How to Reset Xiaomi Before Selling: 4 Ways to Delete Data Completely

Selling a Xiaomi smartphone requires not only a physical transfer of the device, but also the complete deletion of personal data so that the new owner does not have access to your accounts, photos or correspondence. Even if you format memory manually, residual files can be recovered using special programs, so the only reliable way is to reset to factory settings, taking into account the nuances of the Xiaomi ecosystem.

In this article, we will analyze all current methods of resetting (including hidden ones) that work on models. 2020–2026 We will also tell you how to avoid locking the device through Mi Account after transfer. MIUI 14/15 HyperOS, where the procedure has key differences from older versions.

If you are selling Redmi Note 12, POCO X5, Xiaomi 13T Or any other model of the brand, the instructions will do, but the main thing is to follow the steps depending on the condition of the phone (work/non-working screen, whether it is blocked).

Why Regular File Deleting Is Not Enough

Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to transfer photos to the computer and delete the applications.

• 📁 Residual data remains in memory even after formatting (it can be restored via the ADB Or a program like Dr.Fone).
• 🔑 Authorization tokens (e.g. from Google, VKontakte, banking applications) can be saved in system folders.
• 📱 Mi Account remains tied to the device, allowing the previous owner to remotely lock the phone.
• 🔄 The application cache contains fragments of correspondence, browser history and even passwords (if saved in Mi Browser).

Reset via the settings menu (Settings) → The phone. → Setting resets) delete most of the data, but does not guarantee 100% cleanup:

• 📎 Logs of system applications (/data/log).
• 🔧 Settings MIUI (Subjects, gestures, permitted notifications).
• 📡 Wi-Fi Connected Network Data (unless you use a full reset via Recovery).

⚠️ Note: If you sell a phone with a Mi Account tied and don’t untie it in advance, the new owner may face lockdown after reset. Xiaomi requires the previous owner to enter the username/password when first turned on after the hard reset.

To avoid problems, use a combined method: first untie your account, then reset through Recovery (to ensure that all partitions are deleted).

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (for work phones)

The easiest method is if the phone turns on, the screen responds to touches, and you remember the pattern lock./PIN-Suitable for all models on MIUI 12–15 hyperos.

Steps:

1. Open the Settings. → About the phone (or Settings) → Additionally. → Resetting settings on older versions).
2. Select Resetting → Delete all data.
3. Enter your password/pattern lock (if requested).
4. Confirm the action by clicking Reset the phone.
5. Wait for the reboot (it will take 3-10 minutes).

Once reset, the phone will turn on in its initial setup mode, as it did after purchase, but this method does not remove data from the partition. /internal_storage on 100% — There are still fragments of files that can be recovered.

Untie Mi Account in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sign out

Delete SIM-card and memory card (if any)

Record the IMEI (in case of blocking)

Check that the phone is at least 50 times charged%-->

If you are selling a phone with HyperOS (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70), The path to discharge may be different:

Settings → Memory → Data Reset → Full reset

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F5, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) After resetting through the menu, there is a binding to Mi Account. To prevent the new owner from encountering a login request, be sure to untie the account in advance or use the reset via Recovery (method 3).

Method 2: Reset via Mi Cloud (remote)

If you lose your phone or you've already handed it over to the customer, but you forgot to reset it, you can do it remotely through Mi Cloud.

• 📶 The phone is connected to the Internet (mobile network or Wi-Fi).
• 🔄 Find the device has been activated in the settings.
• 🔑 Remember the username/password from the Mi Account tied to the phone.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select your device in the list (if there are several).
3. Press Find the device. → Erase the data.
4. Confirm the action by entering the password from Mi Account.
5. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to 30 minutes).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works even if the phone is in another city.
• ✅ Deletes data from all sections (including /data and /internal_storage).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Requires an active internet connection on your phone.
• ❌ Does not work if the device is turned off or discharged.
• ❌ After resetting, the phone will still require you to enter Mi Account data when you first turn on.

💡

If you are selling a phone and want to remotely check if the reset is done, ask the customer to send a screen photo from the initial setting menu (where the language is selected) to confirm that the data has been deleted.

Method 3: Recovery Reset (complete cleaning)

A method for power users to ensure that all data, including system partitions, is completely deleted.

• 🔧 The phone is working, but you want maximum cleaning.
• 🔐 Forgot the pattern lock./PIN-code.
• 📵 The screen does not respond to touch (but the phone is turned on).

Steps:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the button combination to enter Recovery: For most models: Power button + Loud up. POCO: Power button + Loudness down. For Xiaomi 12/13/14: Power button + volume-button.

