How to Delete All Data from Xiaomi Before Selling: The Complete Guide

Why is it not enough to just delete files?

Selling a Xiaomi smartphone is not just about handing over the device to a new owner, it's also about keeping your personal data safe. Even if you manually delete photos, messages and apps, the residual data can remain in the device's memory. It's a matter of minutes for an experienced user to recover it with special programs.

Modern Xiaomi smartphones (whether Redmi Note 12 Pro+, POCO X5 or Mi 11 Ultra) store information in several layers: internal memory, app cache, system logs and even cloud backups tied to the Mi Account. Simple formatting through the settings menu is not enough – you need a comprehensive solution.

In this article, we will discuss the 4 key steps in Xiaomi’s preparation for sale: without performing at least one of them, your data can be restored.

Step 1: Backing up important data

Before you erase information, make sure you don’t lose anything. Even if you upgrade to a new smartphone, some data (such as saved passwords or app settings) may come in handy.

Ways to backup on Xiaomi:

• 📱 Local copy through MIUI: Go to Settings. → The phone. → Backup and reset → Local backup. Select data categories (contacts, SMS, Notes) and save the file to a memory card or to the cloud.
• ☁️ Xiaomi Cloud: Select Cloud Backup from the same menu. Make sure you have enough space (free 5GB is provided).
• 🖥️ Computer: Connect your smartphone to USB (in file transfer mode) and manually copy folders DCIM (Photos, Downloads (downloads) and WhatsApp/Media (messenger).
• 🔄 Third-party services: Google Photos is suitable for photos, for contacts - export to.vcf through Google Contacts.

⚠️ Note: If you use Mi Cloud, after you reset your device, all backups in the cloud will remain available to the new owner if they log in to your account. manually delete them via i.mi.com web version after sale!

Copies of SMS and calls (if important)

Photos and videos (including hidden folders)

Application data (game saves, settings)

Notes and documents (including screenshots)

Wi-Fi passwords (the list can be exported through Settings → Wi-Fi → Saved Networks)

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Step 2: Unlocking your Mi and Google Account

One of the most critical steps is de-linking your accounts, and if you don't, the new owner can:

• 🔓 Unlock your device through your Mi Account (if you forgot your password).
• 📧 Access your Gmail email through password recovery.
• 💳 Use stored payment data (unless disabled in Google Pay).

How to untie accounts correctly:

1. Xiaomi Ak Account: Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account. Click on your profile → Delete your account. Confirm the action with a password from Mi Account.
2. Google Ak Account: Open Settings → Accounts and synchronization → Google. Select your account. → Delete your account. Confirm the deletion (may require input) PIN-device-code).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi) 9A or POCO M3) After deleting Mi Account, a mandatory reboot is required, otherwise the account will remain tied at the firmware level!

Step 3: Complete reset to factory settings

Now, to hardware reset, this process removes all data from internal memory, but does not affect the microSD card (if installed). Xiaomi has two ways to reset:

Once reset, the device will reboot and prompt you to configure it as new. Don't connect to Wi-Fi or enter accounts -- turn off your smartphone immediately to check the result.

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If you sell Xiaomi with a memory card, format it separately through a computer or other phone, and even after a reset, your files may still be on it!

Step 4: Cleaning Checks and Additional Measures

Many users think that the data is permanently deleted after the reset, but it is not: the file system on Xiaomi (usually F2FS or ext4) leaves “traces” of files that can be restored by programs like DiskDigger or Recuva.

How to check if the data is actually deleted:

• 🔍 Checking through your computer: connect your smartphone in File Transfer mode and make sure that folders DCIM, Pictures, Downloads empty.
• 📱 File Manager Verification: Install any application (e.g, FX File Explorer and check the hidden folders (.thumbnails,.data).
• 🛡️ Write “junk”: To completely erase, fill the device’s memory with unnecessary files (such as videos) and then reset again.

For models with data encryption (for example, Xiaomi 13 Pro or Redmi K60) additional measures are not required – after reset, the encryption key is destroyed, and data recovery is impossible.

Yeah, but then I regretted it.

No, I always dropped it to the factory.

I don't remember what I did.

Selling (a) "as is", without cleaning

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Features for different Xiaomi models

Not all Xiaomi smartphones are cleaned the same way.

• 📱 Redmi and POCO (Budget models: often lacking encryption by default. Be sure to use the "junk" record after resetting.

For models older than 2019 (e.g. Redmi 7 or Mi A2), it is recommended to further format internal memory via TWRP (Castom Recovery) if installed.

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On Miui 14+ and HyperOS devices, resetting through the settings menu automatically clears the encryption /data partition, making it impossible to recover data without a key.

What to do if the smartphone is not reset?

Sometimes the reset process can be interrupted or suspended.

If none of these methods worked, and your smartphone still requires your data after the reset, it may be that hardware binding is activated (e.g. on devices for the Chinese market), in which case only official unlocking through the Xiaomi service center will help.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset before sale