How to properly clean Xiaomi smartphone before selling: complete reset and deletion of data

Selling a Xiaomi smartphone requires not just the surface deletion of photos or apps, but the complete erasure of all data, including hidden files, accounts and even traces of use. Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to reset through the settings menu — but this is only half the case. Residual data can contain passwords, browser history, authorization tokens and even geolocation, which are easy to recover using specialized programs.

In this article, you’ll find a step-by-step guide to deep cleaning any Xiaomi device (including Redmi, POCO And Black Shark, which makes it impossible to recover personal information, and we're going to look at not only the standard reset, but also the hidden nuances of deleting Mi accounts, encrypted data and the cache of system applications that are often overlooked. MIUI 14/15 and newer versions, where the process is different from the old firmware.

Why a routine reset is not enough: the risks to your data

Xiaomi’s standard Factory Reset feature only removes user files and settings, but does not affect:

• 🔐 Mi Account – remains tied to the device, blocking the new owner’s access to full functionality (for example, to Find Device or software updates).
• 📁 Hidden Partitions – System folders with logs, error dumps, and temporary files that may contain snippets of personal information.
• 🔄 App cache – even after resetting some apps (such as Google Chrome or Telegram) store residual data in protected partitions.
• 🔒 Encrypted data – on devices with encryption enabled (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro), a standard reset does not delete the decryption keys.

According to a study by Avast (2023), more than 60% of used smartphones contain recoverable data from previous owners, including:

• 📸 Photos and videos (even from Google's "basket" Photos).
• 💳 Bank card information (from Google Pay or Mi Pay).
• 📍 History of visited places (from Google Maps or Mi Location).
• 🔑 Saved passwords (from browsers or password managers).

To avoid data breaches, you need to do a multi-step cleanup, including deleting your account, formatting your internal memory, and checking for residual files, and we'll go through each step in detail.

Step 1: Preparing the device for discharge

Before cleaning, follow the necessary preparatory steps to avoid losing important data or locking the device:

1. Back up. Use the settings. → The phone. → Backup or Mi Cloud (if the account is not already deleted) Please note: backup in Mi Cloud is only saved 30 days after deleting the account!
2. Untie the device from the services. Remove the tether in: 🔗 Google Account (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Delete the account). 🔗 Mi Account (more on this in the next section). 🔗 Social networks (such as Facebook, VK — Check in the application settings).

Delete. SIM-memory-card.

Charge the battery to at least 50%.

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If you use Xiaomi with a bootloader unlocked, note that the device may lock again after the reset, in which case the new owner will have to re-unblock it through the Mi Unlock Tool.

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Before resetting, check if your Xiaomi is tied to a corporate account (e.g., through Android Enterprise or Mi Work) and these devices may require admin confirmation after cleaning.

Step 2: Deleting your Mi Account – Why it’s Critical

The Mi Account is the main trap in the sale of Xiaomi, and if it is not deleted, the new owner:

• 🚫 You will not be able to log into your Mi Account on this device.
• 🚫 You will not receive updates through OTA.
• 🚫 Cannot use features like Find Device or Mi Cloud.
• 🚫 You will see your name in the device settings.

To delete your Mi Account correctly, follow the following steps:

1. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
2. Click on your profile and select Exit (this does not delete the account, but only logs out!).
3. Back to Settings → Accounts and sync, find Mi Account and click Delete Account.
4. Enter the password from your Mi Account and confirm the deletion.

If the option to delete the account is not available (gray), then:

• 🔴 The device is tied to the Find Device. Turn it off in Settings. → Password & security → Find Device.
• 🔴 The smartphone has enabled bootloader lock, in which case the account can only be deleted via Fastboot (instructions in the next section).
• 🔴 The device is blacklisted (for example, after theft), and these smartphones cannot be sold, they are locked forever.

Step 3: Complete reset to factory settings

Now, to reset itself. Xiaomi has two ways: through the settings menu and through Recovery Mode, and we recommend using both, as they complement each other.

Method 1: Reset via Settings (soft reset)

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select to erase all data (factory recovery).
3. If you ask, enter PIN-Lock screen code and password from Mi Account (if not already deleted).
4. Confirm the reset and wait for the reboot (may take 10-20 minutes).

Method 2: Recovery Mode (hard reset)

This method is more reliable because it formats system partitions.

