How to remove contact from Xiaomi phone: all the ways 2026

Removing unnecessary contacts on Xiaomi smartphones seems like an easy task, but users often face unexpected difficulties. MIUI, Phone model (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T) and the method of synchronization (Google, SIM-map, local storage) process may be different. This article covers all current removal methods, from standard to hidden firmware functions.

Xiaomi phones are unique in that they use their own application Contacts with advanced features (e.g. duplicates, recording mergers) that can interfere with basic deletion. We will discuss how to get around common errors: when contact is not deleted, restored after reboot or duplicated from the cloud. All instructions are checked on MIUI 14/15 and are relevant for devices in 2022-2026.

1. Standard removal through the "Contacts" app

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette on a green background), which works for local contacts saved on the phone, as well as for records synced with Google or Mi Account.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Contacts app (if it isn’t on the home screen, search through the swipe search down).
• 🔍 Enter the contact name in the search bar or scroll through the list manually.
• ✏️ Click on the desired recording → top-right-hand corner tap ⋮ (three-point) → select Delete.
• 🗑️ Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

If the Remove button is inactive (grey), this means that the contact is tied to the SIM-card or account that is not synced to the phone.Solution - see section 3.

2. Removal of multiple contacts simultaneously

When you need to clear a phone of dozens of old records (like after importing from another device), it's not efficient to delete them one at a time. MIUI has a hidden mass-delete feature, but it doesn't work on all models.

Algorithm:

1. Open Contacts. → slip on ⋮ (three-point) → Contact management.
2. Choose Select Contacts (or Edit on some firmware).
3. Tick unneeded entries → click Remove (basket icon).
4. Confirm the action.

⚠️ Attention: POCO F5 redmi K60 s MIUI 15 Mass removal may not work for contacts linked to Google.In this case, use the web version of Google Contacts (section 4).

3. Removal of contacts with SIM-map

Contacts saved on SIM-map, removed separately from the main list, can not be edited through the standard Contacts app - a special section is required.

Step-by-step:

• 📶 Open Contacts. → click on the tab SIM (or phone book SIM).
• 🔍 Find the right contact and hold it with your finger for 2 seconds.
• 🗑️ In the menu that appears, select Delete.
• ⚠️ If there is no option, go to Settings. → Annexes → Contacts → Permits and enable access to SIM-map.

On some firmware for Xiaomi 2020-2021 (for example, Redmi) 9T) editing SIM-The solution is to use a third-party application, for example, SIM Contact Manager from Google Play.

4. Delete via Google Contacts (for synchronized contacts)

If contacts are synced to a Google account, deleting them via your phone may not work — the records will be restored the next update. To delete them permanently, use the web version of Google Contacts.

Instructions:

• 🌐 Go to contacts.google.com (sign up with the same account as your phone).
• 🔍 Find a contact through search or scroll through the list.
• ☑️ Check the required notes. → Click Remove (basket icon).
• 🔄 Wait 5-10 minutes and update your phone contacts: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronize.

⚠️ Attention: Google Contacts deleted records go to the Recycle Bin and are stored there for 30 days to clear it:

1. In the web version, go to the menu ⋮ → Basket.
2. Choose Clean the Recycle Bin or restore mistakenly deleted contacts.

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If your contacts are back on your phone after you delete them via Google, check your sync settings in Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync. Disable and turn it back on.

5. Hidden MIUI functions for contact management

MIUI firmware contains hidden tools for working with contacts that are not obvious to most users, such as removing duplicates, clearing the contacts cache, or resetting the application settings.

Ways:

• 🔄 Duplicate merger: Open Contacts → ⋮ → Contact management → Combine duplicates. The system automatically finds repeating records.
• 🧹 Cache Clearing: Go to Settings → Annexes → Contacts → Warehouse → Clear the cache. This will help if contacts are displayed incorrectly.
• ⚙️ Resetting: In the same menu (Settings) → Annexes → Contacts) select Settings Reset. Attention: this will delete all user settings of the application, but not the contacts themselves.

For power users, there is a way to delete contacts via ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which is true if the standard methods do not work due to a system failure:

adb shell content delete --uri content://com.android.contacts/raw_contacts --where "deleted=0"

⚠️ Warning: This command will delete all contacts without the possibility of recovery. Use only if other methods have not worked and you have a backup.

6. Delete contacts via Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi users)

If you use Mi Account to sync, contacts can be duplicated between Google and Xiaomi Cloud. To delete them completely, you need to clear the cloud.

Step-by-step:

• 🌥️ Go to i.mi.com and log in.
• 📇 Select the Contact section.
• ☑️ Mark unnecessary records → press Delete.
• 🔄 On the phone update the data: Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Synchronize.

⚠️ Note: When you delete contacts via Mi Cloud, they will disappear from all devices associated with this account (including tablets and other Xiaomi smartphones).

7 Problems and Solutions: Why Contact Is Not Deleted

Sometimes users are faced with the contact "not deleted" or returns after a reboot. Let's consider the typical causes and ways to eliminate them:

If none of the methods worked, try exporting contacts to a VCF file, manually editing the file to a PC, and then importing back.

1. Open Contacts. → ⋮ → Contact management → Imports/Exports.
2. Select Export to Storage (contacts.vcf file will be saved).
3. Connect your phone to your PC, edit the file in Notepad or Excel (remove unnecessary lines).
4. Import the file back through the same menu.

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If the contact is linked to a WhatsApp or Telegram account, removing it from the phone book will not remove it from the messenger.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)