivan Ivanovo').
4. Find the id field in the output is the contact ID. Then execute the deletion command: content delete. --uri content://com.android.contacts/simcontacts --where "_id=ID_CONTACT"

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause data loss or phone malfunctions. MIUI 14 and newer access to SIM-contact ADB It may be limited by Xiaomi’s security policies.

adb shell content delete --uri content://com.android.contacts/simcontacts

This team will delete all contacts with SIM-Use the cards with caution!-->

Method 5: Alternative management applications SIM-contact

If the built-in MIUI tools don't work, you can use third-party apps from Google Play, and we tested a few solutions and selected the most reliable ones:

• 📱 SIM Card Manager (from SimCardTools) – allows you to view, edit and delete contacts with your computer. SIM-cards, even if they are locked in the standard interface.
• 🔧 SIM Contacts Backup – in addition to backup, can delete contacts batchwise (available in the premium version).
• 🔄 Copy to SIM Card – useful if you need to transfer contacts from the phone to the phone SIM before deletion (for example, for archiving).

When choosing an application, pay attention to:

• 🌟 Rating and number of reviews (avoid programs with a score below 4.0).
• 🔒 Permissions: Applications must not request access to SMS, call-ups.
• 📅 Date of last update (current applications are updated at least 1 time in 6 months).

Examples of SIM Card Manager:

1. Install the app and give access to contacts.
2. Choose yours. SIM-main-menu map.
3. Check the boxes for unnecessary contacts.
4. Press "Delete" and confirm the action.

💡

The app side is the only reliable way to remove contacts from the app. SIM-Beeline and Tele2 card operators, which often block standard editing functions.

What if the contacts are not deleted in any way?

If all of these methods do not work, the problem may lie in the SIM-A map or a phone firmware. Let's look at the solutions:

• 🔄 Reboot your phone in Safe Mode: Press the Power button → Long press on "Switch off" → "Safe Mode In this mode, all third-party applications are disabled, which can unlock access to the SIM-contact.
• 📱 Resetting network settings: Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Resetting network settings This won’t delete contacts, but reset the connection settings, which sometimes helps.
• 🔧 Replacement SIM-cards: if the card is old (released before 2015), its chip may not support editing contacts. USIM-map.
• 🖥️ Firmware Update: Check for Updates in Settings → The phone. → Update the system, new versions MIUI fixing work bugs SIM-contact.

If neither option works, the last option is to transfer contacts to the phone and then format. SIM-map:

1. Export all contacts with SIM-Cards in memory of the phone through Contacts → Imports/Exports → Exports with SIM.
2. Delete all contacts with SIM-maps through the engineering menu or ADB (if possible).
3. If removal is not possible, contact your operator's communications salon with a request to clear SIM-card (service paid, ~100-200 ruble).

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing contacts from SIM-Xiaomi Redmi cards