How to delete everything from Xiaomi Redmi 8: full reset, memory cleanup and deletion of the Mi Account

Reset Xiaomi Redmi 8 to factory settings or completely delete all data from the device can be necessary in a variety of situations: before selling a smartphone, when infected with viruses, after a failed MIUI update, or if the phone began to slow down due to overcrowded memory. However, simple formatting through the settings does not always guarantee the complete removal of personal information - residual files can be stored in hidden partitions, and the attached Mi Account will lock the device after the reset.

In this guide, we will discuss all the ways to clean Redmi 8 – from a standard reset via the menu to deep formatting with Fastboot and deleting a Xiaomi account without the risk of locking the phone. You will also learn how to check if data is deleted, and what to do if the device requires an old password after reset. The instructions are valid for all versions of Redmi 8 (including Redmi 8A and Redmi 8A Dual) based on MIUI 10–14 and Android 9–12.

1.Reset preparation: what to do before data deletion

Before you drop Redmi 8, follow a few critical steps that may result in loss of access to your device or incomplete deletion of data.

• 🔄 Backup. Even if you plan to sell your phone, save your contacts, photos and documents to Google Drive, Mi Cloud or your computer. Use the built-in Backup app in Settings → The phone. → Backup and reset.
• 🔒 Make sure you know the username/password from Mi Account. Once reset, the phone may require you to enter the Xiaomi account data associated with the device. If you forget the password, restore it to account.xiaomi.com.
• 📶 Check it out. IMEI. Take a note or a picture. IMEI Your Redmi 8 (dial *#06#) will help you restore your network if your mobile internet is lost after the reset.
• 🔋 Charge your phone at least 50%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can damage system files and "brick" the device.

⚠️ Note: If you drop your phone before selling, be sure to untie it from your Mi Account manually (Section 4!

If you are not sure which reset method to choose, answer the question:

2. Method 1: Soft reset via settings (without loss of account data)

This method is suitable if the phone is stable and you want to simply clear user data without affecting system files.Mi Account will remain tied, but apps, photos and settings will be deleted.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Settings Reset.
3. Tap Delete all data (may be called Reset to factory settings).
4. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock, if requested.
5. Confirm the action by clicking Reset the phone.

The process will take 5-10 minutes. After the reboot, you will be asked to set up the phone as new, but the Mi Account will remain active - it will need to be deleted separately (see section 4).

Method 2: Hard Recovery (Hard Reset)

If the phone doesn't turn on, hangs on the MI logo, or you've forgotten the pattern lock, use Recovery Mode. This method formats the /data partition completely, but doesn't affect the firmware. After such a reset, the phone will require you to enter Mi Account data if it was tied.

How to Sign In to Recovery on Redmi 8:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds if it freezes).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up at the same time and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons. In a few seconds, the Recovery menu will open.

Further action:

• 📱 Use volume buttons for navigation, power button for selection.
• 🔍 Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or Clear All Data).
• 🔄 Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
• 🔙 After completion, select Reboot. → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: If you don’t have Wipe All Data in Recovery, only Wipe Cache, you have custom Recovery installed (for example, Wipe All Data, TWRP). In this case, select Advanced Wipe. → Check Dalvik, Cache, Data, Internal Storage → Swipe to Wipe.

4.How to delete Mi Account with Redmi 8 after reset

If you reset your phone, but when you set it up, it requires you to enter your old Xiaomi account, it means that the device is tied to the Mi Cloud. Without a waist, the new owner will not be able to use the smartphone.

Method 1: Through settings (if the phone is working)

1. Open Settings → Accounts and Sync → Mi Account.
2. Put it on your account. → Delete the account.
3. Enter the password and confirm the deletion.

Method 2: Mi Cloud site (if your phone is blocked)

If you have already reset your phone and can’t log in:

1. Go to i.mi.com from your computer.
2. Sign in with your Xiaomi account.
3. Find your Redmi 8 in the device list and click Delete Device.
4. Confirm the action with a code from SMS.

After that, restart your phone - the lock should disappear. If not, try method 3.

Method 3: Through Fastboot (for power users)

If the previous methods did not work, you can delete the account binding via Fastboot. ADB/Fastboot and unlocked loader.

💡

Before using Fastboot, check if the bootloader is unlocked. To do this, turn off the phone, press Volume Down + Power, connect to your PC, and type in the command fastboot oem device-info. If Device unlocked: true is in response, you can continue.

fastboot oem remove-frp

This command removes Factory Reset Protection (FRP), which is reset protection, and then restart your phone with fastboot reboot.

5. Method 3: Full formatting via Fastboot (for power users)

If you want to erase all data without recovery (including hidden partitions), use Fastboot.This method will also help if the phone doesn't turn on or boots into a bootloop (cyclic reboot).

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with Windows/Linux/macOS.
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original).
• 🛠️ Installed drivers ADB/Fastboot (You can download from the Android website).
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if not, unlock through Xiaomi’s official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off Redmi 8.
2. Press Volume Down + Power to enter Fastboot (a screen with a rabbit and the inscription Fastboot).
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (Linux/macOS) and type:

fastboot devices

If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, install the drivers.

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot format:ext4 userdata




fastboot format:ext4 cache

For complete cleaning (including internal memory):

fastboot erase system


fastboot erase boot




fastboot flash system [path to firmware/system.img] (optional if you need to restore the system)

⚠️ Warning: The fastboot erase system and fastboot erase boot will remove the firmware. Once they run, the phone won't turn on without flashing it back! Use only if you're confident in your actions.

After formatting, restart the device:

fastboot reboot

💡

Fastboot is the most radical cleaning method, but requires an unlocked bootloader. Without it, erase and format commands won't work, and trying to execute them can lead to locking the device.

6. How to verify that data has actually been deleted

Even after the reset, some data can remain in the device's memory, and here's how to make sure that the information is erased forever.

• 🔍 Check through the file manager. Connect your phone to your PC and view the internal memory. DCIM (Photos, Downloads (downloads) and WhatsApp (if any) should be empty.
• 🛠️ Use recovery software. Install DiskDigger or Recuva on your PC and scan Redmi 8 memory. If the programs can't find deleted files, the data is erased.
• 📱 Check with Engineering Mode. dial ##4636## → Storage: If the Internal Storage section shows 0% occupied, the memory is cleared.

For complete confidence, you can encrypt the memory before reset:

1. Go to Settings → Lock and Protection → Encrypt your phone.
2. Set a password and wait for the encryption to be completed (it may take an hour or more).
3. Perform reset (section 2 or 3). Encryption will make data recovery impossible.

7.Frequent post-reset problems and their solutions

Even after a successful Redmi 8 reset, there may be problems, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If after resetting the phone began to slow down, try:

• 🔄 Disable animation: Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI (Tap 7 times to turn on the developer mode) → Developer settings → The scale of animation (off).
• 🗑️ Clear the cache: Settings → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 📥 Update MIUI: Settings → The phone. → Updating the system.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions