How to Remove All Contacts From Xiaomi Phone: Safe Ways to Delete 2026

Removing all contacts from Xiaomiโ€™s smartphone is a task that may be needed when selling the device, resetting to factory settings, or simply cleaning the address book from accumulated garbage. contacts are synchronized with a Google Account or Mi Account, duplicated after deletion, or some numbers remain in memory SIM-In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to completely clean contacts on Xiaomi in 2026, including hidden features. MIUI and tools for experienced users.

It's important to understand that simply clicking "Delete All" in the Contacts app often doesn't solve the problem, for example, if you've previously synced numbers with Google or Mi Cloud, they'll recover the next time you connect to the Internet. SIM-The card is generally stored separately from the phone's memory, and we'll look at the methods for all scenarios, from basic menu removal to complete cleaning through the phone. ADB and factory dump.

This article is suitable for all modern models of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO base MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS, including flagships like Xiaomi 14 Ultra and budget devices like Redmi Note 13, POCO F5 with global firmware, some menu items may be slightly different โ€“ we will point this out in the instructions.

1.Preparation: What to do before removing contacts

Before you start cleaning, follow a few critical steps that will save you from losing important data and unexpected problems.

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Back up your contacts. You plan to delete everything, you'll need a backup if you accidentally erase the wrong number. MIUI This is done through contact. โ†’ Settings โ†’ Imports/Exports โ†’ Export to file (.vcf format).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Check sync. Open Settings. โ†’ Accounts and see which services your contacts are synced with (Google, Mi Cloud, WhatsApp, etc.) disable sync to avoid automatic number recovery.
  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Make sure you're stable. If you delete contacts through the cloud, bad internet can interrupt the process and leave broken records.
  • ๐Ÿ” Check the access rights on some firmware. MIUI Contacts app may request additional permissions for mass operations.

Pay special attention to the contacts on SIM-They are stored separately from the main memory of the phone and are not deleted through standard settings. MIUI. If you SIM old (like Mini-SIM), its contacts may not be displayed in modern smartphones, but they will take up space. โ†’ Settings โ†’ Contact management โ†’ Contacts SIM.

โš ๏ธ Note: If you are using dual-SIM (two) SIM-- the cards, the contacts can be shared between them!

Also, it's worth considering that some messengers (like Telegram or Viber) store their own copies of contacts, and they will have to be deleted separately in the settings of each application, and we'll come back to this in the section on cleaning through Google Account.

๐Ÿ“Š How often do you clean your contacts on your smartphone?
Once a year.
Just before the phone is sold.
Never cleaned.
As litter builds up

2. Method 1: Delete all contacts through the โ€œContactsโ€ application

The easiest method is to use the built-in Contacts app (or Contacts on global firmware), which is suitable if you havenโ€™t synced numbers with cloud services or want to remove only local contacts.

  1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a personโ€™s silhouette).
  2. Click on three dots in the upper right corner (โ‹ฎ) and select Settings.
  3. Go to the contact management (or Manage contacts) section.
  4. Choose Delete all contacts (or Delete all contacts).
  5. Confirm the action by entering a password or pattern lock if required.

On some Xiaomi models (like the Redmi 12), this item may be called Clean Everything or hide behind an optional menu.If you don't find an option, try long-pressing any contact. โ†’ Highlight everything โ†’ Delete.

โš ๏ธ Warning: This method only deletes contacts stored in the phone's memory. If the numbers are synced to Google or Mi Cloud, they will recover the next time you connect to the Internet!

To avoid automatic recovery, turn off synchronization before removing:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Accounts and Synchronization.
  2. Choose a Google Account or a Mi Account.
  3. Turn off the slider opposite Contact.

Backup copy (.vcf) created

Synchronization with Google/Mi Cloud

Contacts checked on SIM-map

Messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp) are closed

-->

3. Method 2: Cleaning through Mi Account (Mi Cloud)

If you use Mi Account for sync, contacts are stored in the Mi Cloud, and can be deleted remotely, which is convenient if your phone is lost or you want to clear data from all devices associated with your account.

  1. Open your browser on your computer or phone and go to i.mi.com.
  2. Sign in under your Mi Account (login and password).
  3. In the main menu, select Contacts.
  4. Click on the basket icon or select Management โ†’ Delete everything.
  5. Confirm the action by entering a password or SMS-code.

Removal via Mi Cloud has several nuances:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Contacts will disappear from all devices associated with this account (including tablets and other Xiaomi smartphones).
  • โณ The process can take up to 24 hours โ€“ the cloud is not instantly synchronized.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ The phone may have cache on it after deleting. To clear it, go to Settings. โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Application management โ†’ Contacts โ†’ Warehouse โ†’ Clear the cache.

If after cleaning the cloud, contacts are still displayed on the phone, check:

  • Is synchronization enabled with Google Account (it can restore some numbers)
  • Are there any contacts left on SIM-map (not synchronized with the cloud).
  • Do you use dual apps (such as a second WhatsApp) where contacts can be duplicated?

๐Ÿ’ก

If you have returned contacts after you delete them via Mi Cloud, try logging out of your Mi Account on your phone, restarting your device and logging in again, which will reset the sync cache.

4. Method 3: Delete via Google Account

Many Xiaomi users sync their contacts with Google Account, which is convenient for backup and transfer to other devices, but when deleted via phone numbers can remain in the Google Contacts cloud, to clear them completely:

  1. Open your browser and go to contacts.google.com.
  2. Sign in with the same account that is used on your phone.
  3. Click the tick in the top left corner to highlight all contacts (or use the Ctrl combination).+A on PC).
  4. Click on the basket icon (Delete) and confirm the action.
  5. Go to the Recycle Bin section (in the side menu) and select Clean the Recycle Bin to delete contacts irrevocably.

After that, on the phone:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Accounts โ†’ Google.
  2. Turn off contact sync.
  3. Return to the Contacts app and manually delete the remaining entries (they may remain in the local cache).

If you have contacts, check:

Problem.Reason.Decision
Contacts are returned after removalAutomatic synchronization with GoogleTurn off synchronization in account settings
Duplicate recordsContacts saved in both Google and Mi CloudRemove duplicates manually or through Googleโ€™s merger tool
Some numbers are not deletedContacts are tied to SIM-map or messengerCheck it out. SIM and settings WhatsApp/Telegram
Synchronization errorGoogle Services FailureClear the cache of Google Contacts and Google Play Services

โš ๏ธ Note: If you used Google Contacts to store notes or additional information (such as birthdays), it will also be deleted.Export the data to.csv before clearing!

How to export your Google contacts before deleting them
1. On contacts.google.com, click on the gear icon (Settings). 2. Select Export and specify the format (.csv for Excel or.vcf for phone). 3. Save the file to your computer or to the cloud (Google Drive, Yandex.Disk).

Method 4: Removal of contacts with SIM-map

Contacts saved on SIM-The card is not deleted through standard settings. MIUI. They need to be cleaned separately โ€“ this is especially true for users who have long used one. SIM And they've accumulated hundreds of numbers.

Instructions for Xiaomi:

  1. Open the Contacts app.
  2. Press three points (โ‹ฎ) โ†’ Settings โ†’ Contact management.
  3. Select Contacts SIM (or SIM contacts).
  4. Click Delete All or select numbers manually and delete.

If the point of contact SIM absent:

  • ๐Ÿ“Œ Check if it's inserted. SIM-slot-card SIM1 (On some Xiaomi models, contacts are read only from the first slot).
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Restart your phone - sometimes SIM-Contacts are not displayed due to failure.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Try inserting. SIM to another phone (such as an old Nokia or Samsung) and delete contacts from there.

On new Xiaomi models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13T Or the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+) contact-support SIM-The card may be restricted due to the switch to eSIM:

  1. Use an adapter to read SIM on PC and special software like SIM Card Reader.
  2. Contact the salon โ€“ there can transfer contacts to the phone and clean SIM.

โš ๏ธ Attention: Contacts to SIM-The card is limited to 250 numbers, and if the card is old, the old ones can be automatically deleted when new contacts are added!

๐Ÿ’ก

Contacts to SIM-The card is not synced to the clouds and is not automatically backed up, but must be stored manually in the phone memory or exported to the file.vcf.

6. Method 5: Complete cleaning through ADB (power-user)

If the standard methods do not help, you can use Android Debug Bridge (ADB) โ€” This is a tool for advanced users, which removes all contacts, including system and hidden ones, but requires connecting the phone to a computer.

Step-by-step:

  1. Install ADB Tools on PC (you can download from the official Android website).
  2. On your phone, turn on Developer Mode: Go to Settings โ†’ About the phone. Press 7 times on the version. MIUI (You will receive a notification saying, โ€œYou are a developer.โ€ โ†’ Additionally. โ†’ For developers, activate debugging by USB.

Connect your phone to your PC via USB (use the original cable!).

cmd

adb

adb devices

(Your device should be displayed)

adb shell pm clear com.android.contacts
adb shell pm clear com.miui.contacts

Reboot the phone.

These commands will completely reset the Contacts app, deleting all local data, but they do not affect:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Contacts with Google Account or Mi Cloud.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Contacts to SIM-map.
  • ๐Ÿ’ฌ Contacts in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, etc.).

โš ๏ธ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB You can crash your phone. Don't follow commands unless you're sure they're there!

For complete cleaning (including clouds), you can additionally perform:

adb shell content delete --uri content://com.android.contacts/raw_contacts
adb shell content delete --uri content://com.android.contacts/data

After that, all contacts will be erased without the possibility of recovery (if there was no backup).

1. Install Xiaomi drivers from the site en.miui.com/a/adb.html

2.Change mode USB to โ€œTransfer of filesยป (MTP)

3. Disable/enable debugging by USB phone-on-->

7. Method 6: Factory discharge (last resort)

If no methods have worked, or you want to sell your phone, do a full reset.This will delete all data, including contacts, messages, photos and apps.

Instructions for MIUI:

  1. Create a backup copy of important data (photos, chats, documents).
  2. Go to Settings โ†’ About the phone โ†’ Reset settings.
  3. Choose to erase all data.
  4. Enter the password from the phone and confirm the action.
  5. Wait for the reboot (can take 5-15 minutes).

After discharge:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ The phone will return to the โ€œout of the boxโ€ stateยป.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ All accounts (Google, Mi) will be detached.
  • ๐Ÿ“ถ Contacts to SIM-The card will remain (they must be removed separately).

If you are planning to sell or transfer your phone, you will also:

  • ๐Ÿ” Log out of Mi Account (if linked) via Settings โ†’ Accounts. โ†’ Mi Account. โ†’ Get out.
  • ๐Ÿ“‹ Delete everything. SIM-memory-cards.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Reset again (sometimes after the first reset, traces of accounts remain).

โš ๏ธ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi with Mi Account lock) may require login/password input from your previous account after reset. Make sure to remember the data or untie the device in advance!

8 Additional Advice and Frequent Mistakes

When deleting contacts on Xiaomi, users often face typical problems.

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Are contacts restored after deletion? Reason: sync with Google or Mi Cloud enabled. Solution: disable it in your account settings before deletion.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Contacts with the SIM-The reason is that the phone doesn't support recording. SIM (Solution: Use another device or adapter for the PC.
  • โŒ "Failure to delete" error? Cause: Contacts app malfunction. Solution: clear cache (Settings) โ†’ Annexes โ†’ Contacts โ†’ Warehouse โ†’ Clear the cache).
  • ๐Ÿ”’ Requested password when deleted? Reason: Security turned on MIUI Solution: enter PIN-phone-code.

A few more useful life hacks:

  • ๐Ÿ“Œ To avoid duplicate contacts, in the Mi Account settings, disable the option Automatic Contacts Association.
  • ๐Ÿ” If you are looking for a specific contact before deleting, use the Contacts app (a magnifier at the top of the screen).
  • ๐Ÿ“ค For mass removal of duplicates, use the service Google Contacts Merge.

If after all the manipulations part of the contacts remained, check:

  • ๐Ÿ“Œ Messengers: WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber store their own copies of the address book.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Social media: Facebook, VK They can synchronize contacts.
  • ๐Ÿ“ก Corporate accounts: If your phone is linked to Microsoft Exchange or Yandex Connect, contacts can be recovered from the enterprise cloud.

1. Delete all accounts (Google, Mi, social networks)

2. Out. SIM and SD-map

3. Make a factory reset

4. Check that the phone does not require login after restarting-->

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing contacts on Xiaomi

Can I restore contacts after removal?
Yes, if you have synced with Google or Mi Cloud, go to the appropriate account and check the Recycle Bin (Google Contacts keeps contacts there for 30 days), and backup in.vcf or.csv if you created it, if sync is disabled and backup is not, recovery is unlikely. In the last resort, you can try programs like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver, but they do not guarantee 100% results.
Why did the phone drop back?
This is due to automatic synchronization with a Google Account or Mi Account. When you first connect to the Internet after a reset, the phone recovers data from the cloud. To avoid this: Do not connect to Wi-Fi or mobile Internet immediately after a reset. When you set up your phone, skip the login step. Delete contacts from the cloud before reset (see Methods 3 and 4).
How to delete your contacts from your phone but leave them on Google?
To do this, you need to turn off synchronization and delete local contacts: Go to Settings โ†’ Accounts. โ†’ Google and turn off contact sync. Open the Contacts app, click โ‹ฎ โ†’ Settings โ†’ Contact management. Select your phone contacts (or Device contacts) and delete them. Don't touch your Google contacts, they'll stay in the cloud. Then you can turn on sync again, but local contacts won't recover.
What happens if the contacts are duplicated after synchronization?
Doubles occur when the same contact is saved on Google, Mi Cloud, and phone. To fix: Open Google Contacts and click on the side menu for Doubles. MIUI Go to Contacts. โ†’ Settings โ†’ Contacts merge and enable automatic merge. Remove unnecessary accounts from sync (e.g. leave only Google or only Mi Cloud).If duplicates remain, export contacts to.csv, delete repeating lines in Excel and import back.
Can I remove contacts from my childโ€™s phone remotely?
Yes, if the phone is linked to your Mi Account or Google Family Account. Methods: Through Mi Cloud: go to i.mi.com, select the child's device (if it's tied) and delete contacts. Through Google Family Link: if the phone is managed through a family account, you can restrict access to contacts or delete them through Google Family Link. Through Find My Device: if the phone is lost, you can make a remote reset via Find My Device (but this will delete all data). If the phone is not tied to your accounts, remote deletion is impossible without physical access to the device.