How to completely delete a phone number from Xiaomi: from linking to an account to resetting the network

Removing the phone number from the Xiaomi device is a task that users face when selling a gadget, changing it SIM-cards or the need to reset the binding to the Mi Account. Unlike other brands, smartphones are not available for the first time. MIUI HyperOS stores the number in several places: in the settings SIM-Incomplete deletion of the card, in the profile of the Xiaomi account, and sometimes in the system logs.Incomplete deletion can lead to problems with authorization, data leaks or locking the device after a reset.

In this article, we will discuss 5 working methods for deleting numbers, from basic (via the settings menu) to advanced (using ADB and engineering menus).

Why does the phone number stay on Xiaomi?

Many users mistakenly believe that the removal of SIM-The card automatically erases the number from the device's memory, and Xiaomi actually stores it in three key locations:

• 📱 Mi Account Profile: The number is linked to the account at the first authorization and used to restore access.
• 📶 Settings SIM-Cards: The system caches the last number used to quickly identify the operator.
• 🔧 System logs: in files /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/telephony.db Data about calls, including numbers, are stored.

Moreover, HyperOS (starting with version 1.0.2026) added a feature called Smart Sync, which can automatically restore a number when you connect to the same Xiaomi account, meaning that even after manual deletion, the number can reappear after a software reboot or update.

Another trap is two-step authentication, where if the number was used to confirm your Mi Account login, deleting it without first disabling 2FA can block access to Xiaomi services (cloud, theme store, forum).

Method 1: Delete the number through settings SIM-map

The easiest method that works on all Xiaomi devices (including Redmi, POCO And Black Shark. Suitable if you just need to clear the information about the current one. SIM-map without interference with system files.

1. Open the Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Choose an active one SIM-card (if there are several).
3. Slip the name of the operator at the top of the screen.
4. In the window that opens, click Delete the number (or Reset SIM settings in HyperOS).
5. Confirm the action with a password / fingerprint.

⚠️ Note: This method removes the number from the menu only SIM-If you plan to sell your phone, then do Method 3 (unlinking from your account).

On some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13T Pro or POCO F5), the Delete number option may not be available.

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → All the characteristics.
2. Find the phone number line and tap it 5 times in a row.
3. A hidden menu with a reset option will appear.

Method 2: Reset network settings (to delete cached data)

If the number continues to appear in system notifications or when calling (e.g., in a Call Log), the cause may be the cache of the telephony module, resetting the network will delete all stored data of operators, including "ghost" numbers.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → Connections and Sharing → Resetting.
2. Select Network Reset (not to be confused with a full reset!).
3. Enter the lock password.
4. Confirm the reset. The device will reset.

⚠️ Note: After resetting the network, you will have to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords and configure APN HyperOS devices may also require re-activation of eSIM (if used).

💡

Before resetting your network, check if your contacts are saved to your Google or Mi Cloud account, otherwise they may disappear from the phone book.

Method 3: Untie the number from the Mi Account (critically before the sale)

If you don’t delete the number from your Mi Account profile, the new owner of the phone may face problems:

• 🔒 Lock your device through Find Device (if you forget to log out of your account).
• 📞 Inability to link your number to the same account (limit 1 number/year).
• 🚫 Errors when resetting via Fastboot (confirmation required by Fastboot) SMS).

To remove the number from your account:

1. Open the Mi Account app (or Settings → Xiaomi account).
2. Go to Account Management → Security.
3. Find the phone number section and click Delete.
4. Confirm the action via SMS (the code will come to the old number).
5. If the number was tied to two-step authentication, first disable 2FA in the same menu.

Important: Once you delete a number from your Mi Account, you will be banned from assigning a new number to your account for 30 days.

Method 4: Remove via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods fail and the number is still displayed in system applications (e.g. Messages or Contacts), you can manually clean the telephony database via ADB. This method requires enabled USB debugging and works on all versions of MIUI/HyperOS.

Instructions:

1. Activate Developer Mode: Go to Settings → About Phone and tap 7 times on the MIUI version.
2. Return to Settings → Additional → For developers and enable USB debugging.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and confirm your trust in your computer.
4. Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:

adb shell


su




rm /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/telephony.db




rm /data/data/com.android.providers.contacts/databases/contacts2.db




reboot

⚠️ Warning: This command deletes all call and message history. If you need to save contacts, pre-export them to the.vcf file via the Contacts app.

For HyperOS, the path to base may be different, to find the right path:

1. Enter the ADB:

adb shell ls /data/data/com.android.providers.telephony/databases/

1. Look for files with the.db or.db-wal extension.

💡

Use ADB only if you are confident in your actions. Incorrect commands can lead to data loss or a device "brick".

Method 5: Complete reset to factory settings (nuclear version)

If you sell a phone or want to securely remove all traces of the number (including data from the Mi Cloud), perform a hard reset. Unlike a standard reset via settings, this method uses Fastboot and bypasses the recovery cache.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down before the Fastboot logo appears.
3. Connect the device to the PC and open the terminal.
4. Enter the command:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: On devices with a bootloader blocked, this method can lead to activation of Mi Account protection, in which case, after reset, the phone will require entering a login / password from the previous account:

• 🔓 Unlock bootloader officially via Xiaomi website (waiting required) 7-30 days).
• 📱 Delete your Mi Account through Settings → Account. → Delete your account before resetting.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even following the instructions, users often encounter problems, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

Another common problem is ghost notifications from an old numbered operator, which is because Xiaomi caches the operator’s data in a file called /data/property/persist.radio.operator.alpha to reset it:

1. Open ADB and enter:

adb shell


su




setprop persist.radio.operator.alpha ""




reboot

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions