How to permanently delete all data from the phone Xiaomi: 5 proven ways

Selling Xiaomi, repairing it, or just wanting to start with a clean slate? Regular resets through settings are not enough: your photos, correspondence, passwords, and even bank card details can remain in the device’s memory. Smartphone manufacturers (including Xiaomi) often fail to warn that a standard “factory reset” does not erase information on a physical level — it can be restored with special programs.

This article provides the only comprehensive guide to securely erase data from Xiaomi phones, including Redmi, Poco and Black Shark models, taking into account the features of MIUI 12-14 firmware. We will analyze not only standard methods, but also professional tools for irrecoverable erasure, and also explain how to bypass Mi Account lock after reset.

Why a regular reset is not safe: what remains in the memory of Xiaomi

When you select Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset, MIUI only removes logical links to files, not the data itself. It's like removing a shortcut from the desktop — the file stays on the disk. Data recovery specialists can extract:

• 📷 Photos and videos, even from the “basket” of the Xiaomi Gallery (they are stored for up to 30 days).
• 💬 Communications from SMS, Telegram, WhatsApp (databases remain in the Internet) /data/data/).
• 🔑 Passwords and tokens from social networks, banking applications (stored in Android Keystore).
• 📍 Location logs (even if geolocation is disabled, MIUI logistic).
• 🎮 Preserve games (e.g. Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile Stores Data in Hidden Folders).

Moreover, on UFS-based devices (such as the Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi K60), the standard reset does not affect backup memory units at all, where the system can transfer data to optimize performance, and these blocks are only available when the partition is completely re-marked, a procedure that MIUI does not automatically perform.

⚠️ Note: If you sell a phone with a Mi Account tied and haven’t untied it before a reset, the new owner can restore access to your data via Find Device (even after formatting.

Method 1: Reset via MIUI settings (Basic Security Level)

This method is suitable if you don’t plan to sell the phone or transfer it to third parties, but just want to clean the device for personal use.It deletes most user data, but doesn’t guarantee recovery protection.

Instructions for MIUI 12-14:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Reset (on some models – Delete all data).
3. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock, if requested.
4. Confirm the action by pressing Erase Everything.
5. Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).

After resetting, the phone will return to the factory firmware, but:

• 🔄 You will still have system updates (if you have installed them).
• 📥 File fragments can be stored in memory (especially on eMMC devices).
• 🔒 Mi Account will remain tied (unless you untie manually).

Untie Mi Account in Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sign out

Delete Google Account in Settings → Google Accounts →

Save IMEI (Dial *#06#)

Remove the SIM and memory card (if any)

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For models Poco F5, Redmi Note 12 and later after reset may require re-activation through Mi Account - this is protection against theft. If you forget your password, use the official recovery site.

Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode

This method completely rewires partitions of memory, making data recovery much more difficult, suitable for devices on MIUI and HyperOS (new firmware for Xiaomi 14 and newer).

How to start Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up for 10-15 seconds.
3. Select the language from the recovery menu (if you have an option).
4. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (navigate volume buttons, choose the power button).
5. Confirm the action (Confirm).
6. After completion, select Reboot.

Advantages of this method:

• 🧹 Deletes data from all sections, including /cache and /data.
• 🔧 Resets the settings. MIUI before default (including hidden parameters).
• 🛡️ Remove the Mi Account binding (but not 100% – see the account section).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, Poco M3) If you have a hard reset, you may have a "This device is locked" error, which means that the phone is tied to the Mi Account and requires a login/password, and if you don't remember the data, you'll have to contact Xiaomi Support with proof of ownership.

Reset via settings MIUI|Hard reset (Recovery)|Fastboot teams|Special programmes (TWRP, Mi Flash)|I don't know what it is.-->

Method 3: Completely erase via Fastboot (for power users)

This is the most reliable way to physically delete memory-level data, suitable for all Xiaomi models, but requires a PC and installed ADB/Fastboot drivers. The method completely overwrites memory by zeros, making data recovery almost impossible.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 🛠️ Utilities. ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔋 Charging the phone at least 50%.

Step-by-step:

1. Enable the developer mode on your phone: Settings → About Phone → MIUI version (click 7 times).
2. Activate USB Debugging in Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
4. Open the Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (Linux) in the folder with fastboot.
5. Enter commands in order: adb reboot bootloader fastboot flashing unlock fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot format:ext4 userdata fastboot format:ext4 cache fastboot reboot

The command fastboot format:ext4 userdata completely re-marks the partition with user data, which eliminates file recovery. For models with UFS 3.1 (Xiaomi 12T, Redmi K50), it is recommended to add the command fastboot erase metadata - it cleans the MIUI service data.

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If an error occurs after the fastboot flashing unlock command, then the phone has Mi Unlock Status protection on. To turn it off, link the device to the Mi Account and wait 72 hours (Xiaomi rule for new models).

Method 4: Using TWRP for secure formatting

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a custom recovery that allows you to completely wipe memory with the choice of algorithm (including DoD 5220.22-M - the US Department of Defense standard).

How to install TWRP and erase data:

1. Download the official version of TWRP for your model from twrp.me.
2. Install it with fastboot: fastboot flash recovery twrp-3.7.0-xxx.img fastboot reboot recovery
3. From the TWRP menu, select Wipe → Format Data.
4. Enter yes to confirm.
5. Go to Advanced Wipe and check it out: 📁 Dalvik / ART Cache 🗃️ System (if you want to remove the firmware) 📱 Internal Storage

Swipe to Wipe

Advantages of TWRP:

• 🔐 Encryption support (you can erase data even on a locked phone).
• 🧹 The ability to select an erasure algorithm (for example, 35-pass Gutmann for maximum security).
• 📦 Save transaction logs (you can check that data is actually deleted).

⚠️ Note: On devices with Dynamic Partition (Xiaomi) 11T, Redmi Note 11 and newer) formatting through TWRP may result in loss IMEI. Before the procedure, make the backup of the modem partition command: adb pull /dev/block/bootdevice/by-name/modem

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

If the phone is not turned on (the so-called “brick”), but it is seen by the computer in Fastboot or EDL mode, you can use the Mi Flash Tool – the official utility from Xiaomi for firmware and complete memory erasure.

What will be required:

• 🖥️ Windows PC 7/10/11 (on Mac/Linux Mi Flash is not working).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 📦 Fastboot firmware for your model (download from xiaomifirmwareupdater.com).
• 🛠️ The Mi Flash Tool.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Qualcomm drivers (if your phone is on Snapdragon) or MediaTek (for Helio/Dimensity chips).
2. Run the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator.
3. Connect the phone off to the PC by clamping Volume Down + Power (for Fastboot) or Volume Up + Volume Down + Power (for EDL).
4. In Mi Flash, press Refresh – the device must be determined.
5. Select the downloaded firmware (.tgz or.zip).
6. At the bottom, choose Clean All (full erasure) or Clean All and Lock (erase + bootloader lock).
7. Press Flash and wait until it is finished (10-20 minutes).

Important: The Clean All and Lock option will permanently lock the bootloader, and it will only be unlocked after 720 hours (30 days) of waiting (Xiaomi's rule for theft protection), only use it if you sell the phone and want to ensure that the new owner will not be able to get root access.

How to delete Mi Account after reset (if you forgot to untie)

One of the most common problems with Xiaomi is the tied Mi Account, which even after a complete reset may require the previous owner to enter the username and password, here’s how to get around it legally (if your phone is yours, but you forgot the data):

The official way (via Xiaomi support):

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com.
2. Select Forgot Password? and follow the instructions (you will need access to an email or phone associated with your account).
3. If access is lost, fill in the feedback form, specifying: 📄 IMEI phone (to know: *#06#). 📅 Date of purchase (checks, warranty card). 📱 Model of the device.

Unofficial ways (at your own risk):

• 🔓 Use it. EDL-Mode and flash your phone through Mi Flash with Clean All and Lock option (not working on all models).
• 🛠️ Use utilities like Xiaomi Tool V2 (requires an unlocked loader).
• 📞 Contact the Xiaomi service center with documents on the phone (paid, but reliable).

⚠️ Warning: Buying phones with a Mi Account tied is risky. Even after successfully bypassing the lock, the account owner can remotely lock the device via Find Device. Before buying a used Xiaomi, be sure to check the status of the account!

What to do after resetting: inspection and preparation for sale

Even after the data is completely erased, several steps are recommended to ensure security:

1. Check storage: Connect your phone to your PC and make sure that the DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp folders are empty. Use a file manager (like FX Explorer) to search for hidden files (.nomedia,.thumbdata).
2. Make sure accounts are untied: Check Settings → Accounts – your Google, Mi Account, Facebook shouldn’t be there. Go to Settings → Apps → App Management and delete all messenger data.

Reset the network settings:

→ SIM-maps and mobile networks → Network reset

This will delete stored Wi-Fi passwords and operator data.

Test the phone:

• Check the camera, the speakers, the microphone.
• Make sure that Touch ID or Face Unlock is disabled.
• Run the test using ##4636## (Engineering Menu).

At home, it is almost impossible to restore such a phone.