Removal of contacts with SIM-cards on smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO It may seem like a trivial task, but in practice, users are faced with a number of nuances, unlike the internal memory of the phone, where contacts are synchronized with a Google Account or Mi Cloud, SIM-The card stores data in an isolated format, which requires a separate approach, and this problem is especially relevant for owners of devices with hybrid slots, where the card is used in a single format. SIM-The card is combined with a memory card β here the risk of accidental deletion of important data is higher.
In this article, we will discuss all the current cleaning methods. SIM-maps: from standard tools MIUI Advanced methods with the use of ADB You will learn how to avoid common mistakes (such as deleting system contacts instead of user ones), how to properly back up before cleaning, and what to do if the phone canβt see. SIM-Contacts after firmware updates. We will pay special attention to models with dual SIM (Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi Note 12, where the process has its own characteristics.
Why contact us SIM-Xiaomi card may not be removed?
Before we get to the instructions, it's important to understand why standard methods sometimes don't work.
- π Protection MIUI: Starting with MIUI 12, the system blocks the direct recording of SIM-Map to prevent accidental deletion of data. This applies to Xiaomi models 11T, Redmi K50 newer.
- π± Operator restrictions: Some mobile operators (for example, MTS or Beeline) block editing contacts on the Internet. SIM software-assisted.
- π οΈ Faulty File System: If SIM-The card has been used for a long time without formatting, its memory may contain errors that prevent deletion.
- π Synchronization conflict: If the contacts are duplicated between the two SIM Google Contacts, the system can protect them from changes.
For example, on POCO X5 Pro MIUI 14 Users Often Error βCannot Delete Contactβ When Trying to Clear SIM This is because the default system tries to sync changes to the cloud, but SIM-Contacts do not support cloud sync. The solution is to disable sync before deleting (more on this in the next section).
Method 1: Remove via standard MIUI settings
The easiest method is to use the built-in MIUI tools. It is suitable for most models, including the Xiaomi 12 Lite, Redmi 10C and POCO M5.
- Open the Contacts app (an icon with a personβs silhouette).
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and select Contact Management.
- Go to the SIM tab (may be called Card 1 or Card 2 for dual models).
- Select the desired contacts with a long press or click Select All.
- Slip on the basket icon (ποΈ) In the lower menu and confirm the removal.
If the removal button is inactive, check:
- π Write Rights: Go to Settings β Annexes β Application management β Contacts β Rights and turn on Warehouse and SMS.
- π Turn off sync: Settings β Accounts. β Google β Disable contact synchronization.
- πΆ Reboot your phone in airplane mode (this will reset the operatorβs temporary locks).
Disable sync with Google/Mi Cloud
Check the rights of the "Contact" application
Make a backup copy (export to VCF)
Reboot the phone
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On some firmware (e.g. MIUI Global 13.0.4), the menu may look different. If you don't have Contact Management, try an alternative route:
- Open the Settings. β SIM-maps and mobile networks.
- Choose the right one. SIM-map and tap contact SIM.
- Hold your finger on the contact for selection, then press Remove.
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If the contacts are not deleted by the packet, try to delete them one by one, and sometimes the system blocks bulk operations due to operator restrictions.
Method 2: Use of the "SIM Contacts" application
For devices with custom firmware (such as Xiaomi.eu or LineageOS) or older models (Redmi 4X, Mi A1), the standard menu may not be available, in which case the third-party SIM Contacts app (available on Google Play) will help.
Algorithm of action:
- Install the application and provide all the permissions you request (including SMS and storage access).
- Choose the right one. SIM-main-menu map.
- Press Export to VCF for backup (optional).
- Select the contacts and tap Delete.
- Confirm the action in the dialog window.
Advantages of this method:
- π It works on any firmware, including Custom. ROM.
- π Shows a busy/free memory SIM-map.
- π Supports mass removal without restrictions.
β οΈ Attention: Applications for working with SIM-Contacts often request access to SMS. Install them only from official sources (Google Play) and check reviews. MIUI 14+ additionally enable permission to Change system settings in Settings β Special rights.
Method 3: Clean SIM through ADB (for power users)
If standard methods donβt work and apps donβt work, the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) option is still available, which is suitable for tech-savvy users and requires a phone to be connected to a computer.
Preparation:
- Turn on Developer Mode on your phone: Settings β About Phone β MIUI version (click 7 times).
- Activate Debugging by USB in Settings β Additional β For developers.
- Install ADB Tools on your PC.
