How to remove all contacts from Xiaomi phone: secure ways to 2026

Removing all phone numbers from a Xiaomi device is a challenge faced when selling a gadget, resetting to factory settings, or having to clear memory. However, simply clicking “Delete All” in the Contacts app doesn’t always work correctly: Numbers can remain in backup copies MI Cloud, sync through Google or duplicate in SIM-In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to erase contacts without a trace, including hidden nuances for different versions. MIUI (12-to-14).

Xiaomi’s smartphone features are tight integration with the Mi Account ecosystem, which means that even after manually deleting numbers can be restored the next time you log in, we’ll show you how to avoid this effect, and we’ll also talk about the only method that is guaranteed to clear contacts at the system level (suitable for models with MIUI 14 and later). If you plan to transfer the phone to another person, be sure to read the section about reset via Fastboot!

1. Deletion through the standard "Contacts" app

The most obvious, but not always effective, way is for users who want to quickly clear the list without having to touch backups. Importantly, this method doesn't delete contacts from MI Cloud or Google -- they'll come back the next time you sync.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
• 🔍 Click on three dots in the upper right corner → Select Contact Management.
• 🗑️ Tap to remove contacts → tick it off. → confirm.
• ⚠️ If the option is inactive, check if the edit lock is set in Settings. → Annexes → Contacts → Permits.

After deleting, go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account and temporarily disable contact sync to avoid automatic recovery. Redmi Note 12 and later models may require additional confirmation via Face ID or graphical key.

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If after the number is deleted, there are “ghost” contacts (grey records without editing), this means that they are tied to the “ghost” contacts. SIM-To erase them, go to Contacts. → SIM-map → Management → Delete everything.

Cleaning through MI Cloud (for Mi Account users)

If you use Mi Account for backup, all contacts are stored on Xiaomi servers. They need to be deleted separately, otherwise they will return the next time you log in. This method is suitable for owners of Poco X5, Xiaomi 13T and other models with preset sync.

Step-by-step:

1. Open your browser on your PC or phone and go to i.mi.com (the official MI Cloud website).
2. Sign in under your Mi Account (login and password from the phone).
3. In the menu, select Contacts → Click on the Settings gear → Contact management.
4. Mark all contacts (tick at the top) → click Delete.
5. Confirm the action through SMS-code (will come to the tied number).

After removal, it is mandatory to:

• 🔄 Go to your phone settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account → Synchronize and disable the contact point.
• 📲 Restart the device to make the changes effective.

3. Delete via Google Contacts (for synchronized accounts)

Many Xiaomi users sync their contacts with Google, especially if they use services like Gmail or Google Meet, in which case the numbers are stored in Google Contacts and need to be cleaned separately, which is relevant for all models, including the Xiaomi Mi 11 and Poco F4.

How to delete:

1. Open on your phone or PC the page contacts.google.com.
2. Sign in with the same Google account that is linked to your phone.
3. Click on the tick in the upper left corner (all highlights) → More (three dots) → Delete.
4. Confirm action. Recover remote contacts within 30 days through the Recycle Bin.

After cleaning:

• 📵 On the phone go to Settings → Accounts. → Google → Sync your account and disable Contacts.
• 🔄 Perform Forced Synchronization (Button More) → Sync now to make changes apply.

4.Reset via Fastboot (Guaranteed Deletion)

It's the only method that completely removes all contacts, including hidden system data, suitable for preparing the phone for sale or if previous methods did not work. Importantly, this method also resets all phone settings to factory, so make a backup of important data (photos, messages, etc.).

Instructions for MIUI 14 and newer:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power + Volume button down at the same time to enter Fastboot mode.
3. Connect your phone to your PC through USB-cable.
4. Download and install the Mi Flash Tool (the official utility from Xiaomi).
5. In the program, select the Clean All option (full cleaning) and confirm the reset.

For Redmi and Poco models with unlocked bootloader, you can use the command via ADB:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache

Make a backup copy of photos and videos

Record the IMEI of your phone (on the box or under the battery)

Make sure that the battery charge is > 50%

Download Mi Flash Tool and drivers for your model

Disable OEM lock in developer settings (if any)

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⚠️ Note: After reset via Fastboot, the phone will require re-authorization in Mi Account. If you forget your account details, the device may be blocked (especially for models with a region-specific connection, for example, Xiaomi for China).

5. Use of third-party applications (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use specialized utilities, and we tested the following applications on the Xiaomi 12 Pro and Redmi Note 11:

For use:

1. Download the app from Google Play (like Contact Cleaner).
2. Give access to contacts.
3. Select the option Mass removal or Duplicate cleaning.
4. Confirm the action.

⚠️ Attention: Apps like MIUI Hidden Settings require root access, which cancels the warranty on the phone, and incorrect use can lead to system failures.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When deleting contacts on Xiaomi, users often face typical problems, and here are the most common ones and ways to solve them:

• 🔄 Contacts are returned after removal → Turn off sync in Mi Account and Google before cleaning.
• 📵 You cannot remove contacts with SIM-map → Use the Contact Menu → SIM-map → Management.
• 🔒 Blocked the removal option → Check permissions for the Contact app or reset its settings.
• ☁️ MI Cloud does not store changes → Clear your browser cache or try another device to log in to i.mi.com.

If you are selling a phone, you must:

1. Delete all accounts (Mi Account, Google, social networks).
2. Reset through Settings → About Phone → Reset settings.
3. Make sure there are no remaining entries in the Contact menu.

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The only reliable way to completely erase contacts before selling a phone is a combination of a Fastboot reset. + removal MI Cloud/Google + formatting SIM-cards (if used for storage of numbers).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions