Removing unnecessary contacts on Xiaomi smartphones seems like a simple task – until you encounter synchronization through Google Account, SIM-card duplicates or hidden entries in MIUI. In this article, we will analyze all the current methods: from basic deletion through the Contacts app to cleaning through Settings → Accounts and even restore accidentally erased numbers.
Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are all very well integrated with MIUI and Google, which means that a remote contact can be resurrected after synchronization, if you don't take into account the nuances, and we'll show you how to avoid these situations, and what to do if a contact doesn't disappear or disappear from one account but stays in another.
This article is relevant for all devices on MIUI 12-14 (including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5, etc.).If you have an older version of the firmware, some menu items may be slightly different – we will warn you about this separately.
1. Basic method: removal through the application "Contacts"
The most obvious method is to use the standard Contacts app, which is suitable for removing single entries, but has limitations: it does not work with contacts that are only tied to the silhouette of a person. SIM-Google Account or Map (should be deleted separately).
How to do this:
- Open the Contacts app** on the home screen or in the app menu.
- Find the right contact through the search (loop at the top) or scroll through the list.
- Touch the record to open it.
- Press three points (⋮) in the upper right corner and select "Delete»**.
- Confirm the action in the pop-up window.
⚠️ Note: If a contact is synced with a Google Account, it will also be removed from your cloud profile. To avoid this, please pre-disable sync (see Section 3).
Are there any duplicates of this contact in other accounts (Google, MIUI, SIM)
Is cloud sync disabled (if you need to keep Google contact)
Whether important data is stored from the record (for example, address or email)
Checked that the contact is not part of the group (e.g., “Family” or “Work”)
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2. Removal of contacts with SIM-map
Contacts saved on SIM-maps that are not displayed in the main list of the "Contacts" app by default:
- Open the "Contact»** → press three lines (☰) top-left.
⚠️ Attention: SIM-The cards have a limit on the number of contacts saved (usually 200-250).If you see a message "Memory is full," export the contacts to your phone or Google Account first, and then clear the files. SIM.
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If the contacts on SIM are duplicated with those on the phone, export them to Google Account first and then delete them with SIM.
Should I keep contacts on SIM-Is this an outdated method with a number of drawbacks:
- 📵 Limited number of records (maximum 255).
- 🔤 No Cyrillic support (names will be displayed by Cracosabras).
- 🔄 No synchronization – when lost SIM contact disappears.
- 📱 It is impossible to save additional fields (email, address, birthday).
3. Mass removal of contacts
If you want to clear tens or hundreds of records (like after importing from an old phone), manual deletion takes hours. MIUI has a hidden mass deletion feature, but it doesn't work clearly.
- Open the "Contact» → press ☰ → «Contact management».
Important: When you delete a lot, the system doesn't show the names of the contacts, only the number. To avoid erasing important numbers, pre-export all contacts to the VCF file (see section 5).
| Deleting method | Speed. | Risk of data loss | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual removal (via annex) | ⭐⭐ | ❌ Low. | 1–10 contacts |
| Mass removal at MIUI | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⚠️ Medium (care is needed) | 10–100 contacts |
| Delete via Google Contacts | ⭐⭐⭐ | ❌ Low (there's a basket) | Synchronized contacts |
| Reset via Mi Account | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ❗ High (remove everything) | Complete cleaning |
4. Delete contacts through Google Account
If contacts are synced with Google, they can be managed via a web interface.
- 📱 You need to remove contacts from multiple devices at the same time.
- 🔄 Contact “resurrects” after deleting on phone (due to synchronization).
- 🗑️ Recover a number that was accidentally deleted (Google has a shopping cart).
Instructions:
- Open contacts.google.com on your computer or phone and log in.
- Find a contact through search or highlight several records with ticks.
- Click on the basket icon (“Delete”). Remote contacts will be placed in the Recycle Bin (stored for 30 days).
⚠️ Note: If you deleted a contact through Google but it still appears on Xiaomi, check it out:
- Sync in Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync (should be enabled).
- Availability of a double in the Mi Account (see Section 6).
On the phone itself.
Through Google Contacts
At Mi Account
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5.Export and backup before deletion
Before you clean your contacts en masse, keep them backed up. MIUI does this in 2 clicks:
- Open the "Contact» → ☰ → «Contact management» → «Imports/Exports»**.
Alternative ways of backup:
- 📱 Google Contacts: automatically synced to the cloud.
- ☁️ Through MI Cloud: Settings → Mi Account → MI Cloud → Backup.
- 💻 Through Mi. PC Suite: a program for Windows/Mac Xiaomi.
What if the VCF file is not imported?
6. Delete contacts through Mi Account
Mi Account is a cloud service from Xiaomi that automatically saves contacts if sync is enabled to delete entries from it:
- Go to Settings → Mi Account → MI Cloud.
- Select “Contacts» → press three points (⋮) → «Contact management».
⚠️ Note: If you delete a contact from your Mi Account but leave it in your Google Account, it may return after the next sync. To avoid this, turn off automatic sync in Settings → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.
The difference between Mi Account and Google Account when working with contacts:
- 🔹 The Mi Account is synced only with Xiaomi devices.
- 🔹 Google Account works on all Android devices.
- 🔹 V MI Cloud no shopping cart – remote contacts cannot be restored.
- 🔹 Google Contacts Stores Deleted Records for 30 Days.
7 What to do if the contact is not removed?
Sometimes contacts get stuck in the system and don't want to disappear even after trying many times.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Contact is returned after removal | Sync with Google or Mi Account | Turn off sync, delete the contact, then turn it back on |
| You cannot remove contact with SIM-map | SIM blocked or damaged | Try a different SIM or export contacts to your phone |
| The Remove button is inactive | The contact is system-based (e.g., “Emergency Numbers”) | Ignore it or hide it through Settings → Contacts → Display only contacts with numbers |
| Contact duplicated | One contact is saved in multiple accounts | Combine the duplicates through “Contacts” → ☰ → Contact management → Unite» |
If none of these methods worked, try resetting the Contacts app settings:**
- Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
- Find Contacts → Storage → Clear Data and Reset Settings.
8. Recovery of Accidentally Distant Contacts
If you erase an important number, it can be returned – but only for a limited time:
- 🔄 Google Contacts: Remote records are stored in the Recycle Bin** for 30 days. To recover: Open contacts.google.com. From the left menu, select Recycle Bin»**.