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English by default).
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data and confirm the action.
5. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the device requests a password from the Mi Account after the reset, the account was not deleted correctly (see Step 2).

All accounts deleted (Google, Mi, social networks)|

Backup of important data |

Extracted. SIM-memory-card|

Battery charge > 50%|

Find Device feature disabled-->

Step 4: Additional Purification for Paranoids (optional)

If you are selling a device with sensitive information (such as a corporate smartphone) or just want to be 100% secure, follow these steps:

1. Encryption of data before resetting

On devices with MIUI 12+ Encryption can be enabled to make it more difficult to recover data:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Privacy → Encryption and credentials.
2. Choose Encrypt your phone and set a strong password.
3. After encryption, reset (see Step 3).

This will make data recovery almost impossible without knowing the password.

2. Formatting internal memory through ADB

For advanced users: you can manually format internal memory through ADB (Android Debug Bridge: This will delete all data without recovery.

adb shell


sm list-disks




sm partition disk:179,64 private




sm partition disk:179,64 public

⚠️ Attention: Misuse of the right ADB This method is recommended only for advanced users.

Verification of residual data

Once reset, you can check if files are still on your device using applications like DiskDigger or Recuva (root access is required). If you find residual data, repeat the reset via Recovery Mode.

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Even after reset, some data may remain in eMMC memory (especially on older devices). + resetting.

Step 5: Unlock the bootloader (if required)

If after a reset, the device requests a password from the Mi Account or the new owner cannot log in to his account, then the smartphone is still tied to your Mi Account at the bootloader level.

• 🔓 You did not delete your Mi Account before resetting.
• 🔓 The device was unlocked via the Mi Unlock Tool, but then locked again.
• 🔓 The smartphone has enabled the function Find Device.

To unlock the bootloader and remove the binding, follow the following steps:

1. Download Mi Unlock Tool from Xiaomi’s official website (en.miui.com/unlock).
2. Launch the utility on your PC and log in to your Mi Account.
3. Connect your smartphone in Fastboot mode (turn off the device, then pinch the Power). + Loudness down).
4. In the utility, press Unlock and wait for the process to be completed (can take up to 72 hours due to Xiaomi restrictions).

If the utility gives the error "Couldn't unlock" means:

• 🕒 It’s not 72 hours since the last unblocking (Xiaomi restriction).
• 🔌 The device does not support unlocking (e.g. some models for the Chinese market).
• 🔌 You are using the unofficial version of the Mi Unlock Tool.

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If unlocking through the Mi Unlock Tool doesn’t help, try using alternative methods like EDL Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account and a special cable).

Step 6: Verify the device before transferring to the customer

Before you give the smartphone to the new owner, be sure to check:

It is also recommended that:

• 📱 Check the operation of the main functions: camera, speakers, microphone, sensors.
• 🔋 Make sure the battery holds the charge (show the buyer a schedule in Settings) → Battery).
• 📶 Check the work SIM-Cards and mobile network (if you sell with a tray).

If the device has passed all the checks, you can safely transfer it to the new owner, be sure to save the check or the contract of sale to avoid claims in the future.

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Once you transfer your device, immediately unplug it from your Mi Account via the web version of Mi Account, which will prevent possible login issues on your other devices.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When cleaning Xiaomi before selling, users often make critical errors that can lead to data loss or device lockdown.

⚠️ Note: If you sell Xiaomi with an unlocked bootloader, the new owner will be able to flash custom firmware (for example, LineageOS), which will void the warranty.

• 🚫 Reset without deleting Mi Account.This results in the device being locked for the new owner.Always delete the account before the reset.
• 🚫 Use of informal firmware before sale: Castom firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu) may contain bugs that will manifest in the new owner. MIUI before discharge.
• 🚫 Selling a device with Find Device enabled, which allows you to track your smartphone's location even after you reset.
• 🚫 Ignoring verification IMEI. On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T) after discharge may be reset IMEI, That would make the device unusable for calls. IMEI before and after cleaning.
• 🚫 Resetting via Fastboot without knowing commands.The wrong command (e.g. fastboot erase userdata instead of fastboot format userdata) can lead to a blink.

If you are in doubt about your actions, it is better to contact the Xiaomi service center for professional cleaning.This is especially true for devices with Qualcomm Snapdragon (for example, Xiaomi 13 Ultra or X-rays). POCO F5), where an incorrect discharge may damage EDL-section.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions