How to completely clean up Xiaomi smartphone before selling: steps, risks and verification

Selling a smartphone is a process that requires not only a good presentation of the device, but also careful preparation, especially if we are talking about Xiaomi phones, where in addition to the standard reset, you need to take into account the nuances of working with your Mi Account, Find Device protection and hidden memory sections, errors at this stage can lead to locking the device for a new owner or leaking your personal data.

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to reset through the settings menu, but this is only the first step: photos, app cache, data on connected Mi Home devices, and sometimes tied payment systems remain in the phone’s memory, and this article will help avoid typical errors and conduct a 100% cleanup, including little-known moments that are not written in the official instructions.

We'll look at not only basics, but also advanced methods, from deleting a Mi Account without a password to checking hidden partitions through fastboot. We'll focus on models with a Qualcomm chip (like the Redmi Note 10 Pro or POCO F3), where the cleaning process is different from those on MediaTek. If you sell a phone with root rights or custom firmware, there's a separate section for you, too.

We warn you right away: some actions (for example, deleting an account through the EDL-The modes can lead to a "brick" of the device if executed incorrectly, so at critical moments we give alternative safe options.

1.Preparation for cleaning: what to do before the discharge

The first and most important step is backing up your data, and even if you plan to leave your phone empty, some data may be needed later, such as your Telegram or WhatsApp message history, your Mi Fit settings for your smartwatch, or your saved passwords in your Mi Browser.

Backup through the standard Backup app (Settings → About Phone → Backup). However, note that it does not save:

• 📸 Photos and videos in the Mi Cloud (you need to download them separately through the web version)
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords (can be exported via WiFi Password Viewer app)
• 🎮 Save games (use Google Play Games or built-in cloud games)
• 📱 Two-level authentication settings in banking applications

Pay special attention to synchronizing contacts. If they are linked to a Google account, there will be no problems. But if contacts are saved locally or in Mi Account, export them to the.vcf file through the Contacts menu → Contact Management → Import / Export.

Also check if you have any important services attached to your phone:

• 🏦 Bank cards on Google Pay/Mi Pay (removed automatically when reset, but better to check)
• 🚗 Digital keys to the vehicle (e.g., in the NFC-tags or applications such as Toyota Smart Key)
• 🔌 Xiaomi Smart Devices in Mi Home (You Can Move Them To Another Account)

2.Deleting Mi Account: Why It’s Critical and How to Do It Right

The main mistake users make is ignoring the Mi Account detachment. Even after a complete reset, the phone may remain tied to your profile, which blocks the new owner’s access to features like Find Device, software updates, or even full use of the device. On some models (such as the Redmi Note 9 or Mi 10T), this leads to a username/password request on the first setup.

To avoid problems, follow the following steps:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts → Mi Account.
2. Click on your profile and select Exit (not enough!).
3. Return to the account menu and select Delete Account (password entry required).
4. Confirm the deletion via SMS or email (if two-factor authentication is enabled).

If you have forgotten your Mi Account password, restore it INFORMATION via account.xiaomi.com. Deleting your account through resetting doesn’t work – this is done manually until cleaned.

On models with MIUI 12.5+, a “wait period” notification (usually 72 hours) may appear after deleting your account. This is normal – this is how Xiaomi fights theft.

3. Complete resetting of settings: step-by-step instructions

Now, to reset itself, there are two ways to do MIUI: through the settings menu and through Recovery Mode, the first one is 90% of the time, the second one is if the phone is buggy or not turning on.

Method 1: Resetting through settings

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose to Erase All Data (not Settings Reset – it will only delete settings, not files!).
3. Enter. PIN-code.
4. Confirm the action, wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).

Method 2: Reset via Recovery (if the phone is not turned on or got stuck)

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (manage by volume buttons, choose by power button).
4. Confirm the reset (Yes) and wait until it is completed.

After the reset, the phone will reboot to the "out of the box" state, however, this does not guarantee complete deletion of data!

• 🗄️ Section /data (Sometimes it is not fully formatted)
• 🔧 Cash. DALVIK (fragments of applications remain)
• 📱 Internal memory (if a “rapid reset” is selected»)

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If you are selling a root-right phone, then you must follow the command in Terminal Emulator before resetting:

su -c'rm -rf /data/*'

4. Hidden Partition Check: How to Make Sure Data Is Deleted

Even after a reset, some data may remain in hidden partitions, especially on Qualcomm Snapdragon devices. For example, the /persist section stores IMEI and serial numbers, and /misc stores recovery settings.

To check the cleanliness of the device, connect it to your PC and use ADB (Android Debug Bridge). Install Google's Platform Tools and execute the commands:

adb shell


ls /data

If you see folders like com.miui.cloudservice or com.xiaomi.account in the output, the reset didn't go through the entire process, and then the full formatting via fastboot will help:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot format:ext4 userdata




fastboot format:ext4 cache

MediaTek models (like the Redmi 9A or POCO M3) may require BROM mode and the SP Flash Tool instead of fastboot. This is more complicated, so if you’re not sure, take the phone to a service center.

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File-Based Encryption devices are more securely erased, but the reset process takes longer. If the phone offers "reset encryption," you can agree.

5. Additional safety precautions: for paranoids (and that's good!)

If you sell a phone with sensitive information (like using it to handle finances), a standard reset is not enough.

1. Re-recording of free space

Install Secure Erase or iShredder and rewrite data multiple times (DoD 5220.22-M) this will take several hours, but ensures that file recovery will not be possible even with professional software.

Verification of IMEI and serial number

Make sure your phone's IMEI is not blacklisted (for example, because of past locks) and check it on sites like imei.info. If it's clean, it's okay.

3.Removal from Mi Cloud

Go to i.mi.com from your PC, find the phone in your device list, and delete it. This will untie it from your cloud account forever.

4. Reset router settings (if you used Mi Wi-Fi)

If the phone has connected to Xiaomi routers (such as Mi Router 4A), remove it from the list of trusted devices in the router settings.

6. Cleaning phones with root rights or custom firmware

If your Xiaomi had root access (Magisk, SuperSU) or custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience), a standard reset will not return it to a stock state.

In this case, act as follows:

1. Remove root rights through Magisk Manager (Uninstall → Complete Uninstall).
2. Return the stock firmware via the Mi Flash Tool (download the official ROM for your model on the Xiaomi website).
3. Lock the bootloader (if you unlocked it before). For this purpose, fastboot oem lock. ⚠️ Attention: Locking the bootloader erases all data! Do this only after the stock firmware is returned.

For models with a locked bootloader (for example, Xiaomi 12 Pro) to return the stock firmware can only be through EDL-It's a risk, but if you're not sure, go to the service.

After all the manipulations, check the status of the phone with the command:

fastboot getvar anti

If the answer is anti: 3, the loader is locked, if the answer is anti: 0, unlocked.

7. Final check before handing over the phone

Before you give the phone to the buyer, follow the last checklist:

• 🔄 Make sure the phone loads in the initial setting menu (language selection).
• 📱 Check it out. IMEI *#06# - This is the same as the box.
• 🔋 Charge your phone to at least 50% – the new owner should be able to test it.
• 📦 Put all original accessories in the box (if you sell a set).

It is also worth checking if there are any “tails” left from your accounts:

1. Connect your phone to Wi-Fi and try to log in to Mi Account – a sign-up window should appear.
2. Open Google Play – there should be no linked accounts.
3. Check Settings → Google → Devices on your main phone – the Xiaomi sold should not be displayed there.

If everything is in order, you can safely transfer the phone to the new owner, be sure to give him a check (if you are selling officially) and warn him that the device is completely cleaned.

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Never hand over a phone with the developer mode on (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version 7 times) this can allow the new owner to root access to your old data!

FAQ: Frequent questions when cleaning up Xiaomi before selling