How to permanently delete all data from Xiaomi Redmi: from reset to formatting

Wiping out data from Xiaomi Redmi is a process that seems simple only at first glance. A simple reset via the settings menu is often not enough: residual files can recover your photos, correspondence or passwords even after a factory reset. This is especially true for models with internal eMMC memory (such as the Redmi 9A or Redmi Note 10 Pro), where standard methods do not guarantee complete data deletion.

In this article, we will discuss 5 ways to erase information, from basic reset to low-level formatting via Fastboot. Let’s focus on the nuances for different versions of MIUI (12-14) and explain why some methods do not work on all models. If you sell a phone, give it away for repair or just want to get rid of personal data, here you will find the current instructions with the peculiarities of Xiaomi.

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

Before erasing data, follow the steps to avoid Xiaomi account issues or loss of important information:

• 🔄 Remove the Mi Account. If the phone is linked to the account, you'll need to enter your login/password after the reset. MIUI 13+ This can lock the device for 72 hours if you enter incorrectly.
• 📱 Move the data to another medium. Use Mi Mover (embedded application) or cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud). DCIM, Downloads and WhatsApp often contain hidden backups.
• 🔌 Charge your phone to minimum. 50%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge may cause partition damage /data, which will require a re-flash through EDL.
• 📡 Disable all accounts: Google, Facebook, Telegram. MIUI 14 This is done in Settings → Accounts. → Delete the account.

Pay special attention to data encryption. If encryption is enabled in Settings → Additional → Encryption and credentials, it will take up to 1-2 hours to reset (on Redmi Note 11 and later). On older models (for example, Redmi 5 Plus), encryption can cause a “No Command” error when reset via Recovery.

⚠️ Note: If the phone was bought from hand and tied to someone else's Mi Account, a reset without junction will lock the device.

2. Method 1: Standard reset via the settings menu

The easiest method is to reset to factory settings via the MIUI interface. Suitable for most models, but does not guarantee complete data deletion (files can be restored with special programs).

Instructions for MIUI 12-14:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Erase All Data (on some models – Delete All Data and Reset Settings).
3. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock, if requested.
4. Confirm the action by clicking Reset the phone.

The process will take 5 to 30 minutes depending on the model. On the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ with UFS 2.2, the reset is faster than on the Redmi 8A with eMMC 5.1. Once rebooted, the phone will be like new, but:

• 🔍 Data can be recovered by programs like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver, especially photos and documents).
• 📱 There are traces of accounts in the cache /data/data/com.android.providers.settings.
• 🔑 If BitLocker To Go was enabled (on some firmware), additional formatting will be required.

⚠️ Attention: On models with MIUI 14 and Android 13 may be reset with a "This device is locked" error, which means that the phone is tied to the Mi Account even after the detachment).

Method 2: Recovery Mode Reset (for power users)

Recovery Mode is a recovery mode that allows you to reset your phone even if the system isn't booting.The method works on all Redmis, but the Recovery interface differs depending on the version:

• 📱 Stock Recovery (Chinese or global firmware) – menu in English/Chinese.
• 🛠️ Custom recovery (TWRP, OrangeFox – Extended features including formatting /data.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up for 10-15 seconds.
3. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or Factory Reset on older models) from the menu.
4. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works even if the phone doesn’t turn on.
• ✅ Deletes more data than resetting through settings (but not 100%).

Disadvantages:

• ❌ On some models (Redmi) 6/6A) Recovery reset does not delete files from the folder /sdcard/MIUI/backup.
• ❌ If custom Recovery is installed, improper actions can lead to a brick (breakdown) of the phone.

Method 3: Full formatting via Fastboot (for advanced)

Fastboot allows you to completely re-mark the memory, making it almost impossible to recover data. It's suitable for models with an unlocked bootloader. It requires a computer with drivers installed. ADB/Fastboot.