Mi

Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Factory Reset

Confirm

Reboot → Reboot to System

Advantages:

• ✅ Remove all sections, including /data, /cache and /internal_storage.
• ✅ It works even if the lock password is forgotten.
• ✅ Resets the settings. MIUI factory-to-factory.

⚠️ Note: HyperOS models (e.g. Xiaomi 14) may require Mi Account data entry after reset via Recovery, even if the account was previously untied. To avoid this, use method 4 (Fastboot).

If you don't have Wipe All Data in Recovery, you have custom firmware installed.

Select Advanced Wipe → Tag all partitions (except OTG and MicroSD) → Swipe to Wipe

Method 4: Fastboot reset (for locked phones)

The most radical method that works even if:

• 🔒 The phone is locked with a pattern lock/PIN-code.
• 📵 The screen is not working, but the phone is determined by the PC).
• 🔧 You need to bypass the binding of the Mi Account after resetting.

Before starting, make sure that:

• 💻 Drivers are installed on the PC ADB/Fastboot (You can download from the official Android website).
• 🔌 The phone is charged at least 30 times%.
• 📋 You know the phone model (the commands are different for different processors).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC via USB.
4. Open the command prompt (Win + R → cmd) and type: fastboot devices If the device is identified (the serial number appears), continue. If not, install the drivers.
5. Enter the command to completely reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot format userdata fastboot reboot
6. Wait for the reboot (can take up to 15 minutes).

For models with Qualcomm chipset (for example, POCO X3 Pro, Redmi Note 10 Pro) use the extended command:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot erase system




fastboot flash system system.img




fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: On phones with HyperOS (Xiaomi) 13/14, Redmi K60) After reset via Fastboot, you may need to flash through the Mi Flash Tool, otherwise the device will be stuck on the logo.

If you reset your phone and you want to enter your Mi Account, you're not untied.

• Ask the customer to connect to Wi-Fi.
• Enter your Mi Account details (if the phone is on the activation screen).
• After entering, go to Settings. → Xiaomi account → Get out.

How to Unleash Mi Account Before Selling

The main problem with Xiaomi is that it is tied to Mi Account, and if you don't untie your account in advance, the new owner won't be able to use the phone after the reset: the system will require you to enter your username/password.

1. Open Settings → Xiaomi account.
2. Click on your profile → Account management.
3. Select Sign-out from your account.
4. Enter the password for confirmation.
5. After leaving, go to Settings. → Memory. → Data reset and perform reset.

If your phone is already sold and your account is not untied:

• 📧 Ask the customer to provide access to the phone (through a meeting or video call).
• 🔑 Enter your Mi Account details on the activation screen.
• 🔄 Untie the account through the settings and reset again.

On models with HyperOS, the path to decoupling the account has changed:

Settings → Accounts and sync → Xiaomi → Delete account

⚠️ Note: If you sell a phone with an unlocked bootloader, the new owner will be able to flash custom firmware and bypass Mi Account without you. To avoid this, lock the bootloader back through the Mi Unlock Tool before selling.

What to do after resetting: check before transfer

Before giving the phone to the buyer, check:

• 🔍 Make sure the phone requires initial setup (language selection, Wi-Fi connection).
• 📱 Check that the menu does not have your accounts (Google, Mi Account, social networks).
• 📁 Make sure your phone memory is empty (open files) → Internal memory).
• 🔧 Go to Settings. → About the phone and check that the data is reset (the date of the first turn on must coincide with the current one).

If the buyer is near, offer him:

• 📶 Connect to your Wi-Fi network.
• 🔑 Sign in to your Google Account (to make sure your data is deleted).
• 📱 Install any application (for example, Telegram) – this will confirm the health of Google Play.

If the phone was root-rights or custom firmware, warn the buyer that:

• 🔧 Xiaomi’s warranty on such a device does not apply.
• 🔄 Possible problems with updates MIUI/HyperOS.
• 📵 Certain functions (e.g, NFC Widevine L1) They may not work properly.

💡

If you sell a phone with an unlocked bootloader, honestly warn the buyer, which will save you from claims in the future if he has problems with the firmware.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users make mistakes when resetting Xiaomi, and here are the most common:

Another common problem is that the phone doesn't turn on after the reset.

• 🔋 The battery's gone. → Connect to charging for 30 minutes, then try turning on.
• 🔧 Firmware damaged. → Swipe your phone through the Mi Flash Tool (you can download it here).
• 🔒 Reset protection activated → Enter Mi Account data on the activation screen.

If the phone asks for a password from a previous Google account (FRP-locking, which means the factory protection was activated before the reset:

1. Enter the old Google account that was on the phone.
2. If you don’t remember the data, reset your phone via Fastboot with full formatting: fastboot erase frp

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions