How to delete all data on your Xiaomi phone: 4 proven ways

Why Xiaomi’s Full Reset Is Not Just File Deletion

When it comes to deleting all data on Xiaomi, many users mistakenly think that it is enough to format internal memory or manually delete folders through Explorer. In fact, this approach leaves up to 70% of the information available for recovery by specialized programs, the fact that the MIUI operating system (even in the latest versions based on Android 14) uses a logical deletion mechanism: files are not physically erased, but only marked as “free space”.

Full reset to factory settings (Hard Reset) is the only officially supported method that is guaranteed to remove:

• 📱 Personal accounts (Google, Mi Account, social networks)
• 📂 Multimedia (photo, video, audio – including hidden folders.thumbnails)
• 📊 System settings (Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth devices, application permissions)
• 🔑 Cache and temporary files (including Google Play Services data)

It is important to understand the difference between soft and hard resets: the first one (Soft Reset) reboots the system without affecting user data, and the second one (Hard Reset) erases all information, including data in /data and /cache, but does not affect the firmware in /system, the latter is exactly what you need to prepare the phone for sale or fix critical failures.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (for a working phone)

This is the easiest method if your Xiaomi (be it Redmi Note 12, POCO X5 Mi 11 Ultra is activated and reacts to touch, instructions are valid for all versions. MIUI 12-to-14:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Resetting (in some firmware – Erase all data).
3. Confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or PIN-code.
4. Wait until the process is completed (usually takes 3-7 minutes).

⚠️ Note: If the phone is enabled with the function Protection of Xiaomi device (in the Settings menu) → Password and security, after reset, you will need to enter data from the attached Mi Account. Without this, it will be impossible to unlock the device!

Make sure the battery is at least 50 times charged%|Make a backup copy of important data|Remember the username/password from Mi Account|Untie Bank Cards from Google Pay-->

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If the phone is slowing down and doesn't respond to touch, plug it into charging for 10 to 15 minutes before resetting, which sometimes solves the problem of "hanging" the interface.

Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't turn on)

When Xiaomi doesn’t load beyond the logo, freezes on the Fastboot or doesn’t respond to the power button at all, Recovery Mode will help, which works even on locked phones, but requires physical access to the buttons:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Keep Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
4. Confirm the action by choosing Wipe All Data.
5. After completion, select Reboot.

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi) K60) The Recovery menu can be in Chinese, in which case, look for characters (clear data) and (confirm).

Method 3: Remote erasure via Mi Cloud (if phone is lost)

If your Xiaomi is stolen or you lose it, but it was tied to Mi Account, you can remotely erase all data through the Mi Cloud web interface.

• 🌐 The phone is connected to the Internet (mobile network or Wi-Fi)
• 🔋 Battery charge over 15%
• 🔒 Find the device has been activated in the settings

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the lost device in the list.
3. Click Erase Data and Confirm Action.

⚠️ Warning: After a remote reset, the phone will automatically unlock, allowing the attacker to reuse it. If you want to lock the device permanently, select Lock instead of Erase the data.

Yes, but I did. | Yes, and I didn't. | No, I'm always careful. | I haven't lost it yet, but I'm afraid-->

Method 4: Full formatting via Fastboot (for advanced users)

This method is suitable if a standard reset did not help (for example, after a failed firmware update) or you need to ensure that data is deleted without the possibility of recovery. ADB/Fastboot and USB-TypeC cable.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone and turn to Fastboot mode:


- Press Power + Loudness down for 10 seconds.




2. Connect to the PC and check for device detection:




fastboot devices




3. Perform the full formatting:




fastboot erase userdata




fastboot erase cache




4.Reset the phone:




fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: The fastboot erase userdata team erases the user data partition at a low level, making file recovery almost impossible. However, it does not affect the firmware - use fastboot flash all with the official one for full flashing. ROM.

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Fastboot is the only way to guarantee that you will delete data from a damaged /data partition when Recovery Mode is not available.

What to do after reset: the first steps with a “clean” Xiaomi

Once you've successfully deleted all the data, the phone will go back to "out of the box" and this is what you need to do first:

1. Language and region setting: Choose Russian (Russia) or another language you want, and the availability of Google services depends on it.
2. Wi-Fi connection: Without the Internet, you can not log in to your account or update your firmware.
3. Mi Account Enter Pass: If the phone is not yours (for example, bought with your hands), click Miss or Sign in later. Otherwise, the device may lock.
4. Check for updates: Go to Settings → About Phone → System Update and install the latest version of MIUI.

⚠️ Note: On phones with MediaTek Helio (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) post-discharge IMEI. To restore it, type ##36446337## in the dialer and follow the instructions.

How to verify that data has been deleted

Many users question whether the reset has actually erased all information. Here are 3 ways to check:

• 🔍 Checking through Explorer: Connect your phone to your PC and make sure folders are DCIM, Downloads and WhatsApp are empty.
• 🛠️ Specialized utilities: Programs like DiskDigger or Recuva should not find recoverable files.
• 📱 Testing through Settings: In the Settings menu → The internal drive memory should show “0 bytes” in the “Other files” section".

If you sell a phone, encryption will give you additional confidence before resetting:

1. Go to Settings → Password and Security → Phone Encryption.
2. Set a password and wait until the process is complete (it can take up to an hour).
3. Perform reset by any of the methods described above.

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For maximum security, format your memory card (if any) through your computer using the SD Card Formatter utility from the SD Association before selling.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset