Wipe Data on Xiaomi: a complete guide to data reset and its consequences

If you've ever encountered a bug on a Xiaomi smartphone, you've probably heard of wipe data, which is a complete data reset. But what exactly is behind this command? Why is it often mentioned in the instructions for firmware or system repair? And most importantly, what are the consequences of doing it?

This article will not only explain what wipe data does on Xiaomi, but also help you understand the nuances: when a reset is really necessary, and when you can do without it. We will go into all types of wipe (soft to hard), deal with the myths of bricks after dumping, and give a checklist for safe operation, and pay special attention to models with MIUI and HyperOS — their behavior when reset may differ.

Spoiler: wipe data doesn't always mean that you lose all the data -- in some cases, you can save photos and contacts if you're properly prepared. But more on that later. In the meantime, let's get to the basics.

What is the purpose of wipe data: simple words

Wipe data is a command that removes user information from a smartphone and returns it to factory settings. In Xiaomi’s context, this term usually refers to one of three options:

• 📱 Soft reset (via the settings menu) – deletes apps, accounts, and settings, but saves system files.
• 🔧 Hard reset (via Recovery Mode) – Complete cleaning of the /data partition, including the application cache.
• 🚨 Complete wipe (via Fastboot) - erases all partitions, including system and vendor (used before firmware).

It's important to understand that wipe data ≠ formatting internal memory, for example, when reset through settings, the photos on the internal drive may remain, but when wiped through TWRP they will disappear forever, and a lot depends on the execution method and version of MIUI/HyperOS.

In practice, Xiaomi users are most likely to encounter wipe data in two scenarios:

1. When preparing for firmware via Fastboot or Recovery.
2. When you fix critical errors (for example, endless download or MIUI failures).

The consequences of wipe data: what is deleted and what remains

Many people are afraid to wipe data for fear of losing important data, so let’s look at what exactly gets erased when you dump different types of data on Xiaomi:

Special attention should be paid to the data of the Mi Account. With a soft reset, the phone can remain tied to your account (which is important when selling), and with a full wipe through Fastboot, the binding is reset, which is one of the reasons why Xiaomi locks phones after an incorrect reset - the system perceives this as an attempt to bypass protection.

⚠️ Warning: On HyperOS models (e.g., Xiaomi 14 or Redmi Note 13 Pro+), wipe data via Recovery can automatically enable partition encryption /data. This means that once reset, the phone will require you to enter a password from the previous account, even if you deleted it. Always check the software version before resetting!

When you really need to wipe data: 5 real cases

Many users do wipe data just in case, although in most situations it is not necessary. Here are the specific cases where a reset is really necessary:

• 🔒 Remove the Mi Account anchor – if the phone is locked after being reset via settings (full wipe via Fastboot is required).
• 💰 Selling or transferring a phone – so that the new owner doesn’t get access to your data (but it’s better to combine it with Format Data).

Now, when you don’t have to wipe data:

• ❌ In normal updates via OTA (reboot is sufficient).
• ❌ If the phone is simply dead and doesn't turn on (try charging or Force Restart).
• ❌ If one application fails (remove its cache or reinstall it).

On POCO and Redmi models with MIUI 14+, it is recommended to disable Find My Device in your account settings before wipe data, otherwise, after a reset, the phone may require confirmation through your old account, even if you deleted it.

Disable Find My Device in Mi Account|

Backup photos and contacts |

Remember the password from Mi Account (if the phone is tied) |

Check the battery charge (minimum 50%) |

Make sure you have the original USB cable (for Fastboot)

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How to do wipe data depends on the purpose, and we'll look at three main methods: through settings, through Recovery Mode, and through Fastboot. There are nuances to each option, especially on new HyperOS models.

Method 1: Soft reset via settings (for beginners)

The safest way, which doesn't require any special knowledge, is to eliminate minor glitches or prepare your phone for sale.

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Reset (on HyperOS) or Reset to Factory (on MIUI).
3. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot (it will take 5-10 minutes).

Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (for experienced)

Used for serious crashes when the phone is not loading. On new models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13), the entrance to Recovery may be different!

1. Press the Power button + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.

Important! On some HyperOS firmware, after you wipe data in Recovery, your phone may need to enter a password from your previous account, and if you don't remember it, you'll have to use Fastboot.

Method 3: Complete wipe via Fastboot (for firmware)

The most radical method that erases all partitions requires a PC and installed Xiaomi drivers.

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot flash system.img # (if you are running a new system)




fastboot reboot

⚠️ Warning: On locked bootloader models (Xiaomi 12T, Redmi K50 and later), a full wipe through Fastboot without unlocking can lead to a hard brick (the phone will stop turning on at all). Always check the bootloader status with fastboot oem device-info before resetting!

Frequent Errors When Scratching Data and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when resetting data to Xiaomi, and here are the most common ones and ways to prevent them:

• 🔋 Battery discharge - if the phone turns off during wipe, it could damage system files. Always charge the battery to a minimum of 50% before resetting.
• 🔑 Forgotten Mi Account Password - HyperOS models may require you to enter a password from your old account after reset, even if you deleted it. Solution: untie the device from your account before reset.
• 📱 Incorrect Recovery Mode — some firmware (like custom) Recovery menus may be in Chinese or English, which is confusing. Always check the instructions for your model.
• 🔌 Use of non-original cable – when you wipe through Fastboot, an unstable connection can interrupt the process. Use the original Xiaomi cable or certified USB-C.

Another common mistake is trying to wipe data on a phone with an unlocked bootloader, but without TWRP installed. In this case, after reset, the device can boot into stock Recovery, where there will be no recovery option. Always install custom Recovery before you wipe if you plan to stitch informal software.

On the models POCO F5 and Redmi K60 after the wipe data through Fastboot may disappear IMEI. This is due to the peculiarities of the Qualcomm modems. To avoid the problem, save the /nvdata folder before reset (root rights are required).

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Before you wipe data on Xiaomi with HyperOS, disable the Automatic Login feature in your account settings.This will prevent you from automatically linking to your old Mi Account after you reset.

Wipe Data vs Format Data: What’s the Difference and What’s the Most Dangerous

Many people confuse wipe data and format data, although these are different operations with different consequences.

• 🧹 Wipe Data deletes user data but retains the partition structure /data. After such a reset, some files can be restored with special utilities (if there was no overwriting).
• 🗃️ Format Data -- completely reformats the /data partition, erasing its structure. It's almost impossible to recover the data after that. On Xiaomi with HyperOS, this option can also reset encryption settings.

In practice:

• Wipe Data is used to fix software failures.
• Format Data – before the firmware or when switching to another version of MIUI/HyperOS.

For example, if you are flashing Xiaomi 13 Ultra from MIUI 14 to HyperOS 1.0, it is not enough to just wipe data – you need to execute format data, otherwise the new system may not boot due to partition markup conflict.

⚠️ Warning: On HyperOS phones, the format data command in TWRP can cause internal memory to be lost if encryption is not disabled. Always back up the /data partition via TWRP → Backup before formatting.

How to recover data after erasure (if possible)

If you accidentally wipe data and you lose important files, don't despair - in some cases, the data can be recovered. Success depends on the type of reset and the actions after it.

Recovery methods:

• 📁 After a soft reset, use programs like DiskDigger or EaseUS MobiSaver, which scan the internal memory for deleted files, and the odds are higher if you don't write new data after the reset.
• 🔍 After wipe via Recovery – if there was no format data, try connecting your phone to your PC in MTP mode and scan the memory with PhotoRec (works with raw partitions).
• ☁️ Cloud backups — check Google Photos, Mi Cloud, or Google Drive. Even if you didn't enable automatic sync, some data (contacts, photos) could have been saved.

Which won't help:

• ❌ Restore after format data – the partition is overwritten and the data is lost irretrievably.
• ❌ Firmware recovery software – new system files overwrite old data.

On HyperOS phones, the chances of recovery are lower than on MIUI, due to the mandatory encryption of the /data partition.If you don't know the password from the old account, it's almost impossible to recover data after a reset.

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The only reliable way to save data before wipe data is to make a full backup via TWRP or Mi PC Suite. Cloud services (Google Drive, Mi Cloud) do not store all files (for example, WhatsApp messages or game data are not automatically synced).

FAQ: Frequent questions about wipe data on Xiaomi