Cleaning instructions:
adb shell
pm list packages | grep -i sim # find a SIM package (e.g. com.android.simtoolkit)
am start -n com.android.simtoolkit/.SimContactsActivity # Open the SIM- Contact Menu
input tap 500 1000 # Press Emulation (coordinates may differ)
Use input commands to navigate the delete menuTo completely clean all contacts with SIM, you can use the command:
adb shell content query --uri content://icc/adn --where "1" --projection "name, number" # view contacts
adb shell content delete --uri content://icc/adn --where "1" # delete all contacts| ADB Team Team | Description | Example of inference |
|---|---|---|
| adb devices | Checking the device connection | List of devices attached1234abcd device |
| adb shell pm list packages | grep sim | Search for packages to work with SIM | package:com.android.simtoolkit |
| adb shell content query --uri content://icc/adn | Viewing contacts on SIM | Row: 0 name=Ivan, number=+79123456789 |
| adb shell content delete --uri content://icc/adn | Deletion of all contacts | 1 rows deleted |
β οΈ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB Before you execute commands, make sure that: The phone is debugging on. USB. Drivers. ADB You have created a backup of contacts (export to the PC) VCF). In the models with MIUI 13+ Additional confirmation on the phone screen may be required when executing commands.
What if the ADB canβt see the device?
Method 4: Formatting SIM-maps (extreme method)
If none of these methods work, then the radical solution is complete formatting. SIM-This will delete all data, including messages and operator settings:
- ποΈ SIM-The card is filled to the limit (memory is filled").
- π§ Contacts are damaged and not readable.
- π΅ The card is not defined in some phones (except Xiaomi).
Instructions:
- Go to Settings. β SIM-maps and mobile networks.
- Select the SIM you want and tap Additional Settings (or SIM settings).
- Find Reset SIM or Format SIM.
- Enter. PUK-code (if required) can be found on plastic media SIM or request from the operator.
- Confirm the action.
After formatting:
- π± SIM-The map will be as new as the mobile Internet will need to be set up (APN).
- π You may need to call the operator to activate the services (for example, MTS Connect or MegaFon Bonus).
- β οΈ Some operators block formatting - in this case, contact the communication salon.
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SIM formatting is a last chance. If the card is physically damaged (for example, after contact with water), it is better to replace it in the operator's office. New SIMs (for example, eSIM or Nano-SIM from Tele2) have more memory and less often fail.
How to Recover Accidentally Remote SIM Contacts?
If you have deleted important numbers from SIM-Cards, chances of recovery depend on several factors:
| Recovery method | Conditions | Efficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Backup copy of VCF | You exported your contacts before you deleted them. | 100% |
| Synchronization with Google | Contacts have been synchronized previously | 80% |
| Programs like Dr.Fone. | SIM-The card was not formatted after removal. | 30-50% |
| Appeal to the operator | You have it. PUK-code | 10-20% |
To recover from backup:
- Open Contacts β Settings β Import / Export.
- Select Import from the device and specify the.vcf file.
- Select the target storage (such as Phone or Google).
If there is no backup, try:
- π Check the cart in Google Contacts (stored for 30 days).
- π± Use applications like SIM Card Recovery (requires root rights on some firmware).
- π Contact the operatorβs salon with a passport β some (for example, Beeline) store call logs for the last 6 months.
Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
When working with SIM-contacts on Xiaomi, users often make the following mistakes:
- π Remove your contacts from Google instead of SIM: Before cleaning, check that you are in the tab. SIM, Not Google or the Device.
- π΅ Ignoring Backup: Always Export Contacts to VCF before mass operations. MIUI This is done in contact. β Settings β Exports.
- π Operator lockdown: Some SIM (For example, corporate ones from MegaFon prohibit editing.
- π οΈ Damage to contacts during update: After update MIUI (For example, 13 to 14) contacts can be duplicated. β Annexes β Contacts β Clear the cache.
For example, on Xiaomi 13 Ultra after upgrading to the MIUI 14.0.3 Users complained about the disappearance SIM-Contacts:
- Reboot the phone.
- Turn it off and turn it on again. SIM-map.
- Reset network settings: Settings β SIM-map β Resetting network settings.
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After removing the contacts, the phone stopped seeing SIM-If you take out the card, clean the contacts (e.g., with a pin-up) and paste it back in. On hybrid slot models (e.g., Redmi Note 11), check if the card is installed correctly - the metal contacts must be facing downwards.