How to completely cancel Xiaomi smartphone: reset, delete the account and prepare for sale

Cancelling a Xiaomi smartphone is a set of procedures that return the device to a “clean” state, as after buying, a process that is necessary before selling, transferring to another user or correcting serious software failures. However, many owners face problems, from forgotten Mi Account passwords to locking after reset via Recovery. In this article, we will discuss all legal ways of canceling, including deleting the associated account, bypassing security and properly preparing for transferring the device.

It’s important to understand that simple formatting through settings is not always enough. For example, on Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO F3 models, after a reset, you may be left tied to Mi Cloud, which will block activation for the new owner. We’ll look at official methods (via settings and Fastboot), as well as legal workarounds for devices with a blocked account. All instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 firmware and newer ones.

What does it mean to “cancell” Xiaomi smartphone: types of procedures

By “cancellation” users most often mean three different processes:

• 🔄 Factory reset – remove all data, apps, and settings, but retain the link to the Mi Account.
• 🗑️ Mi Account Deletion – decoupling the device from the Xiaomi profile, necessary for transfer to another user.
• 🔓 Unlocking the bootloader - removing restrictions on the installation of custom firmware (relevant for enthusiasts).

For most users, the first two are enough. For example, if you sell Xiaomi, you can use the first two. 12T, The new owner will not be able to activate the phone while the device is tied to your Mi Account, with a simple reset via the Settings menu. → The phone. → Resetting settings does not remove this binding!

It is also important to distinguish between soft reset (via settings) and hard reset (via Recovery or Fastboot): the former saves some system data, while the latter completely clears the /data partition, but may require additional account manipulation.

Official way: reset via phone settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in reset function, which is suitable if:

• 📱 You have access to the phone menu (the pattern lock is not blocked).
• 🔑 You remember the password from the Mi Account (or it is not tied).
• 🔋 Battery charge greater than 50% (to avoid interruption of the process).

Instructions for MIUI 13/14:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to Erase All Data (not to be confused with Settings Reset – these are different options!).
3. Enter the device password (if installed).
4. Confirm the action, wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

After the reboot, the phone will suggest you set it up as new, but even after that reset, the device may still be tied to your Mi Account. To completely cancel the binding, you must additionally remove the phone from the device list in the Mi Cloud (more on this in the next section).

Remove Mi-account: how to untie the phone before selling

If you don't delete the Mi Account binding, the new owner won't be able to activate the device - after the reset, the system will require you to enter your username and password. This applies to all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models released after 2019. To cancel the binding, follow the following steps:

Method 1: Through phone settings (before reset)

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi-account.
2. Click on the three dots in the upper right corner and select Exit.
3. Confirm the exit and delete the account from the device.
4. Now you can reset to factory settings (see the previous section).

Method 2: Via the Mi Cloud website (if the phone has already been dropped)

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, find your phone and click Delete.
3. Confirm the action. SMS-code or through the Mi Security app.

Important! If you forget your Mi Account password, you can only restore it through your email or phone number. Xiaomi does not provide official ways to circumvent this protection – all “circumvent” methods (for example, through EDL) require proof of ownership (check) and contact the service center.

Hard Reset via Recovery Mode: When to Do and When to Do

If the phone is locked (forgotten pattern lock) or not turned on, you will have to use Recovery Mode.This method is suitable for all Xiaomi models, but has nuances:

• ⚠️ Some devices (for example, Redmi Note 9 Pro) may be reset via Recovery and may remain tied to the Mi-account.
• ⚡ The process erases all data, including photos and apps.
• 🔧 Requires a battery charge of at least 30%.

Instructions for resetting via Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time (on some models – Volume up + Volume down + Power).
3. Wait for the Mi logo to appear and release the buttons – you will be taken to the Recovery menu.
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (in Chinese firmware may be called ).
6. Confirm the action and wait until it is completed (it will take 3-5 minutes).
7. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

After rebooting, the phone will be in a post-purchase state, but if a Mi Account was previously linked, the system can request it when you first turn on, in which case, use the instructions from the section about deleting the account.

💡

If after resetting via Recovery, the phone asks for a password from the Mi Account, and you do not remember it, try connecting to Wi-Fi and entering account details on the i.mi.com site - sometimes this removes the lock.

Cancellation via Fastboot: for experienced users

The Fastboot method is the most radical and effective, but it requires a PC and minimal technical skills, and it is guaranteed to delete all data, including those associated with a Mi Account, but has risks:

• ⚠️ Incorrect commands can “brick” the device.
• 🔌 It requires original USB-cable (not all cables support data transfer to Fastboot).
• 💻 We need drivers. ADB/Fastboot Mi Flash Tool (for some models).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Platform Tools (includes fastboot).
2. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: pinch Power + Volume down.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with Platform Tools.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is displayed, continue.
5. Run full reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

Some models (such as the Xiaomi 11T) may require unlocking the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool.Please note: Xiaomi only allows unlocking once every 30 days for a single account.

💡

Fastboot reset is the only way to guarantee the removal of a Mi Account without a password, but requires proof of ownership (check) when contacting the service.

What to do if your phone is locked after resetting

Situation: you dropped the Redmi 9A through Recovery, and after turning on, the phone requires you to enter Mi Account details that you don't remember.This is the standard Factory Reset Protection (FRP) protection that Xiaomi has implemented to combat theft.

The most legal way is to restore access to the Mi Account or provide proof of purchase at the service center, and illegal methods (for example, firmware through EDL without authorization) can lead to the blocking of the IMEI, after which the phone becomes a “brick”.

⚠️ Note: Forums often offer "circumvention" FRP» These tools violate Xiaomi’s user agreement and may contain malicious code.In addition, after an informal bypass, the device may lose access to updates. OTA.

Xiaomi Preparation for Sale: Checklist

To avoid problems with the new owner and ensure that all data is completely cancelled, follow the following steps:

We also recommend:

• 📦 Save the box, check and components (they increase the cost on resale).
• 🔄 Update the firmware to the latest version (this will eliminate possible bugs for the new owner).
• 📱 Remove all screen protections and covers – they can hide defects of the case.

If you sell your phone through sites like Avito or Yula, please include in the description:

• 🆔 IMEI (clean-up).
• 📅 Purchase date and warranty period.
• 🔋 Battery status (percentage of wear can be checked in Settings) → Battery → Battery status).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cancellation