How to remove multiple contacts on Xiaomi MIUI 12: all working methods

Deleting multiple contacts simultaneously on Xiaomi’s MIUI 12-shell smartphones may seem like a non-trivial task — the standard Contacts app doesn’t always offer obvious tools for mass operations. This is especially true for users who have been accumulating thousands of records, duplicates or outdated numbers for years. Unlike later versions of MIUI (13/14), where the group removal function is implemented intuitively, MIUI 12 will have to use workarounds or third-party solutions.

In this article, we’ll look at 5 proven ways, from built-in Xiaomi tools to sync with Google Account and specialized applications, and focus on nuances that even experienced users often miss – such as how to avoid removing contacts from WhatsApp or Telegram if they are tied to the same numbers, and how to prevent them from being deleted.

Method 1: Mass removal through the standard Contacts app

Starting with MIUI 12, Xiaomi developers have added a hidden option for group removal, but it doesn’t work on all models the same.This method is suitable for owners of Redmi Note 9/10, Mi 10/11 and other Android 10/11 devices with original firmware.

To remove multiple contacts:

• 📱 Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
• 🔍 In the upper right corner, tap the Three Dots icon** (menu) and select Contact Management.

An important nuance: if contacts are synced with Google Account, they will be removed from the cloud. To avoid this, first disable sync in Settings → Accounts → Google → Contact Sync.

Backup your contacts | Check if the numbers are linked to messengers | Turn off sync with Google (if necessary) | Close the background apps (WhatsApp, Telegram)

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Method 2: Delete via Google Contacts (web version)

If your Xiaomi contacts are synced with your Google Account, it’s easier to use a web interface, which ensures that the changes apply to all devices where you are logged in under the same account.

Instructions:

1. 🌐 Open your browser on your PC or phone and go to contacts.google.com.
2. 🔄 Sign in with the same account as Xiaomi.
3. 📋 Click on the first contact, then press Shift (on PC) or use Select Mode (on your phone) to mark a few entries.
4. 🗑️ Click on the basket icon in the top panel and confirm removal.

Critical detail: The records that are deleted through Google Contacts are put in the cart and stored there for 30 days. To clear them completely, go to the Recycle Bin section on the same site and select Clean the Recycle Bin.

Method 3: Use of the VCF file (export/import)

This method is suitable for users who want to selectively delete contacts by saving a backup beforehand, and is also useful if only part of the records need to be transferred to another device.

Algorithm of action:

• 📤 In the app Contacts click ⋮ → Imports/Exports → Export to file: Save the.vcf file to your device or cloud.
• 📄 Open the.vcf file through a text editor (e.g. Notepad)++ on PC) and manually delete unnecessary entries (each contact starts with a BEGIN:VCARD ends END:VCARD).
• 📥 Get back in touch. → Imports/Exports → Import from the file and select edited.vcf.

⚠️ Note: when importing, all existing contacts will be replaced by data from the file. If you manually deleted the entries but forgot to save the changes to.vcf, it will be impossible to restore them.

Manually, one by one | Using Google Contacts | Exporting/importing VCF| Using third-party apps | Never deleting

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Method 4: Third-Party Applications for Mass Deletion

If the built-in MIUI 12 tools seem inconvenient, you can use specialized utilities, and we tested several applications and selected the most reliable ones:

Before using any of these applications:

1. Create a backup of contacts through Settings → System → Backup.
2. Check out reviews in the Play Market – some utilities may contain ads or collect data.
3. Limit the permissions of the app (in Settings → Apps → Permissions) if it requests access to SMS or calls for no reason.

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If contacts are returned after deleting, check if they are synced with social media accounts (Facebook, Viber). Turn off sync in Settings → Accounts → [Social Network] → Contact Sync.

Method 5: Reset the Contacts app to factory settings

An extreme method that should be used if other methods have failed, it will completely clear all contacts, including cache data and temporary files, and is suitable for devices where contacts are stored locally (without being tied to Google or Mi Account).

How to reset:

1. 🔧 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
2. 🔍 Find the Contacts (or Contacts) app and tap it.
3. 🔄 Select Warehouse. → Clear the data and clear the cache.
4. 🔁 Reset the device.

⚠️ Note: this method will delete all contacts without recovery if they are not synced to the cloud.Be sure to export them to.vcf before reset or transfer them to the.vcf file. SIM-map.

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Resetting the Contacts app also removes call history and messages tied to numbers. If you only need to keep contacts, use other methods.

Frequent problems and solutions

Even after successfully removing contacts, Xiaomi users on MIUI 12 face typical difficulties.

1.Contacts are deleted but are displayed on WhatsApp/Telegram

This is because messengers cache phone numbers to update the data.

• 🔄 On WhatsApp: Go to WhatsApp ⋮ → Settings → chat → Backup copy → Update.
• 🔄 In Telegram: Remove contact manually through Settings → Contacts → Edit.

2 After removal, the contacts are returned

The culprit is automatic synchronization with Mi Account or social networks. Disable it in Settings → Accounts → [Service] → Contact Sync.

3.You cannot delete the contact with SIM-map

In MIUI 12, editing contacts on SIM is limited.

• 📱 Copy contacts with SIM telephone (Contacts) → ⋮ → Imports/Exports → Import with SIM).
• 🗑️ Remove unnecessary entries already in the device memory.
• 📤 Export back to SIM just the right contacts.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions