How to get rid of other people’s data in Xiaomi memory: the complete guide 2026

Have you bought a used Xiaomi, taken a phone from a friend, or found traces of another user in your device? Other people's photos, messages, accounts, or even passwords are not just taking up space, but they are also putting your privacy at risk. In 2026, Xiaomi smartphones (including Redmi, POCO, and Black Shark models) store data in multiple layers of memory, from visible files to system caches to attached accounts. Simply deleting folders is not enough, you need a comprehensive cleanup.

In this article, we will discuss all the ways to delete someone else’s data from Xiaomi’s memory, from a basic reset to deep formatting of the internal drive, focusing on hidden tracks (such as synchronized Mi Account data or backups in Google Drive) that remain even after a standard reset, and explain how to avoid common mistakes that can turn a device into a “brick” or remain tied to someone else’s account.

1.Preparation: What to do before cleaning the memory

Before you start deleting data, be sure to follow these steps – they will save you from losing important information and problems with activating the device:

• 📱 Back up your data (if your phone is already yours but you are afraid of losing your personal files). → The phone. → Backup or third-party applications like Swift Backup (requires root).
• 🔒 Make sure the device is not blacklisted. IMEI IMEI.info – If your phone is listed as stolen, cleaning won’t unlock it.
• 🔄 Untie all your accounts (if any). Go to Settings → Accounts and sync and delete Google, Mi Account, Facebook and other profiles.
• 🔋 Charge the phone at least 50%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can lead to loss of access to the system partition (reflashing through Fastboot will be required).

If you buy a phone with your hands, ask the seller to reset in your presence and make sure that the device is not tied to his Mi Account. Otherwise, after cleaning, you may be asked to enter someone else's password (especially relevant for Redmi Note 10/11 models and later).

⚠️ Note: If the phone has Find Device enabled, the reset will not automatically turn it off!

2. Method 1: Standard reset via settings (for beginners)

The simplest method is hard menu reset, which deletes all user data, but does not affect system files and firmware, which is suitable if the previous owner did not link the device to the Mi Account or has already untied it.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
3. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock (if installed).
4. Confirm the action by clicking Delete Everything.
5. Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).

After the reset, the phone will start as new, but some data may remain:

• 📁 Files in a folder MIUI (for example, wallpaper or themes).

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi models 12/13 redmi K50 If you reset, you may have a mistake, "This device is linked to an existing Mi Account," which means that the previous owner did not untie the account, and the solution is only to appeal to Xiaomi with proof of purchase.

Method 2: Deep Formatting with Recovery Mode

If a standard reset doesn’t help or you suspect that there are hidden partitions of data (such as from custom firmware like LineageOS), use Recovery Mode. This method completely overwrites the user partition (/data), but does not touch the system partition (/system).

How to start:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (if you have a choice).
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action with the swipe or the Yes button.
6. After cleaning, select Reboot.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Deletes even encrypted data (if a password has been set).
• ✅ Clears the application cache and temporary files.
• ✅ Works on locked phones (unless you need a password to log in to Recovery).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Does not delete data from /sdcard (External memory or partition for media files).
• ❌ Does not reset your Mi Account settings if your account has been linked.

4. Method 3: Complete Fastboot Firmware Fastboot (for experienced)

If previous methods didn’t work or you want to completely erase all traces (including system files), you’ll need to flash through Fastboot.This is a good way to go for Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, but requires a PC and command line knowledge.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot (You can download from the Android website).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 📄 Firmware for your model (download from the official website of Xiaomi or Xiaomi Firmware Updater).

Step-by-step:

1. Unpack the firmware in a folder on the PC (should be a file) flash_all.bat or flash_all.sh).
2. Turn off your phone and press the Power button + Volume down to log into the Fastboot.
3. Connect your phone to your PC and launch the file flash_all.bat (Windows).
4. Wait until the process is complete (the phone will reboot automatically).

Important: This method completely erases all data, including system data, and installs a clean firmware. Once you flash it, the phone will look like new, but:

• 🔓 You will need to re-link your Mi Account (if you have one).
• 📱 Possible loss of warranty (if the firmware is unofficial).
• ⚠️ Risk of “bricking” when interrupting the process.

5. Method 4: Cleaning external memory (SD-maps and sections /sdcard)

Many users forget that external memory (including the built-in /sdcard partition) is not cleared in a standard reset.

• 📸 Photos and videos (in folders) DCIM, Pictures).
• 🎵 Music and downloads (Download, Music folders).
• 📄 Documents and backups (such as from WhatsApp or Titanium Backup).
• 🔑 App cache (folder) Android/data).

How to clean:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in File Transfer (MTP) mode.
2. Open the internal memory folder or SD-map.
3. Delete all folders except system folders (MIUI, Android – you do not need to touch them).
4. For complete cleaning, format the section: Settings → Storage → Cleanup → Format.

Note: If the Encrypted Storage feature is enabled on the phone, formatting may require the old password to be entered, in which case only a full reset via Recovery will help.

6. Removal of footprints in cloud services (Mi Cloud, Google Drive)

Even after cleaning the phone completely, the data can remain in the cloud.

• ☁️ Mi Cloud: photos, contacts, notes, backups.
• 💬 Social media: Facebook, VK, Telegram can store chats and media files.

How to delete:

1. Untie your device from Mi Cloud: Go to account.xiaomi.com. In Devices, find your phone and delete it. Delete all backups in the Cloud → Backups.
2. Clear Google Account: Go to myaccount.google.com. In Security → Your Devices, delete your phone. Check Google Photos, Google Drive and Contacts for other people's data.

If you don't know the password from someone else's Mi Account, the only way to untie it is to contact Xiaomi with a check to buy. Without proof of ownership, unlocking is impossible.

💡

If the previous owner forgot to unplug the Mi Account, try contacting them and asking them to remove the device from their account, which will save you weeks waiting for a response from support.

7.A check for hidden tracks: what could have been left

Even after all the manipulations, Xiaomi’s memory may still be obscured.

• 🔍 Logs of the system: In the folder /data/log They're automatically cleared when they're reset, but if the phone was rooted, the logs could have been moved elsewhere.
• 📡 MAC-Wi-Fi addresses: The phone remembers the networks it connected to. Check Settings → Wi-Fi → Save networks.
• 📱 IMEI and serial number: They're tied to the device, but scammers sometimes fake them#.
• 🔑 Encryption Keys: If the phone has been encrypted, the remaining keys can be stored in the /data/misc. Completely removed only by re-flashing.

For a deep check, use the applications:

• DiskDig (scans deleted files).

If you find suspicious files, but are not sure of their security, do not open them - it is better to delete through Recovery or reflash the phone.

💡

Even after a reset, some data (such as cloud backups or system application logs) can remain available to the previous owner, and only a combination of reset, format and unbundle accounts gives full confidence in cleaning.

8 Checklist: how to avoid problems when buying used Xiaomi

If you are buying a phone with your hands, be sure to follow these steps to avoid encountering someone else’s data or locking them:

If the seller refuses to reset or demonstrate the operation of the phone, it is a reason to be wary.

• 🚨 Linked to someone else's account.
• 🔧 Has hardware malfunctions (for example, does not work) GPS or NFC).
• 📵 Blacklisted by operators (stolen/lost).

Remember, a price below the market of 30% or more almost always means a problem with the phone, and it is better to pay over the price of a tested device than to spend time unlocking or repairing.

FAQ: Frequent questions