How to completely remove Google Contacts with Xiaomi Redmi: from simple to complex

Synchronizing contacts through Google Account on Xiaomi Redmi smartphones often becomes a source of problems: duplicate records, conflicts with Mi Account, or simply the desire of the user to store contacts locally. Unlike the standard removal of the application, Google Contacts are integrated into Android system services, so their complete removal requires a comprehensive approach – from disabling synchronization to deep settings MIUI or even working with ADB.

In this article, we will analyze all possible methods - from basic (available to beginners) to advanced (for those who are ready to work with development tools). MIUI 12/13/14, So if you want to not just hide your contacts, but completely remove their traces from the system, read on.

Why Google Contacts Appear on Redmi Automatically

Xiaomi Redmi smartphones (like other MIUI devices) are bound by default to two ecosystems:

• 🔄 Google Services – automatically sync contacts, calendar and email when you add an account @gmail.com.
• 📱 Mi Account is Xiaomi’s own ecosystem that also stores a copy of contacts in the cloud.
• 🤝 Sync Conflict – If you have previously used Google Contacts on another device, they will automatically pull up to Redmi when you log in to your account.

The main problem is that MIUI does not provide a direct option to “delete Google Contacts forever,” and even after you turn off sync in your account settings, the system can restore them after you reboot or update them, which is due to the work of Google Contacts Sync Adapter, which is sewn into the firmware.

Method 1: Disable Google Contacts Sync (without deleting your account)

The easiest and safest method is to disable contact sync while still retaining access to other Google services (Play Market, Gmail, etc.), which is suitable if you need to temporarily hide contacts or stop automatically updating them.

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync (on MIUI 14, the path may be called Memory and Sync → Accounts).
2. Select your Google Account (usually displayed as @gmail.com).
3. Slip to the account synchronization point.
4. Find the Contact Switch and turn it off.
5. Confirm the action by clicking Ready or Save.

After that, existing contacts will remain on the phone, but new changes will not sync with Google.To delete already uploaded contacts, go to the Contacts app, click on three dots (⋮) → Contact management → Select Google and remove unnecessary entries manually.

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If contacts continue to appear after you turn off sync, check the Contacts app settings (Contact Display section), and it may include all accounts, including hidden ones.

Method 2: Delete Google Account from your device (radical method)

If you don’t need any Google services (or are ready to create a new account), you can delete your Google Account completely from your phone.

• ✅ Remove all synchronized contacts, calendars and mail.
• ⚠️ Loss of access to Play Market, Gmail, YouTube and other services under this account.
• 🔄 Re-add your account (but contacts will not automatically be restored).

Instructions:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Synchronization.
2. Select your Google Account.
3. Press three points (⋮) top-right → Delete the account.
4. Confirm the deletion (a password or pattern lock may be required).

⚠️ Note: Some Redmi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or Redmi) 9T) After deleting Google Account, factory protection can work FRP (Factory Reset Protection: If you forget your account details, it will be impossible to unlock your phone after a reset!

Method 3: Reset the Contacts app settings (for MIUI)

In MIUI, the Contacts app has its own cache and data settings that can be reset without losing other phone features.This will help if contacts are duplicated or displayed incorrectly.

How to reset:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Find the Contacts app (or Contacts on English firmware).
3. Slip it on the Warehouse.
4. Click Clear Data and Clear Cache.
5. Reboot the phone.

Once reset, the Contacts app will restart with clean settings, and you will need to re-select which accounts to display (Google, Mi Account or Google Account). SIM-This method does not delete the contacts themselves, but only resets the settings for displaying them.

Export important contacts to the file VCF|Remember which accounts were connected.|Check if there are any contacts on SIM-map|Make a backup copy through MI Cloud (optional)-->

Method 4: Using ADB to remove Google Contacts Sync (for advanced)

If you're ready to work with Android Debug Bridge (ADB), you can disable the system app responsible for syncing contacts. This method requires an unlocked bootloader and enabled debugging over USB, but gives the most complete removal of Google Contacts without root rights.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone. Tap 7 times on MIUI Version. Go back to Settings → Additional → Developer. Activate USB Debugging.

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.syncadapters.contacts


adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.syncadapters.contacts

Reset the device.

These commands disable system-level contact sync, but don't delete the Google Contacts app itself. To get it back, use:

adb shell pm install-existing --user 0 com.google.android.syncadapters.contacts


adb shell pm enable --user 0 com.google.android.syncadapters.contacts

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This can cause system applications to fail or reboot cycles.Before experimenting, back up using Mi. PC suite TWRP (if established).

Method 5: Manual removal via TWRP (for root users)

If your Redmi has custom TWRP recaps installed and root access, you can manually delete files associated with Google Contacts, a method that is suitable for advanced users, as it requires working with system partitions.

Instructions:

1. Boot to TWRP (hold Power + Volume up when turned on).
2. Connect your phone to your PC and mount the /system partition.
3. Delete the following files (using ADB or file manager in TWRP): /system/priv-app/GoogleContactsSyncAdapter/ /system/app/GoogleContacts/ /data/data/com.google.android.syncadapters.contacts/
4. Clear the cache and Dalvik-cache in TWRP.
5. Reboot.

If the problem persists, you may have modified firmware installed on your device (e.g., Global ROM with Google services preinstalled), in which case only flashing to China ROM (without GMS) or installing custom firmware like LineageOS will help.

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On devices with MIUI for Russia (EEA) Google Contacts are stitched deeper than the Chinese versions. If you bought Redmi from an official store, you'll likely need to use it. ADB-commands or root access for complete removal.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing Google Contacts with Xiaomi Redmi