How to Delete All Data from Xiaomi Redmi Phone: A Complete Guide (2026)

Deleting all data from Xiaomi Redmi is a critical procedure before selling, transferring the device or fixing system failures. Even if you just want to clean the phone of unnecessary files, conventional formatting of internal memory through Explorer does not guarantee complete erasure of personal information. Residual data (cache photos, application logs, accounts) can be recovered using specialized software.

In this article, 5 proven ways to erase everything from Redmi (including Note 12 Pro, Redmi 10, POCO X5 and others based on MIUI 14/15).

• 🔄 Software resetting via settings is the safest method for a working phone.
• 🛠️ Hard Reset – if the device is getting stuck or does not respond to touch.
• 💻 Fastboot and MIUI Recovery – for power users when standard methods don’t work.
• ⚠️ What to do if your phone is locked (forgot password, pattern lock).
• 🔍 How to Check if Data Is Really Deleted (and Why You Can't See It in Memory).

Important: the procedure will remove everything, including apps, contacts, messages, photos and settings. On models with a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip (such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro+), resetting via Fastboot may require unlocking the bootloader, a separate procedure that we also touch on.

1.Reset preparation: what to do before data deletion

Before you wipe everything with Xiaomi Redmi, follow the mandatory steps:

1. Back up. Even if you plan to throw your phone away, save important data (contacts, photos, documents) to Google Drive, Mi Cloud or external drive. On MIUI, backup is available in Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Unplug your Xiaomi account. If your phone is tied to your Mi Account, you may need to enter your login/password when you first turn on. To avoid blocking, go to Settings → Xiaomi Account → Sign out.
3. Make sure the battery is at least 50% charged, interrupting the reset process due to discharge can cause the device to "brick" (inoperability).
4. Remember or take a picture of the IMEI. Dial *#06#, which is the number you need to reconnect with the operator after the reset.

If you sell a phone, don’t give it to a customer with a Mi Account attached, which will allow you to remotely lock the device via i.mi.com in the event of fraud.

⚠️ Note: On Redmi models with MIUI Global may be asked to confirm the originality of the device ("Device is locked") after the reset. This is protection against theft - unlocking is possible only through the official Xiaomi service if there is a check.

2. Method 1: Reset via settings (for a working phone)

The easiest and safest method is to reset to factory settings via the MIUI menu.

• 📱 The phone is turned on and reacts to touch.
• 🔓 Remember your password/pattern lock.
• 🔄 Want to clean your system without using a PC.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Erase All Data (on some versions of MIUI - Delete All Data and Reset Settings).
3. Enter the screen lock password (if installed).
4. Confirm the action by pressing Erase Everything.

The process will take 5-15 minutes, and when it is finished, the phone will automatically restart and prompt you to set it up as new.

⚠️ Warning: If after a reset, the phone requires you to enter Mi Account details that you did not untie, use the account recovery service. Enter the associated phone number or email - the password can be reset via the account recovery service. SMS.

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If the phone hangs on the Redmi logo for a long time after reset, wait 20-30 minutes. If the freeze continues, go to method 3 (MIUI Recovery).

3. Method 2: Hard Reset via buttons

If the Xiaomi Redmi doesn’t turn on, hovers on the logo or doesn’t respond to touch, use hardware reset via a combination of buttons.This method works on all models (including the Redmi 9A, Note 10 Pro, POCO F4, etc.), but requires physical access to the device.

Instructions:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the volume button (+) and the power button at the same time.
3. Hold them for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo and MIUI Recovery menu appear.
4. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (or Clear Data) with the volume buttons, and confirm the choice with the power button.
5. Select Wipe All Data and confirm the action.
6. After the process is complete, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, focus on the location of the items:

• 📛 The first item is Reboot (reboot).
• 🧹 The second point is Wipe Data (data cleanup).
• 🔧 Third item – Connect with MIAssistant (for firmware via PC).

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Redmi) 8A) After Hard Reset, Anti-Rollback can work, which blocks boot, which means that the firmware of the device has been changed to an older version).

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Hard Reset erases data at the /data partition level, but does not affect the firmware. If the phone was unstable before the reset, the problem may persist - in which case you need to flash it.

Method 3: Reset via Fastboot (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work (e.g., the phone doesn’t boot even in Recovery), use Fastboot mode.This method requires a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and a USB Type-C cable (original to avoid connection issues).

Step-by-step:

1. Download and install Android SDK Platform Tools (or MiFlash Unlock to unlock the bootloader).
2. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Press the power button + volume down (-) for 10 seconds.
3. Connect Redmi to your PC via USB. Android Bootloader Interface should appear in the Device Manager.
4. Open the command line (cmd) in the folder with fastboot and execute the command: fastboot devices If the phone is determined (the serial number will appear), type: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

If after the execution of commands the phone does not restart, enter:

fastboot reboot recovery

This will load the device into MIUI Recovery, where you can reset your settings.

For models with a locked bootloader (Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13 and newer) before reset via Fastboot, you will need to unlock Bootloader through the official Mi Unlock tool.This takes up to 720 hours (30 days) of waiting due to Xiaomi's policy.

5. Method 4: Delete data via MIUI Recovery (extended)

If MIUI Recovery does not offer the Wipe All Data option (e.g. on older firmware versions), use an alternative method via ADB Sideload.

Instructions:

1. Download the official firmware package for your model (select the "Recovery ROM" version).
2. Move the firmware file (for example, miui_BLOCKNAME_global_14.0.5.0.zip) to the adb folder on the PC.
3. Download your phone to Recovery (Loud buttons)+ + Nutrition).
4. Select Connect with MIAssistant (or ADB Sideload on newer versions).
5. On PC, execute the command: adb sideload name file firmware.zip
6. Wait for the installation to be completed (10-20 minutes) and restart the phone.

This method will not only reset the settings, but also reinstall the firmware, which is useful in case of serious system failures.

⚠️ Note: Do not use firmware packages from third-party sources (for example, 4PDA) — This can lead to a “brick” of the device due to incompatibility of versions of Anti-Rollback.

6. Method 5: Delete data if the phone is locked (forgot the password)

If you forgot your password, PIN-code or pattern lock, and the phone is tied to Mi Account, there are two options:

1. Reset via Mi Account (if you have access to the account) email/phone): 📧 Go to account.xiaomi.com and log in to your account. 🔗 In the Devices section, find the blocked Redmi and select Find the device. 🔄 Click Erase Data – the phone will receive a reset command when connected to the Internet.

Fastboot

Mi Account

unbound or unbound:

• 💻 Connect your phone to your PC in Fastboot mode (Loud buttons)− + Nutrition).
• 📝 Run commands: fastboot flashing unlock fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase frp fastboot reboot

If the phone is not tied to the Mi Account but is locked with a password, use Hard Reset (method 2).However, on newer models (Redmi Note 12 and later) after such a reset, you may need to enter data from the last Google account that was on the device (FRP protection).

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If after reset, the phone asks for the old Google password, and you do not remember it, use the service Find the device to remotely reset the lock (access to the account is required).

7.How to verify that data has actually been deleted

After resetting, the internal memory of Xiaomi Redmi will look empty, but files can be restored using special utilities (for example, DiskDigger, Recuva).

• 🔄 Repeated memory rewriting: After reset, fill the internal drive with unnecessary files (such as video), then delete them and reset again.
• 🔒 Encryption: Enable encryption in Settings before resetting → Security → Encrypting the phone. Once reset, the data will be irrecoverable.
• 🛡️ Use it. MIUI Cleaner: After reset, run the built-in Cleanup app and select Deep Cleanup.

For complete confidence, connect your phone to your PC and check the free space using the ADB utility:

adb shell df -h

If the /data partition shows 0% usage, the data is erased, but even then, the residual file tags can be stored at the flash level.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with UFS-memory (e.g. Redmi) K60) A standard reset does not overwrite memory cells physically. Use specialized software like Blancco Mobile to permanently delete memory cells. ROOT).

8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

When resetting Xiaomi Redmi users often face problems. Consider the most common:

If after resetting the phone is not turned on or not detected by the PC, check:

• 🔌 Cable and port USB — Try another cable (preferably original).
• 🔋 Battery Charge – Connect your phone to charge for 30 minutes before trying again.
• 🖥️ Drivers – Install Xiaomi USB Drivers from the official website.

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If the phone after reset requires a Google account (FRP), If you don't remember him, the only option is to go to the service center with proof of purchase. FRP Xiaomi’s new models are almost impossible.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions