How to completely delete Xiaomi: reset, unlock and delete your account

Why users want to “remove” Xiaomi and what it means in practice

The phrase “how to uninstall Xiaomi” can mean things ranging from a banal reset to completely deleting your associated Mi Account or even unlocking your bootloader to flash it back, and users are most likely to face this challenge in three situations:

1) Selling or transferring a device – before doing so, all personal data, including photos, messages and associated services, must be erased. 2) Forgotten password from your Mi Account that blocks access to phone or TV features. 3) Wanting to switch to custom firmware (e.g. LineageOS), which requires unlocking the bootloader and removing the standard software.

It is important to understand that the complete “removal” of Xiaomi device as a physical object is impossible – we are talking only about software cleaning or decoupling from the company’s services. Next, we will analyze each scenario separately, taking into account the nuances for smartphones, TVs and smart devices of the Mi Home ecosystem.

Resetting settings to factory: when and how to do it

Factory reset is the most radical way to remove all the data from a Xiaomi device, which comes in handy if you sell a gadget, it slows down because of accumulated garbage or you forgot the pattern lock. The procedure is different for smartphones and TVs.

On Redmi, POCO or Mi smartphones, the reset is done via the Settings menu → About Phone → Reset. An alternative way is to pinch Volume Up + Power when the phone is off to get into Recovery Mode and select Wipe Data. On Mi TVs, the path is different: Settings → Device → Reset and Reset → Reset to factory.

• 🔄 Save important data – after resetting it will be impossible to restore them without a backup copy.
• 🔒 Untie your Mi Account in advance, otherwise, after resetting, the device may require entering a login / password.
• 📱 For phones: If you forget the pattern lock, reset via Recovery is the only way out.
• 📺 For TVs: After a reset, you may need to reset your Wi-Fi and log in to your Google account.

⚠️ Note: Some smartphones (e.g. Redmi Note 8 Pro or Mi) 9T) Mi Account protection can be activated after a reset via Recovery, even if the device was not previously tied.This is due to Xiaomi's anti-theft policy. To avoid being blocked, be sure to unplug the account in the pre-reset settings.

Deleting Mi Account: Step-by-step instructions

The Mi Account is a digital passport for all Xiaomi devices, synchronizes data, provides access to the Mi Cloud, and protects the device from unauthorized use. If you sell a device or want to get rid of it completely, you need to delete your account.

1. Through the device settings (if the phone/television is in working condition):
2. Through the Mi Account website (if the device is lost or locked):

⚠️ Note: Deletion of Mi Account is irreversible and will be deleted with it:

• 📁 All data from Mi Cloud (photos, contacts, notes).
• 🎮 Progress in games linked to an account (e.g. Mi Game Center).
• 🛒 Shopping history at Mi Store.
• 🔄 Remote control of smart devices Mi Home.

If you delete an account because of the sale of the device, reset your settings first, and then delete your account, otherwise the new owner may face lockdown due to the attached Mi Account.

Unlocking the bootloader (Bootloader) for flashing

If the goal is not just to “remove” standard software, but to install custom firmware (such as LineageOS or Pixel Experience), you will need to unlock the bootloader. Xiaomi officially allows this, but the process requires confirmation through the Mi Unlock Tool.

Here are the key steps:

1. Apply for unlocking through the official website. Link the device to your Mi Account.
2. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down + Power).
3. Run the Mi Unlock Tool and follow the instructions. It usually takes up to 72 hours to unlock (on new devices).
4. After unlocking, you can stitch custom software through TWRP or Fastboot.

⚠️ Attention: Unlocking the bootloader resets the device to factory settings and may result in loss of warranty. on some models (e.g, POCO X3 Pro) after unlocking stops working:

• 📸 Widevine L1 (no HD into Netflix/Disney+).
• 🔊 Dolby Atmos and Other Audio Effects.
• 📶 5G-modem (on some firmware).

Removing Xiaomi from smart devices (bracelets, lamps, routers)

In addition to smartphones and TVs, Xiaomi branded smart watches (Mi Band), routers (Mi Router), lamps (Yeelight) and other equipment. To remove them from its ecosystem, you need to unplug from your Mi Home or Mi Fit account.

For the Mi Band or Amazfit:

1. Open the Mi Fit or Zepp app.
2. Go to Profile. → My devices.
3. Select the gadget and click Remove the device.
4. Confirm the action - the bracelet will be reset to factory settings.

For Yeelight smart lamps or Mi Smart plugs:

1. In the Mi Home app, go to Devices → Device settings.
2. Select Remove the device and confirm.
3. Reset to factory settings is performed by long-term retention of the button on the device (5-10 seconds).

⚠️ Note: If you sell a Xiaomi smart device, be sure to remove it from the Mi Home app in advance.The new owner will not be able to connect the gadget to his network while it is tied to your account.For Mi Router routers, also reset via the Reset button. 10-15 seconds).

What to do if Xiaomi is blocked after reset

One of the most common problems is locking the device after a reset due to a tied Mi Account, which occurs if:

• 📱 You reset your phone through Recovery without untieing your account.
• 🔒 The device was stolen and the previous owner blocked it through Find Device.
• 📦 You bought a used gadget with a tied account.

The solutions depend on the situation:

If you bought a used device with a lock, ask the seller:

• 📧 Login and password from Mi Account tied to the device.
• 🔄 Warranty card (if the device is guaranteed, unlocking can be performed in the service).

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If the seller refuses to untie the account, check the device to lock before purchase. To do this, ask the seller to go to Settings → Mi Account and show that the gadget is not tied to the account.

Alternative ways to “remove” Xiaomi: when reset does not help

If a standard account reset or deletion doesn’t solve the problem (for example, the device still requires a password or is unstable), you can try more radical methods:

1. Firmware via Fastboot (for smartphones):

• 🖥️ Install the Mi Flash Tool on PC.

2.Use of EDL Mode (for "brick" devices):

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) allows you to restore your phone even if it doesn’t turn on, requiring an authorized Xiaomi account and a special cable (or circuit of contacts on the board), a method that is risky and recommended only for advanced users.

3. Contact the service center:

If your device is locked because of Mi Account and you can’t remember the data, Xiaomi’s official service can help if you have:

• 📄 Check or guarantee card.
• 🆔 Passports (for proof of identity).
• 📱 IMEI Devices (must match the data in the check).

⚠️ Warning: Do not use "gray" services that offer undocumented unlock for money:

• 🚫 Loss of warranty (if the device is still under warranty).
• 🔓 Data breach (Crookers may copy your information).
• 💸 Extra spending (some services take money but don’t guarantee results).

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If the device is locked after being reset, never attempt to "hack" it yourself with questionable software, which can result in a complete "brick" loss of performance.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi removal