Preparation of Xiaomi smartphone for sale: 12 steps to not lose data and not let the buyer down

Selling a Xiaomi smartphone isn’t just a matter of price and appearance; even if it looks like new, it can still contain your personal data, photos, passwords, and activity history. According to a Kaspersky Lab study, 80 percent of used smartphones contain recoverable data from previous owners — even after being reset to factory settings. MIUI There are some other nuances that many people forget.

In this article, we will explore not only basic steps like resetting, but also hidden pitfalls that can let you down, for example, did you know that on some Redmi models, the snags are not the only ones that can be used to do this? POCO If you reset, you're left with a Mi Account binding, locking the device, or that standard microSD formatting doesn't permanently delete files, if you want to sell your phone quickly, safely and without consequences, read on.

1. Create a backup copy - or you'll lose everything

The first and most critical step that many people miss is that even if you're sure all the important files are synced to the cloud, local backup will save you from unpleasant surprises. For example, photos in Google Photos can take up space in the cloud, and the system automatically deletes them after 30 days without activity, and contacts associated with Mi Account are not always correctly transferred to other devices.

How to make a backup on Xiaomi:

• 📱 Through MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup and reset → Local backup: Select all the data you need (contacts, messages, notes) and save it to internal memory or microSD.
• ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud: In the same menu, click Backup in Mi Cloud. make sure you have enough space (free 5GB).
• 💻 On PC: Connect the phone to USB, Select the File Transfer Mode (MTP) And manually copy the folders. DCIM (Photos, Downloads, WhatsApp (if any).

Pay particular attention to:

• 🔑 Passwords from the browser (export through Settings) → Passwords and security → Password management).
• 🎮 Game savers (use Google Play Games or manual export).
• 📝 Notes from Mi Notes – they are not always synced with Google Keep.

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If you're a model with IR-With a blaster (like the Redmi Note 11), export the remote settings via the Mi Remote app!

2 Unplug all accounts or the phone will be locked

The most common mistake when selling Xiaomi is to forget to unplug Mi Account. If a buyer resets the phone and your account remains tied, the device will require you to enter your username and password to activate, called Mi Cloud Lock, and you can only unlock it through the official Xiaomi service (which takes up to 72 hours).

How to properly untie accounts:

1. Mi Account: Go to Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Mi Account, click on your profile and select Exit. Then go back to this menu and delete your account completely.
2. Google: In the same Accounts and Sync section, search Google, select your account and click Delete Account.
3. Social Media: Check Linked Facebook, Twitter Accounts in Settings → Passwords and security → Account management.

After deleting your accounts, be sure to restart your phone and check that:

• 📱 B Settings → The phone. → All options are not available on the Mi Account line: your email@example.com.
• ☁️ B Settings → Accounts and synchronization are not active accounts.

3.Delete SIM-microSD card and card, but not for nothing

It seems like an obvious step to take out. SIM-The card before the sale, but many people forget that:

• 📶 Dual-sim phones (such as Xiaomi 13 Pro) may have a second one SIM in a slot that is rarely used.
• 💾 A microSD card contains not only files, but also hidden application data (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram cache).
• 🔒 Encrypted memory cards (if you used them) may not be available to the new owner.

How to properly remove and prepare carriers:

1. Turn off the phone and remove the tray for SIM-paper-card.
2. If you use a microSD: 🔄 Format it on another device (not Xiaomi itself) to remove hidden files. 🗑️ For complete cleaning, use utilities like SD Card Formatter (official software from the SD Association).

Settings → Warehouse → Memory map → Formatting as an internal memory → Reset

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Even after formatting, microSD data can be recovered using special software (such as Recuva or DiskDigger), and if the card had sensitive files, it is better to physically destroy it.

4. perform a factory reset - but not through the menu

Standard reset via Settings → Resetting your settings on Xiaomi doesn't always clean the device completely:

• 📁 Files in a folder MIUI (Logistics of the system, time data).
• 🔑 Encryption keys for some applications.
• 📱 Data in the section /data, which can be restored through TWRP.

How to make a complete reset:

1. Charge your phone at least 50% (when reset via recovery, a discharge below 30% may interrupt the process).
2. Press the power button. + Volume up before the Mi logo (Fastboot mode).

After discharge:

• 🚫 Don’t connect to Wi-Fi or log in to your accounts – turn off your device immediately and move on to the next step.

