Xiaomi Redmi 8 Cleanup: How to Delete All Data Without Recovery

Before selling, repairing or fixing system failures on Xiaomi Redmi 8, it is not enough to simply delete files manually. Even after formatting the memory card or deleting photos through the gallery, data can be restored using special programs. Complete cleaning involves resetting to factory settings, taking into account the features of the MIUI firmware, deleting the Mi Account and, if necessary, encrypting internal memory.

In this article, we will examine the official methods through the phone menu, as well as alternatives for devices with damaged screens or blocked access, and focus on security: how to avoid locking after a reset and what to do if the phone requires a password from an old account.

If you clean your phone before selling, remember: the new owner should not have access to your data. Even after resetting through Settings, some files may remain in memory. For example, photos in the DCIM/.thumbnails folder or system application logs. To prevent leakage, use a combination of methods from this instruction.

Important: the cleaning procedure on the Redmi 8 is different from other Xiaomi models due to the version MIUI And hardware constraints. For example, there's no slot on this device. SD-Cards as a separate drive – memory is expanded through a hybrid slot, which affects the formatting process.

1.Preparation for cleaning: what to do before discharge

Before erasing data, follow a few critical steps to prevent the loss of important information and avoid locking your phone after resetting.

✅ Save backup. Use the settings. → The phone. → Backup or third-party services like Google Drive. Note: backup MIUI Does not save passwords from Wi-Fi and some application settings.

✅ Delete your Mi Account. If you sell a phone, be sure to log out via Settings. → Xiaomi account → Otherwise, the new owner will not be able to activate the device without your password.

✅ Check the attached devices. Open the settings. → Bluetooth and remove all associated gadgets (earphones, fitness bracelets) this will prevent automatic connections after resetting.

Backup to MIUI or Google Drive|

Delete your Xiaomi account (Mi Account) |

Untie your bank cards in Google Pay/Mi Pay|

Record the IMEI of your phone (in case of lockdown)|

Get out. SIM-card and memory card (if any)-->

⚠️ Note: If you are using Redmi 8 with an unlocked bootloader (for example, for custom firmware), after resetting, the phone may require re-unlocking via the Mi Unlock Tool.

2. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (official method)

The easiest and safest way is to use the built-in reset function in the MIUI. This method is suitable if the phone is turned on and you remember the pattern lock or PIN-code.

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
3. If required, enter your Mi Account password or pattern lock.
4. Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings.

It takes 5-10 minutes. The phone will reboot and return to the "out of the box" state. However, this method does not guarantee complete deletion of data - experienced users can recover some files using programs like Dr.Fone or Recuva.

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After resetting through the settings menu, it is recommended to fill the phone’s memory with “junk” data (such as videos or photos), and then repeat the reset. This will overwrite memory sectors and make it almost impossible to restore the original files.

⚠️ Note: If the Redmi 8 has enabled the "Device Protection" feature (in some versions) MIUI), After resetting, the phone may require you to enter a password from your previous Google account. To avoid this, delete all Google accounts in Settings before resetting. → Accounts.

3. Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If Redmi 8 is locked, freezes on the logo, or doesn't respond to touch, use Recovery Mode, which works even without access to the system.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press Volume Up + Power at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the MI logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see a menu in English or Chinese.

Next:

• 🔧 Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
• 📱 Select Wipe Data (or in Chinese firmware).
• 🔄 Confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
• 🔙 After completion, select Reboot to restart.

⚠️ Note: In some versions MIUI Recovery reset may not delete the data completely. If you are selling a phone, it is recommended to further encrypt the memory after this procedure (see Section 5).

Method 3: Cleaning through Fastboot (for power users)

If standard methods don't work (for example, because of a corrupted firmware), you can erase data via Fastboot mode, which requires a computer and a Mi Flash Tool utility.

It is necessary:

• 💻 Computer with Windows and installed Xiaomi drivers.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠 The Mi Flash Tool.

Instructions:

1. Turn off Redmi 8 and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (a hare in a hat-out-of-the-box will appear).
2. Connect the phone to the PC.
3. Start the Mi Flash Tool, press Refresh – the device must be determined.
4. Select the Clean All option and click Flash.

This method completely overwrites the memory partitions, including user data and system files, and after the procedure, the phone will be like new, but you will need to reconfigure the MIUI.

Through the settings menu |

Through Recovery Mode|

via Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool) |

Never dropped it.-->

5. Additional protection: Encrypting data before resetting

For maximum security, internal memory can be encrypted before reset, making it impossible to recover data even with professional equipment.

How to turn on encryption:

1. Go to Settings → Lock and Protection → Encrypt your phone.
2. Set your password (it should be different from the pattern lock).
3. Confirm the encryption – the process will take 30-60 minutes.
4. Once completed, reset via Settings or Recovery.

⚠️ Note: Encrypting on Redmi 8 can slow your phone down by 10 to 15 percent.

6.Result verification: how to make sure that data is deleted

After the reset, it is recommended to check if your data is left on the phone.

🔍 Check the folders:

• Open Files → Internal Memory and make sure that the DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp folders are empty.
• Check hidden folders (enable the display of hidden files in the file manager settings).

📱 Launch your phone without an account:

• After the reset, do not connect to Wi-Fi and do not sign in to Mi Account or Google.
• Try to open a gallery, contacts, messages – there should not be your information.

🛡 Use third-party tools:

• Install an application like DiskDigger and scan the memory for recoverable files.
• If you find your data, repeat the reset with encryption.

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Even after a successful reset, some data may remain in the cache of applications (such as Telegram or Viber).To delete it, manually clear the cache of each application in Settings → Apps

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When cleaning Redmi 8, users often face problems, and here are the most common ways to solve them:

🚫 Error: "I failed to reset the settings"

• Cause: Damaged firmware or lack of memory space.
• Solution: Free up 1-2 GB of memory and try again. If it doesn't work, use Fastboot.

🔒 Error: Requires a password from an old Mi Account after resetting

• Reason: The phone has enabled the “Find Device” function.
• Solution: Enter your Xiaomi account password, and if you forget, restore access to account.xiaomi.com.

📵 Error: Phone doesn't turn on after reset via Recovery

💡 Tip: If you sell Redmi 8, don’t connect to mobile or Wi-Fi before transferring your phone after reset, and this will prevent your Google Play account from being automatically activated via Google Play.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions