How to completely reset Xiaomi before selling: step-by-step instructions with nuances

Selling a Xiaomi smartphone is a responsible process, especially when it comes to protecting personal data. Even after removing photos, messages and apps, hidden files, cache, account data and other sensitive information remain on the device, and an incomplete reset can lead to data leakage or problems for the new owner – for example, if the device remains tied to your Mi Account.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways Xiaomi resets before selling, from a standard factory reset via the menu to forced via Fastboot (if the phone does not turn on), pay special attention to removing the link to the Xiaomi account, without which the new owner will not be able to activate the device, and also explain how to check that the reset was successful, and what data can still remain on the device.

Why Regular File Deleting Is Not Enough

Many users simply delete photos, clear their call history and delete apps before selling them, but this does not guarantee security:

• 📁 Residual data: Manually deleted files often remain in the device’s memory and can be recovered by special programs.
• 🔑 Mi Account binding: If you do not untie the device from your Xiaomi account, the new owner will not be able to activate it (you will need to enter your username / password).
• 📱 Hidden sections: There are service sections in the memory of the smartphone (for example, /data and /cache), which are not cleaned by manually deleting files.
• 🔄 Application cache: Even after deleting applications, their cache and settings can be saved to the system.

The only reliable way is to completely reset to factory settings (hard reset) with the pre-deletion of the Xiaomi account, but there are nuances here too: for example, on some models, after reset, there is a binding to Google Account (FRP-blocking), which also needs to be removed.

Preparation for resetting: what to do before factory settings

Before you reset your device, follow the mandatory steps to avoid problems:

1. Back up your important data (contacts, photos, messages). Use Settings → About Phone → Backup or third-party services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud).
2. Delete all accounts: 📱 Mi Account: Settings → Accounts. → Mi Account → Delete the account. 🔍 Google Account: Settings → Accounts. → Google → Delete your account (important for withdrawal) FRP-lock-in!). 💳 Banking Apps: Remove Sberbank Online, Tinkoff and others as they can store access tokens.
3. Untie the device from services: 🔒 Find My Device (Google): Disable in Settings → Security → Find My Device. 📍 Mi Cloud: Turn off sync in Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud.

Out. SIM-memory-card

Delete Mi Account|Delete Google Account|Disable Find My Device|Create a backup copy|Get out. SIM microSD-->

Important: If you forget your Mi Account password, restore it on the official website before resetting. After the factory settings, it will be more difficult to restore access to your account!

⚠️ Note: If you sell a bootloader, the new owner will be able to root access to your data even after the download).

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (recommended)

This is the easiest and safest method if the device is switched on and running steadily.The instructions are suitable for all modern Xiaomi smartphones, including Redmi, POCO and Mi:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to the About phone section (in some firmware - About the device).
3. Slip on Resetting (or Recovery and Reset) item.
4. Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
5. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock, if requested.
6. Confirm the action by pressing Erase all or Next.

It takes 5-15 minutes, and when you reboot it's like a new device, with a customization welcome screen.

Post-release check:

• 🔄 Make sure that when you turn on, a welcome screen (choice of language) appears).
• 📱 Try connecting to Wi-Fi – if it requests a login from Mi Account, the reset is incorrect.
• 🔍 Check in Settings → The phone. → The state that the status of the device is Inactivated.

Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If your smartphone doesn’t respond to the on, freezes on the logo or doesn’t let you in because of a forgotten password, use Recovery mode, which works on all Xiaomi devices, including older models like the Redmi 4X or Mi A1.

1. Turn off the device (if it is on, press the power for 10 seconds).
2. Press the button combination: For most models: Power + Volume up. For older devices (e.g. Redmi 3S): Power + Volume up + Volume down.

Hold on for 10-15 seconds until the Mi Recovery logo appears.

Recovery

Nutrition

Wipe Data

Clear Data

Wipe All Data

Confirm

Reboot

Important nuances:

• 🔧 On some firmware (MIUI Global) item may be called Factory Reset.
• 🔐 If Recovery asks for a password and you don’t remember it, you’ll need to reset via Fastboot (Type 3).
• ⚠️ On devices with a blocked bootloader (bootloader) after reset via Recovery may remain binding to the Mi Account.

💡

If after resetting via Recovery, the device asks for a password from Mi Account, and you do not remember it, use the official Mi Unlock Tool unlock tool (it takes 72-720 hours).

Method 3: Forced Fastboot reset (for power users)

This method is necessary in extreme cases:

• 🔧 The device does not turn on or enter Recovery.
• 🔒 Mi Account password is forgotten and menu reset is not possible.
• 📱 Requires to unlock/block the loader.

You will need a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and a USB Type-C cable.

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Android SDK Platform Tools (or Mi Flash Tool for Xiaomi).
2. Turn off your phone and turn it into Fastboot: Press the Power + Volume buttons down for 10 seconds. The image of a rabbit in a fastboot mode should appear on the screen.
3. Connect the device to your computer and open Command Prompt (or Terminal on Mac/Linux) in the folder with the platform-tools.
4. Run the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number appears) - continue.
5. Run full reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

Additional: If you need to unlock the bootloader (for example, for custom ROM firmware), use:

fastboot oem unlock

Attention.

⚠️ Note: Using a Fastboot can cause a device to fail if you execute the wrong commands. Do not experiment with commands like fastboot erase boot or fastboot flash without understanding the consequences!

How to check that the reset has been successful

Before transferring the device to the buyer, be sure to:

1. The device is not tied to your Mi Account: 📱 Turn on your phone and reach the welcome screen. 🔍 Connect to Wi-Fi – if there is a request to enter a username / password from Mi Account, the reset is incorrect.
2. No link to Google Account (FRP): 🔒 On the settings screen, try adding Google Account – unless the system requires you to enter a password from your old account, FRP removed.
3. All data deleted: 📂 Check the device memory through Settings → Storage – 100% free space (except for pre-installed applications). 📷 Open the gallery – there should be no pictures or screenshots of you.

If something went wrong:

• 🔄 Repeat the reset via Recovery or Fastboot.
• 📞 Contact the service center if the device asks for a password from Mi Account and you do not remember it.

💡

If after reset, the device asks for a password from Mi Account, and you do not remember it - the only official way to unlock - contact the Xiaomi service center with confirmation of purchase.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when resetting Xiaomi.

• 🔌 Not deleted by Mi Account before reset → The device remains attached to your account. Solution: Untie your account in Settings → Mi Account → Delete your account before resetting.
• 🔒 Forgot to take it off. FRP (Google-blocking) → Buyer will not be able to log in to their Google Account Solution: Delete Google Account in the settings before reset.

How to avoid problems:

1. Always delete your accounts (Mi Account and Google) before resetting.
2. Use official methods (settings menu or Recovery) rather than third-party programs.
3. If you are selling a device with an unlocked bootloader, lock it through fastboot flashing lock.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions