How to remove all contacts from Xiaomi phone: safe ways

Removal of all contacts from the Xiaomi smartphone may be necessary when selling the device, changing SIM-However, standard deletion through the Contacts app often leaves traces in synchronized Google or Mi Cloud accounts. In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods, including hidden features. MIUI, That will clean the phone book without any residue.

Xiaomi phones are particularly well integrated with Mi Account and Google, which means that even after visible deletion, contacts can be restored the next time you log in, weโ€™ll show you how to turn off sync before cleaning to avoid returning old records, and weโ€™ll also look at cases where standard methods donโ€™t work (for example, on locked devices or after resetting to factory settings).

1. Delete contacts through the โ€œContactsโ€ application (basic method)

The most obvious way is to use the built-in Contacts app, which is suitable if you havenโ€™t synchronized your contacts with cloud services or want to delete only local records.

Open the app and follow the following steps:

  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Slip on three points in the upper right corner. โ†’ Select Contact Management.
  • ๐Ÿ—‘๏ธ Click Delete Contacts โ†’ Check all the records (or select All the items).
  • โœ… Confirm the action with the Remove button (password/fingerprint may be required).

โš ๏ธ Note: If contacts are synced to Google or Mi Cloud, they will return the next time you update the data. To avoid this, pre-disable sync in your account settings.

Disable synchronization in Google account|Disable synchronization in Mi Cloud|Backup of important contacts|Check it out. SIM-map-->

2. Cleaning through MIUI settings (for all models)

If standard deletion doesnโ€™t work, use MIUI system settings. This method deletes all Contacts data, including cache and temporary files.

Instructions:

  1. Go to Settings โ†’ Applications โ†’ Application Management.
  2. Find the Contacts app (or com.android.contacts) and tap it.
  3. Select Warehouse and Cache โ†’ Clear the Data.
  4. Confirm the action (this will remove all local contacts and app settings).

๐Ÿ”น Important: This method does not affect the contact of SIM-To clean up completely, combine it with other methods from the article.

Using the "Contacts" app | Manually, one by one | Dropping the phone to factory settings | Using the computer | Another way-->

3. Remove synchronized contacts from Google account

If your contacts are linked to Google, they need to be deleted via the web interface or account settings on your phone, otherwise they will return after the next sync.

Method 1: Through the telephone

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Open the Settings. โ†’ Accounts and synchronization โ†’ Google.
  • ๐Ÿšซ Turn off the synchronization of contacts (slider in the off position.).
  • ๐Ÿ—‘๏ธ Return to Contactยป โ†’ Delete all records (as in the first method).

Method 2: Through the computer

  1. Go to the Google Contacts website.
  2. Select all contacts (check in the top left corner โ†’ Select everything).
  3. Click on the basket icon ๐Ÿ—‘๏ธ Delete.
  4. ๐Ÿ”„ Return to your phone and turn back on sync (if necessary).
What happens if you donโ€™t turn off the sync before removing it?
Contacts will return to the phone book the next time you update your data (usually within 5-10 minutes), which is because Google and Mi Cloud store backups and automatically restore them. To avoid this, disable sync before deleting or delete contacts directly from the cloud service.

4. Clean up via Mi Cloud (for Mi Account users)

Mi Cloud is Xiaomiโ€™s cloud storage that automatically backs up contacts, messages and other data, and if you use Mi Account, contacts could still be there even after you delete them from your phone.

How to delete contacts from Mi Cloud:

  1. Open the Settings. โ†’ Mi Account โ†’ Mi Cloud.
  2. Find the Contacts section and tap it.
  3. Turn off the synchronization (slider to the off position).
  4. Click Delete Data from the Cloud (or Clear, depending on the MIUI version).

โš ๏ธ Note: After cleaning up the Mi Cloud, contacts will be deleted from all devices associated with this account.If you use multiple Xiaomi phones (such as the Redmi Note 12 and the other two). POCO X5), The data will disappear and there.

ServiceWhere to removeAre contacts restored after removal?
Google Contactscontacts.google.comNot if the synchronization is off.
Mi CloudSettings โ†’ Mi Account โ†’ Mi CloudNo, but they will be deleted on all devices with this account.
Local contactsThe "Contacts" app on the phoneYes, if you have cloud synchronization enabled
SIM-mapContacts โ†’ Settings โ†’ Import / Export โ†’ Delete with SIMNo, but they're on the phone.

5. Resetting the phone to factory settings (last resort)

If none of these methods work, you will have to reset completely, which will remove all data from your phone, including contacts, apps, and settings, and use this method only as a last resort (e.g., before selling your device).

Instructions for MIUI 12-14:

  1. Make a backup of important data (photos, messages, etc.).
  2. Go to Settings โ†’ About the phone โ†’ Reset settings.
  3. Select to erase all data (password may be required).
  4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

๐Ÿ”น Important: Once reset, the phone will go back out of the box, all accounts (Google, Mi Account) will be untied, and data will be permanently deleted. If you plan to use the device further, save backups in advance.

๐Ÿ’ก

Before reset, check if the Mi Account is linked to the phone. After hard reset, Xiaomi can request the accountโ€™s details to be unlocked (Mi Account Lock feature).

6. Delete contacts from the locked phone (if the password is forgotten)

If your phone is locked and your contacts need to be deleted immediately, there are two options:

Method 1: Find Device (Mi Cloud)

  • ๐ŸŒ Go to i.mi.com and log in.
  • ๐Ÿ“ Select a locked phone in the list of devices.
  • ๐Ÿ”„ Click Delete Data (this will delete all data, including contacts).

Method 2: Fastboot (for advanced users)

If Find Device is disabled, you can use Fastboot mode to reset. You will need a computer and the Mi Flash Tool:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

โš ๏ธ Warning: This method is only suitable for users with an unlocked bootloader.The wrong commands in Fastboot can permanently damage the device.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Many users experience contacts being โ€œreturnedโ€ after being deleted, and here are the main reasons and solutions:

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Auto Sync: Disable it in Google and Mi Cloud settings before deleting.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฑ Duplicate by SIM-map: Check the records on SIM via Contact โ†’ Settings โ†’ Imports/Exports.
  • ๐Ÿ–ฅ๏ธ Backups in the cloud: Manually delete them on Google or Mi Cloud sites.
  • ๐Ÿ“ฒ Duplicator apps: Some messengers (such as WhatsApp or Viber) create their own copies of contacts.

If after all the manipulations contacts still appear, check:

  • Availability of third-party backup applications (such as Super Backup).
  • Synchronization with social networks (Facebook, VK).
  • Microsoft Exchange account settings (if you use corporate email).

๐Ÿ’ก

Before you delete your contacts, always turn off sync in the cloud, which is the only way to ensure that your records don't come back.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions

Can I restore contacts after removal?
Yes, if they were synced with Google or Mi Cloud. To restore: Open Settings โ†’ Accounts โ†’ Google/Mi Account. Enable contact sync. Wait until the process is complete (may take up to 1 hour). If sync was not enabled, try data recovery software (such as Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver), but success is not guaranteed.
Why do contacts return after removal?
This is because you automatically sync with cloud services, and even if you delete contacts on your phone, they stay in Google Contacts or Mi Cloud and are restored the next time you update. Solution: Turn off sync before you delete them. Delete contacts directly from the cloud service.
How to remove contacts from SIM-maps on Xiaomi?
SIM-The cards store the contacts separately from the phone. To clear them: Open "Contactsยป โ†’ press on โš™๏ธ Settings (or โ‹ฎ โ†’ Contact management. Choose Import/Export โ†’ Remove from SIM-Confirm the action. โš ๏ธ Removal of c SIM Does not affect contacts in the phone memory or the cloud.
Is it safe to use third-party apps to remove contacts?
Most apps from Google Play (such as Contact Cleaner or Simpler Contacts) are secure, but they are not: ๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Check reviews and rating before installation. ๐Ÿšซ Avoid programs that request access to SMS or call. ๐Ÿ” Some utilities only remove duplicates, not all contacts. MIUI.
How to delete contacts from Xiaomi phone if it does not turn on?
If the phone doesn't respond to turn on, try: Hard reset: Press the power button + Loudness up on 10-15 Then select Wipe Data via the Recovery menu. Service center: If the phone doesn't load even in Recovery, contact the official Xiaomi service. โš ๏ธ Without the phone on, it is impossible to remotely delete contacts (if the Find Device function was not configured).