Step-by-step:

1. Install Platform Tools from Google.
2. Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (press Power + Volume down when the phone is off).
3. Open the command line in the folder with fastboot and type:

fastboot devices

(connection check)

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot format:ext4 userdata




fastboot format:ext4 cache

For models with MIUI 14 and Android 13+, add:

fastboot erase metadata

Once the commands are executed, the phone will automatically restart, which destroys all data without recovery, but has risks:

• 🚨 If you interrupt the process, the phone may stop loading (hard brick).
• 🔧 On some models (Redmi) K50, Redmi Note 12 Pro+) You need an additional fastboot erase frp command to remove FRP-blocking (Google account).

💡

Before formatting via Fastboot, check the phone model with the command fastboot getvar product.Some devices (such as the POCO F3, which is relabeled Redmi K40) require other commands to format.

5. Method 4: Low-level erasure via EDL Mode (extreme method)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is a processor-level flashing mode for a phone that allows you to completely rewrite memory, including service partitions, used in service centers, but also available to ordinary users.

Attention: the method requires:

• 🔌 Authorized Xiaomi Account (for new models).
• 💻 MiFlash and firmware for your model.
• 🔧 Qualcomm or Mediatek chips (depending on the phone’s processor).

Instructions:

1. Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website.
2. Install Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 (for Snapdragon) or Mediatek Preloader drivers.
3. Connect your phone in EDL mode (close the Test Point contacts or use the adb reboot edl command).
4. In MiFlash, select firmware and press Flash.

Advantages:

• 🔥 Guaranteed erases all data, including service sections that even Fastboot doesn’t touch.
• 🛠️ Restores the phone after a major crash (for example, after a failed rooting).

Risks:

• 💀 If you choose the wrong firmware, the phone will turn into a brick".
• 🔒 In the models with MIUI 14 and the Snapdragon processor 8 Gen 1/2 You need to log in via Mi Account, otherwise MiFlash will give you an error "SLA Auth Error".

⚠️ Note: After the firmware is through EDL phone may lose IMEI You can only restore them through the engineering menu (#4636##) or the service center.

Method 5: Physical destruction of data (for paranoids)

If you sell a phone with sensitive information (e.g., a Redmi worker with access to corporate data), even an EDL may not give a 100% guarantee.

• 🔨 Memory soldering: On eMMC models (like the Redmi 7), you can physically replace the memory chip, but it's expensive and requires a soldering station.
• 🔥 Repeatedly re-recorded. ADB or TWRP Fill in the memory with random data:

adb shell


su




dd if=/dev/urandom of=/dev/block/mmcblk0 bs=1M

⚠️ This method destroys the phone - after it requires a complete flashing.

Alternative to Redmi with UFS-storage device (e.g. Redmi) K60):

• Use f2fs-tools for low-level formatting:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot format:ext4 userdata




fastboot flash userdata empty.img

(where empty.img — sectarian).

7. Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The table below compares all methods in terms of efficiency, complexity and risks:

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For most users, a combination of reset via settings + formatting via Fastboot is enough, which strikes a balance between security and simplicity.

8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When erasing data on Xiaomi Redmi, users often face problems, and here are the most common solutions:

• 🔄 "This device is locked after resetting → So the phone is tied to the Mi Account. Solution: reset via Fastboot with the fastboot erase frp team.
• 📱 phone is stuck on startup Redmi logo after reset → Most likely, the section was damaged. /system. Solution: Write your phone through MiFlash in mode EDL.
• 🔌 Fastboot doesn't see the device → Check the drivers and cable (require original) USB Type-C. On Windows, sometimes disabling driver signatures helps.

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img


fastboot reboot recovery

If you are selling a phone, check:

• 📌 Is the account Mi (Settings) untied → Xiaomi account → Get out).
• 📌 Google Account Deleted (Settings) → Accounts. → Google → Delete the account).
• 📌 Find My Device Settings Reset (Settings) → Google → Security → Find My Device → Shut down).

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Before selling your phone, take a screenshot of the Settings menu → About the phone → A state where you can see that accounts are untied. This will protect you from accusations of blocking the device.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions