Removing contacts on Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi lines, POCO and Mi) may seem like a simple task, but in practice users are faced with nuances: duplicate entries, synchronization with a Google account or MI-In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to clean the phone book, from basic to advanced, including deleting through the Internet. MIUI, Cloud services and even ADB-Teams for experienced users.
Xiaomi’s unique feature is that contacts can be stored in several places at the same time. SIM-In your computer, in your device’s memory, in Google Contacts, or in your own Mi Cloud, if you just delete the record through the Contacts app, it can be restored the next time you sync. So it’s important to understand which source is the “main” for your contacts – this determines the cleaning method.
This article is relevant for all MIUI 12-14 devices (including HyperOS) and Android 10-14 models. If you use outdated firmware (such as MIUI 10), some menu items may differ - in this case, refer to the section with alternative methods.
1. Delete contacts through the standard “Contacts” application
The most obvious way to do this is to use the built-in Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on a green or blue background), which is suitable for deleting individual records or small groups, but has limitations: it does not affect backups in the cloud.
To remove one contact:
- Open the Contacts app.
- Find the desired entry through search or scroll.
- Press the contact, then tap on three points (⋮) top-right.
- Select “Delete” and confirm the action.
For mass removal:
- 📱 Go to Contact Management (or Settings) → Contacts → Management).
- 🔍 Select “Select a few” and tick off unnecessary entries.
- 🗑️ Click on the basket icon ("Delete") at the bottom of the screen.
⚠️ Note: If contacts are synced to Google or Mi Cloud, they will recover the next time you connect to the Internet. To avoid this, turn off sync in advance (see Section 3).
Make a backup of important contacts|Turn off sync with the clouds|Check if the contacts are kept on SIM-map|Make sure that your accounts are not blocked.-->
2. Clear contacts through MIUI settings
If the standard application does not allow you to delete all records at once (for example, due to restrictions). MIUI), You can use system settings, and this is a method that can reset all local contacts, but it doesn't affect the data on the local contacts. SIM-map or cloud.
Instructions:
- Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find the “Contacts” (or Contacts) list and tap it.
- Go to the Warehouse. → Clear the data.
- Confirm the action by pressing “OK”.
This completely erases all local contacts, including the call log and messages associated with numbers, and once cleaned, the Contacts app will return to the post-purchase state.
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If the contacts reappear after cleaning, they are synced to the cloud. Go to Settings → Accounts and temporarily disable Google or Mi Cloud, then repeat the deletion.
3. Delete contacts through Google account
Most Xiaomi users sync their contacts with Google, which allows them to be retrieved after a reset or purchase of a new phone, but this also creates a problem: even after deleting the phone, the records can return, and to delete contacts permanently, you need to do this through the Google Contacts web interface.
Step-by-step:
- Open contacts.google.com on your computer or phone and log in.
- Check the unneeded contacts (to highlight all, click Ctrl+A on your PC or use the “Select All” option in the mobile version).
- Click on the basket icon ("Delete") in the top menu.
- Confirm the action.
To remove the product, you must clean the cart:
- 🗑️ In the left menu, select "Basket».
- 🧹 Click on “Clean the Cart” (or “Delete Forever»).
- ⏳ Wait 30 days – that’s how much Google stores deleted data before it’s completely erased.
| Action. | The result | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Deletion through the “Contacts” application | Local removal | Restores in synchronization |
| Cleaning the application data | Resetting all local contacts | Not affected by cloud |
| Delete via Google Contacts | Removal from the cloud | Requires cleaning of the basket |
| Shutting down synchronization | Termination of Automatic Recovery | Does not delete existing data |
On the phone (locally)|On Google account|In Mi Cloud|Nana SIM-map|Another option-->
4. Delete contacts via Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi users)
Mi Cloud is Xiaomi’s cloud storage that automatically backs up contacts, messages and other data. MI-The account, the contacts can be duplicated there even after deleting on the phone, and to clear them completely, you need to go to the web version of Mi Cloud.
How to delete contacts via Mi Cloud:
- Go to i.mi.com and log in.
- Select the “Contacts” section.
- Mark unnecessary entries or click “Select All”.
- Click "Delete" and confirm.
Mi Cloud does not have a cart function, so deletion is instant and without recovery. If you accidentally delete an important contact, it can only be returned from a local backup (if any).
⚠️ Note: If your Xiaomi has enabled the function “Synchronization with Mi Cloud” (Settings) → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Sync, all changes on the phone will be automatically applied to the cloud.
5. Advanced methods: ADB and reset to factory settings
If standard methods do not help (for example, contacts are “tied” to system processes or left after reset), you can use the system. ADB-These methods are suitable for advanced users and require caution.
Method 1: Removal through ADB
This will require:
- 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
- 📱 Included debugging by USB on Xiaomi (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI → 7 times tap to unlock Developer Settings, then turn on “Debugging by” USB»).
- 🔌 USB-plug-in.
Contact clearing commands:
adb shell pm clear com.android.contacts
adb shell pm clear com.miui.contactsMethod 2: Reset to factory settings
This is an extreme measure that removes all data from your phone, including contacts, apps and settings.Be sure to back up important information before resetting.
Instructions:
- Go to Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
- Select "Reset all settings."
- Enter your password (if required) and confirm.
What if the contacts returned after the reset?
Removal of contacts with SIM-map
Many users forget that contacts can be stored directly on the Internet. SIM-These records are not synced to the clouds and remain even after the phone is reset, and to delete them, you need to use a separate menu in the Contacts app».
How to clear your SIM contacts:
- Open the Contacts app.
- Tap it on three points (⋮) → «Contact management».
- Select "Import/Export» → «Management SIM-contact».
- Mark unnecessary entries and click "Delete".
Please note:
- 📱 On some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 or X-rays) POCO X3) menu SIM-Contacts may be in the settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Contacts SIM.
- 🔄 SIM-The card has a limited number of contact boxes (usually 200-250) if filled, no new numbers will be saved.
- 🚫 Removal of contacts with SIM Irreversible – backups are not automatically created.
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Before removing contacts with SIM-Export cards to your phone or cloud. To do this, select Export from the Import/Export menu SIM» and save the file in.vcf format.
7 How to Avoid Recovery of Remote Contacts
A common problem after deleting contacts is their automatic recovery, which is due to background synchronization with Google, Mi Cloud or third-party messengers (such as WhatsApp or Viber).
Step 1. Turn off autosynchronization
- 🔄 For Google: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of the account → disconnect "Contacts».
- ☁️ For Mi Cloud: Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Synchronization → disconnect "Contacts».
Step 2: Delete backup copies
- 🗄️ In Google Drive, check the Backups section and delete old versions of contacts.
- 📱 In Mi Cloud, go to “Manage Backups” and clear the data.
Step 3. Check out third-party applications
Some messengers (such as Telegram or Viber) store their own copies of contacts. Go to the settings of these applications and turn off the "Contact Sync" option.