The Xiaomi Redmi 9 is one of the most popular budget smartphones, but even its users are faced with the need to clear the call log. The reasons can vary from basic privacy to freeing up space in memory. Unlike the flagship models, the MIUI on the Redmi 9 has its own nuances in managing call records, especially if it comes to firmware versions below MIUI 14.
In this article, we’ll look at all the ways you can delete things, from the standard interface to hidden features to third-party apps, how to erase individual numbers, clean the entire log at a time, and what to do if entries aren’t deleted due to synchronization with Mi Account, and focus on the problems that arise after MIUI updates when menus move to unexpected sections.
If you're looking for ways to not just delete, but permanently destroy data (like before selling a phone), there's a section at the end of this article on safe erasure, and for those who accidentally erased an important number, we've added a backup recovery manual.
Method 1: Standard removal through the application "Phone"
The most obvious method is to use the built-in Phone app (a handset icon) which works on all versions of MIUI, but the location of the buttons may vary depending on the shell. On Redmi 9 with MIUI 12-14, the algorithm is as follows:
1. Open the Phone app and go to the Log tab (watch icon in the bottom menu).
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Remove.
3. tick next to unnecessary entries or click Select All for complete cleanup.
4. Confirm the action with the Remove button (usually at the bottom of the screen).
If you do not have the delete button displayed, check:
- 🔍 Version MIUI: into MIUI 14 Ways Can Be Hidden Under Swipe Left in Journal.
- 📱 Application rights: sometimes after resetting the settings, access to the log is blocked (check in Settings). → Annexes → Phone. → Permits).
- 🔄 Sync with Mi Cloud: If backup is enabled, records can be restored automatically (more on this in the next section).
Are your records not synchronized with your Mi Account?|Is there a backup of important numbers?|Is there enough space in memory for temporary files?|Are all background applications using the journal closed?-->
Restriction: standard deletion does not permanently erase data. With special programs (for example, DiskDigger), records can be restored. If you need to guarantee that information is destroyed, go to the section on safe erasure.
Method 2: Remove via MIUI settings (for complete cleaning)
If you need to erase the entire log at once, including hidden system entries, use the MIUI settings menu.
- 📲 The phone does not respond to commands.
- 🔄 You need to delete the records synchronized with Mi Account.
- 🛠️ Reset is required before selling the phone.
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find your phone in the list and tap it.
- Go to the Warehouse. → Clear the data.
- Select Clear Call Log (or Delete all data if you need to erase and SMS).
What else is cleaned when resetting the data of the application "Phone"
Important: This method does not affect records saved in Google Contacts or third-party services (such as Truecaller).If you use such applications, clear the history separately in their settings.
| Deleting method | What's washed away | Is recovery possible? | Implementation time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through the phone app. | Selected records | Yes (programs like DiskDigger) | 1-2 minutes |
| Through MIUI settings | All the magazines + cache | No (no backup) | 3-5 minutes |
| Reset to factory settings | Everything, including system files | No. | 10-15 minutes |
| Third-party applications (e.g. Clean Master) | Log + Temporary Files | Partially. | 2-3 minutes |
Method 3: Remove synchronized records from Mi Cloud
If you've ever backed up your Mi Account, your calls could sync to the cloud, in which case standard deletion won't help, the records will come back the next time you connect to the Internet, to disable sync and erase data from the cloud:
1. Open Settings → Xiaomi Account (or Mi Account).
2. Go to Mi Cloud → Synchronization.
3. Find the call log item and turn off the slider.
4. Return to Mi Cloud → Backups and delete the last copy (if it contains unnecessary data).
Warning: Once sync is disabled, new records will no longer be saved to the cloud. If you want to back up, export the log to the file first (see the next section for more on this).
Yes, it's convenient | No, I don't trust clouds | I used to, but I turned it off | I don't know what it is-->
⚠️ Note: If you are selling or transferring a phone, be sure to log out of Mi Account in the settings. Even after a reset, the data can be restored if the new owner logs into your account.
How to export a journal before deleting (backup)
Before you erase the records, save the important numbers. Redmi 9 has two ways of exporting:
1. Through the Contacts app:
- Open Contacts → Management → Import / Export.
Select Export to File and specify the format (.vcf for Contacts or.csv for Journal).
The file will be stored in the internal memory in the MIUI/backup/Contacts folder.
2. Through third-party applications:
Install Call Logs Backup & Restore from Google Play.
Run a backup and save the file to Google Drive or to a memory card.
If necessary, you can restore records even after resetting the phone.
💡
If you export the log to another phone, choose the.csv format, which is supported by most devices, including iPhones.
Where is the backup stored?
By default, files are saved along the way:
/storage/emulated/0/MIUI/backup/Contacts/
or
/storage/emulated/0/Download/Copy them to your PC or cloud so you don’t lose them when cleaning your phone.
Safe Deletion: How to Delete Records Without Recovery
If you plan to sell or transfer Redmi 9, the usual deletion is not enough to guarantee the destruction of data:
1. disable sync with Mi Cloud and Google (as described above).
2 Encrypt the phone:
Go to Settings → Lock and Protection → Encrypt your phone.
Set a password and wait until the process is complete (it may take 30-60 minutes).
3. perform reset to factory settings:
Settings → About the phone → Reset settings → Erase all data.
Choose to Clean Everything (including your internal memory).
Why does it work?
Encryption makes all the data unreadable, and resetting erases the decryption keys, and without them, it's almost impossible to recover records even with professional tools.
⚠️ Warning: After the complete reset, all data (photos, messages, apps) will be lost!
Frequent problems and their solutions
Redmi 9 users often have difficulty deleting their posts, and here are the most common errors and ways to fix them:
1. the Remove button is inactive or absent
Reason: limitations of corporate policy (if the phone was issued by the employer) or parental control.
- Decision:
Check out the settings → Special features → Parental control.
If the phone is tied to Mi Enterprise, contact the administrator.
2.The records are returned after deletion
Reason: sync with Mi Cloud or Google Contacts.
- Decision:
- Turn off synchronization (section 3 of the article).
- Delete backups in the cloud.
3. A specific number is not deleted.
Reason: Recording can be protected by the system (e.g. emergency numbers or service calls).
- Decision:
- Try to delete through Settings → Applications → Phone → Storage → Clear data.
If it doesn't work, use safe erasing.
(1) Rights of the telephone annex
2) Synchronization with the cloud
(3) Availability of updates MIUI (Sometimes bugs are fixed in new versions)-->