Removing Wi-Fi from Xiaomi devices is a challenge that users face for a variety of reasons, from wanting to connect to another access point to having to solve connection problems. Unlike simply shutting down, completely removing the network from the deviceβs memory requires knowing the nuances of the MIUI shell, which can hide some options depending on the firmware version. This article covers all the current methods, from basic to advanced, including solving typical errors like βnetwork is not deletedβ or βonline is permanently connected automaticallyβ.
It's important to understand that deleting Wi-Fi and disabling Wi-Fi are different procedures. The former erases all network data (including password) from the system, and the latter only breaks the current connection. We'll look at both options, and we'll also look at how to reset all network settings to factory if the standard methods don't work. We'll focus on devices with MIUI 14/15 and new models like Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13, where the interface may be different from the older versions.
1. Standard Wi-Fi removal via MIUI settings
The most obvious way is to use the settings menu, which is suitable for most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices on any version of MIUI (12 to 15), the main advantage of the method is its simplicity and no risk of damaging system files.
To remove the network:
- Open the Settings app (cog icon).
- Go to Wi-Fi (or Connections β Wi-Fi on some models).
- Find the network you want in the list and tap it by its name.
- In the window that opens, select the option to Delete Network (or Forget).
- Confirm the action in the dialog window.
On some firmware, the Remove option can be hidden behind a long tap (holding your finger on the network name) or be in a three-dot menu in the upper right corner. If the network is not on the list but the device automatically connects to it, try turning on the plane mode for 10 seconds - this sometimes resets the connection cache.
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If the network doesn't get deleted the first time, restart the device and try again, which solves the problem of stuck connections in 80% of cases.
2. Quick removal through the notification panel
For those who donβt want to dig into the settings, thereβs a faster way to do it, through the notification bar, which works on all Xiaomi devices with MIUI 11 and newer, including the POCO F5 or Redmi K60.
Instructions:
- π± Swipe your finger down to open the notification bar.
- π Find the Wi-Fi icon (usually in the top row) and hold it. 2-3 seconds.
- π You'll see a quick Wi-Fi settings menu.
- ποΈ At the bottom of the screen will appear button Delete or Forget the network β press it.
This is useful when you need to quickly reconnect to another access point, such as a cafe or an airport, but it will not work if the network is hidden (SSID is not broadcast) in which case you will have to use the first method.
3. Remove all saved networks through resetting settings
If Xiaomiβs device automatically connects to unwanted networks or you want to completely clear the list of saved access points, you can reset your network settings, which erases all Wi-Fi networks, and also resets your mobile Internet, Bluetooth, and VPN settings.
Important: After reset, you will have to re-enter passwords for all networks, including mobile Internet (APN), and we recommend pre-recording or photographing important data.
How to reset:
- Open Settings β About the phone (or Settings β Additional on some models).
- Select Settings Reset.
- Slip on Reset Network settings (not to be confused with a full reset!).
- Confirm the action by entering PIN-code.
Save passwords from Wi-Fi|Write down the settings. APN (mobile)|Shut down. SIM-Card (if you use eSIM)|Make sure the device is charged at least 30 times%-->
On devices with MIUI 14/15, the path may be slightly different: Settings β Connections and Sharing β Network Reset.
What to do if the option "Reset network settings" is not available?
4. Wi-Fi Removal via ADB (for advanced users)
If standard methods donβt work (e.g., the network is stuck after a firmware update), you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge), which requires connecting the device to a computer and basic command line knowledge, but is guaranteed to remove even βundetectableβ networks.
Step-by-step:
- Enable USB Debugging on your device: Settings β About Phone β MIUI Version (tap 7 times to activate Developer Mode). Then: Settings β Additional β Developers β Debugging on USB.
- Connect Xiaomi to your PC via USB-Cable (use the original cable for stability).
- Open the command line (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) and type:
adb devicesMake sure your device appears in the list. Then do:
adb shell
su
pm clear com.android.providers.settings
rm /data/misc/wifi/WifiConfigStore.xmlOnce the device is restarted, all Wi-Fi networks will be removed. This method also resets other network settings, so use it only as a last resort.
β οΈ Attention: Teams ADB This method can cause system instability if entered incorrectly. Do not use this method on devices with unlocked bootloader and custom firmware, it can cause conflicts.
5. Problem Solving: The network is not deleted or connected automatically
Sometimes even after deletion, the network continues to connect on its own, due to auto-connection features in MIUI or caching errors.
| Problem. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Network removed, but reconnected | Auto-connection function in MIUI | Open Wi-Fi Settings β Additional β Autoconnect and turn off the option |
| Remove button is inactive | Limitations of corporate policy (on working devices) | Contact the administrator or reset your network settings via ADB |
| The network disappears from the list, but the password is saved | Cache error WifiConfigStore.xml | Clear the Settings app cache or use ADB (Section 4) |
| The Cyrillic-named network is not removed. | Mistake in MIUI when working with Unicode characters | Rename the network on the router to Latin and repeat the deletion |
If the problem persists, check if your device has Wi-Fi management applications (such as WiFi Master or NetMaster) that can intercept your connection settings. Go to Settings β Applications β Application Management and remove suspicious programs.
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On devices with MIUI 15, a Smart Connection feature has been introduced that can automatically restore remote networks. To turn it off, go to Wi-Fi Settings β Additional β Smart Connection and deactivate the option.
6. Features of Wi-Fi removal on different Xiaomi models
The MIUI interface may vary depending on the model and the firmware region, and the key differences for popular devices are as follows:
- π± Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi K60: The option to delete the network is hidden behind a long tap by the network name. In the menu of quick Wi-Fi settings added to the switch Autoconnection.
- π± POCO F5/X5: In the Wi-Fi settings there is a separate Save Networks section where you can manage all connections centrally.
- π± Redmi Note 12/13: On some firmware to remove the network, you first need to turn it off, then tap the cog icon next to the name.
- π± Xiaomi Pad 6: Due to the adaptive interface, the path to Wi-Fi settings can change. Use the search by settings (the magnifier icon at the top).
On MIUI devices for Russia (e.g. Redmi 12C), some options may not be translated correctly. If you don't find Remove Network, look for options like Forget, Erase or Clean.
For devices with Global ROM (such as Xiaomi 13 Lite), the path to settings is usually standard, but it may be necessary to change the region in the phone settings (Settings β Additional β Region) to unlock all options.
7.Security: What to do before removing Wi-Fi
Deleting the network is a seemingly harmless operation, but it can have unexpected consequences if you don't take precautions. Here's what you need to check before you erase the stored connections:
- π Make sure you have backups of passwords from all important networks. Use password managers like Google Password Manager or Bitwarden.
- πΆ Check if any of the networks are static. IP Or proxy settings. This information may be needed to reconnect.
- π‘οΈ If you are connected to a corporate network (for example, in an office or university), deleting can block access to internal resources.
- π On devices with MIUI 14+ After the network is deleted, the connection priority may reset. β Additionally. β Prioritize the network to reconfigure it.
β οΈ Attention: On some firmware MIUI After removing all networks, access to Google Play Services may be lost due to resetting security certificates. If applications stop working after the procedure, go to Settings β Google β Security and Manually Update Certificates.
On devices with an unlocked bootloader, removing Wi-Fi via ADB can cause IMEI loss if the commands are incorrect.Always check the syntax before running.