Cleaning the contact list on smartphones Xiaomi may be required for various reasons: from a banal desire to bring order to a chaotic list of “duplicates” to preparing the device for sale to a new owner. The standard firmware interface MIUI i HyperOS does not provide one magic “Delete everything” button, which often confuses users. However, there are several effective methods that allow you to completely clear your phone book in a matter of minutes without having to delete each number manually.
The choice of a specific method depends on where exactly your entries are stored: in the local memory of the device, in your account Google or in cloud storage Mi Cloud. Choosing the wrong method can lead to the loss of important data that cannot be recovered, so before starting the procedure, you must clearly understand the data storage architecture on your gadget. In this article, we will analyze all the available options, from using web interfaces to radical measures of resetting the system.
Before proceeding with mass deletion, it is highly recommended to create a backup copy of your important data. Even if you are sure that you no longer need the contacts, accidentally deleting the desired number of a client or relative can be an unpleasant surprise. The cleaning process is irreversible at the device level if synchronization has already taken place.
Deleting contacts through the Google Contacts web interface
The fastest and most reliable way to clear your phone book, if it is synchronized with your account Google, is to use the web version of the service. This method allows you to manage recordings from a computer or other device without loading the smartphone's processor. The interface of the web version provides bulk selection functions that are often missing or hidden in mobile applications.
First, you need to open your browser and go to the site contacts.google.com. Log in to the same account Gmailthat is used on your phone Xiaomi. After loading the list, you will see all the contacts that are synced to the cloud. If the list is empty, it means your numbers are stored locally or in Mi Account, and this method will not work.
⚠️ Attention: Deleting contacts in the Google web interface automatically synchronizes with your smartphone. As soon as you click the delete button in the browser, the entries will disappear from the phone if you have an Internet connection.
To delete all content, click on the highlight icon to the left of the first contact (square with a check mark). A menu will appear where you need to select the “All” option. The system will highlight absolutely all records in the current view. After this, a trash can icon will appear in the top panel. By clicking on it, you confirm the deletion. The process may take several seconds if there are thousands of numbers in the database.
- 🌐 Open
contacts.google.comin any browser. - ✅ Click the selection square and select "All".
- 🗑️ Click on the cart icon and confirm action.
It is important to note that Google moves deleted items to the Trash, where they are retained for 30 days. If you accidentally deleted contacts, you can restore them during this period through the "Trash" menu in the left column of the web interface. This serves as additional insurance against fatal errors during cleaning.
Cleaning through the Mi Cloud service on Xiaomi devices
Smartphone owners Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO often use a proprietary cloud service Mi Cloud for data backup. If the "Contacts" item is activated in the synchronization settings, then deleting records through the Mi Cloud web portal will lead to their disappearance on all linked devices.
Go to the official website i.mi.com and log in using your Mi Account. In the main menu, select the "Contacts" icon. A complete list of numbers uploaded to the cloud from your phone will be displayed here. The interface allows you to select records in groups or one at a time, but to completely clear them you will have to use the multiple selection function.
Click on the selection button (usually a check mark or the "Select All" menu item) to select the entire list. Then find the delete button. The system will ask you to confirm the operation. After successful execution, the command will be sent to the smartphone, and the next synchronization will clear the phone book.
| Parameter | Google Contacts | Mi Cloud |
|---|---|---|
| Operation speed | High | Medium |
| Interface | Convenient, mass selection | Basic, step-by-step |
| Recovery | 30 days in the recycle bin | Depends on the backup version |
| Dependency | Only Google account | Only Mi Account |
It is worth considering that synchronization between the cloud and the device does not occur instantly. After deleting entries in the web interface, it may take a few minutes for the changes to appear in the Contacts app on your smartphone. Make sure mobile data or Wi-Fi is turned on on your device.
Before deleting via Mi Cloud, go to the synchronization settings on your phone and temporarily disable contact transfer. This will allow you to save a copy in the cloud, even if you clear the local memory manually.
Bulk deletion in the Contacts application on MIUI
If you prefer not to use cloud services or contacts are stored exclusively in the local memory of the device, you can use the built-in application. The interface MIUI allows you to select groups of contacts, although the "Select All" function is sometimes hidden or does not work correctly depending on the firmware version.
Open the application Contact and go to the tab with the list of subscribers. Tap and hold on the first contact in the list to activate highlight mode. A toolbar will appear at the top of the screen. Look for a button with three dots or a menu icon where there may be a "Select All" option hidden.
If there is no automatic selection, you will have to use the "clamp" method. Tap the first contact, then hold (or swipe) your finger down on the screen. In some versions of the shell, this allows you to quickly select a large block of records. Once selected, click the trash icon.
⚠️ Attention: When deleted from local memory, contacts do not go to the Google trash. They can only be restored through special data recovery applications or from a local MIUI backup, if it was made in advance.
The process of deleting a large number of records (more than 500) through the app interface can cause system slowdown. This is normal, since the processor takes time to process the request to the database SQLitewhere the phone book is stored. Do not close the application until the operation is completed.
☑️ Preparing for deletion in the application
Deleting contacts from the SIM card
Despite the development of cloud technologies, many users still store numbers on SIM card. Contacts recorded on a SIM card are not displayed in the general lists of Google or Mi Cloud as clearly as telephone ones, and require a separate approach to management.
In the "Contacts" application, click on the three dots in the corner of the screen and select "Settings". Find the "SIM card" or "Manage SIM contacts" section. Here you will see a list of all numbers recorded directly on the operator’s chip. The management interface is usually ascetic, but functional.
To delete all entries, select the "Delete contacts from SIM card" option. The system will offer to select specific numbers or delete everything at once. Confirm the action. Please note that SIM card capacity is limited (usually up to 250 numbers) and contact names are often truncated due to character limits.
- 📱 Go to
SettingsContacts application. - 💾 Select control item SIM card.
- ❌ Click "Delete contacts" and confirm your choice.
After cleaning the SIM card, it is recommended to restart the device so that the system correctly updates the phone book cache. This is especially true for older versions Androidwhere communication module drivers may not correctly display changes in real time.
Resetting the Contacts application and clearing data
Sometimes standard removal methods do not work due to software glitches or damage to the contacts database. In such cases, you can resort to a radical method - completely clearing the system application data. This will return the phone book to the “as from the store” state.
Go to the Settings smartphone section, then select “Applications” → “All applications”. Find the "Contacts" application in the list (sometimes it may be called "Contacts Storage" or Contacts Storage). Go inside and click the "Clear" button → "Clear all data."
Settings → Applications → All applications → Contacts → Clear → Clear allThis operation will delete all local entries, call history (in some versions) and favorite contacts saved in the phone memory. However, it will not affect contacts synced to your Google Account if synchronization is turned on. After clearing during resynchronization, the contacts can be downloaded back from the cloud.
What to do if the contacts returned after the reset?
If after clearing the application data, the contacts appear again, then synchronization with the cloud is active. To avoid this, before resetting, remove your Google account from your phone settings or turn off the contact synchronization slider in the Accounts & Sync menu.
It is important to distinguish between clearing application data and resetting the phone itself. Clearing app data is safe for the system and does not delete your photos, music, or other files. This is a local operation that affects only the phone book database.
Full device reset (Hard Reset) as a last resort
If your goal is to prepare your smartphone Xiaomi for sale or transfer to another person, and you want to be sure to delete absolutely everything, including contacts, photos and applications, the only reliable solution is a hard reset to factory settings. This method destroys all user data without the possibility of recovery using standard means.
Before performing this procedure, make sure that you remember the password for your Mi Account and account Google. After the reset, the system will require you to enter this data to confirm ownership of the device (FRP protection). If you have forgotten your passwords, the phone may turn into a “brick” for the new owner.
⚠️ Attention: A full reset deletes all information from the internal memory. Be sure to copy important files to your computer or cloud before starting the procedure.
To perform a reset, go to Settings → "About phone" → "Reset settings". Select "Erase all data". The system will warn you that the action is irreversible. Enter your screen unlock password and confirm the operation. The phone will reboot and begin the formatting process, which may take from 5 to 15 minutes.
- 🔄 Go to
Settings→ "About phone". - ⚙️ Select "Reset settings" → "Erase all data".
- 🔒 Enter the password and confirm the deletion.
An alternative way is to use the mode Recovery. Turn off your phone, then hold down the Volume Up and Power buttons at the same time. In the menu that appears, select the language (English), then "Wipe Data" → "Wipe All Data". This method is used if the phone does not boot normally.
Hard Reset is the only way to ensure that contacts will not be restored from hidden caches or system partitions when you transfer the phone to another person.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to restore contacts after deleting all entries?
Yes, if you used synchronization with Google. Go to contacts.google.com, open the menu on the left and select "Trash". Deleted contacts are stored there for 30 days. For local contacts, restoration is possible only through specialized software for a PC, and success is not guaranteed.
Why do contacts appear again after deletion?
This happens due to active synchronization. You deleted the local copy, but when connected to the Internet, the phone downloaded data from the cloud (Google or Mi Cloud). To avoid this, you need to first delete contacts in the cloud service and then on the phone, or disable synchronization before clearing.
Will contacts be deleted from another phone if I clear them on Xiaomi?
Only if both phones use the same account (Google or Mi Account) and synchronization is enabled on both. If you use different accounts or contacts are saved only in the memory of a specific device, deleting on one phone will not affect the other.
How to delete duplicate contacts, and not all at once?
Google's Contacts application has a built-in merge function. Go to the application settings and select "Fix and manage" → "Merge duplicates". The system will automatically find duplicate entries and offer to combine them into one card.
Is it safe to use third-party applications to clear contacts?
Using third-party applications requires giving them access to your entire phone book. This creates a risk of personal data leakage. It is recommended to use only built-in MIUI tools or official Google and Xiaomi services.