How to permanently delete all data from Xiaomi: from reset to low-level formatting

Deleting data from a Xiaomi smartphone is a task that seems simple only at first glance. Many users limit themselves to a standard reset through settings, unaware that files and personal information can remain in the device’s memory even after this procedure. A particularly pressing problem for those who sell or transfer a phone to another person is that it is often easy to recover deleted photos, messages or passwords using specialized software.

In this article, we will explore all possible ways to completely delete data, from basic reset to low-level formatting via Fastboot and MIUI Recovery. You will learn how to properly prepare the device, what tools to use to ensure that information is erased without recovery, and why standard methods are often insufficient.

Why Standard Resetting Is Not Always Safe

When you select Reset to factory settings in the Xiaomi menu, the system only removes the links to the files, not the data itself.

• 📸 Photos and videos remain in memory until new files overwrite them.
• 🔑 Passwords and tokens (e.g. from Mi Account or banking applications) can be extracted through the ADB.
• 📱 Logs of the system contain a history of calls, SMS geolocation.

Technically, a complete deletion requires a memory rewriting, a process that does not occur in a normal reset. FBE (File-Based Encryption: Data can remain available even after partition formatting /data. That’s why it’s not enough to sell or dispose of a phone to press a button.

⚠️ Attention: On Xiaomi models 12/13/14 Series and new Redmi Note with HyperOS standard reset via settings can leave app cache and data MIUI Cloud.Full cleaning requires additional formatting via Fastboot.

Preparing the phone for data deletion

Before you start resetting, follow a few critical steps:

1. Back up important data (contacts, photos, documents) on Google Drive, Mi Cloud or external drive. Use the built-in MIUI Backup app or third-party utilities like Swift Backup (requires root).
2. Untie the accounts: 📱 Mi Account (in Settings) → Accounts. → Mi Account → Get out). 🔗 Google (in Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Delete the account). 💳 Banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.) – deactivate the device in their settings.

Delete. SIM-memory-card

microSD

If you plan to sell the phone, be sure to check the Mi Account status: the linked account can lock the device after a reset (Find Device feature).

• 🔓 The phone is not in Lost Mode (check at i.mi.com).
• 📱 Blocking when resetting (in some regions it is activated by default).

Method 1: Reset via MIUI settings (Basic Method)

This is the easiest, but least reliable way, and is suitable for fixing software failures or transferring the phone to a loved one (if you trust them not to recover data).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Reset (on HyperOS: Settings → Additional → Reset and Recovery).
2. Choose to erase all data.
3. Enter a password (if required) and confirm the action.
4. Wait for the process to be completed (5-15 minutes) and the phone will restart.

After discharge:

• 🔄 The phone will return to the “out of the box” state with the firmware that was installed at the time of purchase (not the current one!).
• 📱 When you first turn on, you will need to go through the initial setting (language selection, Wi-Fi connection).
• ⚠️ Data can be recovered using Recuva, DiskDigger or ADB.

Deleted all accounts (Mi, Google, social networks)|Created a backup copy of important data|Out. SIM-microSD card|Disable Find Device in Mi Account|Charged the phone at least 50%-->

Method 2: Formatting with MIUI Recovery

MIUI Recovery is a built-in recovery menu that allows for deeper cleaning than a standard reset.The method is suitable for devices without root and unlocked bootloader.

How to start Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time (on some models - Power + Volume down).
3. When the Mi logo appears, release the buttons. You'll be taken to the Recovery menu.

Further action:

• 🌐 Choose a language (usually English or Chinese).
• 🔧 Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (on some versions: Wipe & Reset).
• 🔘 Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter a password).
• ⏳ Wait until it is completed (the process will take 10-20 minutes).

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ Deletes data more thoroughly than resetting through settings.
• ✅ It works even if the phone is not turned on (hang on the logo).
• ❌ It does not overwrite memory – data can be restored with specialized tools.

Method 3: Complete erasure via Fastboot (for advanced)

The Fastboot method allows for low-level formatting of memory partitions, making data recovery almost impossible, USB-cable and installed drivers ADB/Fastboot.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Google’s Platform Tools on your PC.
2. Turn on the phone Debugging over USB (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Additional → For Developers).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and execute it in the terminal (on behalf of the administrator):

adb devices


adb reboot bootloader




fastboot devices




fastboot erase userdata




fastboot erase cache




fastboot format:ext4 userdata




fastboot format:ext4 cache




fastboot reboot

Transcript of commands:

⚠️ Note: On devices with Dynamic Partitions (e.g. Xiaomi 12 Pro, Redmi) K50) You can use super instead of userdata. In this case, you need a command fastboot wipe-super super, but it will delete all data, including firmware.

💡

If the phone doesn’t reboot after fastboot commands, try manually selecting Reboot to System from the Fastboot menu (volume buttons for navigation, power to select).

Method 4: Using TWRP to overwrite memory

TWRP (Team Win Recovery Project) is a custom recovery that allows you to completely overwrite your phone’s memory with random data.The method ensures that it will be impossible to recover files, but requires an unlocked bootloader.

Instructions:

1. Unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi tool (can take up to 72 hours).
2. Install TWRP for your model (download from twrp.me and run through fastboot flash recovery twrp.img).
3. Download to TWRP (Power buttons + Volume up).
4. Go to Wipe → Format Data, enter Yes and confirm.
5. For additional protection, use Wipe → Advanced Wipe and mark all sections except System and Vendor.

Advantages of TWRP:

• ✅ Full memory overwriting (Format Data option uses the f2fs or ext4 randomly).
• ✅ The ability to choose which sections to clean.
• ❌ Requires unlocking the bootloader (resets the phone to factory state).

💡

Using TWRP is the only way to guarantee to erase data from Xiaomi phones if you plan to sell or dispose of the device.Standard methods leave traces that can be repaired.

Method 5: Encryption + Reset (for maximum security)

If you don’t want to unlock the bootloader but need to securely delete the data, you can use encryption and reset, a method suitable for File-Based Encryption (FBE)-enabled devices (all Android 10+ models).

Algorithm:

1. Enable encryption: Go to Settings → Lock and Protect → Encrypt your phone. Set a strong password (at least 8 characters, with numbers and special characters) Wait for the process to be completed (may take 1-2 hours).

Recovery

Fastboot

wrong password 10 times

Secure Startup

Why it works:

• 🔐 Encryption turns all data into an unreadable form, and without the key (your password), you can't decrypt it.
• 🧹 Reset removes encryption key, making data useless.
• 🚫 Even if someone extracts the memory chip, it will be extremely difficult to recover the information.

What to do after deleting data

After successful erasure of information:

• 🔄 Do not turn the phone on before transferring it to a new owner – each system start creates new temporary files.
• 📦 If the phone is for sale, pack it in a box without it. SIM-Maps and accessories (they may contain your data).
• 🔍 Check the status of Mi Account on i.mi.com – the device should not appear in your profile.

If you are disposing of your phone, it is recommended that:

• 🔨 Physically damage the memory chip (for example, drill a hole in the board).
• 🔋 Remove the battery (lithium batteries are dangerous if disposed of incorrectly).
• ♻️ Pass to a specialized electronics reception point (in some countries, benefits are provided for this).

💡

Even after full formatting, don’t store old phones with sensitive data (document photos, passwords) and it’s better to dispose of the device or use it without connecting to the network.

FAQ: Frequent questions about data deletion with Xiaomi