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

Why do you need to delete files from Xiaomi?

Deleting all data from a Xiaomi device is not just a memory cleanup, but a critical procedure in several scenarios: first, before selling or transferring the phone to another person: even after a routine deletion, files can be restored by special programs; second, when viruses are infected, when malware is deeply integrated into the system; third, to eliminate system failures, when the smartphone begins to slow down, spontaneously reboot or emit errors.

Xiaomi offers several built-in mechanisms for complete cleanup, but not all of them are equally effective. For example, a standard reset via the settings menu does not always delete data from protected partitions, which can lead to leakage of personal information. In this article, we will discuss 5 ways to erase everything from Xiaomi without the possibility of recovery, including hidden methods for advanced users.

Method 1: Standard reset via settings

The easiest and safest method is to use the built-in Reset feature, which is suitable for most Xiaomi models (from Redmi Note 10 to Xiaomi 14 Ultra) and does not require additional tools. SD-card (if installed) and does not always clean the system caches completely.

To perform the discharge:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings.
• 🔄 Select Delete all data (reset to factory).
• 🔒 Enter the pattern lock or password from your Mi Account (if linked).
• ✅ Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If the Find Device feature is activated on the phone, you will need to enter your Mi Account details after the reset, even if you have untied it before.

Backup of important files|Remember the data from the Mi Account|Make sure the battery is charged >50%|Extract SD-card (if any)-->

After the reset, the phone will return to the “out of the box” state, but some data (for example, files in the MIUI folder or application cache) may remain. For complete cleaning, it is recommended to additionally format the internal memory via TWRP or Fastboot (more about this below).

Method 2: Hard Resetting with Recovery Mode

If the phone doesn't turn on, hangs on the MI logo or doesn't respond to touch, hardware reset via Recovery will help, which works even without access to the system, but requires physical interaction with the buttons. Importantly, on new models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12), Recovery Mode can be blocked if the Mi Account is not disabled.

Instructions for most devices:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Hold Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears, then let it go.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (movement – volume buttons, confirmation – Power).
4. Confirm the action (Wipe All Data) and wait until it is completed.

If after reset, the phone asks for a password from Mi Account, and you do not remember it, you will have to use Mi Unlock Tool (the official utility from Xiaomi) or contact the service center.

Through Settings | Through Recovery Mode | Through TWRP | Through Fastboot | Never reset-->

Method 3: Complete formatting via TWRP

For deep cleaning (for example, before selling or after infection with viruses), it is better to use custom recavery. TWRP. It allows you to format all sections, including /data, /cache and /system, This ensures that you can't recover files, and the downside is that you need an unlocked bootloader and you need to install it. TWRP.

Step-by-step:

1. Install TWRP for your model (instructions are available on the official website).
2. Download to TWRP (usually Power + Volume Up).
3. Go to Wipe. → Advanced Wipe.
4. Check the boxes: Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, Internal Storage.
5. Swipe to Wipe (Swipe to Wipe)

⚠️ Note: Internal Storage formatting will delete everything, including files on the "internal" SD-If you want to save photos from the memory card, remove it before the procedure.

Once formatted via TWRP, the phone will become completely clean, but also lose firmware. To boot it, you will need to install MIUI or custom firmware (such as LineageOS) via ADB Sideload or from a memory card.

Method 4: Cleaning through Fastboot (for advanced)

If TWRP is not available or you prefer official tools, you can use Fastboot commands.This method is suitable for devices with a locked bootloader (but requires unlocking before cleaning).It erases all partitions, including userdata and metadata, making data recovery almost impossible.

Tools required:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📄 Debugging authorization USB (included in the settings → For developers).

Commands for complete cleaning:

fastboot devices # Check the connection


fastboot flashing unlock # Unlock the bootloader (if necessary)




fastboot erase userdata # Deletion of user data




fastboot erase cache #Cache cleanup




fastboot erase system # System Removal (optional)




fastboot reboot #Reboot

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If the phone does not restart after the fastboot erase userdata command, run fastboot format:ext4 userdata - this will forcibly format the partition to the ext4 file system.

This is a method that is often used in service centers, because it guarantees complete erasure of partition-level data, but after that, the phone will not turn on until you sew it back through the fastboot flash or Mi Flash Tool.

Method 5: Remove via Mi Flash Tool (for "bricks")

If the phone has turned into a brick (it doesn’t turn on, doesn’t respond to buttons, doesn’t detect the computer), the Mi Flash Tool, Xiaomi’s official firmware and device recovery utility, will help. It not only installs clean firmware, but also completely re-marks memory, which is equivalent to low-level formatting.

Algorithm of action:

1. Download the Mi Flash Tool from the official website.
2. Download the firmware for your model (e.g. fastboot-rom for Redmi Note 11).
3. Connect the phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (hold Volume Down + Power).
4. In the Mi Flash Tool, select the downloaded firmware and press Refresh (the device should appear).
5. Click Clean All (Full Cleaning) and Flash.

⚠️ Warning: The Clean All option in the Mi Flash Tool erases all partitions, including persist (where stored) IMEI and MAC-On some models (Xiaomi Mi 10, Redmi) K30 Pro) this may cause loss of network functionality, in which case use Clean All and Lock to avoid problems.

It takes 5 to 20 minutes, and when it's done, it'll reboot to a clean system without any trace of old data, which is the most reliable method for devices with serious software failures.

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Mi Flash Tool is the only official way to restore the brick without losing functionality (IMEI, network modules).

What to do if your phone asks for a Mi Account after a reset?

One of the most common problems after a reset is requesting data from Mi Account, even if you've untied an account before, and this is due to Factory Reset Protection (FRP), which links the device to the last account you've used, and you can solve the problem in a number of ways:

Official methods:

• 📧 Enter the correct email and password from the Mi Account that was linked to the phone.
• 🔄 If you do not remember the data, restore access through the Xiaomi website.
• 📞 Contact the Xiaomi Service Center with confirmation of purchase.

Unofficial methods (at your own risk):

• 🛠️ Use the Mi Account Unlock Tool (requires an unlocked bootloader).
• 🔧 Swipe your phone through Fastboot with an option clean_all_lock (It does not work on all models).
• 📱 On some devices (Redmi 9, POCO X3) Helps bypass through TalkBack (instructions are available on thematic forums).

Important: Unofficial methods can violate Xiaomi’s security policy and lead to the device being locked through the manufacturer’s servers. If the phone is bought with hands, contact the previous owner to unblock the account.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data deletion with Xiaomi