How to fully format your Xiaomi smartphone: 3 proven ways

Xiaomi smartphone formatting is a procedure that can be required in a variety of situations, from preparing a device for sale to eliminating critical system failures. However, many users confuse the concepts of “setting reset”, “hard reset” and “full formatting”, which often leads to unexpected consequences. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances of the procedure, including hidden risks and ways to avoid typical errors.

It’s important to understand that Xiaomi formatting isn’t just about deleting user data; it affects system partitions, can affect Mi Account performance, and even locks your device if it’s not executed correctly. We’ll look at three main methods: through the settings menu, using Recovery Mode, and in Fastboot mode—and explain when it’s preferable.

We will focus on security issues: how to avoid locking your Xiaomi account, what to do with tied devices in the Mi Home ecosystem, and why a standard reset through settings doesn’t always clean your device completely, POCO This information will help to avoid unpleasant surprises for the new owner.

Preparation for Formatting: What to Do Before Resetting

Before you start the procedure, you need to follow a few critical steps, neglecting them can lead to the loss of important data or even to the “bricking” of the device.

First, back up all the important data. Even if you plan to reset through the settings menu, there's always a risk of failure. → About phone → Backup & reset or third-party solutions like Titanium Backup (requires root:

• 📱 Contact (export to) VCF-file)
• 📸 Photos and videos (check folders) DCIM and Pictures)
• 🔑 Logins and passwords (use Google Smart Lock or Bitwarden)
• 🎮 Game saving (many games are linked to an account) Google/Mi)

Second, untie all the devices in the ecosystem. If your Xiaomi is tied to the Mi Band, Yeelight smart bulbs, or a robot vacuum cleaner, resetting can disrupt their operation. Go to the Mi Home app and manually remove the smartphone from the control list. This is especially important for owners of Xiaomi Smart Home - after the reset, you may need to reconfigure the entire system.

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If you use Mi Pay or device-associated banking applications, remove them before the reset.Some banks block access when they detect a change in device identifiers.

Third, check the status of Mi Account. If the device has the Find Device feature enabled. → Mi Account → Find Device, after reset, you will need to enter the username and password from your Xiaomi account. Make sure you remember this information! Otherwise, the device may be blocked:

1. Go to Settings. → Accounts and synchronization → Mi Account
2. Check if the Find Device option is active (magnifying glass icon)
3. If the option is enabled, write down the login / password or untie the account

2. Method 1: Formatting through the settings menu (soft reset)

It's the simplest and safest method, and it works 90 percent of the time, it's knowledge-free, and it's done right from the system, but it has an important limitation: soft reset doesn't clean some partitions, which can be critical when you hand a device over to another person.

To perform the reset via the menu:

1. Open Settings (cog icon)
2. Go to the section About phone (About phone)
3. Select Backup and Reset (Backup & Reset)
4. Reset the settings (Factory data reset)
5. Choose to delete everything (Erase everything)
6. Confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or PIN-code

The process will take 5 before 15 It'll reboot and go back to the box-like state, but this method doesn't remove data from the partition. /data/media/0 (internal memory, if it is encrypted, means that an experienced user can recover some of your files using special tools.

All important accounts (Google, Mi, social networks) have been deleted

Created backup of contacts and media files

Related: Mi Home and other ecosystem devices disabled

Username/password from Mi Account (if Find Device is enabled)

Battery charge is sufficient (minimum 50%)

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After the reset, you will need to reconfigure the device. In the initial setup stage, you can skip the Xiaomi account login, but this may limit the functionality of some services (for example, Mi Cloud or Mi Video). If you plan to sell the phone, the best thing to do is create a new Xiaomi account and link the device to it, which will save the buyer from having to enter your data.

3. Method 2: Hard reset via Recovery Mode

This method is used when the device is not turned on, got stuck on the Mi logo, or when a soft reset has not solved the problem. Recovery Mode is a special recovery mode that works independently of the main system. On Xiaomi devices, it can look different depending on the model and firmware version.

To enter Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the device (press the power button on the 10-15 seconds)
2. Press the key combination: For most models: Volume up + Food for food POCO F1/F2/F3: Loudness down + Food for Mi 11 Series: Volume up + Loudness down + Nutrition

Mi

In the Recovery menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power buttons for selection. On new devices (Mi 10 and later), the menu can be touch-sensitive.

1. Select Wipe Data (or Clear Data)
2. Confirm the choice (Confirm or Yes)
3. Wait until the process is completed (may take up to 30 minutes)
4. