Xiaomi’s Complete Cleanup Before Selling: 7 Steps to Safely Reset

Selling a Xiaomi smartphone requires not only physical preparation of the device, but also the complete deletion of personal data so that the new owner does not get access to your information. Even after a standard reset, account traces, files in hidden memory areas or tied services can remain in the settings on the device.

Xiaomi smartphones feature deep integration with the Mi Account ecosystem, which can lock the device after reset, if you do not uncoup in advance. → Reset, but also hidden nuances: cleaning MIUI from cache, deleting data from EEPROM (for advanced users, as well as checking for FRP-We will pay special attention to models with HyperOS, the new firmware that replaced the new system. MIUI 2026.

1.Reset preparation: what to do before cleaning

Before you start resetting, make sure you follow all the critical steps, and failing to do so can result in the device being locked after the reboot, especially on models with Mi Account tied and Find Device enabled.

First, unplug all accounts:

• 📱 Mi Account: Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → If the device is linked to the account, you'll need to enter a password.
• 🔑 Google Account: Remove it from Settings → Accounts. → Google. It's preventing it. FRP-lock-up.
• 💳 Banking applications: deactivate them through settings (e.g. SberBank Online, Tinkoff) or delete them in Settings → Annexes.

Second, keep important data:

• 📁 Transfer your photos/videos to your PC or cloud (like Google Photos) and remember that you can’t recover them after resetting them.
• 📱 Export contacts to VCF-file through Contacts → Management → Exports.
• 🔐 Save passwords from Mi Browser or Google Chrome if they are not synced to the cloud.

💡

If you sell a device with a memory card, format it separately through Settings. → Warehouse → Cleanup SD-Even after the reset, it may still have your files on it.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi Note models 12 and newer with HyperOS, a standard reset via settings may not delete data from the partition /vendor. For complete cleaning, you will need to use Fastboot (see section). 4).

2. Standard reset via settings: when this is sufficient

For most users, resetting via the settings menu is a sufficient option.

• 📱 All installed applications and their data.
• 📂 Personal files (photos, videos, documents).
• 🔧 System settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, wallpaper, etc.).

But it does not guarantee removal of:

• 🔒 Data from protected sections (e.g, DRM-keyboard L1).
• 📡 Modem settings (IMEI It remains, but network logs can be stored).

Instructions for MIUI and HyperOS:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Erase All Data (on HyperOS – Delete All Data and Settings).
3. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock if the system requests.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).

Deleted all accounts (Mi, Google, social networks)

Important data (photos, contacts, passwords)

Find Device in Mi Cloud is disabled

Extracted. SIM-card and memory card (if any)

At least 50% of the battery is charged-->

Once reset, the device will load into a box-like state.

• 🔄 No request to enter the old Mi Account (if it appears, see Section 5).
• 📱 Absence of personal files in folders DCIM, Downloads (sometimes they stay).

3. Deep Cleanup: Delete Data via Fastboot

If you sell a flagship model (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi K60) or a HyperOS device, a standard reset may not be enough, in which case use Fastboot mode to fully format all partitions.

You'll need:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot (Download from the official Android website).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📄 Fastboot.exe (part of Platform Tools).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your smartphone and press the Power button + Volume down to log into Fastboot.
2. Connect the device to your PC and open the command line in the folder from fastboot.exe.
3. Enter the commands in turn: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of the device) fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot erase system fastboot flash userdata empty.img (for complete data erase cache fastboot)
4. Reboot the device: fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: The fastboot erase system and fastboot flash userdata will remove the firmware, then you will need to reflash the device through the Mi Flash Tool (instruction in section 6!

4.Mi Account Deletion: How to Avoid Locking After Reset

One of the most common problems with Xiaomi is blocking the Mi Account after a reset.

• 🔒 The device was tied to the account but not untied before resetting.
• 📡 Find the device in Mi Cloud enabled.
• 📱 The phone was stolen and blocked by the previous owner.

To avoid blocking:

1. Before reset, log out of Mi Account in the settings.
2. Disable Find the device in Mi Cloud → Find the device.
3. If the device is already locked, it will be required: 📧 Enter the login/password from the linked account. 📞 Or provide the buyer with a check/guarantee pass to unlock through Xiaomi Service.

Yes, I had to unblock it through the service.

I always untied my account in advance.

I don't know, I haven't tried to throw.

I have a different brand.-->

5. Checking the device after reset: what should disappear

After cleaning, make sure that all data is deleted.

• 📁 Folders with personal files: DCIM (Photos, Downloads (downloads), Documents.
• 📱 Installed applications: check in Settings → Applications – only standard applications (Mi Browser, Camera, etc.).
• 🔧 Settings: Wi-Fi networks, saved passwords, wallpaper, sound profiles.
• 🔒 Accounts: in Settings → Your accounts should not be your Mi or Google accounts.

How to check the hidden data:

1. Connect your smartphone to your PC and use ADB to view content: adb shell ls /data/data/ (you should not have folders with your apps).
2. Check the IMEI with *#06#, which must match what is on the box.
3. Make sure that the Widevine L1 does not degrade to L3 (checked in the DRM Info app).

💡

If the device requests the old Mi Account password after the reset, the account has not been untied. The only solution is to enter the password or contact the Xiaomi service center with purchase documents.

6. Flashing the device: when necessary

In some cases, after deep cleaning through Fastboot, the device may not boot or work unstable, this happens if critical parts of the firmware have been removed, in which case you will need to reflash the smartphone.

You'll need firmware.

• 🖥️ Mi Flash Tool (download from official website).
• 📦 Firmware for your model (choose Fastboot) ROM).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (for new models).

Instructions:

1. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters.
2. Launch the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and specify the path to the firmware folder.
3. Connect the switched off smartphone in Fastboot mode (clamp Power + Volume down).
4. Press Refresh in the program, then Flash.
5. Wait until the end (10-20 minutes) and restart the device.

⚠️ Note: Firmware via the Mi Flash Tool will reset all data, including IMEI and DRM-keys, if you select the Clean All option. IMEI Use Clean All and Lock.

7. Physical preparation of the device for sale

In addition to software cleaning, pay attention to the appearance of the device:

• 🧼 Wipe the screen and body with a microfiber wipe (without alcohol!).
• 🔋 Check the battery charge - optimally 50-80%.
• 📦 Make sure you have: Charger (if you sell with it), Cable (original or certified), Box and documents (increase cost).

What to do if:

• 💥 Screen is broken: specify this in the ad and reduce the price by 30-50%.
• 🔋 Battery worn out: check status via ##4636## (menu Battery Information). > 20%, offer a replacement.
• 📡 Network problems: check out IMEI (It should match the box and test the connection with two. SIM-map.

💡

If you sell a device with non-original firmware (for example, LineageOS), return the stockware MIUI/HyperOS. Buyers often abandon custom firmware due to problems with banking applications and Widevine.

FAQ: Frequent questions when cleaning up Xiaomi before selling