How to delete all contacts on Xiaomi at once: safe ways to use MIUI 12-14

Mass removal of contacts on Xiaomi smartphones – a task that users face when changing SIM-Unlike piece-by-piece deletion, which takes hours, there are ways to clear a phone book in a few clicks, but not all methods are equally safe: Some may result in loss of linked data (such as Mi Cloud call history), while others require prior synchronization.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to completely clean contacts on devices with MIUI 12-14 (including Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T and other models). Particular attention will be paid to the hidden features of MIUI that allow you to delete contacts without linking to a Google account – this is important for users who do not use Google services, and you will learn how to avoid typical errors, such as the accidental removal of backups in the Mi Cloud.

Why can’t you just delete your contacts one at a time?

Manually deleting each record from the phone book takes not only time, but also is fraught with errors:

• 🔄 Duplicate: MIUI Often creates copies of contacts when synchronized with multiple accounts (Google, Mi Cloud, SIM-By manually removing, you can skip hidden duplicates.
• 📱 Sync: Contacts linked to a Google account or Mi Cloud are automatically restored after a device reboot unless you turn off sync in advance.
• 🗑️ Garbage records: The phone book leaves empty fields (e.g. contacts without names, only numbers) that are not visible in the main list.

In addition, in MIUI 14 adds Contact Merger, which can combine records from multiple sources. If you don't clean all sources at the same time, some contacts will remain in the system. SIM-The cards are stored separately from those stored in the phone’s memory.

Method 1: Remove via MIUI settings (without Google)

This method is suitable for users who do not use a Google account or want to delete only local contacts. MIUI 12–14:

1. Open the Contacts app (a icon with a person's silhouette).
2. Slip on the three dots in the top right corner and select Contact Management.
3. Go to the Import/Export Contacts section → Delete all contacts.
4. Select the source: Device (for local contacts) or SIM-map (for records) SIM).
5. Confirm the action by entering the screen unlock password (if required).

⚠️ Note: This method does not delete contacts from your Google account. If you previously synced a phone book with Google, the records will be restored after you connect to the Internet. To avoid this, pre-disable sync in Settings. → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization of contacts.

Disable synchronization with Google

Make a backup copy of contacts

Check the contacts on SIM-map

Make sure there are no important entries in the "Favorites"

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Method 2: Clean up Google Contacts (for synchronized accounts)

If your contacts are linked to a Google account, delete them through the Google Contacts web interface, which ensures that records disappear from all devices where sync is enabled.

Step-by-step:

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 Select All (square in the upper left corner) → More → Delete.
4. Confirm the action in the pop-up window.

After that:

• 🔄 On the phone go to Settings → Accounts. → Google and turn on your contacts again. Phone book will be updated in 5-10 minutes.
• 📱 If the contacts are not gone, check if they are saved to another source (e.g. Mi Cloud).

Method 3: Reset via Mi Cloud (for Xiaomi users)

Mi Cloud is Xiaomi's cloud storage that automatically backs up contacts if sync is enabled to delete all records from the cloud:

1. Open your Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud
2. Slip on Contacts and turn off synchronization (slider to off position).
3. Return to the Mi Cloud main menu and select Delete Data → Contacts.
4. Confirm the deletion by entering the password from the Mi Account.

⚠️ Note: This method removes contacts from the cloud permanently. If you haven't made a backup, it won't be possible to restore them. Also note that after you delete from Mi Cloud, contacts may remain on the device (if they were saved locally.

Method 4: Using a file manager (for advanced users)

Contacts in Android are stored in the database contacts2.db. If you have root access, you can delete this file manually. Without root rights, this method does not work!

Instructions:

1. Install a file manager with root support (such as Root Explorer or Solid Explorer).
2. Go to /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/
3. Delete contacts2.db and contacts2.db-journal files.
4. Reset the device.

⚠️ Attention: Incorrect actions with system files can lead to loss of all data or system failure.This method is recommended only for experienced users.If after deleting contacts do not disappear, clear the cache of the Contacts application in Settings → Annexes → Application management → Contacts → Warehouse → Clear the cache.

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Before using this method, make a full phone backup via Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset → Local Backup.

Method 5: Completely reset your phone (last resort)

If you not only need to delete contacts, but also completely clean the device (for example, before selling), perform a factory reset.This method deletes all data, including contacts, messages, photos and applications.

How to reset:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Resetting → Delete all data.
3. Enter the screen unlock password and confirm the action.
4. Wait for the process to be completed (it will take 5-15 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: After reset, the phone will return to the “out of the box” state. All data, including contacts, will be deleted without recovery (if there was no backup).If you are selling a device, please log out of Mi Account and Google Account in the settings.

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Resetting to factory settings is the only way to guarantee that you will delete all contacts, including those stored in hidden parts of your phone’s memory.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

With mass removal of contacts, users often face the following problems:

• 🔄 Contacts are returned after deletion: This is due to sync enabled with Google or Mi Cloud.Solution: Disable sync before deletion.
• 📵 Contacts with the SIM-map: SIM-Contacts are stored separately. manually delete them in the Contacts app → SIM-map.
• 🔒 Password confirmation requests: Delete your Mi Cloud or reset your settings requires a password from your Mi Account. If you forget it, restore access to account.xiaomi.com.
• 📱 Remains empty records: B MIUI Sometimes contacts are left without names (numbers only). To see them, click on three dots in the Contacts app. → Settings → Show contacts without names.

Another common mistake is deleting backups. If you're cleaning up Mi Cloud, check if there are any important backups. Go to Mi Cloud → Backups and make sure there are no fresh copies with contacts.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions