Users often face the need to clean the device completely, whether it is selling the gadget, transferring it to another owner or fixing critical software failures. Xiaomi formatting is a radical but effective method to return the smartphone to factory speed and erase all personal data. This process does not require deep technical knowledge, but requires care, since it will be impossible to restore deleted information without backup.
With the modern MIUI shell and the new HyperOS, reset procedures are more understandable, but hidden features remain the same. It is important to understand the difference between normal file deletion and full formatting of internal memory. In this article, we will take a detailed look at all the available methods, from the standard menu to the use of engineering modes, so you can choose the most suitable option for your situation.
Before you start taking action, you need to realize the irreversibility of the process. Formatting destroys not only photos and contacts, but also system settings, accounts and installed applications. If your device is stable, but just requires cleaning the space, you may want to consider less radical optimization methods. However, if the goal is a clean installation of the system or preparation for sale, follow the instructions below.
Preparation of the device for complete reset
Starting the formatting process without prior preparation is a risk of losing important data forever. The first step should always be to create a full backup. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, this uses the built-in Security app or the Mi Cloud service. You can also use third-party PC tools like the Mi PC Suite, although the built-in tools are often more reliable.
You should pay special attention to your Google and Mi Account. If you don't untie your device before resetting, FRP (Factory Reset Protection) may work after you turn on, which will require you to enter the previous owner's login and password, which can be a problem when selling your phone. Make sure you remember the login details or exit all your profiles in advance.
☑️ Checklist before formatting
Battery charge is critical. Interrupting the formatting process due to battery discharge can damage system partitions and turn the smartphone into a “brick.” It is recommended to connect the device to a power source or make sure that the charge level exceeds 50-60%. It is also worth removing the SD card if it is installed, so as not to accidentally format it along with the internal memory.
⚠️ Attention: Extraction SIM-The cards before the procedure are necessary not only to keep the contacts safe, but also to prevent resetting network settings, which may require re-registration from the operator.
Standard reset via MIUI settings
The safest and most recommended formatting method is available directly from the operating system interface, which is suitable for most users whose phones are turned on and react to touch. First, go to the main menu and find Settings. Next, the path may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell, but the logic remains the same.
In the newer versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14, you need to select About Phone, scroll down and find Reset. In older versions, the path may look like Advanced Settings → Recovery and Reset. The system will warn you that all data will be deleted, and prompt you to select the option to Erase all data.
After confirmation, the system can request a pattern lock, PIN-This is a security measure to prevent accidental or unauthorized reset, and if you forget the unlock password, this method will not work, and you will have to use Recovery mode.
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Before pressing the final button, take a screenshot of the important Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings, as they will have to be re-entered after formatting.
It takes 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the amount of internal memory and the speed of the drive. A smartphone can reboot several times, the screen can go out and light up — this is normal behavior. Don't interrupt the process and wait for the screen of the initial setting to appear, where you will be asked to choose a language.
Formatting through Recovery Mode
If the operating system is not loading, freezes on the logo or the touch screen does not respond, Recovery mode is used. This is a special diagnostic mode built into the memory of the device regardless of the state of the main system, logging in with a combination of physical buttons when the device is turned off.
To get on the menu, turn off the phone completely. Then press the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, while continuing to hold the volume key. When a menu with several points on a black background appears, release all the buttons.
Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the option choice is the power button. You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data. In some versions of Recovery (especially Chinese), you may need to select additional Wipe All Data for full formatting.
| Action. | Navigation button | Selection button |
|---|---|---|
| Move upwards | Volume Up. | - |
| Moving down | Loudness Down | - |
| Confirmation of choice | - | Nutrition. |
| Submenu transition | - | Nutrition. |
Once you select a reset point, the system may request confirmation, often requiring you to type in the word yes or select Confirm. Be careful: in Recovery mode, there is no option to cancel the action. Once you have cleaned up, select Reboot or Reboot to System to restart in normal mode.
What to do if the Recovery menu is in Chinese?
Using Fastboot for Deep Cleaning
Fastboot mode is designed to interact more deeply with the device, often used for flashing, but also allows partitions to be formatted. To enter this mode when the phone is turned off, press the Volume Down and Power buttons simultaneously. The image of a hare repairing an android, or the inscription FASTBOOT, will appear on the screen.
Fastboot mode itself does not have a menu for button formatting. The cleaning command requires a connection to a computer and the installation of ADB/Fastboot drivers. This is a method for advanced users who understand the risks of working with the command line.
Connect your phone to your PC through the original USB-Open the command line on your computer in the tool folder of the platform. Enter the command to check the connection:
fastboot devicesIf the device appears in the list, you can execute a userdata formatting command, which completely erases the user partition:
fastboot erase userdata⚠️ Attention: The fastboot erase userdata command deletes all data without recovery. Do not confuse it with the system partition formatting command, which will cause the device to fail.
Once the command is complete, the phone needs to be restarted, which can be done through the menu on the device itself (if it is available with a long power clamping) or by a command:
fastboot rebootFeatures of resetting with a forgotten password
The situation when the user forgets the pattern lock or password is one of the most common reasons for resorting to the formatting procedure. Unfortunately, modern Android security standards do not allow you to simply bypass the lock without losing data. Recovery (described above) is the only regular way to unlock the device.
However, after such a reset, Google FRP protection will work. The phone will require you to enter a Google account that was synced to the device before locking. This is done to protect against theft: if a thief steals the phone and dumps it, he will not be able to use it without the owner’s data.
There are service codes and engineering menus that can theoretically reset a password, but in current versions of MIUI, most of these vulnerabilities are closed, and attempts to use third-party software to bypass FRP can lead to the device locking over IMEI or the motherboard completely failing.
If you bought a used phone and it requests the account of the previous owner, the only legal solution is to contact the seller to obtain data or a purchase check to contact the manufacturer’s service center.
Common mistakes and ways to solve them
Even following the instructions, users can run into problems. One of the common mistakes is “bootloop” when the phone is constantly restarting without reaching the desktop, which can happen if the formatting process has been interrupted or if system files have been corrupted.
In this case, it often helps to re-enter Recovery mode and run the Wipe Data again. If this does not help, you may need to flash the device using your computer and the Mi Flash Tool utility.
Another problem is that there's no connection or Wi-Fi after a reset, which is solved by resetting the network settings or flashing the modem, but most often it's just enough to reconfigure the access point, and you may need to manually update the date and time if the sync is lost.
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If you format your phone and it burns out quickly in the first 30 minutes, that's OK, and it indexes files and optimizes applications in the background.
In rare cases, it may be necessary to clean the Dalvik/ART cache. The Recovery menu (especially custom, but sometimes in the drain) has a Wipe Cache Partition.This does not delete personal data, but clears temporary system files, which can solve startup problems.