5. Check. IMEI and lockdown status

Xiaomi customers often face problems when the phone is blacklisted. IMEI (To avoid conflict, check the status of the device before sale.

How to check for IMEI:

1. Dial *#06# and a window with one or two numbers will appear. IMEI (double-sim).
2. Go to imei.info and enter the first one. IMEI.
3. Check status: ✅ Clean – the device is not on the blacklist. ⚠️ Blacklisted – the phone is listed as stolen or lost. 🔄 Blocked by carrier – blocked by the operator (for example, for non-payment under the contract).

If status is not Clean:

• 📄 Contact the phone or the operator who blocked the device (if it was your fault).
• 🚨 If the phone is bought from hand and was in the black list, it is illegal to sell it (Article 175 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - the acquisition of property knowingly obtained by criminal means).

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On Xiaomi models with eSIM (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Ultra) check that the virtual SIM For that, go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks → eSIM and delete the profile.

6. Clear external memory and app cache

Even after the device is reset, fragments of data may remain in memory, especially for:

• 📸 Mini applications (such as Mi Video or Mi Music) that cache files in hidden folders.
• 🎮 Game data (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile leaves files in the back /Android/obb).
• 🔍 Logs of the system that may contain a history of your actions.

How to completely clear your memory:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and enable debugging. USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to the Additional Settings → Developer parameters → Debugging by USB).
2. Use it. ADB (Android Debug Bridge for deep cleaning. Open the command line on your PC and type in: adb shell su rm -rf /data/* rm -rf /cache/* rm -rf /sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails/* rm -rf /sdcard/Android/obb/* rm -rf /sdcard/Android/data/* Note: this requires root rights, but most Xiaomi have them disabled by default. TWRP (customization).
3. If root is not available, manually check folders: /sdcard/DCIM/.thumbnails — photo-picture. /sdcard/Android/data — file. /sdcard/MIUI — system-log.

On Xiaomi models with the function “Secure folder” (for example, Xiaomi) 12T) Even after you reset, files from this folder can remain encrypted. To delete them, open the File Manager before you reset. → Secure folder and clean it manually.

7. Check the performance of all functions

The buyer can return the phone if there are hidden defects after the purchase.

If you find a fault:

• 🔧 Eliminate them before sale (e.g., replace the battery or repair the charging connector).
• 💰 Indicate defects in the ad and reduce the price.
• 📄 Keep your repair checks – it will increase the buyer’s confidence.

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In the models with AMOLED-Check for burnout with screens (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro) run the test against a monochromatic background (e.g. Screen Test app) if there are traces of the interface (keyboard, notification panel), the screen is worn out.

8 Prepare the phone for transfer to the buyer

After all the technical manipulations, there are organizational moments that affect the buyer’s impression and your reputation:

• 📦 Complete: check what you have: Original box (if saved) Charger and cable (on models with Quick Charge 4)+ Use the original power supply. Documents (guarantee card, check if any) Paperclip for the tray SIM-map.
• 🧼 Appearance: wipe the screen and case with an alcohol-free agent (alcohol damages the oleophobic coating). Use a wooden toothpick (not metal) to clean the ports!).
• 📝 Documents for the buyer: make a receipt for the sale with an indication: IMEI Passport data of the seller and the buyer, dates and amounts of the transaction.

Example of receipt text:

I, [name of buyer], passport [series, number], bought from [name of seller],




passport [series, number], smartphone [model Xiaomi], IMEI: [number],




For [amount of numbers and spelling] rubles, claims to appearance




Date: [number, month, year]. Signature: _____/_____

If you sell through Avito or Yula:

• 📸 Take a photo. IMEI (screen with *#06# and attach to the ad.
• 🎥 Shoot video with a demonstration of health (call, camera, sensors).
• 🚫 Don’t settle for an advance payment – cash only on a meeting or a secure transaction through the platform.

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If the buyer asks you to leave your SIM-"Communication check" card, please refuse politely. SIM or offer to meet at the communication salon, where you can temporarily buy a card for verification.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi models with Find Device (similar to Find My iPhone) may still be linked to your account after a reset. To disable it, go to Settings before resetting. → Passwords and security → Find Device and deactivate the option. Otherwise, the buyer will not be able to use the device search function.

FAQ: Frequent Questions When Selling Xiaomi