Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones periodically face the need to completely delete personal information, which may be due to selling the device, transferring it to another family member or wanting to start using the gadget from scratch to improve performance. Regardless of the reason, it is important to understand that simply resetting your settings through the menu does not always guarantee complete destruction of traces of your activity, if you do not follow a certain algorithm of actions.
The MIUI or new HyperOS deletion procedure has its own characteristics that distinguish it from pure Android, primarily when it comes to binding to the Mi Account cloud service and Find Device security. If you ignore the account unset before reset, the new owner of the device will face activation blocking, and you risk losing access to your photos and contacts if you do not make a backup.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the ways to clean up memory, from the regular settings menu to the Recovery engineering menu, and focus on preparing the device for the procedure to avoid a situation where the phone turns into a brick or requires you to enter a password from an account that is no longer possible to remember.
Preparing a smartphone for complete removal of information
Before you start the data destruction mechanism, you need to complete a critical stage of preparation. Many users rush and miss the sync check, which leads to the irretrievable loss of photos, notes and browser. Make sure that all important files are copied to an external drive or to a cloud storage other than Mi Cloud, if you plan to delete the account completely.
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Remove before resetting SIM-microSD card and memory card so you don’t accidentally format them together with your phone’s internal memory.
The second key is battery power: the data partition formatting process can take anywhere from 10 to 40 minutes depending on the storage capacity. If the device turns off at that point, there is a high risk of file system damage. Charge the Xiaomi smartphone to at least 60-70%, and ideally up to 100%, and leave it connected to the original charger.
You also need to disable Find Device, which is a system-based anti-theft mechanism that locks your phone when it is reset if it is linked to your account. To turn it off, go to settings, find the Mi Account section, and select Find the device, then switch to an inactive state, and you will need to enter your account password for confirmation.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Standard reset via MIUI and HyperOS settings
The safest and most recommended way to delete all data is to use the built-in functionality of the operating system. This method is suitable for most situations when the phone turns on, the screen responds to touch, and you know the unlock password. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell, but the logic of actions remains the same.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll to the bottom of the list. Select About. From the menu that opens, find Reset option (sometimes it's in the Advanced Settings submenu depending on the version of MIUI). The system will offer two options: Reset (saves files) and Erase all data. We need the second option.
Once you select "Erase All Data," the system will show you a list of what will be deleted: apps, settings, media files and account data. At the bottom of the screen, you will see the approximate time of the process. If a pattern lock is installed on the phone, PIN-code or password, the system will require you to enter it to confirm the operation.
What happens to internal memory in a standard reset?
It is important to note that if the device is enabled encryption (by default it is active on all modern Xiaomi), then deleting the encryption key makes old data unreadable even when trying to restore it with special software. However, if the phone is very old (released before 2016-2017) and does not have hardware encryption, the data can theoretically be restored.
Delete data through Recovery Mode
Sometimes you have situations where you can't log in to your settings, like you forget your lock password, you get stuck on your logo, or you don't have a touch screen, and you get a Recovery mode, which is a low-level environment that allows you to control your system bypassing the main Android interface.
To enter this mode, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo or Recovery menu appears. Some models may require you to connect a USB cable to your computer while you turn on. The navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button.
From the Recovery menu, select the language (usually English and Chinese). Next, go to Wipe Data. The system will warn you about the loss of all data. Select Wipe All Data for full formatting. Once the process is complete, the message will appear "Data wiped successfully." Select Back to Main Menu, and then Reboot -> Reboot to System.
⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi’s new HyperOS shell and enhanced protection models, logging into Recovery mode to reset data may require you to enter a password from Mi Account, even if you forgot the screen unlock password.
If, after resetting via Recovery, the phone requires you to enter a password from the previously synchronized Mi Account when turned on, this means that the protection function was active. Without entering the correct account information, you will not be able to use the device, which confirms the importance of logging out before selling.
Cleaning through Fastboot and computer
For advanced users or in cases of a serious software failure, there is a method of cleaning through the Fastboot mode and the Mi Flash Tool utility on the PC. This method allows you not only to delete data, but also completely reinstall the firmware, which ensures the removal of any hidden partitions or residual files that could survive after a normal reset.
For this method, you will need a computer with Windows, the original USB-cable and installed drivers ADB/Fastboot. Put your phone in Fastboot mode, holding the Volume Down and the power button at the same time. Connect the device to your PC. In the Mi Flash Tool, select Clean All mode. This mode deletes all data and reflashes the device.
There is also Clean All and Lock mode, which not only deletes data, but also blocks the bootloader (if it has been unlocked).Be careful: if you use global firmware on a Chinese device (or vice versa) and choose the bootloader lock option, the phone may stop loading. For a regular user who wants to just delete data, Clean All mode is enough.
| Cleaning method | Access to the system is required | Difficulty | Depth of cleaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through Settings. | Yes (screen and password) | Low. | Standard (logical) |
| Recovery Mode | No (buttons only) | Medium | Standard (logical) |
| Fastboot (Clean All) | No (loader mode) | Tall. | Complete (with reinstallation of OS) |
| ADB Commands | Debugging over USB is required | Tall. | Complete (partition formatting) |
Work with Mi and Google before selling
Deleting data from your device is only half the task, and to prevent the new owner from gaining access to your cloud data and getting you no lockdown problems, you need to manage your accounts properly, primarily Google Account and Mi Account.
Modern versions of Android and MIUI have FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection, and if you just reset your Google account without deleting it in advance, the first time you activate your phone, you'll need to enter a password from your last synchronized account, which is an anti-criminal measure, but it's often a problem with a legitimate sale.
To avoid this, go to Settings -> Accounts and Sync (or Users and Accounts) before resetting. Select your Google account and click Delete Account. Repeat the same for Mi Account. Only after physically deleting accounts from the list on the device can you safely reset.
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Deleting your account from settings before reset is the only way to guarantee that you will avoid blocking FRP when a new owner activates your device.
Also check your associated devices in your account security settings through your browser on your PC. In the Google Security and Mi Account section, you can see a list of the devices you log in from. Click "Off" on the device you plan to reset. This will break the communication session and disable the ability to remotely control the phone.
Nuances of data deletion on different Xiaomi models
The cleaning process can have specific features depending on the device series. Flagship models of the Xiaomi series (formerly Mi) and Xiaomi 13/14 usually run on UFS 3.1/4.0 fast drives, where the formatting process is very fast. However, on budget models of the Redmi series with eMMC drives or older UFS 2.1, full cleaning can take much longer.
Owners of gaming smartphones Black Shark (Xiaomi ecosystem) should be careful: it uses its own shell JoyOS, and menu items may be called differently. Often they require double confirmation or input of special code. Similarly, devices with flexible screens or unique form factors (such as Mix Fold) may require special attention to the integrity of the software when reset.
If you use custom firmware (e.g. Xiaomi.eu, LineageOS, Pixel Experience), the reset procedure through the standard menu may not remove partitions created by third-party Recovery (e.g. TWRP). In such cases, it is recommended to use the Format Data function in the menu installed Recovery, entering the word yes for confirmation. This is guaranteed to clear the Data and Internal Storage partition.
⚠️ Note: When using custom Recovery (TWRP) The standard Wipe Data feature may not clear internal memory completely.Use the Format Data command for deep cleaning before selling.