Removing unwanted contacts on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 seems like an easy task, but many users face unexpected difficulties. From the Contacts app does not respond to a long press, synchronization with Google prevents you from permanently erasing the number, then after deleting the record appears again in a few days. In this article, we will analyze all the working methods from basic deletion through the standard application to cleaning through MIUI-account and Google Contacts, and explain why some contacts “return” and how to prevent this.
The Redmi Note 9 (M2003J15SC/M2003J15SS) features a hybrid contact storage system: it can be stored locally on the device, in the Mi Cloud cloud, or in a Google account. Where the contact is saved depends on how it is deleted, for example, if you delete the number from local storage, but it remains in Google Contacts, the next time you sync it, the record will return, so it is important not just to click "Delete", but to do it correctly, taking into account all the nuances of MIUI 12/13/14.
Before you start, check: 1. Do you have a backup of important contacts (export to.vcf). 2. Is the phone connected to the Internet (to sync changes). 3. Which firmware version is installed (path: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version).
If everything is ready, choose the right method below.
1. Delete contact through the standard “Contacts” application
The most obvious method, which works 90% of the time, is for contacts stored locally on the device or in the Mi Cloud (if sync is enabled).
Instructions:
- 📱 Open the Contacts app** (an icon with a person’s silhouette on a green background).
- 🔍 Find the right contact through search or scroll through the list manually.
- 🖱️ Press and hold your finger for 2-3 seconds until the context menu appears.
- 🗑️ Select “Delete”** (or the basket icon).
- ✅ Confirm the action in the pop-up window.
If a long press doesn’t work (on older versions of MIUI), try an alternative route:
- Select “Edit” → scroll down → “Delete Contact.”
The number is not tied to important services (bank, delivery)
Contact is not duplicated in Google/Mi Cloud
There is a backup (export to.vcf)
Sync is disabled (if you only need to delete locally)
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What do you do if you don't delete your contact? Sometimes the system will say, "I couldn't delete it."
- 🔒 Contact secure. MIUI (For example, system numbers for emergency calls).
- 🔄 Sync with Google or Mi Cloud conflicts with local storage.
- 📱 The Contacts app is not working correctly (you need to restart or clear the cache).
💡
If the contact is duplicated, first combine the records: open the contact → three-point (⋮) → «Connecting contacts».
2. Delete via Google Contacts (for synchronized records)
If a contact is saved in your Google account, deleting it through the standard Xiaomi app may not work – the record will return the next time you sync, in which case you need to delete directly through Google Contacts.
Method 1: Through a browser on a phone or PC
- Open contacts.google.com (sign up with the same account as your phone).
- Find contact through search or manually.
- Check the box to the left of the recording. → Click on the "Basket" icon»** (🗑️) top-down.
- Confirm removal.
Method 2: Using the Google Contacts app** on your phone
- 📱 Install the app from the Play Market (if not).
- 🔍 Find a contact and open it.
- 🖱️ Press three points (⋮) → «Delete»**.
Why do contacts return after deletion?
Important: Remote contacts in Google are stored in the shopping cart for 30 days, then deleted forever. If you need to restore a record, go to contacts.google.com → Recycle cart.
3. Delete via Mi Cloud (for entries linked to Xiaomi account)
If you use Mi Cloud for backup, contacts can be duplicated there to delete them permanently:
Instructions:
- Go to i.mi.com (sign up with your Mi Account).
Alternative way through the phone:
Only on the phone (locally)
Synchronizing with Google
Using Mi Cloud.
I’m syncing with Google and Mi Cloud.
Another option
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If you delete a contact from Mi Cloud, it will disappear from all devices associated with that account (for example, from another Xiaomi smartphone or tablet).
4. Mass removal of contacts
If you want to clear multiple records at once (for example, after importing duplicates), doing it one at a time is inconvenient.
Method 1: Through Google Contacts
- 🖱️ Go to contacts.google.com.
- 🔲 Check the boxes to the left of the unnecessary contacts (you can select everything through the checkbox in the table cap).
- 🗑️ Click on the basket icon in the top menu.
Method 2: Using the Contacts app on your phone
- 📱 Open the app. → press three points (⋮) → «Contact management»**.
- 🔄 Select "Import/Export» → «Remove a few contacts».
| Deleting method | Suitable for | Is recovery possible? | Are they synchronized with other devices? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through the Contacts app | Local and Mi Cloud Contacts | Not (unless there was a backup) | Yes (if sync with Mi Cloud is enabled) |
| Through Google Contacts | Contacts linked to a Google account | Yes (within 30 days) | Yes (on all devices with this Google account) |
| Through the Mi Cloud | Contacts saved in Xiaomi account | No. | Yes (on all devices with this Mi Account) |
| Mass removal | Any contact (depending on the method chosen) | Depends on the method. | Yes. |
5 What to do if the contact is not removed?
Sometimes the system will give you an error or the contact will come back after it's deleted.
Problem 1: Contact is removed but reappears.
⚠️ Attention! This is due to automatic synchronization. Turn it off before deleting: For Google: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Disable contact sync. For Mi Cloud: Settings → Mi Account. → Mi Cloud → Turn off Contacts. You can turn on sync again after you delete it.
Problem 2: You cannot delete the system contact (e.g., “Emergency Call 112”).
🔧 Solution: Such contacts are protected MIUI They can only be hidden: Contacts → Three points (⋮) → Settings → Hide system contacts.
Problem 3: The Contacts app freezes or doesn’t respond to clicks.
🛠️ Solution: Clear the app cache: Settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Clear the cache.
If it doesn’t help, restart your phone.
💡
Before mass deletion of contacts, always back up through export to.vcf. This will allow you to recover records if something goes wrong.
6. How do you restore accidentally deleted contact?
If you delete an important number, it can be returned – but only for a limited time.
For Google Contacts:
- 🕒 Go to contacts.google.com.
- 🗑️ In the left menu, select "Basket»**.
- ⏳ Find the right contact (stored for 30 days) → press "Restore»**.
For Mi Cloud:
🚫 Unfortunately, Xiaomi does not provide the Recovery feature via Mi Cloud, the only way is to restore it from a backup (if it was created earlier).
For local contacts:
📄 If you exported to a.vcf file, import it back: Contacts → Three points (⋮) → Contact management → Imports/Exports → Import from the device.
💡
To avoid losing contacts, set up automatic export once a month: Contacts → Settings → Import / Export → Autoexport (not available on all versions of MIUI).
7.How can we prevent duplication of contacts?
Duplicates appear when the same contact is saved on Google, Mi Cloud, and locally.
- 🔄 Select one primary storage source (e.g., Google Contacts only).
- 🚫 Turn off contact sync in unnecessary accounts: Settings → Accounts. → Select an account → Synchronization → Disable "Contacts».
- 🧹 Periodically clear duplicates through “Join Contacts”** in the app.
If there are already many duplicates, use the services for cleaning:
- Google Contacts (the tool “Find and combine duplicates”).
- Apps from the Play Market, such as Contacts Optimizer.