How to completely disable the device settings on Xiaomi smartphones: 5 working ways

The first setup of Xiaomi’s new smartphone is a process that many users want to skip or disable, and may involve buying a used device, having to reset to factory settings without having to attach to an account, or wanting to avoid forced activation of MIUI services. However, the system often blocks access to basic features until the initial configuration is complete. In this article, we’ll look at legal and technical ways to circumvent this restriction, from simple Wi-Fi connection tricks to deep reset via Fastboot.

It is important to understand that disabling the device settings does not always amount to unlocking the bootloader or removing the binding to the Mi Account. Some methods require a computer, a USB-TypeC cable and basic knowledge of working with ADB or Fastboot. Others will suit even beginners, such as using Safe Mode mode or temporarily disconnecting the Internet. We will consider all options, indicating their complexity and potential risks.

Why Xiaomi is blocking the initial setup skip?

The manufacturer introduces mandatory settings for several reasons:

• 🔒 Data security: Linking to a Mi Account protects the device from theft, without which an attacker will not be able to use the phone after a reset.
• 📊 Statistics: Xiaomi analyzes user region, device model and version MIUI firmware-optimizing.
• 📱 Activation of Services: Setup includes Find Device, cloud backup, and other ecosystem features.
• 💰 Monetization: In the process, you can subscribe to Mi Cloud, install affiliate apps (such as Facebook or Netflix).

On devices with MIUI 12 and later, the circumvention of the settings has been complicated by the introduction of mandatory account verification when resetting via Recovery, which means that even after a hard reset, the system will require you to enter the username and password from the last associated Mi Account.

⚠️ Warning: Disabling the initial setup on devices with a locked bootloader can result in a blink (complete failure.

Method 1: Skip the settings via Internet shutdown (for MIUI 10–14)

The easiest method that works on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models is to interrupt the network connection during setup.The system will not be able to verify the account and may allow you to skip steps.

1. At the language selection stage, click on the Wi-Fi input field, but do not connect to the network.
2. Go back and try to skip the step (the button may appear after a few taps on the screen).
3. If the system requires a connection, select any network, enter the wrong password and wait for the error.
4. After 3-5 unsuccessful attempts, the option “Set up later” or “Skip” may appear.

On some firmware (e.g, MIUI 13 Global) this method only works when used SIM-Maps without the Internet. Put a map with the data disabled and try again.

SIM-map|Battery charge > 50%|Attempts to enter the wrong Wi-Fi password|Patience (may take 5-10 minutes)

-->

Method 2: Use Safe Mode (Safe Mode)

Safe Mode allows you to temporarily disable all third-party applications and services, including account verification, which is suitable for devices where the setting has already been started but blocked.

How to start:

1. At the setup stage, press the Power button before the turn off menu appears.
2. Hold your finger on the “Switch Off” (or “Reset”) option until a Safe Mode login request appears.
3. Confirm transition. The device will reboot with the words "Safe Mode" at the bottom of the screen.
4. Try skipping the settings or resetting through Settings → About Phone → Resetting.

In Safe Mode, some MIUI features may be limited, but this will bypass account locking. After successfully skipping the settings, restart the device as normal.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with MIUI 14 and HyperOS, the Safe Mode login can be blocked. ADB (see method 4).

Method 3: Reset via Recovery Mode (for unlocked bootloader)

If the bootloader is unlocked, you can reset completely through Recovery Mode without checking your account, which is suitable for handheld devices if the previous owner has not untied the Mi Account.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
4. After reset, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the device needs an account again after reset, then the bootloader is blocked, in which case only official unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool (see Method 5) will help.

Xiaomi (Mi 11/12/13) |Redmi (Note 10/11/12) |POCO (F3/F4/F5) |Xiaomi Pad| Another model | I don't know

-->

Method 4: Bypass ADB (for advanced users)

Android Debug Bridge Tool (ADB) It allows you to send commands to a device from a computer without going through the GUI, and it works even on locked bootloaders, but it requires you to turn on the device. USB Debugging (debugging by debugging) USB).

If debugging hasn't been enabled before, it won't work, but on some devices, it can be activated via Fastboot:

fastboot oem enable-adb

Follow the instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
2. Open the command line in the folder with ADB and execute: adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.miui.systemAdSolution This command removes the module responsible for checking the account.
3. Reboot the device: adb reboot

If the team doesn’t work, try an alternative:

adb shell am start -n com.android.settings/.Settings

This will open the settings directly bypassing the activation screen, and it works on MIUI 12-13, but it may not work on HyperOS.

💡

If ADB does not recognize the device, install the Mi USB Driver drivers and check the connection in Transfer Files (MTP) mode.

Method 5: Officially unlock the bootloader (for a complete reset)

If all previous methods fail, the official unlocking is still available through the Mi Unlock Tool, the only legal way to bypass account binding on devices with the bootloader locked.

Step-by-step:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from the official website.
2. Sign in to the program under the same Mi Account that is tied to the phone.
3. Connect the device in Fastboot mode (clip Power + Volume down).
4. In the program, click Unlock and wait until it is completed (can take up to 72 hours due to Xiaomi restrictions).
5. Once unlocked, reset via Fastboot: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase frp fastboot reboot

Note: unlocking resets all data and can void warranty. On new devices (released after 2022), Xiaomi has tightened its policy – now requires an account binding for at least 7 days before unlocking.

⚠️ Note: Using unofficial unlock tools (e.g. XiaomiTool) can lead to Mi Account blocking. Xiaomi tracks such actions and may permanently ban access to services.

Frequent mistakes and their solutions

When you try to disable the device settings, users face typical problems.

• 🔄 Located on the activation screen: If the phone needs Mi Account again after reset, then the bootloader is locked).
• 📵 Wi-Fi does not work in settings: The problem often arises from a failure in the module WCNSS. Solution – Fastboot reset with modem partition cleanup.
• 🔌 PC does not see the device in ADB: Install Qualcomm drivers HS-USB QDLoader 9008 Snapdragon or MediaTek Preloader for chips Helio/Dimensity.
• ⚠️ Error "This device is locked": This occurs when you try to flash custom Recovery (for example, TWRP) The solution is unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool.

If the device produces an Anti-rollback error (e.g., Anti 3 → 4), it means that you are trying to flash the old version of MIUI to the new one, in which case only the firmware through the Mi Flash Tool will help with cleaning all partitions (clean all and lock).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions