How to Delete Data from Xiaomi Phone: From Files to Mi Account

Deleting data from a Xiaomi phone is a challenge that every user faces sooner or later: someone wants to sell or give a device, someone needs to free up space in memory, and some just want to start from scratch after a malfunction. But just formatting an internal drive is not enough: there are traces of accounts, app cache and even personal data in system partitions.

In this article, we will discuss all possible ways to delete data, from a standard reset via settings to deep cleaning through Fastboot and Recovery. Particular attention will be paid to deleting the associated Mi Account, which often blocks the device after a reset, as well as nuances for models with a new device. MIUI 14/15 And HyperOS. If you're planning to sell a phone, you'll find a checklist to prepare for the transfer of the new owner.

Importantly, the procedures are different for devices with unlocked and locked bootloader, and we will note the critical moments where an error can lead to a “brick” (complete inoperability) of a smartphone – for example, when fastboot commands are used incorrectly.

1. Standard reset via MIUI settings

The easiest and safest way to do this is to use the built-in reset function in the settings menu, which is suitable if:

• 📱 The phone is turned on and reacts to touch.
• 🔒 Remember your password/pattern lock
• 📁 You need to delete only user data (photos, applications, settings)

To perform the discharge:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Reset (on MIUI 14+, the path may differ: Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset).
2. Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
3. Confirm the action by entering the lock password.
4. Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).

⚠️ Warning: After a reset, the phone may request data from the associated Mi Account (if Find Device was enabled). Without it, it will be impossible to unlock the device! If you are selling a phone, be sure to untie the account in advance (see section 4).

This method does not remove:

• 🔄 System Updates (current version will remain) MIUI/HyperOS)
• 🛡️ Data in protected partitions (e.g. keys) DRM for Netflix in high resolution)
• 📱 Firmware loader and radio module

2.Right reset via Recovery Mode

If the phone doesn’t turn on, freezes on the logo or doesn’t respond to touch, resetting through Recovery will help.This method works on all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 The Mi 11, but it requires careful handling.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume up and hold until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select the language (if there is such a item), then:
4. Wait until it is finished (the screen will show the inscription Success).
5. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) Recovery may not have Wipe All Data, but instead, look for Factory Reset, which does the same thing, but saves some system settings.

Advantages of the method:

• ✅ It works without access to the system.
• ✅ Deletes even data that is not erased through settings
• ✅ Doesn't require a computer.

Disadvantages:

• ❌ Does not delete the Mi Account (you need to enter a login / password at the first setting)
• ❌ On older models (Redmi) 4X, Mi A1) It may not work properly due to damaged partitions.

3.Delete Mi Account before sale

One of the most common questions is, “How do you delete your Mi Account from your Xiaomi phone so that the new owner can use it?” If you just reset your settings, the device will require you to enter your previous account data when you first set up it is the Mi Cloud Lock.

To completely untie your account, do the following before resetting:

1. Open the Settings. → Accounts. → Mi Account.
2. Click on the icon. ⚙️ (account settings) → Delete the account.
3. Enter the password and confirm the deletion.
4. Turn off Find Device in the security settings.

If the phone is already dropped and asks for account details:

• 🔑 Enter the username/password from your Mi Account, then delete it through the settings.
• 📧 If you do not remember the data, restore the password on account.xiaomi.com.
• 🛠️ If your account is not yours (the phone is purchased used) – contact the previous owner or use the official unlock service (paid).

💡

Save a screenshot of the account deletion confirmation (the page ticked "Account Deleted") to help prove to the new owner that the phone is not tied to the Mi Cloud.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS models (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) The process of deleting an account may be different, and in some cases, the system requires confirmation through SMS or email, even if the password is entered correctly.

4. Complete memory cleanup via Fastboot

For deep cleaning (for example, before sale or if the phone is infected with viruses), use the Fastboot mode, which deletes all data, including:

• 📂 User files and applications
• 🔧 System settings and cache
• 🔄 Updates OTA (The phone will return to "clean" firmware)

You'll need:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and fastboot utility (included in Google Platform Tools)
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original)
• 🔋 Charged phone (> 30%)

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and press Power + Volume down to enter the Fastboot (screen with a hare in a hat-eared).
2. Connect your phone to your computer and open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with fastboot.
3. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices Must appear serial number of the device.
4. Complete cleanup: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot format:ext4 userdata fastboot format:ext4 cache
5. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

💡

Teams. format:ext4 They completely recreate partitions, which ensures that even the data that is erased is deleted, which is important if you're selling a phone and you want to eliminate file recovery.

⚠️ Note: On some models (e.g, POCO F5 Or the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+) Format commands may not work due to a blocked bootloader, in which case you first need to unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock Tool (requires an account to be linked to the device 72 hours before unlocking).

5. Deletion of specific data: files, applications, cache

If you do not need a full reset, but you need to vacate space or delete individual data, use built-in tools. MIUI/HyperOS.

How to delete:

For deep cleaning, use the following modes:

• 🧹 Settings → Memory. → Deep cleaning (scans the system cache)
• 🔍 Security → Virus scanning (deletes suspicious files)
• 🗑️ Files. → Memory analysis (shows large, unnecessary files)

⚠️ Note: When deleting data through Files or Gallery, they do not disappear from the device completely - they can be restored by special programs (for example, DiskDigger.

6. Features for different Xiaomi models

The process of deleting data may vary depending on the model, firmware version and region (global or Chinese).

Redmi Note 10/11/12:

• 🔄 On these models, a reset via Recovery often leads to Mi Cloud Lock, even if the account has been untied.
• 📱 V MIUI 13/14 path to reset: Settings → Additionally. → Recovery and discharge → Erase all data.

POCO F/X/M:

• 🛡️ Nana POCO with HyperOS (for example, POCO X6 Pro) after reset, you may need to confirm through Google Account if Find My Device was enabled.
• 🔧 Recovery of these models does not have Russian language – use English or Chinese.

Xiaomi 13/14 (flagship):

• 🔐 On flagships with HyperOS, resetting through settings saves some data in a protected partition (for example, keys for Widevine). L1). A Fastboot is needed for complete cleaning.
• 📱 Recovery menu has a Reset Network Settings item – it resets only network settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth), without affecting personal data.

Older models (Redmi 4/5, Mi A1/A2):

• ⚠️ On Mi. A1/A2 (Recovery resets via Recovery can cause a No command error. In this case, only firmware via Fastboot will help.
• 🔄 On the Redmi. 4X/5A after discharge, they often "fly off" IMEI. You can restore them through the engineering menu (##4636##) firmware.

7.What to do if the data is restored after deletion

Sometimes, after a reset, users notice that some files (photos, contacts) reappear on the phone.

• 🔄 Automatic recovery from Mi Cloud or Google Drive backup.
• 📱 Synchronization with the account (contacts, notes, calendar).
• 💾 Incomplete formatting (for example, if the reset was made through settings, not Fastboot).

How to avoid data recovery:

1. Before resetting, turn off synchronization: Settings → Accounts. → Synchronization → Shut it down.
2. Remove backups in Mi Cloud: Settings → Mi Account → Mi Cloud → Backup copies → Delete
3. Use Fastboot for full formatting (Section 4).
4. After reset, do not connect old accounts when you first set up.

If the data has already been recovered:

• 📂 Remove them manually (see section 5).
• 🔄 Repeat the reset, but this time via Fastboot.
• 🛡️ Check your phone for viruses (some Trojans recover files from hidden folders).

8.Preparing Xiaomi phone for sale: checklist

If you're selling or transferring your phone to another person, it's not enough to just reset your settings. Here's a full checklist to avoid problems:

Additional recommendations:

• 📦 Save the box, documents and accessories (this increases the cost of the phone by 10-20%).
• 🔋 Charge your phone to 50-80% so you can test it right away.
• 📱 Reset the use counters (e.g. screen time): Settings → Battery → ⋮ → Resetting statistics

⚠️ Warning: If you sell a phone with a faulty screen or battery, be sure to warn the buyer otherwise he may demand a refund under the Consumer Protection Act (Article 18).

FAQ: Frequent questions