How to Delete Everything From Xiaomi Phone: 5 Ways to Delete Data Forever

Do you sell Xiaomi, repair it, or just want to start with a clean slate? Normally, file removal through a conductor is not enough — data can be recovered. In this article, we will look at all the ways to completely clean a smartphone, from standard reset to low-level formatting, which erases information without the possibility of recovery.

We'll look at not only basic methods like Settings → Reset, but also hidden features for Redmi, POCO and Mi that the manufacturer doesn't advertise, such as how to delete data from a locked phone or why MI-account can block reset, and you'll learn what errors lead to the "brick" of the device and how to avoid them.

Important: the procedures are different for devices on MIUI and HyperOS (new firmware Xiaomi from 2026), we will point out the differences where it is critical. If your model is older than 2018, check the section on the features of older smartphones - there are nuances with unlocking the bootloader.

1.Preparation for complete deletion of data: what to do before the reset

Before you erase everything from your phone, follow 3 mandatory steps, and skipping any of them can result in the loss of important data or locking the device.

• 📱 Back up. Even if you're planning to sell your phone, save your contacts, photos and documents. Use Settings. → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud (unless the account is tied to the device you are resetting).
• 🔒 Untie MI-account. If the phone is linked to a Xiaomi account, you may need to enter your login/password after the reset. Remove the device from the list at i.mi.com (Device Management section").
• 🔌 Charge the battery to at least 50%. Interrupting the discharge process can turn the phone into a brick. On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) requires at least 30%, but it is better not to risk.

If you are selling a phone, you should also:

• 📲 Delete. SIM-card and memory card (if any) Formatting via reset does not always affect the external drive.
• 🛡️ Turn off Find My Device (Google) and Remote Control (Xiaomi) in the security settings.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone was bought from hand and tied to someone else's MI-account, a reset without detachment of the account will lock the device. ~1500–3000₽).

Method 1: Standard reset via settings (without loss of warranty)

This is the safest method, which does not require unlocking the bootloader and is suitable for 90% of users.

• 📁 All user data (photos, videos, documents)
• 🎮 Installed applications and their cache
• 🔧 System settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, wallpaper, etc.)
• 👤 Google and Xiaomi accounts (but not removed from the cloud!)

Important: this method does not erase data from the memory card (if installed); it needs to be formatted separately.

Instructions for MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the MIUI version (or HyperOS version) to activate the developer mode (optional, but useful for debugging).
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Recovery and Reset.
4. Click Reset (or Erase All Data in HyperOS).
5. Choose Delete Everything and confirm the action.

The path may differ on POCO: Settings → System → Additional → Recovery and Reset.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, Mi A3) After reset, you need to enter a password from the last Google account (FRP-If you forget the data, you will have to bypass the lock via fastboot (see Method 4).

Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't turn on)

If your smartphone is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touches, or is locked with a password, use Recovery Mode, which works even without access to the system, but requires physical access to the phone’s buttons.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Keep Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. Let go of Meals, but keep Volume up until the Recovery menu appears.

In the Recovery menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power for selection. On newer models (Xiaomi 13, POCO F5), the touch interface is available.

Step-by-step cleaning:

1. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data in HyperOS).
2. Confirm the action by choosing Wipe All Data.
3. Wait until it is completed (it will take 2-5 minutes).
4. Select Reboot to reboot.

If you don't have Wipe Data on the Recovery menu, you have custom recavers (like TWRP).

1. Select Wipe → Advanced Wipe.
2. Check the boxes Dalvik, Cache, System, Data.
3. Swipe for confirmation.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a locked bootloader (Redmi Note 8 Pro, Mi) 9T) Recovery resets can cause an error "This" MIUI version cannot be installed on this device. In this case, you will need to unlock the bootloader (see Method 5).

Method 3: Full formatting via Fastboot (for power users)

This method erases data at a low level, including partitions of the system, making file recovery almost impossible.

• 🔄 Reflashing to custom firmware (LineageOS, Pixel Experience).
• 🚨 Removal of viruses embedded in system partitions.
• 📦 Complete cleaning before selling (if the buyer is paranoid).

Required:

• 💻 Computer with installed ADB and Fastboot.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (otherwise the command will not be executed).

Instructions:

1. Enable USB Debugging in Settings → For Developers.
2. Connect your phone to your PC and execute in the terminal: adb reboot bootloader
3. After switching to fastboot, check the connection: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of the device).
4. Run full formatting: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot format userdata fastboot format cache
5. For complete cleaning of the system partition (if you need to reflash): fastboot erase system
6. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

Newer models (Xiaomi 12, POCO X5) may require fastboot erase instead of fastboot erase:

fastboot wipe-super super

⚠️ Note: Fastboot erase command on some devices (Redmi) K40, Mi 11) causes a "Partition not found" error, in which case use fastboot. format:ext4 instead of erase.

💡

If the phone doesn’t turn on after formatting, try flashing stock firmware through the Mi Flash Tool. Download it from the official Xiaomi website (choose the version for your model!).

5. Method 4: FRP bypass (if the old Google account requires resetting)

If you reset your phone and it asks you to enter data from your previous Google account (Factory Reset Protection) after you turn it on, use one of the methods of bypassing. FRP is activated automatically if you have added a Google account and enabled protection on your device.

Methods of circumvention (in order of difficulty):

• 📧 Enter the correct data. If you remember the login/password from the old account, just enter it.
• 🔧 via Wi-Fi settings (works on the MIUI 12-13): On the Google account input screen, tap the Email field. In the keyboard that appears, press and hold @, select Keyboard Settings. Go to Three Dots. → Assistance → Search and enter "settings." Open settings. → Reset → Delete all data (once again).

Through ADB

adb shell am start -n com.google.android.gsf.login/


adb shell am start -n com.google.android.gsf.login.LoginActivity

Then enter any email/password, the system will skip further.

Through Test Point

Redmi Note 9 Test Point FRP

On HyperOS, FRP circumvention is more difficult because of the increased protection, and if none of the methods worked, the only thing left is:

• Official unlock through the service center (purchase check is required).
• Firmware via EDL Mode (requires an authorized Xiaomi account and boxing).

💡

If a phone is bought by hand and FRP is locked, the only legal way to unlock it is to contact the previous owner for account details.All other methods (including paid services) violate Google's policies and can result in the device being locked.

6. Method 5: Unlock the bootloader and completely flash (for gays)

If you want to erase everything, including system files, or plan to install custom firmware, you'll need to unlock the bootloader. This is an official procedure from Xiaomi, but it has limitations:

• ⏳ Expectation 7-30 days (on new models).
• 📱 Link to MI-account (requires an account with a confirmed phone number).
• 🚫 Resetting the warranty (but not on all models).