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

Selling a smartphone is a crucial step, especially when it comes to Xiaomi phones that store not only photos and messages, but also payment data, accounts and even biometric information. Many users mistakenly believe that it is enough to simply delete files manually or perform a quick reset through the menu. However, these methods do not guarantee complete cleanup: modern data recovery programs can extract deleted files even after formatting.

In this article, we will discuss three levels of protection of your data before selling: standard reset via settings, deep cleaning with encryption and checking for residual files. MIUI 12/13/14 and Android-based phones 11-14, You will also learn why simply deleting a Mi Account does not delete the data associated with it from the device and how to fix it.

Before you start, prepare:

• 🔌 Charger (Make sure the battery is at least 50 times charged%)
• 📋 List of accounts linked to the phone (Google, Mi Account, social networks)
• 💾 Backup of important data (contacts, photos, documents)
• 🔐 Passwords from all accounts to detach

1.Dumping Preparation: What to Do Before Cleaning

The first and most important step is to untie all accounts, and many Xiaomi users are faced with the problem of a new owner being unable to activate the phone after a reset because of a Mi Account tied, which is due to the Mi Cloud Activation Lock feature, which locks the device after a reset if the account was not deleted in advance.

To avoid this:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Mi Account
• 🔄 Click "Exit" and confirm the deletion of the account from the device
• 🔒 Enter a password to confirm (if requested)
• 📧 Repeat the procedure for Google Account in the same menu

It is equally important to remove everything. SIM-Even if you plan to format a microSD, physically removing the card ensures that no personal data is left on the device.Please note: on some Xiaomi models (e.g. Redmi Note 10 Pro or other devices). POCO X3 Pro) memory card slot combined with second card slot SIM — Don’t forget to check both nests.

We also recommend:

• 🛑 Disable Find your device in Google settings (Security section")
• 🚫 Delete all banking applications (SberBank, Tinkoff, etc.) and payment system data
• 📲 Untie the device from Mi Home or Xiaomi Wear services if it was used to control smart appliances

💡

If you sell a phone with Face Unlock, be sure to delete all stored biometrics from the Settings menu. → Lock screen → Data of persons: this data is stored in a protected memory area and is not deleted in a standard reset.

2. Standard reset to factory settings

The most common way to clean up is to reset through the settings menu, but it has limitations: the data is not completely deleted and can be recovered with special software, but it is a must before selling.

Instructions for MIUI 12/13/14:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7 times on the item Version MIUI, to activate the developer mode (optional, but useful for additional options)
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Recovery and Reset
4. Click Reset Settings → Delete all data
5. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock, if requested
6. Confirm the action with the Reset button

The process will take 5-15 It'll reboot and return to its original settings. Important: don't interrupt the process, even if it looks like the phone is stuck on the Xiaomi logo. AMOLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi) 12 Pro or Black Shark 5) Reset may last longer due to the nature of the memory.

What is removed during a standard discharge:

• 📱 All installed applications and their data
• 📷 Photos, videos and music from internal memory
• 📞 Call log, messages SMS/MMS
• 🔑 Settings for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile network

What NOT to be removed:

• 📁 Files on a memory card (if it was not formatted separately)
• 🔐 Data in secure partitions (e.g. encryption keys)
• 📊 Application usage statistics (can be stored in the system cache)

Delete Mi Account and Google Account|

Disable "Find the device"|

Extract SIM-microSD cards|

Backup of important data |

Charge your phone at least 50 times%-->

3. Deep Cleaning: Encryption and Formatting

Encrypting internal memory before formatting makes file recovery almost impossible, and is recommended for phones that have stored sensitive information (bank data, work documents, etc.).

How to Enable Encryption on Xiaomi:

1. Go to Settings. → Additionally. → Encryption and accounts
2. Select Encrypt Phone (on some models, the item may be called Data Encryption)
3. Install. PIN-Encryption code or password (at least 6 characters)
4. Connect your phone to charge (the process may take time) 30-60 minute)
5. Wait until the phone is finished (it will reboot automatically)

Once encrypted, perform a standard reset (described in the previous section) that will result in full formatting of the encrypted memory, and it will be extremely difficult to recover data even with professional equipment.

Please note:

• ⚠️ On some budget models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M3) Encryption can reduce productivity
• ⚠️ If you forget the password from encryption, it will be impossible to unlock the phone
• ⚠️ Encryption cannot be interrupted, it can lead to data loss.

For models with UFS-memory (e.g. Xiaomi) 11T Pro or Black Shark 4 is recommended to use additional formatting via Fastboot.This method requires PC and command knowledge, but guarantees 100% cleanup:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot format userdata

4. Cleanup check: how to make sure data is deleted

Even after resetting and encryption, it's worth checking if there's any personal information left on the phone.

Visual check:

• 🔍 Scroll through all settings menus – no accounts, saved Wi-Fi networks, or Bluetooth devices
• 📷 Open the gallery and file manager – folders should be empty
• 📞 Check the phone log and messages – they should be missing.

Computer-assisted check:

1. Connect your phone to your PC in File Transfer mode (MTP)
2. Open internal memory through a conductor Windows/macOS
3. Make sure the folders are DCIM, Downloads, Documents are empty
4. Check hidden folders (enable the display of hidden files in Explorer settings)

For advanced users:

• 🛠️ Use the utility. ADB for checking residual data: adb shell ls /data/data/ The folder should be empty or contain only system files.
• 🔬 Utilities like DiskDigger or Recuva can help you check if you can recover files from your phone (test on your PC by connecting your phone as a storage device)

If you have found residual data:

• 🔄 Repeat resetting settings
• 🔐 Encrypt the code (if you haven’t done it before)
• 📛 For complete confidence, use the Fastboot cleaning method (described in the previous section)

💡

Even after a reset, some data may remain in the cache of applications or service sections, such as.nomedia files or thumbnails of images are sometimes saved, and visual verification helps identify such tails.

5. Features for different Xiaomi models

The cleaning process may vary depending on the model and version. MIUI. The table below shows the key differences for popular devices:

For HyperOS phones (new 2026 models), the reset process has been changed:

• 🔧 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings
• 🔒 It'll take input. PIN-code SIM-cards (if installed)
• 📡 After reset, Safe Mode will automatically be activated to check

If your model is not listed in the table, use the universal instruction:

1. Check the version of MIUI in Settings → About the phone
2. For versions below 12, use the Fastboot method
3. For versions 13+ Standard reset with prior encryption

💡

On dual OS phones (such as the Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra with Parallel Space option), you need to reset each sandbox separately through the Clone Apps menu.

6.What NOT to do before selling

Some actions can not only leave your data vulnerable, but also make the phone unusable for the new owner.

❌ Simple Deletion of Files Manually

Deleting photos through a gallery or files through a Explorer does not clean up the data completely. Files remain in memory and can be restored by programs like EaseUS Data Recovery or Dr.Fone.

❌ Reset via Recovery without encryption

Recovery Mode Menu (starts with Power buttons) + Vol Up) offers a Wipe Data option, but it works superficially. Without prior encryption, data can be restored.

❌ Ignoring the memory card

Many people forget that microSD contains copies of photos, browser downloads and other files. Format the map separately through Settings. → Memory. → Memory map → Format.

❌ Selling with a tied Mi Account

This is the most common reason for locking phones after you buy, and even if you log out, it can remain tied to the device. → Mi Account → Devices.

❌ Use of “rapid cleaning” software"

Applications like Clean Master or CCleaner don’t guarantee complete deletion of data; they clear the cache, but they don’t affect system partitions where logs and temporary files can remain.

❌ Sale without verification IMEI

Make sure that the phone is not blacklisted (e.g. via imei.info) and the new owner can return the device if it turns out to be locked by the operator.

💡

If you sell a phone with a damaged screen but a working sensor, use voice control (Settings) → Special facilities → Voice assistant) for resetting.

7. Additional security measures

For maximum protection, we recommend that you take several additional steps:

1.Amendment MAC-Addresses (for advanced users)

MAC-Network interface addresses can be linked to your identity via Wi-Fi networks. On some Xiaomi models, they can be reset:

adb shell ip link set wlan0 down


adb shell ip link set wlan0 address XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX




adb shell ip link set wlan0 up

Where XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX — new-time MAC-address.

2. Cleaning up data in cloud services

• 📁 Remove backups from Mi Cloud (Devices section at i.mi.com)
• 📧 Clean up your history in Google Drive and Google Photos
• 🔄 Revoke all apps from your Google Settings account → Security

3. Physical phone check

Before transferring the phone to the new owner:

• 🔋 Check the operation of all sensors (gyroscope, accelerometer, proximity sensor)
• 📶 Make sure all antennas (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) are installed, GPS) work
• 🔊 Test the speakers and microphone (record a voice note)

4. Drafting of the act of transfer

If you sell your phone through bulletin boards (Avito, Yula), make a simple act indicating:

• Models and IMEI phone
• Conditions (working/non-working)
• Transfers without linked accounts

This will protect you from claims if the new owner forgets the password from the Mi Account.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset before sale