How to untie Xiaomi Redmi from all accounts before selling: step-by-step instructions 2026

Why you can’t sell Xiaomi Redmi without detaching accounts

Selling a smartphone without first clearing your data is like leaving a stranger the keys to your apartment. Xiaomi Redmi, like any modern device, stores not only your photos and correspondence, but also your account-related payment data, location history, and in some cases even biometric patterns. Even if you delete files manually, Mi and Google accounts remain active, giving the new owner access to your services or the ability to lock the phone through the Find Device feature.

The Mi Account binding is particularly dangerous, because without deleting it, the new user will not be able to fully use the smartphone, the system will require you to enter your username and password when resetting, and some Redmi models (for example, the Note 12 Pro+ or K60) will activate hardware locking through Xiaomi servers if you do not perform the correct uncoupling, which turns the gadget into a “brick” within a few days after sale.

This article provides a step-by-step algorithm for deleting all accounts (including hidden ones), resetting to factory settings without the risk of locking, and checking the cleanliness of the device before transferring to the customer. The instructions are relevant for all Redmi models on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS, including budget series (Redmi A2, 10C) and flagships (Redmi K70).

Step 1: Delete your Mi Account (the most important step!)

The Mi Account is your Xiaomi’s digital passport, and deleting it should be the first point.If you skip this step, the new owner will not be able to activate the device after the reset.In the worst case scenario, the phone will lock after 72 hours due to the Mi Cloud Activation Lock mechanism.

To untie the account:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Mi Account (or Mi Account in older versions) MIUI).
• 🔄 Click on the profile avatar at the top of the screen.
• 🗑️ Select Delete Account (in some firmware, the item is called Exit and Delete).
• 🔐 Enter the password from your Mi Account to confirm.
• ✅ Confirm removal – the system will show a notification of successful decoupling.

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If the Delete Account button is inactive, check your internet connection. Xiaomi requires online confirmation to unlink.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 11 Pro, Redmi) K50) After deleting the Mi Account, the system may request SMS-Prepare your code or backup email in advance to get you there so you don't get stuck at this point.

Open Settings → About Phone → Status Mi Account| Check for no avatar in the top notification bar | Make sure Settings → Accounts don’t have Mi Account|Reboot your phone and repeat the check-->

Step 2: Unlinking your Google Account and Other Services

Google Account Not Just Connected to Play Market, But Security FRP (Factory Reset Protection: If you don’t delete it before resetting, the new owner won’t be able to set up the phone without entering your data.+, including Redmi.

Instructions for removal:

• 🤖 Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Google.
• 📌 Choose your account (if there are several of them – delete all of them).
• 🚫 Click Delete your account and confirm the action.
• 🔍 To check: Open the Settings → Users and accounts – Google should be empty.

In addition to Google, remove other associated services:

• 📘 Social media: Facebook, VK, Telegram (in Settings) → Accounts).
• 💳 Payment systems: Google Pay, Mi Pay, SberBank Online (in Settings) → Annexes).
• 📡 Cloud storage: Mi Cloud, Yandex.Disk, Dropbox.

Step 3: Reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

After deleting the accounts, you must perform a complete reset, which will delete all remaining data, including:

• 📁 Local files (photos, videos, documents).
• 📱 System settings (Wi-Fi, brightness, sound).
• 🔧 Installed applications and their cache.
• 🔐 Fingerprints and facial recognition.

How to make Hard Reset on Xiaomi Redmi:

1. 🛠️ Open the Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings.
2. 🔄 Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
3. 🔒 Enter a pattern lock or PIN-code (if installed).
4. ✅ Confirm the action – the phone will restart and start the cleaning process (it will take up the phone). 5-15 minute).

⚠️ Note: On Redmi models with HyperOS (e.g. Redmi Note 13), an activation window may appear after a reset asking you to enter the previous owner’s data.This is normal – just hand the phone to the buyer at this stage, he will be able to skip the step by clicking Miss or Use without an account.

Step 4: Checking the cleanliness of the device before selling

Before handing over the phone to the buyer, be sure to do a check to avoid claims.

If at least one of the items is not consistent, repeat the reset or contact a service center. For example, the absence of an IMEI after the reset may indicate damage to the NVRAM - this is a hardware problem that will require repair.

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If a customer complains about a phone lock after a purchase, you must help unlock it via https://account.xiaomi.com ("Find the device" section).Ignoring this rule can result in a refund under consumer law.

Step 5: Additional security measures

Even after the reset, some data can be recovered using specialized software to protect itself completely:

• 🔐 Data encryption: Before reset, encrypt your phone in Settings → Security → Encrypting the phone. It'll take 30-60 Minutes, but will make file recovery impossible.
• 📶 Disabling eSIM: If you have used a virtual SIM, Remove it in Settings. → Mobile network → eSIM.
• 🛡️ Removal from "Find the device": Go to https://i.mi.com Remove the phone from the list of devices.
• 📱 Virus Check: Before reset, scan your phone with an antivirus (e.g., Mi Security) to prevent the infected device from being handed over to the customer.

⚠️ Note: If you sell Redmi with an unlocked bootloader, let the customer know. Some banking applications (e.g. SberBank Online) may not work on such devices due to a security breach.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users make mistakes when preparing a phone for sale.

• ❌ Delete Mi Account after reset: It's useless - the phone is already locked. Untie the account first, then reset.
• ❌ Ignoring FRP: If you do not delete your Google account, you will not be able to use your phone without your help.
• ❌ Recovery Resets Without Deleting Accounts: This Does Not Clear Links to Mi Account and Google.
• ❌ Selling with active SIM-Card: The new owner can access your SMS (For example, with bank codes).

If you have already sold your phone and forgot to unplug your accounts, do the following:

1. Go to https://account.xiaomi.com and remove the device from the list.
2. Change your password from Mi Account and Google.
3. Turn off all sessions in Google Settings → Security → Your Devices.
4. If the phone is locked, contact the buyer and provide the data to unlock (or return the money).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions