How to remove contact on Xiaomi phone: 5 proven ways

Why Removing Contacts on Xiaomi Is Questioning

Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are all powered by MIUI, which is a distinctly different shell from pure Android. Here, even basic operations like deleting contact can be done in an unobvious way — especially if you’ve switched from a different brand of device. For example, some versions of MIUI have a delete button hidden behind a long press, while others require confirmation via Google Contacts.

Another challenge is synchronization: Xiaomi contacts can be stored in four locations at once. SIM-You can see the map, the phone, the Mi Account, and the Google account, and if you delete the record from just one source, it will rise up after synchronization, and in this article, we'll take a look at all the nuances so you can delete the unwanted contacts irrevocably without any consequences.

Important: instructions are relevant for MIUI 14/15 (2023-2026) and all modern models - from the budget Redmi 12 to the flagship Xiaomi 14 Ultra. For older versions (up to MIUI 12) may require adjustments.

Method 1: Delete via the standard Contacts app

The most obvious method is to use the built-in Contacts app (a person's silhouette icon on a green background) pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones and supports all types of storage. Here's how it works:

  1. Open the Contacts app.
  2. Find the right contact through search or scroll through the list.
  3. Touch the record to open it.
  4. In the upper right corner, press three dots (⋮) → select Delete.
  5. Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

⚠️ Note: If a contact is synced to Google or Mi Account, it will only be deleted from local storage. To erase it completely, go to Settings → Accounts. → Google/Mi Account → Synchronize contacts and disable them before deleting them.

A long press on the contact opens the menu.|Contact is not duplicated on other accounts|Sync with the cloud is disabled|There's a backup of important numbers.-->

On some models (e.g. POCO X5 Pro), the delete button may be hidden.

  • 📱 Long click on the contact in the list → select Delete.
  • 🔍 If you don’t have an option, check if you have a third-party contact app installed (e.g. Truecaller).
  • 🔄 Reboot your phone - sometimes glitches MIUI block access to functions.

Method 2: Delete via Google Contacts (for synchronized records)

If your contacts are saved to your Google account, deleting them through the standard Xiaomi app may not work, in which case you need to use the web version of Google Contacts:

  1. Open your browser and go to contacts.google.com.
  2. Sign in with the same account as on your phone.
  3. Find contact through search or manually.
  4. Check it with a tick. → click on the basket icon (🗑️) top-panel.
  5. Confirm removal.

💡 Useful tip: Remote contacts are stored in the Google Contacts Recycle Bin for 30 days. To clear them early, go to the Recycle Bin section → Clean the basket.

Action.Local storage.Google accountMi AccountSIM-map
Deletion via the Contacts app✅ Yes.❌ No (only if you turn off synchronization)❌ No.❌ No.
Deletion via contacts.google.com❌ No.✅ Yes.❌ No.❌ No.
Removal through Settings → SIM-map❌ No.❌ No.❌ No.✅ Yes.

⚠️ Note: If you deleted a contact from your Google account but it still appears on your phone, check your sync settings in Settings. → Accounts. → Google → Contact synchronization: It is possible that the record is duplicated in another source (e.g. Mi Account).

In the memory of the phone|On Google account|Nana SIM-map|In Mi Account.|I don't know.-->

Method 3: Removal of contacts with SIM-map

Contacts to SIM-The map is a relic of the past, but some users still use it:

  1. Open the Contacts app.
  2. At the top of the screen, select the SIM tab (or SIM Phone Book).
  3. Find the right contact and touch it.
  4. Click Delete (or Edit → Delete on older versions of MIUI).

🔧 Technical nuance: SIM-The cards only support the name + number (no photo, post or additional fields) If you transfer contacts from phone to phone SIM, Some of the data may have been lost.

  • 📶 Some Xiaomi (e.g. Redmi Note 11) contacts SIM They are displayed only after inserting the card into the slot. SIM1.
  • 🔄 If the contact is not removed, remove it. SIM-Insert the card back and try again.
  • ⚠️ Don't confuse. SIM-Contacts with phone contacts – they are stored in different sections!
What to do if SIM-card?
If the phone can't see SIM-card or gives an error "No services", try: 1. Reboot the device. 2. Clear contacts SIM through settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Settings SIM → Contact management SIM. 3. Insert SIM to another phone and delete contacts from there if the problem persists, SIM-The card may have failed – contact the operator for a replacement.

Method 4: Mass removal of contacts (to clean the list)

If you need to delete multiple contacts at once (for example, after importing duplicates), doing it one at a time is inconvenient. MIUI There is a group removal function:

  1. Open Contacts. → press three points (⋮) → Contact management.
  2. Choose Select Several (or Select Mode on some models).
  3. Check the boxes for unnecessary contacts.
  4. Click on the basket icon (🗑️) top-panel.

📌 Key takeaway: Mass deletion only works for contacts stored in a single source (e.g., only in a phone’s memory or only in Google) If contacts are scattered across different accounts, you’ll have to clean each source separately.

For advanced users, there is an alternative to using ADB-commands (requires developer mode enabled) for example, to delete all contacts from the phone's memory:

adb shell content delete --uri content://com.android.contacts/raw_contacts --where "account_name='Phone'"

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Before experimenting, back up your contacts through Settings. → System and device → Backup.

Method 5: Delete via Mi Account (for Xiaomi users)

If you use your Mi Account to sync, contacts can be duplicated in the Xiaomi cloud to remove them from there:

  1. Open account.xiaomi.com in your browser.
  2. Sign in with your Mi Account.
  3. Go to the Cloud section → Contacts.
  4. Select unnecessary entries and click Delete.

❗ Remote contacts from Mi Account will disappear from all devices associated with this account (including tablets and Xiaomi smartwatches).

  • 🌐 If the Mi Account website does not open, check it out. VPN — Access to some regions is limited.
  • 🔄 After removal, wait for synchronization (can take up to 10 minutes).
  • 📱 On the phone forced-synchronization can be run in Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Synchronization.

How to Restore Accidentally Remote Contact

If you deleted the contact by mistake, it can be returned within a limited time:

  • 🗑️ Google Contacts: Go to the Recycle Bin at contacts.google.com – it stores deleted records for 30 days.
  • 📱 Local Storage: Use a backup from Settings → System and device → Backup (if created).
  • 🔧 SIM-Map: Reestablish contact with SIM It is impossible – they are removed irrevocably.

💡 Helpful tip: To avoid losses, set up automatic backup of contacts in Google Drive:

  1. Open Settings → Google → Backup.
  2. Enable the option of Backup Contacts.
  3. Specify the frequency (for example, daily).

⚠️ Note: If a contact was deleted more than 30 days ago and not backed up, you can't restore it. → Journal) or communications (Communications).

Frequent problems and their solutions

Even after removal, contacts can "resurrect" and consider the typical causes and ways to eliminate them:

Problem.Reason.Decision
Contact appears again after removalSynchronization with Google or Mi AccountTurn off sync in account settings before deleting
Contact cannot be removed (button is inactive)Contact is secure (e.g. system or corporate account)Try to delete your Google Contacts via the web version or contact your account administrator.
Deleted all contacts at onceFailure in mass removal or reset settingsRestore from a backup or check the Google Contacts Recycle Bin
Contacts are duplicatedThe same contact is stored in multiple accounts.Combine duplicates in Google Contacts → Other → Find and combine duplicates

🔍 Diagnosis: If the problem persists, check it out:

  • 📲 Version MIUI (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI). On older versions. MIUI 12 may be contact bugs.
  • 🔄 Availability of updates for the Contacts app in Google Play.
  • 🛠️ The operation of Google Play services (Settings) → Annexes → Application management → Google Play Services → Warehouse → Clear the cache).

💡

Before any manipulation of contacts, turn off automatic synchronization in account settings, which will prevent unexpected recovery of deleted records.

Can I remove the contact so that it disappears from all devices?
Yes, if the contact is synced with a Google account or Mi Account. delete it via contacts.google.com or account.xiaomi.com - the changes will apply to all gadgets where sync is enabled.
Why did the old contacts return after the phone was dropped?
When resetting to factory settings (Settings → About Phone → Reset), contacts are restored from a Mi Account or Google backup. To avoid this, before reset: Turn off contact sync in account settings. Delete backups to Settings → System and device → Backup.
How to remove contact if it is gray and not pressed?
It is most likely a system contact (e.g. from the Mi Home app or corporate account). Try: Delete the app that the contact belongs to. Contact the administrator (if it is a work account); Hide the contact through Contacts → Settings → Show contacts → Hide contacts from [application name].
Can I delete all contacts at once?
Yes, but the way depends on storage: Google account: Go to contacts.google.com → Check all contacts (check at the top) → Delete. Local storage: Use ADB-command (see section on mass removal) or reset your phone to factory settings. SIM-Card: Insert it into another phone and clean it manually. ⚠️ Attention: Mass deletion is irreversible! First export contacts to.vcf file via Contacts → Settings → Imports/Exports.
Why does the new Xiaomi display old contacts from the previous phone?
When you first sign in to a Mi Account or Google account, the new device automatically restores all synchronized data, including contacts. To avoid this: When setting up your phone, skip the recovery step from the backup. When you log in, turn off contact sync in Settings → Accounts. Delete unnecessary contacts through the web version of Google Contacts or Mi Account.