How to completely remove contacts on Xiaomi Redmi 8: from single entries to mass cleaning

Xiaomi Redmi 8 is one of the most popular budget smartphones of the brand, but even its users periodically face the need to clean the phone book. Whether it is outdated numbers, duplicates after synchronization or preparing for the sale of the device – removing contacts on MIUI has its nuances. Unlike newer models (for example, Redmi Note 12), there is no smart cleaning function, so you will have to act manually or through system tools.

In this article, we will analyze all the current methods: from basic removal through the Contacts app to mass cleaning through a Google account or a Google account. MI We will pay special attention to the problems that arise when synchronizing with multiple accounts (for example, when contacts are duplicated between different accounts). SIM-You will also learn how to return accidentally deleted entries, a section that is often overlooked in standard instructions.

1. Delete contacts through the standard "Contacts" application

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on a green background), which is suitable for removing single entries or small groups, but is ineffective if you want to clean the entire phone book. Importantly, if contacts are synced to Google or MI Cloud, deleting them on your phone will lead to their disappearance in the cloud (and vice versa).

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Contacts app (if it isn’t on the home screen, search through App Search swipe down).
• 🔍 Enter the contact name in the search bar or scroll through the list manually.
• ✏️ Click on the desired recording → in the upper right corner, tap on ⋮ (three-point) → select Delete.
• 🗑️ Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

To remove multiple contacts at the same time:

1. Press the finger on the first contact in the list → tick the rest.
2. Click on the basket icon (🗑️) top-panel.
3. Confirm mass removal.

Make sure that the contact is not tied to important services (bank, delivery)

Check if there are any Google or MI Cloud takeovers

Make a backup copy (export to VCF)

Turn off sync if you need to save a record in the cloud

-->

⚠️ Note: If the contact is saved SIM-If you have a card, delete it through the Contacts app, it might not work. №3 of this article.

2. Massive deletion via Google account (if contacts are synchronized)

If your contacts are synced to your Google account (which is the default when Redmi 8 is first enabled), they can be deleted centrally via the web interface, a method that is convenient if you want to clean the entire phone book or filter the entries by tags (for example, delete only "Working" contacts).

Step-by-step:

1. Open contacts.google.com on your computer or phone and log in with the same account as Redmi 8.
2. On the left of the menu, select Tags → tick a contact group (for example, “My contacts”).
3. Click on the icon. ⋮ (three points) in the top panel → Delete.
4. Confirm the action. After 5-10 minutes, the changes are synchronized with the phone.

Advantages of this method:

• 🔄 Option to cancel deletion within 30 days (in Google shopping cart).
• 📊 Convenient filtering by labels, date of addition, etc.
• 🖥️ You can manage your PC contacts without touching your phone.

💡

Before mass deletion, export contacts to a VCF file: in Google Contacts, select More → Export → Google CSV. This file can be imported back or opened in Excel.

3. Removal of contacts with SIM-map

Contacts saved directly to SIM-maps that are not displayed in the main list of the application Contacts by default. SIM-Manager - built-in tool MIUI. Please note: SIM-The card usually contains no more than 250 contacts and does not support fields such as email or addresses.

How to delete:

1. Open the Contacts app → slip on ⋮ (three-point) → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
2. Select SIM 1 or SIM 2 (depending on the slot).
3. Click on Contact → Delete (or pinch for multiple selection).

⚠️ Note: If you are planning to move SIM-card to another phone, pre-export contacts to the device memory or cloud. SIM recovery!

4. Clean up via MI Cloud (for Xiaomi users)

MI Cloud is Xiaomi’s cloud storage that automatically syncs contacts if you’re signed into a Mi Account on your phone, a tool that’s useful if you want to delete contacts from all Xiaomi devices at the same time (like Redmi 8 and Pad 6).

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the Contacts tab.
3. Tick the required records → click Delete.
4. Confirm the action. It'll take up to 5 minutes to sync with the phone.

Features of MI Cloud:

• 🔒 Contacts are encrypted during transmission.
• 🗓️ Recover deleted records within 7 days (in the cart).
• 📱 Changes apply to all devices linked to an account.

On the phone (without synchronization)

On Google account

In MI Cloud

Nana SIM-map

Another option

-->

5. Resetting the phone book to factory settings

If you need to clear all contacts completely (like before selling your phone), the most radical way is to reset your settings. However, this method will delete all data on your device, including photos, messages and apps. Use it only as a last resort!

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Enter the password (if installed) and confirm the action.

Alternatively, only the Contacts application data is reset:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find Contacts → Storage → Clear the data.

💡

Resetting your settings removes contacts irreversibly, even if they have been synced to Google or MI Cloud before.Be sure to check your backups before the procedure!

6. Recovery of accidentally deleted contacts

If you delete a contact by mistake, it can be returned — but only within a limited time frame.

• 🔄 Google Account: Go to Google Contacts → On the left menu, select the basket. → mark the contacts → Restore it. 30 days.
• ☁️ MI Cloud: On i.mi.com, in Contacts, click on the Recycle Bin (Dumpster Badge) 7 days.
• 📱 Local Storage: If contacts are not synchronized, recovery is possible only through backups (e.g., a.vcf file previously created).

If you don’t have backups, try data recovery software like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver, but their performance on Redmi 8 with MIUI 12+ is lower than on older versions of Android, due to improved encryption.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When working with contacts on Redmi 8, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

• 🔄 Contacts are returned after deletion: This is due to automatic synchronization. Turn it off in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.
• 📵 No contact with the contact with SIM: Make sure that the Contacts app settings have displayed SIM-Contact settings (Contact settings) → Showing contacts).
• ❌ You can't delete the contact: It may be protected by the system (e.g. operator service numbers). Try editing the record and manually removing all fields.

If after all the manipulations contacts are still not deleted, check:

• Are there any admin rights for apps like Truecaller or WhatsApp (they can block changes)?
• Is the For Kids Mode activated in MIUI (limits contact editing)?

FAQ: Answers to popular questions