How to permanently delete all data from Xiaomi phone: from reset to deep cleaning

Resetting Xiaomi phone to factory settings is not just deleting files, but completely restarting the system. Regardless of the reason - selling the device, transferring it to another person or eliminating critical errors - it is important to understand that standard formatting through the menu does not always guarantee irrevocable deletion of data. Residual files can be restored with special software if the correct methods are not used.

In this article, we will discuss 5 proven ways to completely clean Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones – from basic reset via settings to low-level formatting using fastboot and ADB. We will pay special attention to the nuances for devices with a locked bootloader, and also tell you how to circumvent common errors (for example, Mi Account after a reset).

1.Reset preparation: what to do before deleting data

Before you start cleaning, follow the steps to avoid losing important information or locking your device:

• 📱 Back up. Use the settings. → Google → Backup or Mi Cloud (unless the account is tied to the device you’re resetting).The alternative is to manually copy to your PC via a PC. MTP (folder DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp and others.).
• 🔒 Untie accounts. Delete Google, Mi Account, Samsung Account (if any) and other services in Settings → Accounts.This will prevent blocking FRP (Factory Reset Protection) after discharge.
• 📶 Check it out. IMEI. Take a note or a picture. IMEI (dial *#06# as proof of ownership may be required after reset.
• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 50%. Interrupting the discharge process due to discharge can lead to a "brick" (inoperability) of the device.

If you are selling a phone, you should also:

• 💳 Extract. SIM-card and memory card (if used as internal memory, it must also be formatted separately).
• 🛡️ Turn off Find My Device (Settings) → Google → Security and Mi Find Device.

⚠️ Note: If the phone has been stolen or lost, do not reset remotely via Mi Cloud or Find My Device.This may result in the Mi Account being blocked and the new owner will not be able to activate the device. IMEI.

2. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the easiest)

This method is suitable for working devices without critical failures, it deletes all user data, but does not guarantee protection against recovery (files can be restored by programs like DiskDigger or Recuva).

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Reset (on new versions of MIUI, the path may differ: Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset).
2. Select “Erase All Data” (not to be confused with “Reset” – these are different options!).
3. Enter a password/pattern lock if requested.
4. Confirm action. The phone will restart and start the cleaning process (5-15 minutes).

Once reset, the device will start as new, with a suggestion to configure the language and region, and if you request Mi Account entry, then the account was not untied in advance (see section 1).

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro) POCO X3 Pro) a folder may remain after the reset MIUI In the internal memory with the system logs, to delete it, after the first setup of the phone, go back to Settings. → Warehouse → Clean and select "Deep Cleaning".

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

If your Xiaomi smartphone is stuck, doesn’t respond to touches, or doesn’t load beyond the logo, use Recovery Mode, which works even when your firmware is damaged, but requires physical access to the buttons.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
2. Click the combination: For most models: Power button + Volume up. For older devices (e.g. Redmi 4X): Power button + Volume up + Volume down.
3. Hold the buttons until the Mi logo and Recovery menu appear (usually 10-20 seconds).
4. In the Recovery menu, select the language (if you have an option), then: 📱 Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (complete cleaning). 🔄 Confirm the action (it may be necessary to enter a password).

Reboot

Reboot to System

If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, focus on the icons:

• 🧹 — data-cleaning.
• 🔄 — restart.

💡

If the phone doesn't respond to button combinations, try plugging it into charging for 30 minutes, then try again.The discharged battery can block the Recovery entrance.

Method 3: Full formatting via Fastboot (for experienced)

This method deletes all partition-level data, including system files, and is suitable for devices with an unlocked bootloader.Requires a PC with Xiaomi drivers installed and a fastboot tool.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Android Platform Tools (includes fastboot).
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if not, see Section 6).

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone and turn it into fastboot mode: Hardware: Press Power + Volume down for 10 seconds. Command (if the phone is on): adb reboot bootloader
2. Connect your phone to your PC and check for detection: fastboot devices should show a serial number of the device.
3. Run a full cleanup of all sections: fastboot erase boot fastboot erase system fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot erase recovery
4. Reboot the device: fastboot reboot

After this procedure, the phone will be in a clean slate state, without firmware. In order to work, you will need to flash MIUI through the Mi Flash Tool (instruction in section 5).

⚠️ Note: fastboot erase commands permanently destroy data in specified partitions. If you make a mistake with the name of the partition (for example, instead of userdata enter persist), this can lead to loss of data. IMEI or other hardware problems.

5. Method 4: Flashing through the Mi Flash Tool (guaranteed cleaning)

The most reliable way to erase all data without recovery is to completely flash your phone through the official Mi Flash Tool, which requires an unlocked bootloader and is suitable for devices that:

• 🔄 Hang on the logo after a failed update.
• 🚫 They have corrupted system files.
• 📱 We need to sell it with a clean firmware.

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Mi Flash Tool from Xiaomi’s official website and install it on PC.
2. Download the full Fastboot ROM for your model from the same site (select Global or EEA if your phone is for the European market).
3. Unpack the archive with firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\miui_ROM).
4. Turn off the phone and transfer to fastboot (see section 4).
5. Connect your phone to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
6. In the program: Press Select and point the way to the firmware folder. Select Clean all mode. Press Flash and wait for completion (10-20 minutes).

Once you flash it back, it will run with factory settings, like when you buy it, and all the data, including the files in the internal memory, will be unrecoverable.

💡

Firmware via the Mi Flash Tool is the only way to guarantee the removal of data from Xiaomi phones, as it overwrites all memory partitions, including service ones.

Method 5: Unlock the bootloader (if required for resetting)

On new Xiaomi models (released after 2018), the bootloader is locked by default, which means that to use fastboot or Mi Flash Tool, it must be unlocked through the official Mi Unlock tool.

How to unlock the bootloader:

1. Download the Mi Unlock Tool from Xiaomi.
2. Sign in to Mi Account on your phone and link it to your device (Settings → Xiaomi Account → Mi Unlock Status).
3. Enable USB debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging by USB).
4. Connect your phone to your PC, start Mi Unlock, and follow the instructions, which takes up to 72 hours (Xiaomi imposes a limit on unlocking new accounts).

Once unlocked, you can use fastboot and Mi Flash Tool for a full reset.

⚠️ Warning: Unlocking the bootloader resets all data on the phone, and it can also cause a loss of warranty (on some models) and increase the risk of installing unofficial firmware with errors.

7.Additional measures: how to protect yourself from data recovery

Even after a fastboot or Mi Flash Tool reset, there is theoretically a chance to recover some of the data using professional equipment (e.g., a chip-off method).If you need to destroy information as reliably as possible (e.g., when selling a phone with sensitive data), follow the following steps:

• 🔄 Repeated overwrite: After reset, fill your phone's memory with junk files (such as videos or photos), then reset again. Repeat 2-3 times.
• 🔐 Encryption before reset: Enable device encryption (Settings) → Security → Encrypt the phone, then reset. That makes it harder to recover the data.
• 💾 Formatting a memory card: If used SD-card as internal memory, format it on PC using the program SD Card Formatter (select Full Overwrite).

For enterprise users or those who work with sensitive data, it is recommended to use specialized tools such as DBAN (for PC) or Secure Erase through ADB:

adb shell


sm erase userdata

8. Frequent errors and their solutions

When you drop Xiaomi phones, users often face some problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If none of the methods worked and the phone turned into a brick (not turned on, not determined by a PC), contact Xiaomi service center with a check of purchase. In most cases, the device can be restored through EDL Mode (emergency firmware mode), but this requires special equipment.

💡

If the phone asks for an old Google password (FRP) after reset and you don’t remember it, try entering the last password you use from your account, and if it doesn’t work, you’ll have to wait 72 hours after reset and log in via a backup email or phone number.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions