How to completely clean your Xiaomi smartphone: 3 ways to reset + delete your Mi Account

Complete cleaning of the Xiaomi smartphone is not just deleting files, but a comprehensive reset of all settings, applications and associated accounts to the state of “out of the box”. This is required before selling a device, when critical system failures or if you want to get rid of the digital garbage accumulated over the years of use. After reset, Mi accounts remain tied, hidden files are not deleted, and sometimes the device is completely blocked because of the FRP-Protection of the Factory Reset Protection).

In this article, we will discuss three official cleanup methods (through settings, Recovery and Fastboot), and how to properly delete your Mi Account to avoid blocking. We will focus on the nuances for models with MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS, where the process is different from the old versions. If you plan to sell your phone, here you will find a training checklist that will protect your data from recovery.

1.Reset preparation: what to do before cleaning

Before you start resetting, follow the mandatory steps – this will save you from losing important data and activation problems after cleaning.

• 📱 Back up. Use the built-in Settings tool. → The phone. → Backup or third-party services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud). Especially important to save: Contacts and messages (export to.vcf) Photo / video (check folder) DCIM/Thumbs — There may be hidden thumbnails) Logins and passwords from Settings → Passwords and security
• 🔌 Charge the phone to at least 50%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can lead to a device "brick" (inability to turn on).
• 📋 Write it down. IMEI. Dial *#06# - this data will be useful for unlocking, if after resetting the phone requires the original SIM-map.
• 🔐 Unplug your Mi Account (if you plan to sell your phone) and this is detailed in section 4.

⚠️ Note: If you use Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader, after resetting via Fastboot, the device may require re-unlocking.Prepare your Mi and PC account with Mi Unlock Tool.

Backup to Mi Cloud or Google Drive| Write down IMEI and serial number |Disable Find My Device in Google |Remove SIM and memory card (if any) | Charge phone to 50%+

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On models with HyperOS (e.g. Xiaomi 14, Redmi Note 13) before reset, it is recommended to disable the Smart Lock function (Settings → Lock Screen → Smart Lock). Otherwise, after cleaning, you may have problems unlocking the screen through Face ID or fingerprint.

2. Method 1: Reset via phone settings (the easiest)

This method is suitable for most users and does not require additional tools, but it does not delete the Mi Account - it should be unplugged separately!

Instructions for MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version (or HyperOS version) to activate the developer mode (optional, but useful for debugging).
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Reset.
4. Click Erase all data → Delete everything.
5. Enter. PIN-lock-screen code.
6. Confirm the action, wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the phone asks to enter the old PIN-The code or password from the Mi Account you don't remember -- don't try to guess! After 5 failed attempts, the device will lock for 24 hours.

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If the phone is "hang" in the reset phase (the Mi logo burns for more than 20 minutes), force it to restart, holding Power + Volume up for 10 seconds.

3. Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

This method will come in handy if the smartphone is not booting, cyclically rebooting or locked. You don't need access to the system to log in to Recovery, but you will need physical buttons.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (clip Power + Volume up for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Click the combination: For most models: Power + Volume Up For POCO F4/F5: Power + Volume Down For Xiaomi 12T/13T: Power + Both Volume buttons

Mi

Recovery

Nutrition

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Factory Reset

Confirm

Reboot

On HyperOS models, the Recovery menu can be in English or Chinese. If you see characters, focus on the order of items:

• 3rd Item: Wipe Data
• Point 1 - Reboot

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

Fastboot reset is the most reliable way to ensure that all data is deleted, including hidden partitions, and requires a PC connection and minimal command line knowledge.

• 🔄 Phone locked after failed reset via settings
• 🔒 You forgot your Mi Account password and your device requires authorization
• 🛠️ You need to remove the custom firmware (custom) ROM)

What you need:

• Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS
• USB Type-C Cable (original, undamaged)
• Platform Tools (download from the official Android website)
• Knowledge of the phone model (e.g, redmi_note_12_pro)

Instructions:

1. Unpack Platform Tools into a folder on your PC (e.g., C:\platform-tools).
2. Turn off your phone and press Power + Volume down to enter the Fastboot (a bunny with the word Fastboot should appear).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt in the Platform Tools folder (click Shift + right mouse button → Open the PowerShell window here).
4. Check the connection command: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear) - continue. If not, install the Mi USB Driver drivers.
5. Run full reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot format userdata fastboot reboot

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The fastboot format userdata command deletes all data without recovery, including files in internal memory. If you want to save photos, use fastboot erase userdata without formatting.

For models with HyperOS (such as Xiaomi 14), an additional command may be required:

fastboot erase metadata

It removes the encryption metadata, which prevents errors when you first set up after resetting.

5 How to delete a Mi Account before selling a phone

Even after a full reset, Xiaomi phones may still have a Mi Account binding. If you sell a device, the new owner won't be able to activate it until you unplug the account. Here's how to do it correctly:

Method 1: Using phone settings (if it works)

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
2. Click on your profile → Exit.
3. Enter the password from the Mi Account and confirm the exit.
4. Return to Settings → About Phone → Reset and clean up (Section 2).

Method 2: Through the Xiaomi website (if the phone is not turned on)

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in.
2. In the Devices section, find your phone and click Delete Device.
3. Confirm the action via SMS or email.
4. Wait 24 hours – the binding will be removed (on some models right away).

⚠️ Note: If you are selling a phone with a locked bootloader, the new owner will not be able to unlock it without your Mi Account. To avoid problems, unlock the bootloader in advance through the Mi Unlock Tool (instructions on the official website).

Always remove.|I delete, but I don't always remember.|I don't delete -- I don't know how.|I am selling with an account (I don’t know if it’s important)|Another option-->

6 How to Check That Your Phone Is Completely Clean

After the reset, it is important to make sure that your data is not left on the device.

• 🔍 Phone Memory: Open the File Manager and make sure folders are in place DCIM, Downloads, Documents are empty. Check the hidden folders (turn on the display in the manager settings).
• 👤 Accounts: Go to Settings → Accounts – Your Google, Mi, or Social Media should not be there.
• 📡 Network settings: Make sure saved Wi-Fi networks are removed (Settings) → Wi-Fi → Save networks).
• 🔑 Security: Check that fingerprints and face are ID reset (Settings) → Passwords and security → Fingerprints/faces).

For a deep check, use the DiskUsage app (available on Google Play) to show which files are taking up space on the internal drive, and if you see suspicious folders (e.g.,.thumbnails,.data) reset again via Fastboot.

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HyperOS models may have a system application cache after reset. To delete it, go to Settings → Storage → Cleanup after you first set it up and select Deep Clean.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes face problems when resetting Xiaomi, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

If the phone is slower than before, it's normal, and MIUI/HyperOS is optimized for the user within 2-3 days, to speed up the process.

• Turn off animation: Settings → Special features → Remove animations.
• Clear the cache: Settings → Storage → Cleanup → Cache of applications.
• Update: Settings → About the phone → System update.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions