How to untie Xiaomi phone before selling: 7 steps without the risk of locking

Why is simply resetting settings not enough?

Selling a Xiaomi smartphone requires more than just clicking the “Reset to factory” button, because all of the brand’s devices are tied to the Mi Account ecosystem, an account that synchronizes data, locks the device when it is stolen, and manages features like Find Device. If you don’t untie it properly, the new owner will get a brick: the phone will require you to enter your username/password after each reset.

According to statistics from 2026, 38% of Xiaomi users face problems when transferring a device because they forget about protection. MIUI. For example, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Xiaomi 13T They have a hardware link to an account that you can't get around without the original data, and in some regions (for example, India) there is a mandatory binding. IMEI The owner profile adds complexity.

In this article, we will discuss 7 mandatory steps to untie the phone without risk to the new owner, including hidden settings that are not shown in standard instructions, you will also learn which models (POCO F5, Redmi K60, etc.) have features when resetting, and how to check that the device is completely “clean” before selling.

Step 1: Unleashing Mi Accounts is the main rule

The first thing you need to do is delete your Mi Account from your device. It's not like logging out! Many users just click "Login" in your account settings, but it doesn't remove the device's binding. To unplug your account completely, you need to:

1. Go to Settings → Mi Account.
2. Slip on the profile avatar at the top of the screen.
3. Select Account Management → Security → Delete Account.
4. Enter the password from the account and confirm the deletion.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Xiaomi) 12S Ultra, Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G) After deleting the account, the system may request SMS-If you don't get the code, or you get an email confirmation:

• 📌 Restart the phone and try again.
• 📌 Check your internet connection (better to use mobile data).
• 📌 Turn it on. VPN (Xiaomi servers are blocked in some countries).

💡

If the phone doesn't accept SMS-code, try inserting SIM-Some Xiaomi models have problems with recognizing virtual numbers (for example, from Telegram or Google Voice).

After deleting your account, make sure that the device is not linked to your profile.

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com.
2. Sign in under your login.
3. Go to the Devices section – your phone shouldn’t be there.

Step 2: Disable the Find Device function

Find Device is an analogue of Apple's Find iPhone, and if you don't turn it off, the new owner won't be able to activate the phone even after you reset, and you can remotely lock the device if it stays in your account.

To turn off Find Device:

1. Open your Settings → Mi → Find Device account.
2. Turn off the device search slider.
3. Enter the password from your Mi Account for confirmation.

⚠️ Note: On some firmware (for example, MIUI 14 for POCO X5 Pro) Find Device can be hidden. If it's not on the menu, try it:

• 🔍 Enter the search for the settings query "Find Device".
• 🔍 Go on the Settings path → Additionally. → Confidentiality → Searching device.
• 🔍 Update the firmware to the latest version (sometimes the option appears after the update).

Step 3: Delete all synchronized data

Even after deleting your Mi Account, your device can still have cached data, such as call history, messages, photos in the cloud, and even Wi-Fi passwords, to completely clean your phone:

Delete your Google account|Clear the history of the browser|Delete data from Mi Cloud|Disable contact synchronization|Remove saved Wi-Fi passwords-->

Detailed instructions:

1. Delete your Google account: Go to Settings → Accounts → Google. Select your account and click Delete account.
2. Clear Mi Cloud: Go to Settings → Mi → Mi Cloud Account. Turn off sync for all types of data (contacts, notes, photos). Click Delete Device (if available).
3. Remove saved Wi-Fi networks: Go to Settings → Wi-Fi. Tap on each network, select Forget.

⚠️ Note: If you have used the Smart Home feature or connected your device to Mi Band/Mi Watch, be sure to untie it in the Mi Home app, otherwise the new owner will be able to control your smart devices!

Step 4: Reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

Now you can start a full reset, and it's important to do it right so that there's no trace of your data. There are two ways:

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 13/14 (for example, Xiaomi 12 Lite or Redmi Note 11S) After the reset, you may be asked to enter the old password, which is associated with the device protection function:

• 🔐 Before resetting, turn off Settings → Mi Account → Device protection.
• 🔐 If the option is not available, delete all fingerprints and graphic keys.

💡

Recovery is the most reliable way, but it deletes ALL data without recovery, including files in internal memory.

Step 5: Checking the device after resetting

After the reset, don't turn on the phone under your account! This can re-attach the device to your profile.

1. Turn on your phone and wait for the welcome screen.
2. Skip all setup steps (don’t connect to Wi-Fi!).
3. Check it out: 📱 The home screen should not have your widgets or folders. 🔄 B Settings → Your account should not be your profile. 📡 B Settings → Wi-Fi should not be saved networks.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone requires a Mi Account password after reset, you didn't untie the account correctly:

• 🔧 Try repeating steps 1-4.
• 🔧 If it doesn’t help, contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, box).
• 🔧 On models with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (such as Xiaomi 13) you may need to unlock the bootloader via the Mi Unlock Tool.

Step 6: Additional measures for IMEI-protected models

Some Xiaomi smartphones (especially for the Indian and Chinese markets) have a tether. IMEI This means that even after a reset, the device can remain in your profile to check and untie. IMEI:

1. Go to i.mi.com (authorization required).
2. Go to the Device Management section.
3. Find your phone by IMEI and click Delete.

If the option is not available, try:

• 📞 Contact Xiaomi Support and Request an Uncoupling IMEI (You'll need a check or a box).
• 📞 Use the official Mi Unlock Tool app (only for unlocked downloaders).

⚠️ Note: If you are selling a phone with a tether IMEI, The new owner will not be able to:

• 🚫 Use the mobile network (SIM-The card won't work).
• 🚫 Update the firmware through OTA.
• 🚫 Restore the device via Mi Cloud.

Step 7: Preparing for transfer to the buyer

Before transferring the phone to the buyer:

Make sure your phone is not tied to your Mi Account|Check for no Google accounts|Delete SIM-memory-card|Take a picture IMEI guarantee|Make the transfer act (in person)-->

Additional advice:

• 📦 Keep the box, documents and checks – they may be needed for warranty service (if the phone is still guaranteed).
• 📱 Take a screenshot of the Settings screen → About a phone with model information, IMEI version MIUI — This will confirm that the phone is not locked.
• 💳 If you sell through a site (Avito, Yula), ask the buyer if he is familiar with the Xiaomi ecosystem.

⚠️ Note: If you are selling a phone with an unlocked bootloader, tell the buyer that:

• 🔓 The device may not receive OTA-update.
• 🔓 Some banking applications (Sberbank, Tinkoff) may not work due to the SafetyNet trigger.
• 🔓 The warranty on such a device is usually canceled.

FAQ: Frequent questions when uncoupling Xiaomi