How to Reset Xiaomi to Factory Settings Before Selling: 3 Ways + Error Checking

Selling a Xiaomi smartphone requires careful preparation so that the new owner gets a clean device without your data, and you avoid problems with the attached Mi Account. It is not enough to simply delete files or format memory: without a complete reset, there are login traces, app cache and even bank card data (if mobile payments were used). Moreover, an improper reset can lead to locking the device through the “Find Device” function or activation lock (FRP), which will make the phone useless for the buyer.

In this article, we have proven reset methods for all Xiaomi models (including Redmi, POCO, Black Shark) that are relevant for 2026.

• 🔄 Software reset via settings (the safest method)
• 🛠️ Hard Reset with Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)
• 💻 Reset via Fastboot (for experienced users)
• 🔐 Delete Mi Account and check for lock before sale

We will focus on common errors that can leave your smartphone tied to your account or lose functionality, such as forgetting to disable Find Device in the Mi Cloud, which leads to a new owner’s remote locking of the device.

1.Resetting preparation: what to do before cleaning

Reset to factory settings deletes all data without recovery. Before pressing the button, follow 4 critical steps:

1. Back up. Use the settings. → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud (if sync is enabled: 📱 Contacts (export to.vcf) 📸 Photos and videos (copy to PC or cloud) 🔑 Passwords from Google Smart Lock or Mi Browser 🎮 Save games (via Google Play or Mi Account)

Untie the device from the Mi Account

Settings → Xiaomi Account → Devices

Find Device

Delete. SIM-memory-card

Charge your phone at least 50%

"briku"

If you sell a smartphone with an unlocked bootloader (for example, for custom firmware), be sure to lock it back through Fastboot. Otherwise, the buyer may face problems when updating the software.

⚠️ Note: If you used Xiaomi to work with cryptocurrency wallets (such as Trust Wallet or Binance App), resetting without first exporting seed phrases will lead to loss of access to funds!

2. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (recommended method)

This is the easiest and safest way to go, suitable for all Xiaomi models on MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS. Instructions are universal for Redmi, POCO and Black Shark.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone (in older versions of MIUI – Additional → Recovery and Reset).
3. Select Resetting (or Delete all data).
4. Click Erase all data and confirm the action by entering PIN-code/pattern lock.
5. Wait for the process to be completed (usually 5-15 minutes) and the phone will reboot automatically.

How to log in to Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Click the combination: For most models: Power button + Volume up. For POCO F1/F2: Power button + Volume down. For Black Shark: Power button + both volume buttons.

Mi Recovery

In the Recovery menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data).
2. Confirm the action by choosing Wipe All Data.
3. After cleaning, go back to the main menu and select Reboot.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Android SDK Platform-Tools on your PC.
2. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press the power button + volume down for 10 seconds The screen should appear the image of a rabbit in a hat (Fastboot Mode).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with the platform-tools.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number appears), continue.
5. Run reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

Once the phone is rebooted, it will be completely cleaned. If you also need to reflash the device, use the Mi Flash Tool with the official firmware for your model.

5.How to check if your phone is completely cleaned before selling

Even after the reset, your data may still be tailed in the device. Before transferring the phone to the customer, perform 5 checks:

If at least one of the items is not met, repeat the reset or use an alternative method (for example, Fastboot instead of the settings menu).

⚠️ Warning: Customers often check their phone through services like IMEI.info or SNRZA. If IMEI If you are blacklisted (for example, because of a previous lock by the operator), the transaction may fail. IMEI — "Clean".

6.Typical errors in resetting and how to avoid them

Mistakes in resetting Xiaomi can result in loss of functionality or locking the device.

• 🔌 "Phone doesn't turn on after reset": Reason: Interrupting process due to battery discharge or cable extraction.Solution: Connect to charging and reset via Recovery.
• 🔒 "Requires a password from Mi Account after reset": Reason: The device was not untied from the account.Solution: Enter data or reset via Fastboot with full userdata cleanup.
• 📱 "Screen with ‘This device is locked’ error: Reason: Activated FRP-Google lock.Solution: Enter the last account linked or reset via Fastboot with the fastboot erase frp command.
• 🔄 "Reset does not delete files from memory card": Reason: Reset settings do not select the cleanup option SD-Solution: Format the map separately via PC.

If the phone is unstable after reset (spontaneously restarts, brakes), the firmware may be damaged.

1. Download the official firmware for your model from the MIUI Downloads website.
2. Swipe your phone through the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode.

💡

If the phone requires a password that you did not set after reset, it is a sign of activation of the theft protection, in which case you can only restore access through the official Xiaomi service with the provision of a purchase check.

7 Additional security measures before sale

Resetting to factory settings is just part of the preparation, to be completely safe.

• 📋 Take your phone off Google: Go to Google Device Manager, find your Xiaomi and delete it.
• 🔗 Revoke App Access to Accounts: In Google Account and Mi Account, check the list of apps with access (e.g. Mi Fit, Google Photos) and revoke the rights.
• 📡 Turn off eSIM (if used): Go to Settings → Mobile network → eSIM and remove the operator profile.
• 🛡️ Check the status of the guarantee: enter on the Mi Verify website IMEI, to ensure that the warranty is not cancelled (for example, due to unlocking the bootloader).

If you are selling a phone with root rights (root), you must:

1. Remove Magisk or SuperSU through the appropriate app.
2. Return the stock kernel (boot.img) via Fastboot.
3. Complete reset (fastboot erase system + flashing).

Customers often check the phone for root rights using apps like Root Checker, and if traces of the root are left, this can be a reason to refuse to buy or reduce the price.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset before sale