How to Delete All Files from Xiaomi Phone: 5 Verified Ways

Modern Xiaomi smartphones (including the Redmi, Poco and Mi lines) store gigabytes of personal data, from a photo in DCIM to a cache of messengers in /Android/data. But what if you need to permanently delete everything - before selling, after a virus attack or to free up memory? Simply delete through the Recycle Bin is not enough: files remain in memory and can be restored by special programs.

In this article, we have 5 working methods for completely cleaning your phone, including hidden folders and system partitions. We will look at how resetting through settings differs from formatting through Recovery, why encryption before reset makes data recovery impossible, and what to do if your phone is locked. And we will also look at the compatibility table of methods with different Xiaomi models and answers to frequent security questions.

⚠️ Important: None of these methods guarantee 100% data destruction at the physical memory level (this requires special tools such as the physical memory). DBAN But the proposed methods will make it as difficult as possible to recover information even with the help of professional software.

1.Reset to factory settings via phone menu

The easiest and safest way is to use the built-in reset feature, which is suitable if the phone is turned on, you remember the password from your Mi Account, and you want to quickly clear the device before transferring it to another person.

How it works: The system deletes all user data from the /data partition, but leaves the system files in /system intact, which means that MIUI will remain in place and your photos, messages and applications will disappear.

• 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings (on new versions) MIUI 14+ The path may be different: Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge).
• 🔄 Select "Reset All Settings" (not to be confused with "Reset Network Settings"!).
• 🔐 Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock, if requested.
• ✅ Confirm the action – the phone will restart and start the cleaning process (it will take 5-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If the phone has data encryption enabled (check Settings). → Security → Encryption, resetting will take longer, but file recovery will be nearly impossible. On unencrypted devices, some data can be recovered by programs like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver.

Make sure your phone is at least 50% charged | Make a backup of important data | Remember the username/password from Mi Account | Untie the device from your Google account (if you plan to sell)

-->

2. Hard reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't turn on)

If a Xiaomi smartphone is locked, hovers on the logo, or doesn’t respond to touch, hardware reset via recovery mode will help, a method that works even without a password, but requires physical access to the device’s buttons.

The instructions are suitable for most models, including Redmi Note 10/11/12, Poco X3/X4/X5, Mi 11/12/13. Exceptions are devices with a locked boot loader (we will talk about them in section 4).

• 🔄 Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
• 🛠️ Press the button combination to enter Recovery: For most models: Volume up + Food (hold on) 10–15 For Poco. F3/F4/F5: Loudness down + Nutrition.
• 🌐 From the Recovery menu (usually in English or Chinese) select Wipe Data. → Wipe All Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power to confirm).
• ⏳ Wait until the process is complete (can take up to 30 minutes on older models).

⚠️ Note: Some firmware (especially Chinese) may call the Wipe Data item (qīngchú shùjù). If you are not sure, look for an icon with a garbage can or circular arrow.

3. Formatting internal memory via Fastboot

For advanced users who want to completely re-mark up memory (including system partitions), the method through Fastboot is suitable.

• 🔧 All sections should be removed, including /system and /vendor (For example, before the custom OS firmware).
• 🚫 Phone does not respond to reset via Recovery.
• 🔒 The device is locked in Mi Account and you want to bypass the binding (not working on all models!).

This will require a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and an unlocked bootloader (on new Xiaomi models, the bootloader is blocked by default).

fastboot devices # Check the connection


fastboot flashing unlock # Unlock the bootloader (if not unlocked)




fastboot erase userdata # Deletion of user data




fastboot erase cache #Cache cleanup




fastboot reboot #Reboot

⚠️ Note: The fastboot erase userdata command only deletes the partition with user data. To fully format all partitions (including the system), use fastboot erase system, fastboot erase vendor, etc. But after that, the phone will not boot without firmware!

1. Reconnect. USB-cable (it is better to use the original cable).

2. Run the command line on behalf of the administrator.

3. Install Mi Flash Tool drivers from the official Xiaomi website.

-->

4. Delete data on locked phones (Mi Account, pattern lock)

If you forget your Mi Account password or graphical key, a standard Recovery reset won’t help — after a reboot, the phone will require you to enter your account details.

1. Official deletion of the account via account.xiaomi.com (access to the mail or number associated with the device is required).
2. Passage EDL-Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account to unlock the bootloader).
3. Reset via test mode (works on older models until 2019).

For modern devices (Redmi Note 11/12, Poco X4/X5, Mi 12/13), the most reliable way is to contact the Xiaomi service center with documents on the phone. Unofficial methods (such as firmware through the Mi Flash Tool with disabling account verification) can lead to blocking IMEI.

Yes, I forgot my password | Yes, my phone is hand-held and tied to someone else's account | No, but I want to know for the future | No, and I don't plan to lock it.

-->

5. Secure erasure of data before sale

If you're selling or transferring a phone, it's not enough to just reset your settings. To protect your personal data as much as possible, follow these steps:

1. Encryption + discharge: 🔒 Enable encryption in Settings → Security → Encryption (takes 30-60 minutes). 🔄 Reset to factory settings (Section 1).
2. Filling memory with garbage": 📁 After reset, upload large files (such as movies) to your phone before filling up the memory. 🗑️ Remove them and repeat the reset.
3. Check through PC: 💻 Connect your phone to your computer and check for programs like DiskDiggers – if they don’t find old files, the data is securely deleted.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with UFS-memory (e.g. Xiaomi) 12 Pro, Redmi K50) Data recovery is more difficult than on eMMC (older Redmis) 4X/5A). But even UFS metadata (file names, creation dates) that can be extracted.

Comparison of data deletion methods

To choose the best way, use the compatibility table:

💡

For 90% of users, encryption + reset is enough, which takes time, but ensures that data recovery is impossible without professional hardware.

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when cleaning Xiaomi.

• 🔋 Battery discharge: If the phone turns off during a reset, it could damage the userdata partition.Always charge the device to at least 50%.
• 🔌 Interrupt process: Do not remove the cable USB When working through Fastboot - it's "bricking" phone.
• 📱 Disagreement: On some models (Poco) F3, Redmi K40) After resetting via Recovery, you need to confirm the action in the Mi Account. If you do not do this, the phone will be locked.
• 🔑 Mi Account Password: Without it, resetting on new devices is useless – you will need official unlocking.

⚠️ Note: On dynamic partition phones (e.g. Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 11 Pro+) Reset via Fastboot can cause an error in the Invalid sparse file format at header.In this case, only use reset via settings or Recovery.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions