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

Why simple file removal doesn’t work

You decide to sell or give away your Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, but simply removing photos and apps through the file manager is not enough. Even after cleaning the cart, data remains on the device and can be restored by special programs, this applies not only to media files, but also to system logs, application caches, and account information.

The fact is that MIUI (like any Android) uses a logical deletion mechanism: when you delete a file, only the link to it in the file table is erased, and the data itself remains on the flash memory until overwriting, for example, a photo you deleted a year ago can lie on the device unchanged if new files were not written in its place.

Another trap is a tied Mi Account. Even after a full reset via the settings menu, the phone can remain tied to your profile in the Xiaomi ecosystem, which blocks the activation of the device by the new owner, especially for models with Mi Account Lock (for example, Redmi Note 10 Pro, Xiaomi 11T or POCO F4).

Method 1: Standard reset via MIUI settings

The most obvious method is to reset the device to factory settings via menus, which is suitable if the phone is stable, you have access to settings, and you don't plan to sell the device to a "clean" (e.g., give it to a relative), and it's important that it doesn't guarantee complete data deletion from a security perspective, but it deletes all user files and settings.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings (on new versions) MIUI The path may be different: Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge).
• 🔄 Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
• 🔒 Enter a pattern lock or PIN-code, if requested.
• ⚠️ Confirm the action – the phone will restart and start the cleaning process (it will take 5-15 minutes).

After the reboot, the phone will look like new, but:

⚠️ Note: If the device was enabled Mi Account Lock (anti-theft protection), the new owner will not be able to activate the phone without your username / password from Mi Account. To avoid problems, be sure to untie the account before reset (see Method 3).

Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (for locked phones)

If the phone is not turned on, locked with a pattern lock or does not respond to touch, resetting through Recovery Mode will help.This method works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi 9A, POCO X3 Pro and Black Shark 5, but requires accuracy - wrong actions can lead to a breeze (breaking the firmware).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the button combination: 🔧 For most models: Power button + Loudness up. 🔧 For older devices (e.g., Redmi) 4X): Power button + Loudness up + Loudness down.

Mi

Recovery

Wipe Data

Clear Data

Wipe All Data

Factory Reset

Reboot

Warning:

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra) may require a hard reset from the Mi Account that was previously linked. If you don't remember the password, the phone will become a "brick". Before reset, make sure that the account is untied (see Method 3).

Method 3: Unbind Mi Account before sale

One of the most common questions in Xiaomi sales is, "How do you unlink your Mi Account?" If you don't, the new owner won't be able to use the phone -- the first setup will require you to enter your username and password, which is part of the Mi Cloud Activation Lock protection that works even after you reset.

To untie the account:

• 📲 Go to Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account.
• 🔗 Click on your profile and select Login (or Delete account on new versions) MIUI).
• 🔐 Enter a password to confirm.
• 📱 Reboot your phone and reset to factory settings (Method 1).

If you have already dropped your phone and forgot to untie your account:

⚠️ Note: The only official way to unlock is to contact Xiaomi with a purchase check (to prove ownership). EDL-regime) requires special equipment and may violate the warranty.

Method 4: Secure data erasure (for complete confidentiality)

If you sell a phone with sensitive information (like a working POCO F5 with corporate email access), a routine reset is not enough, you need to re-write the memory so that the data can not be recovered even by laboratory methods.

1. Encryption + discharge: 🔒 Encrypt your phone in Settings → Security → Encrypting the phone (the process will take 30-60 minutes). 📱 Perform a reset to factory settings (Method 1).

After encryption, all data is converted into an unreadable form, and the reset removes the decryption key.

Use of the PC-tool

For models with an unlocked bootloader, you can use utilities like fastboot to completely rewrite partitions.

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache

But this method requires ADB/Fastboot skills and is only suitable for advanced users.

💡

If you use your phone to handle sensitive data (banking apps, corporate email), turn on encryption immediately after you buy it, which will protect the information even if the device falls into the wrong hands.

Method 5: Delete data from memory card and SIM

Many people forget that in addition to internal memory, the phone stores data on a microSD memory card and SIM-Even after the phone is dropped, these media may contain:

• 📸 Photos and videos (if saved) SD).
• 📞 Call history and SMS (on SIM-map).
• 📁 App cache (such as Google Maps or music from Spotify).

How to clean:

• 📱 Memory card: Format it via phone (Settings) → Warehouse → Map. SD → Format it, or on a PC. Use a utility like this for reliability. SD Card Formatter with full erasure option.
• 📶 SIM-map: Delete everything SMS manually or reset the settings SIM via the operator menu, for example, *111*1# Replace for complete cleaning SIM new.

💡

Even if you sell a phone without it. SIM-The new owner can extract contacts and messages from the card through special equipment. SIM or physically destroy the old (for example, cut).

Frequent Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

When deleting data from Xiaomi, users often make critical errors that lead to loss of access to the device or leakage of information.

1. Mi Account Reset: If you reset your phone without deleting your attached Mi Account, the new owner will not be able to activate it.The only solution is to seek Xiaomi support with proof of purchase (check, IMEI box).
2. Ignoring encryption: Without encryption, data can be recovered even after being reset. For example, photos from DCIM or WhatsApp's database often remain on the device.
3. Formatting a memory card without backup: Many store only copies of a photo on a computer SD-Before formatting, copy the data to a PC or cloud.
4. Using unofficial firmware to bypass locking: Attempts to unlock Mi Account Lock through custom firmware (like LineageOS) often lead to a phone blink (breakdown), the official way is only through support.

How to avoid problems:

• 📋 Always backup before resetting (via Settings) → Additionally. → Backup or Mi Cloud Backup).
• 🔍 Check your Mi Account binding in advance – it may be too late after a reset.
• ⚡ Charge your phone at least 50% – interrupting the reset process can damage the firmware.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions