How to remove double contacts in Xiaomi Redmi 9

Xiaomi smartphone owners often face the unpleasant situation when identical entries appear in the phone book after data transfer or synchronization. On the Redmi 9 model, which runs the MIUI shell, this problem is solved quite simply if you know where to look for the right tools. The accumulation of duplicates not only takes up extra space, but also makes it difficult to find the right subscriber in emergency situations.

The reasons for the appearance of copies can be different: from incorrect import from the SIM-maps before conflicts when multiple Google accounts are synchronized. Sometimes users create duplicates themselves, saving the number first to the phone's memory and then to the cloud without noticing it. Understanding the source of the problem is the first step to fixing it and restoring order to the problem.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to clean the call list, built-in system functions and third-party solutions. You will learn how to properly configure the display of records and prevent their recurrence in the future.

Use of the built-in merger function

The simplest and most secure method Xiaomi offers is a built-in tool for combining records. MIUI has a smart algorithm that analyzes names and phone numbers, suggesting that similar profiles be combined. To access this feature, you need to open the standard Contacts app and go to settings.

The control menu often features the option “Clear Repetitives” or “Combine Duplicates.” The algorithm automatically finds entries with the same phone numbers, even if the names are written differently (for example, with or without spaces), and after scanning, the system will offer a list of candidates for the merger, where you can confirm the action.

Importantly, when you merge, information from multiple sources (SIM, phone, Google) is combined into one card, saving all the available numbers and email addresses, so you don't lose any important way of communicating, the process takes only a few seconds and does not require the installation of additional software.

• 📱 Open the Contacts app on the home screen.
• ⚙️ Click on three dots or a gear to enter the settings menu.
• 🔗 Select the option to clear repeated contacts».
• ✅ Confirm the merger of the proposed pairs of records.

⚠️ Note: Before a mass merger, make sure you have a backup of the data, as the process of combining may be irreversible in the event of an algorithm error.

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Use the preview function before confirming the merger to make sure that the cards you need are combined, not full namesakes with different numbers.

Display setting and source filtering

Often, the doubles problem is an illusion caused by a misconfiguration of the display. The Redmi 9 can show contacts from three sources at once: device memory, Google account and SIM-If the same number is stored in different places, it will be displayed twice, although physically they are different records.

To fix this, you need to go to the list display settings. In the Contacts app, look for Display settings or Contact Filter, and you can choose which groups to see, and you should only leave one primary source enabled, such as a Google account, which is the most trusted.

Filtering allows you to instantly remove visual noise. SIM-The cards, the numbers stored on them, will disappear from the list, but will remain available when you call them.

Path to setup: Contacts → Settings (three dots) → Display settings → Filter contacts

When you change your settings, the list will be updated, so if you lose your duplicates, it means that the problem was the layering of the sources, and then try to save the new numbers immediately to the selected main account to avoid confusion.

Manual deletion and card editing

Automated systems don’t always work perfectly, especially if numbers are written in different formats (like +7 and 8). In such cases, the Redmi 9 has to resort to a manual method. It is more time-consuming, but gives you complete control over the cleaning process.

Open a contact card that is duplicated. Press the edit button (usually a pencil icon). At the bottom of the screen, there is often an option to delete or a basket icon. When you delete, the system may ask which record you want to erase if there are several of them in the same group.

Editing also allows you to manually combine fields, so you can copy a number from a single card, add it to the main card, and then delete the extra entry, which ensures that no digital code is lost in the cleaning process.

• 👆 Click on the contact to open its detailed description.
• ✏️ Select the edit icon in the corner of the screen.
• 🗑️ Click “Delete” and confirm the action for the duplicate.
• 💾 Save the changes to the main card.

⚠️ Be careful when deleting records with the same names but different numbers so as not to accidentally erase contact of a colleague or relative.

Working with Google Contacts through the browser

The most powerful tool for managing a phone book is not in the phone itself, but in Google’s cloud service, and since Redmi 9 is actively synced with the service, patches made on the site will automatically apply to the device, an ideal way to conduct a global “cleanup.”

Go to contacts.google.com from your computer or through your smartphone browser in full mode. From the menu on the left, select “Combine and fix” and the system will show you a list of possible duplicates and suggest combining them all with a single button.

The advantage of this method is that Google's algorithms often work more accurately than those built into MIUI. And you also see a full picture of what's stored in the cloud, and once you clean the site, you just pull the contact list down in the phone app to update.

Import and export for deep cleaning

If standard methods don’t work and the garbage keeps piling up, you can use a radical but effective way of exporting and re-importing, a method that shakes up the contact database on Xiaomi.

First, export all contacts to a.vcf file. This can be done through the app settings or on Google's website. Store the resulting file in the device's memory. Then delete all contacts from the current display list (by making sure the file is saved beforehand).

Once cleaned, import from the saved file. When importing, the system often ignores old faulty connections and creates new, clean records. However, this method requires caution not to lose data in the process.

It is critical to make sure that the export file (.vcf) is not corrupted and contains all the necessary numbers before deleting the entire list.

• 📤 Go to Contact Management and select Export».
• 💾 Save the file.vcf to a safe place (cloud or PC).
• 🗑️ Remove current contacts from your phone’s memory.
• 📥 Perform “Import” from the saved file.

⚠️ Note: Do not interrupt the import/export process or turn off the smartphone screen during the operation to avoid damaging the database file.

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A complete restart of the contact list via the.vcf file often solves problems with hidden database errors that are not visible during a routine cleaning.

Preventing the appearance of doubles in the future

To keep the redmi 9 backup problem from happening, you need to change your phone usage habits. The main reason for the chaos is that there's no single standard of preservation. Make sure that all new numbers are saved only to your Google account.

Turn off auto-save on SIM-Modern SIMs have limited memory and do not support storage of additional data such as email or photo, which often leads to incomplete duplicates when synchronized.

Check your contact list regularly, at least once a month, through Google's web interface. This takes a couple of minutes, but keeps the database in perfect condition. Also keep an eye out for MIUI updates, as newer versions often improve the phonebook's algorithms.