How to delete ALL data from Xiaomi Redmi: from factory reset to low-level formatting

Selling Xiaomi Redmi, getting it repaired, or just wanting to start with a clean slate? Regular file removal through Explorer is not enough — residual data (photos, messages, logins) can be recovered by special programs. In this article, we will discuss three methods of complete deletion of information, taking into account the features of MIUI firmware and Redmi hardware.

Important: Even after a factory reset, you can recover data through the phone menu using tools like Dr.Fone or DiskDigger, and guaranteed deletion requires a memory rewriting.

Most often, users face problems when trying to reset through Settings - the phone hangs on the logo MI, There are errors like Can't mount. /data Or E:unknown command in Recovery mode. We'll look at solutions for these cases, including working with Fastboot and the like. EDL-The system (for advanced users).

If you plan to sell a device, be sure to check if your Mi Account is linked to it, because the new owner will not be able to use the phone without a waist, and the instructions for deleting the account are in the last section of the article.

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1. Standard reset via MIUI menu (for beginners)

The easiest way is to use the built-in reset feature in MIUI. It is suitable if the phone is turned on, there are no hardware damages, and you do not plan to sell the device (as the data can be recovered).

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Choose Delete All Data (not to be confused with Settings Reset – these are different options!).
3. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock, if requested.
4. Confirm the action by pressing Erase Everything.

It takes 5-15 minutes. Once you restart, the phone goes back out of the box. But this method doesn't overwrite the data, it just deletes the links to the files. If you need to restore the information (for example, through Recuva or 7-Data Recovery), some of the data can be returned.

⚠️ Note: If encryption is enabled on the phone (Settings) → Additionally. → Encryption, it can take up to an hour to reset, and don't interrupt the process, it will cause the device to fail.

What is removed during a standard discharge:

• 📸 Photos and videos (including hidden folders.thumbnails and DCIM/.thumbs)
• 💬 Messages, calls, contacts (except synced with Google or Mi Cloud)
• 🎮 Installed applications and their data (cache, game saves)
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords, Bluetooth settings, account details (except Mi Account)

What NOT to be removed:

• 📁 Files on SD-map (it needs to be formatted separately).
• 🔄 System updates (the phone will remain on the current version) MIUI).
• 🔒 Mi Account (manual untidying required).

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2. Hard reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't turn on)

If Redmi doesn’t load, freezes on the logo, or is locked with a pattern lock, use Recovery Mode, which works on all Redmi models (including Redmi Note 10/11/12, Redmi 9/9A/9C, etc.), but requires physical access to the phone’s buttons.

How to log in to Recovery:

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. Let go of Meals, but keep Volume up until the Recovery menu appears.

In the menu, use volume buttons for navigation and Power for selection. The interface can be in Chinese - look for items with characters (data cleanup) or English words Wipe Data.

Step-by-step cleaning:

Possible errors and solutions:

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 8 Pro, Redmi) K30) After resetting via Recovery, you may need to enter a password from Mi Account, even if the phone was not previously tied.This is due to the Find Device function. To avoid blocking, untie the account in advance (section 5).

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Full formatting via Fastboot (for power users)

The method for those who want to be guaranteed to delete all data without recovery is suitable if you are selling a phone or transferring it into the wrong hands. ADB/Fastboot cable USB Type-C (for new Redmi models).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Windows computer 10/11 Linux
• 🔌 Cable USB (original, undamaged)
• 🛠️ Utilities. ADB Fastboot (download from Google website)
• 🔋 Charging the phone > 50%

Instructions:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and put it into Fastboot mode: adb reboot bootloader Or manually: pinch Power + Volume down when the phone is off.
2. Check the connection: fastboot devices should appear serial number of the device.
3. Complete formatting of the userdata section (where all user data is stored): fastboot erase userdata fastboot format:ext4 userdata
4. For models with UFS-A storage device (e.g. Redmi Note 11 Pro)+) Use: fastboot erase userdata fastboot format:f2fs userdata
5. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

After this procedure, data recovery is impossible – the information is overwritten with zeros at a low level.

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If the fastboot format doesn’t work, try unlocking the bootloader first. Newer Redmi models may require you to link your Mi Account to unlock it.

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4. Additional measures: deletion of Mi Account and encryption

Even after a complete reset, the phone can remain tied to your Mi Account, which blocks access to certain features for the new owner, and to avoid problems, do the unsetting in advance.

How to untie Mi Account:

1. Go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Security.
2. Select Delete Account (Password will be required).
3. Confirm the action via SMS or email.

If the phone is already reset and does not turn on, you can untie your account through the web version of Mi Cloud:

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com.
2. In the Devices section, find your Redmi and remove it from the list.

Disabling encryption (if enabled):

On models with MIUI 12+, the default can be /data partition encryption, which makes it difficult to recover data, but can also cause reset problems, to disable encryption:

1. Go to Settings → Additional → Encryption and accounts.
2. Select Delete encryption (required) PIN-code).
3. Wait until the process is completed (it can take up to an hour).

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware (MIUI Global for Redmi Note 9 and older) encryption cannot be disabled without a complete reset.In this case, use the Fastboot method from Section 3.

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5. Checking the result: how to make sure that the data is deleted

After reset, it is recommended to check whether the data is erased, and you can use specialized utilities or built-in MIUI tools for this.

Methods of verification:

• 🔍 Checking through Explorer: Open Files → Internal memory. DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp should be empty.
• 📊 Memory Analysis: Go to Settings → Storage: The space available must be the full amount of memory (net of the system).
• 🛠️ Check through ADB (for advanced: adb shell ls /data/data Empty directory or Permission denied error must be displayed (if partition is formatted).

If the data remains:

• 📱 Repeat the reset via Fastboot (Section 3).
• 🔄 Install custom Recovery (TWRP) And do the Wipe. → Format Data.
• 💾 For models with eMMC (e.g. Redmi) 8A) Use the command: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache

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6. Frequent errors and their solutions

When deleting data from Xiaomi Redmi, users often face typical problems, and let’s look at the most common ones and how to fix them.

Mistake 1: phone is stuck on startup MI logo after reset

Reason: The partition /system or incompatible firmware is damaged.

Decision:

Error 2: Mi Account is not deleted after reset

Reason: Find Device is active or the phone has been stolen (locked by the previous owner).

Decision:

• 📧 Send a request in support of Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, box).
• 🔓 Use the official unlock tool [unlock.mi.com](https://unlock.mi.com) (wait 7–30 days).

Error 3: Fastboot doesn't see the device

Reason: There are no drivers or faulty cables.

Decision:

• 🖥️ Install Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers (depending on your Redmi processor).

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If none of the methods worked, there may be a hardware problem (damaged eMMC/UFS memory), in which case contact Xiaomi’s service center or replace the memory module.

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FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions