Xiaomi phone cleanup: how to erase all data without a trace

Resetting Xiaomi to factory settings is a necessary procedure before selling, transferring the device or fixing critical failures. However, many users face the problem: after a standard reset via the settings menu, personal files, accounts or even viruses remain. Why does this happen? The fact is that a simple reset via MIUI does not always delete data completely - especially if the phone was encrypted or a corporate profile was used.

In this article, we’ll look at all the ways Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO can clean up their smartphones, from standard resets to low-level formatting via Fastboot. You’ll learn how to delete even hidden data, bypass Mi Account lock (if the phone isn’t stolen!), and what to do if the device doesn’t turn on. And what reset errors lead to a phone “breakdown” and how to avoid them.

1.Reset preparation: what to do before cleaning

Before you erase your data, make sure you don't lose important information. Even if the phone is buggy, try to save:

• 📱 Contacts – export to.vcf via the Contacts app or sync with Google Account.
• 📸 Photos and videos – copy to PC via cable or upload to Google Photos (set autosynchronization in Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Synchronization).
• 🔑 Passwords – check the saved logins in Settings → Passwords and security → Password management.
• 📱 IMEI — Write it down (type *#06#) to reconnect after reset if it goes missing.

If your phone doesn’t respond to touch or doesn’t turn on, skip this step — but remember that the data will be lost irretrievably. Also untie all bank cards from Google Pay, Mi Pay and other payment systems to avoid fraud.

⚠️ Note: If encryption is enabled on the phone (check Settings). → Additionally. → Encryption and credentials, resetting will take up to 1-2 hours. Do not interrupt the process, this can lead to loss of access to the device!

Find My Device (Mi Cloud)

Save a backup to Mi Cloud or PC

Record IMEI and serial number

Delete SIM-card and memory card (if any)

Charge your phone at least 50 times%-->

2. Standard reset via MIUI settings

The easiest way is to use the built-in reset function, which is suitable if:

• 📱 The phone is turned on and reacts to touch.
• 🔓 You remember the pattern lock or PIN-code.
• 🚫 No Mi Account lock (if any, uninstall it in advance in Settings) → Xiaomi account → Security).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Reset (on new versions of MIUI, the path may differ: Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset).
2. Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
3. Enter the screen lock password (if requested).
4. Confirm the action by clicking Reset the phone.

It takes 5 to 30 minutes. Once you reboot, the phone will be like new -- but you can recover it with special software (if you didn't have encryption).

💡

If after reset, the phone asks you to enter the old password, then a protective reset (FRP) was turned on. To bypass it, log in to the Google Account that was tied before the reset.

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

If Xiaomi doesn’t respond to the power button, freezes on the logo or is locked, use Recovery mode.This method works on all models, from Redmi 4X to Xiaomi 14.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Press Volume Up + Power and hold for 5-10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will be taken to the Recovery menu (Chinese firmware may have hieroglyphs).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or similar).
6. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

If you need a password in Recovery and you don’t remember it, go to the Fastboot method (Section 4).

⚠️ Note: On some models (POCO F1, Redmi Note 8 Pro) may be reset via Recovery with a "This device is locked" error, which means that the bootloader is locked, and the solution is to unlock it officially via the Mi Unlock Tool.

4. Complete cleaning through Fastboot (for power users)

Fastboot is the most reliable method, because it erases all memory partitions, including cache and user data.

• 🔒 Phone locked in Mi Account (but not stolen!).
• 🐢 Standard reset did not help (remained "artifacts" of the previous owner).
• 🛠️ You need to re-flash the device after resetting.

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers (official website).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 📥 Mi Flash Tool or Fastboot from Android SDK.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-eared hat will appear).
2. Connect the phone to the PC.
3. Open the command prompt (Win + R → cmd) and type: fastboot devices If the device is identified (the serial number appears), continue. If not, install the driver.
4. Enter the command to completely erase: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot format userdata fastboot format cache
5. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

This method deletes data without recovery, even if the phone has been encrypted, but it does not bypass the Mi Account lock, which requires the bootloader to be officially unlocked.

Reset via MIUI settings

Hard reset via Recovery

Fastboot or ADB

Never dropped it.

Another way.-->

5. Additional measures: how to delete hidden data

Even after the reset, the phone may still have:

• 🔍 File fragments (restored by programs like DiskDigger).
• 📡 Network settings (saved Wi-Fi networks, VPN).
• 🔑 Encryption keys (if disk encryption was enabled).

To remove them, do:

To completely overwrite memory (if you give the phone into the wrong hands), use the Secure Erase app from Google Play or the command:

adb shell dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/block/mmcblk0

Careful! This command erases all memory, including system files, and then it needs firmware.

6. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Many users experience problems after resetting, and here are the most common:

• 🔄 "The phone is fixated on the logo MI" — Solution: run your phone through Fastboot with official firmware.
• 🔒 "Requires an old password after reset - this is FRP-Enter the data from the Google Account that was linked before the reset.
• 📵 "No network after reset - check if the settings are lost IMEI. Restore it with Engineer Mode (code #4636##).
• 🔋 "Phone is dead during reset - if the battery is down during cleaning, the device can turn into a brick. Always charge the phone to at least 50%.

⚠️ Warning: If you reset your phone before selling, be sure to untie it from your Mi Account in Settings → Xiaomi account → Delete your account or the new owner won't be able to use the device!

💡

The most common mistake is to reset your phone with encryption enabled, which can lead to endless downloading or requiring a password you don't know. Always turn off the encryption before resetting!

7 What to do if the phone does not turn on after reset

If Xiaomi doesn’t respond to buttons or hovers on the logo after cleaning, try:

1. Forced reboot: Press Power + Volume down for 20-30 seconds.
2. Fastboot firmware: Download the official firmware for your model from Xiaomi. Unpack the archive and launch the Mi Flash Tool. Connect your phone in Fastboot mode and select Clean All.

Battery check:

If nothing works, contact the service center, possibly damaged motherboard or memory (eMMC).

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions