How to clean up completely SIM-map from contacts on Xiaomi smartphones

SIM cards still store contacts despite the ubiquitous shift to cloud services like Google Contacts or Mi Account. On Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, these records can be duplicated, occupied memory or simply interfered with — especially if you have not used a physical SIM for a long time. However, standard deleting contacts via your phone erases them only from the device’s memory, not from the card itself.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to completely cleanse SIM-A map from saved numbers, from simple methods through settings to hidden functions in the engineering menu. MIUI (12 to 14) and smartphone models. If you plan to sell your phone or just want to get rid of old records, these instructions will help you do it quickly and without the risk of damaging data.

Why do contacts remain in place SIM-map and how dangerous it is

Many users mistakenly believe that deleting a contact through the Contacts app on Xiaomi erases it from all media.

• 📱 Local Deletion: The number disappears from the phone’s memory, but remains on the phone. SIM-If you move the map to another machine, the contacts will come back.
• ☁️ Cloud sync: If sync is enabled with Google or Mi Cloud, the remote number can be restored the next update.
• 🔄 Duplication: when importing contacts with SIM copies are created on the phone, which prevent the search for the necessary numbers.

The main problem is the leakage of personal data. SIM-The card to another person, he will be able to restore all the saved numbers, including:

• 📞 Personal phone numbers of relatives and friends
• 💼 Working contacts (colleagues, partners)
• 🏦 Numbers of banks, support services, delivery

⚠️ Attention: SIM-Old-style cards (before 2010) are stored in unencrypted form, and can be extracted with even the simplest card reader.

Method 1: Standard removal through the Contacts app

The simplest method that works on all Xiaomi smartphones regardless of the MIUI version is if you need to delete individual contacts rather than the entire phone book.

Instructions:

1. Open the Contacts app (an icon with a person’s silhouette).
2. Click on the three dots in the top right corner → select Contact Management.
3. Go to the tab. SIM-map (may be called the map) SIM1 or SIM2).
4. Select the necessary contacts with a long press or check the boxes manually.
5. Click on the basket icon (🗑️) Or select Remove from the menu.

Limitations of the method:

• ❌ It is impossible to remove all contacts with one team – you have to allocate one or two groups.
• ❌ On some firmware (MIUI 12 and below) the deletion option may be hidden behind additional settings.

💡

If you have a lot of contacts, use alphabetical sorting (the "A→Z" button in the upper right corner) to speed up the process of allocating groups of numbers.

Method 2: Completely clean SIM through phone settings

This method removes all contacts from SIM-The cards are in one step without manual selection.Works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and other models. POCO, The path to the menu may vary depending on the version. MIUI.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → go to the Application section.
2. Select Application Management → find in the Contacts list.
3. Slip it on the vault. → Clear the data.
4. Back to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
5. Choose yours. SIM-map → Contacts SIM-map → Delete everything.

If the item is not deleted all:

Check that SIM-card not blocked PIN-code

Update the Contacts app via Google Play

Restart your phone and try again.

Use an alternative method (see Method 3)

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⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI Global for Europe) Cleanup option SIM-Contacts can be disabled at the request of the operator. in this case, use Method 3 or 4.

Method 3: Use of an engineering menu (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work, you can use Xiaomi’s engineering menu, which requires caution, as improper actions can disrupt the network.

Instructions:

1. Open the phone app and enter the combination: ##4636##
2. In the menu that opens, select Phone Information.
3. Scroll down to the block. SIM-map and click on it.
4. Find the SIM Contact Management option (also called the SIM Toolkit).
5. Select Clear all records and confirm the action.

Warnings:

• 🚨 Do not change other options in the engineering menu – this can lead to network loss or failure. IMEI.
• 🔧 In some models (POCO F3, Redmi Note 11: The engineering menu can be blocked. MTK Engineering Mode from Google Play.

Method 4: Management applications SIM-card

If Xiaomi's built-in tools don't work, you can use third-party utilities. We tested 3 reliable applications that run on MIUI without root rights:

• 📱 SIM Card (from Sim Card Tools) - allows you to view, edit and delete contacts in packets.
• 🔍 SIM Contact Manager – has the function of export / import to the CSV, convenient for backup before cleaning.
• 🛠️ MTK Engineering Mode – for devices running MediaTek processors (e.g. Redmi) 9A, POCO M3).

Step-by-step instructions for SIM Card:

1. Download the app from Google Play and give access to your contacts.
2. Choose yours. SIM-main-menu map.
3. Press Select All → Delete.
4. Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (may take up to 1 minute).

⚠️ Attention: Some applications (e.g, SIM Toolkit Pro requires payment for the full version. Free versions often limit the number of contacts deleted at a time (usually up to 10 pieces).

Standard annex “Contacts”

Engineering menu

Third-party annexes

Manual input/removal

I can't control it. It's all in the cloud.-->

Method 5: Physical cleaning through the card reader (for advanced)

If the software methods do not help, you can connect SIM-This is a way to get the card to the computer and clean it manually, and it requires additional hardware, but it's guaranteed to delete all the data.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with USB-port
• 📇 Card reader for SIM (worth ~300-500 rubles)
• 🖥️ PySim Reader Program or SIM Card Data Recovery

Instructions:

1. Extract. SIM-card from the phone and insert into the card reader.
2. Connect the card reader to your computer and start the PySim Reader program.
3. Select the disc with SIM-card (usually defined as a removable carrier).
4. In the menu, find the option of Erase Contacts or Format SIM.
5. Confirm the action and wait for the completion (it will take 2-5 minutes).

Important: This method completely erases all data from the SIM-card, including messages and operator settings, may require the card to be activated again by the operator after cleaning (support call or USSD-team).

💡

Physical cleaning through the card reader is the only way to guarantee the removal of data from damaged or blocked data. SIM-map.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When cleaning SIM-And these are the common problems that people often face in their maps, and here are the common problems and the ways that they can be solved:

Another common mistake is to remove contacts from your phone instead of your phone. SIM-To avoid the maps:

• 🔹 Always check which section you are in: Contacts or phone contacts SIM.
• 🔹 Before mass removal, make a backup copy (export to the VCF-file).
• 🔹 If you use dual-SIM, make sure you clear the card (SIM1 or SIM2).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions