How to remove everything from Xiaomi phone: from reset to deep cleaning

Deleting data from a Xiaomi phone is a challenge that every user faces sooner or later: someone wants to sell the device, someone wants to get rid of viruses, and someone just wants to return the smartphone to the factory settings. But just clicking Reset in the menu is not enough: residual files, app cache and even accounts can be saved. In this article, we will analyze all the ways of cleaning, from a standard reset via MIUI to low-level formatting via Fastboot, and also explain how to avoid the typical errors that cause data recovery.

Xiaomi smartphones are very well integrated with Mi Account and MIUI, which means that even after a reset, the device can remain attached to your account and some system files are saved, and we will detail how to completely untie the phone from your account before selling so that the new owner does not face lockdown, and how to make sure that no file is left on internal memory.

This article is suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models based on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS, including Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12, POCO F5 and others. If your model is older than 2018, check the section with warnings - they may have special rules.

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

Before you start cleaning, follow a few critical steps that ignore can lead to the loss of important data or lock your phone after a reset.

First, back up. Even if you're planning to sell your phone, save your contacts, photos and documents to another device or to the cloud. Use the built-in MIUI Backup app or third-party services like Google Drive. Note: backup via Mi Cloud may not save some application settings.

Second, untie all accounts. This applies not only to the Mi Account, but also to Google, Samsung Account (if used), and social media. After a reset, the phone may require the last associated account to be entered, a Factory Reset Protection (FRP) measure.

• 🔄 Delete Mi Account: Go to Settings → Xiaomi account → Delete your account. You'll need to enter your password.

⚠️ Warning: If you sell a phone, do not delete Mi Account through Xiaomi’s site before resetting – this may block the device. First, reset your phone, then delete your account remotely.

2. Standard reset via MIUI settings: step-by-step instruction

The easiest way to clean up is to use a built-in reset feature, which is suitable if the phone is stable and you want to return it to factory settings without deep cleaning.

Open the Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings. Some versions MIUI The path may be different: Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and Reset: Select Reset All Settings or Delete All Data, and the system will prompt you to enter a pattern lock or PIN-code.

Once confirmed, the phone will restart and start cleaning, which will take 5 to 15 minutes depending on the model, and when you're done, you'll see the screen of the initial setup, just like after you've bought it.

Deleted all accounts (Mi Account, Google)

Created a backup copy of important data

The phone is charged at least 50%

Extracted. SIM- and SD-map-->

⚠️ Note: Standard resets don't delete data completely, they can be restored by special programs. If you sell a phone, use the methods in the following sections.

3.Deep cleaning through Recovery Mode: When standard resetting is not enough

If the phone is jammed, not turning on, or you want a more thorough cleaning, use Recovery Mode, a method that erases more data than a standard reset, but requires care.

To log in to Recovery, turn off the phone, then press the button combination:

• 📱 For most models: Volume up + Nutrition (hold 10-15 seconds).
• 🔄 For older devices (until 2019): Volume up + Loudness down + Nutrition.

When the Mi logo appears, release the buttons. You will be in the Recovery menu (English or Chinese).

Use the volume buttons for navigation and the power button for selection. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data), then Wipe All Data. Confirm action. After cleaning, select Reboot to restart.

4.Full formatting via Fastboot: for power users

The Fastboot method is the most radical one, and it completely erases all memory partitions, including system files, and is suitable for:

• 🔧 Removing serious failures (such as hanging on the logo).
• 📦 Preparing the phone for sale with the guarantee of impossibility of data recovery.
• 🔄 Custom firmware installations.

This method will require a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and a USB Type-C cable (original to avoid connection issues). Download Google's Platform Tools and unpack the archive.

Steps for cleaning:

1. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to log into the Fastboot.
2. Connect the phone to the computer.
3. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with Platform Tools.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the phone is recognized, you will see its serial number.
5. Run full formatting: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot format:ext4 userdata fastboot format:ext4 cache
6. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: Teams format:ext4 If you make a mistake in the command (for example, enter a fastboot erase system), the phone will stop loading and require flashing.

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If the phone doesn’t turn on after formatting, try flashing it through the Mi Flash Tool. Download the official firmware for your model on Xiaomi’s website and follow the Fastboot firmware instructions.

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

If you sell your phone without deleting your Mi Account, the new owner will face lockdown on the first turn on, and there are two ways to solve this problem:

Method 1: Remote Account Deletion (if the phone has not been transferred to the customer):

1. Go to the Mi Account website from your PC.
2. Log in to your account and go to Device Management.
3. Find your phone in the list and click “Delete Device”.
4. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

Method 2: Unlock through Xiaomi Unlock Tool (if the phone is already in the customer’s hands):

• 🔓 The buyer needs to contact you and request an unlock code.

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If the phone was bought with hands and locked on the previous owner’s Mi Account, contact him to unlock. Xiaomi does not help in such cases – the lock is tied to the account, not to the device.

6.Result Check: How to make sure that data is actually deleted

After resetting or formatting, it is important to check that there is no personal data left on the phone.

• 🔒 Make sure Mi Account is untied: try logging into your account settings – the system should not ask for a password.
• 🛠️ Use data recovery software such as DiskDigger or Recuva (check only – do not save recovered files!).

If you sell a phone, ask the customer to check it before paying, which will save you from claims in the future.

7. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when cleaning up Xiaomi, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

Another common problem is that the phone doesn't turn on after it's reset, and it can happen because of:

• 🔋 A discharged battery (even if the charge was 50% before the discharge, the process could deplete it).
• 🔧 Damaged firmware (relevant for devices with custom firmware).
• 🛠️ Hardware failure (for example, memory chip dump).

If the phone doesn’t respond to the power button, plug it into charging for 30 minutes, then try logging into Fastboot or Recovery.

Frequently asked questions