How to fully format a smartphone Xiaomi: 5 working ways

Formatting a Xiaomi smartphone is a radical way to bring back factory performance, remove viruses, or prepare a gadget for sale. But not everyone knows that a full reset on devices with MIUI works differently than on pure Android. In this article, we will analyze all the current formatting methods, from standard reset through settings to low-level cleaning through Fastboot, and also tell you what data will be deleted irrevocably and what can be restored.

It’s important to understand that the term “formatting” is often confused with hard reset (reset to factory settings) or data wipe. We’ll look at both options, including hidden nuances for locked bootloader models (Redmi Note 12, POCO X5) and HyperOS devices. If you’re looking for a way to delete only custom files without resetting the system, go straight to the section on selective formatting.

1. What is the difference between formatting and resetting settings?

Many users mistakenly believe that factory resetting and internal memory formatting are the same thing.

• 🔄 Factory Reset: Deletes accounts, apps, and settings, but does not affect system files MIUI/HyperOS. They're left untouched. /system and /vendor.
• 🗃️ Data partition formatting: erases the entire user area, including hidden application folders, cache, and even some system log files.
• 🛠️ Complete Firmware Reflash: Deletes all partitions (including system), requires installation of new firmware via Fastboot or Mi Flash Tool.

In practice, most tasks require a reset via settings, but if a smartphone is fixated on the MI logo, does not respond to the sensor, or is infected with malware that is not removed by standard methods, you will need to format the data partition via Recovery or Fastboot.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi) 14, Redmi K70) Resetting through settings doesn't always clean folder /miad — Mi Account information may remain there. Use the Fastboot method to remove the link completely.

Preparation for formatting: what to do before the dump

Before you click Reset, follow the mandatory steps, otherwise you risk losing access to important data or locking your device.

Make a backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup

Delete your Google account link (if you plan to sell your phone)

Record IMEI (type *#06#)

Untie the device from Mi Account in Settings → Xiaomi Account

Charge the battery by at least 50%

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Pay special attention to your Xiaomi account. If you forget your Mi Account password and your smartphone is tied to it, you will be greeted with a Mi Cloud Lock after you are reset. Unlock it without proof of ownership (checks, box) is almost impossible. On new models (Redmi Note 13 Pro+, POCO F6), this protection works even after formatting via Fastboot.

For backup, use:

• ☁️ Mi Cloud (free 5GB, saves contacts, SMS, note-book)
• 💾 Local copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup and reset → Local backups
• 🖥️ Xiaomi PC Suite (for copying multimedia and applications)

I'm not backing up.

Using Mi Cloud.

Copying files manually on PC

I'm using Google Drive.

Other-->

3. Method 1: Standard reset via settings MIUI/HyperOS

The simplest and safest method, which is suitable for 90% of cases, works on all models, including the Redmi 10C, POCO M6 Pro and flagships of the Xiaomi 13T series.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Backup and Reset.
2. Select Settings Reset (on HyperOS - Erase all data).
3. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock, if requested.
4. Confirm the action, wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).

After the reboot, you will get a clean smartphone with the firmware that was installed at the time of the reset.All MIUI updates will remain, but applications and data will disappear. Exception: on some models (such as the Redmi Note 11 Pro) after the reset, you may need to re-activate the Mi Account, even if you untied it in advance.

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If the smartphone slows down after reset, perform an additional cache cleanup: go to Settings → Storage → Clear cache. This will delete temporary files that may have remained after the reset.

Method 2: Recovery Mode Formatting (for locked phones)

If the smartphone is not turned on, stuck on the logo or locked with a graphical key, Recovery mode will help. This method works even without entering a password, but does not reset Mi Account (on models with HyperOS, you may need to enter account data after rebooting).

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press Volume Up + Power and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the menu in Chinese/English.

Next:

• Use volume buttons for navigation, power button for selection.
• Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (on some firmwares – Factory Reset).
• Confirm the action, wait for the completion.
• Reboot the device (Reboot).

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (such as Xiaomi 14 Ultra) Recovery may not have Wipe All Data option. Select Wipe Data instead → Format Data, but note that this will lead to a complete flashing of the data partition (similar to fastboot format userdata).

5. Method 3: Deep Formatting via Fastboot (for experienced)

This method is used when:

• 🔓 You need to delete Mi Account without password (on older models until 2021).
• 🐌 The smartphone is extremely slow even after resetting.
• 🛠️ Refuse the device from scratch.

The work will require:

• A computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed.
• USB Type-C cable (original, undamaged)
• Unlocked bootloader (on new models it is blocked by default).

Instructions:

1. Connect the off smartphone to the PC, holding Volume down + Power (Fastboot mode).
2. Open the command line in the folder from fastboot and type: fastboot devices Make sure the device is defined.
3. Format the userdata section: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot format userdata
4. Reboot the device: fastboot reboot

On 2023-2026 models (Xiaomi 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13), erase format commands may fail due to a blocked userdata partition, requiring a full flashing through the Mi Flash Tool with the "clean all and lock" option.

Method 4: Selective formatting (user data only)

If you only need to clean your personal files (photos, videos, documents) without resetting your apps and settings, use the built-in MIUI tools:

Option 1: Through Files:

1. Open the File Manager application.
2. Go to Categories → Images / Videos / Documents.
3. Select unnecessary files, click Delete.
4. Clean the basket (Basket → Clean).

Option 2: Through the Warehouse:

1. Open the Settings → Storage.
2. Select a category (such as Images or Audio).
3. Click Clear (will delete all files of this type).

To clean the cache of applications:

1. Go to Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select an app (like Facebook or TikTok).
3. Click Warehouse → Clear the cache and Clear the data.

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Selective deletion of files does not affect the performance of the system. If the smartphone slows down, you need a complete reset or formatting of the data partition.

7. Method 5: Formatting with the Mi Flash Tool (extreme case)

This method is used when:

• 💀 The smartphone is not included even in the Fastboot.
• 🔄 Reduce the version. MIUI/HyperOS.
• 🔓 You need to delete Mi Account on new models (risky!).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Mi Flash Tool from Xiaomi’s official website and the firmware for your model (for example, tissot_global_images_... for Mi A1).
2. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic symbols.
3. Connect the phone off in Fastboot mode (hold Volume Down + Power).
4. In Mi Flash Tool, click Select, specify the folder with the firmware.
5. Select the firmware method: Clean all - deletes everything, including userdata. Clean all and lock - the same + blocks the bootloader.

Flash

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (2026), using the Mi Flash Tool without authorization from a developer's Mi Account can result in a complete lockdown of the device. K70) It is recommended to use an official service center.

8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users make mistakes when formatting Xiaomi, and here are the most common ones:

• 🔋 Battery discharge: If the phone turns off during formatting, the data partition may be damaged.Always charge up to 50%+.
• 🔌 Unoriginal cable: When you run through Fastboot, use Xiaomi’s proprietary cable – cheap analogues can interrupt the connection.
• 🔐 Forgotten Mi Account: HyperOS models may still have an account binding after full formatting. → Xiaomi account.
• 📱 Incompatible firmware: Installing firmware from another model (e.g. Redmi Note 12 instead of Redmi Note 12 Pro) results in a brick".

If there are problems after formatting:

• 📵 No Network: Go to Settings → SIM-maps and mobile networks → Access point settings and select operator manually.
• 🔊 No sound: Check if Do Not Disturb mode is activated (Settings) → Sound).
• 🔒 Requested the old password: This means that the userdata partition has not been formatted. Repeat the procedure via Fastboot with the format command.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions