How to fully format a Xiaomi smartphone: 5 proven ways

Formatting a Xiaomi smartphone is a radical but sometimes necessary step to solve system problems, remove viruses or prepare a device for sale. Unlike a normal reboot, a full reset erases all user data, returning the phone to the “out of the box” state. However, many users confuse formatting with simply cleaning the cache or deleting files, which leads to incomplete problem solving.

In this article, we will discuss all the official and hidden ways to format Xiaomi devices (including the Redmi, POCO and Black Shark models) relevant to MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS firmware. You will learn how to properly prepare the phone for reset, what data can be saved, and how to avoid typical errors that can turn the device into a “brick.”

1.When to format Xiaomi: 7 good reasons

Setting reset is not a universal solution, but in some cases it is really necessary.

• 🦠 Viruses or malware that is not removed by antiviruses (for example, banner ads in the status bar or browser redirection).
• 🐢 Critical System Slowdown After Update MIUI or installation of applications (lags, hanging, overheating).
• 🔄 Cyclical reboot, when the phone is powered only up to the Xiaomi logo and rebooted again.
• 📱 Preparation for sale or transfer – deletion of all personal data (photos, messages, passwords).
• 🔧 Failures after a failed root or firmware (for example, the “No Command” error in recovery mode).
• 📶 Network problems: the phone does not catch mobile Internet or Wi-Fi, although on other devices everything works.
• 🔒 Forgotten pattern lock or PIN-code (unlocked through your Mi Account).

It is important to understand that formatting will not help if the problem is related to hardware malfunctions (for example, a broken screen, a broken speaker or a charging connector), in such cases, repair is required, not a software reset.

⚠️ Note: If you format your phone due to viruses but have not deleted your Mi Account (Xiaomi account), after resetting, the device may require you to enter a login/password to activate!

Preparation for formatting: what to save and what to delete

Before resetting, you need to save critical data, because all the files on the internal memory will be erased.

Pay special attention to the application data: progress in games, history of chats in messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) and notes. Many services (for example, Viber) do not sync data automatically – they need to be reserved manually through the application settings.

Also check if your phone has a bank card or cryptocurrency wallet attached. After a reset, you may need to re-authorize in SberBank Online, Tinkoff or Binance. Some services (like Google Authenticator) are tied to your device — without a backup, you will lose access to two-factor authentication!

Make a backup photo/video |Sync contacts with Google |Record login/password from Mi Account |Remove bank cards from Google Pay |Untie phone from social media accounts-->

Method 1: Formatting through MIUI settings (soft reset)

The easiest and safest method is to reset via the settings menu, which is suitable if the phone is switched on and reacts to touch, and if you do not plan to remove system updates, instructions are relevant for MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select to erase all data (reset to factory).
3. Enter. PIN-code or pattern lock (if installed).
4. Confirm the action by clicking Delete Everything.
5. Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).

This method does not remove MIUI updates, but erases all user files, apps and settings. If the phone is slow again after reset, the problem may be in the system cache - it needs to be cleaned separately (see method 4).

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi Note 10 Pro, POCO X3 Pro) after resetting through settings, an error may appear "This MIUI version cannot be installed on this device. This means that the firmware is damaged - you will need to flash through Fastboot (method 5).

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If the phone is resetting, asks to enter the old PIN-If you've forgotten the code, try connecting to Wi-Fi and logging in to Mi Account. Sometimes that takes the lock off.

Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (for locked phones)

If the phone is not turned on, locked with a pattern lock or cyclically rebooted, a Recovery reset will help, which works even without entering a password, but requires physical access to the device's buttons.

Instructions for all Xiaomi models (including Redmi and POCO):

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10 seconds).
2. Press the Power button + Volume up and hold for 10-15 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons and you will see the Recovery Mode menu (English or Chinese).
4. Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.
5. Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (on some models – Factory Reset).
6. Confirm the action and wait for the completion.
7. Go back to the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System.

If the menu is in Chinese, focus on the icons:

- 📱 — dataset.

- ✅ — confirm.

- 🔄 — restart.

On the newer models (Xiaomi 13, Redmi Note 12), Recovery Mode can require you to enter a password from Mi Account even after you reset. If you don’t remember your account details, you’ll have to use Fastboot (mode 5).

5. Method 3: Clearing the cache without losing data (alternative to reset)

If the phone is slowing down but you don't want to lose data, try clearing the partition cache. This will delete the temporary system and application files without affecting photos or settings. The method helps in 60% of MIUI slowdowns.

Instructions:

1. Go to Recovery Mode (as in Method 4).
2. Choose Wipe & Reset → Wipe Cache.
3. Confirm the cleanup and wait until it is completed.
4. Reboot your phone (Reboot to System)

If there are problems after cleaning the cache, try to remove the cache of specific applications:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 Select a problem app (such as Facebook or Instagram).
• 🧹 Click Clear Cache and Clear Data (Warning: This Will Delete Logins!).

On HyperOS models (e.g. Xiaomi 14), the path to clearing the cache may be different: Settings → Storage → Cleanup.

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Clearing the cache does not delete personal data, but it can reset the settings of some applications (for example, in games or instant messengers).

Method 4: Formatting via Fastboot (complete cleaning of all partitions)

This is the deepest formatting method that removes not only user data, but also system partitions, including the remnants of old firmware.

• 🔧 The phone doesn’t even turn on in Recovery.
• 📦 After updating MIUI There were critical errors.
• 🦠 Viruses are embedded in system files.
• 🔄 Remove root rights or custom recovery (TWRP).

For this method, you will need a computer with installed Xiaomi drivers and the Mi Flash Tool program (you can download it on the official website).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone and put it into Fastboot mode: press Power + Volume down for 10 seconds. Connect to your PC via USB.
2. Download the official firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version, not Recovery).
3. Unpack the firmware archive into a folder without Cyrillic characters (e.g., C:\Xiaomi\ROM).
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
5. In the lower right corner, select Clean All (this is full formatting).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-20 minutes).
7. After successful firmware, the phone will restart automatically.

If the Mi Flash Tool is an anti-rollback error, you are trying to install an older version of MIUI than the one on your phone, in which case you need to download a new firmware or use Clean All and Lock (but this will block the bootloader).

⚠️ Note: On models with a locked loader (Xiaomi) 12T, Redmi Note 11) before the firmware through Fastboot, you need to unlock the bootloader through the Mi Unlock Tool"!

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If the phone doesn’t turn on after you’ve run through Fastboot, try pinching Power + Volume up for 30 seconds – sometimes a forced reset helps.

7. Method 5: Formatting via ADB (for power users)

If standard methods don’t work and Fastboot seems too complicated, you can use ADB (Android Debug Bridge) which is suitable for deleting specific data or resetting settings without full formatting.

What you need:

• 🖥️ Computer with installed ADB-driver.
• 📱 Included debugging by USB on the phone (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Press 7 times, then return to Additional → For developers → Debugging by USB).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).

Formatting commands:

adb shell recovery --wipe_data # Soft discharge (analogue of the 1 method)


adb shell recovery --wipe_cache # Cache cleanup




adb shell fastboot --disable-verity --disable-verification flash vbmeta vbmeta.img # Disable verification (for custom firmware)

For full formatting of all partitions (the equivalent of Clean All in Fastboot) use:

adb reboot bootloader


fastboot erase userdata




fastboot erase cache




fastboot flash userdata userdata.img # (if there is an image)

This method requires knowledge of the command line and accuracy - the wrong command can damage system files. If you are not sure, you should use the Mi Flash Tool (method 4).

8.What to do after formatting: setup and recovery

Once reset, Xiaomi's phone will start as new.

1. Choose the language and region (we recommend Russia to avoid problems with Google services).
2. Connect to Wi-Fi (if the network is hidden, click Add Network manually).
3. Sign in to Mi Account (if you forgot your password, restore it through the official website).
4. Set up a Google account to sync your contacts and emails.
5. Restore data from a backup (if done via Mi Cloud or Google Drive).
6. Install the required apps (use the Mi App Store or Google Play).

On HyperOS models, after a reset, you may be prompted to transfer data from your old phone over Mi Mover. If you formatted your device because of viruses, do not restore data from your old backup - this can bring back malware.

Also check:

• 🔒 Security: Enable screen lock and virus scan (Settings) → Security).
• 📶 Network: Update the settings APN for mobile Internet (relevant for MTS, Beeline, Tele2).
• 🔋 Battery: Calibrate the battery after reset (discharge to 0% and charge to 100% without interruptions).

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After formatting the first 2-3 days, the phone can run slower than usual, which is normal. MIUI optimizes the system for your usage habits.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi formatting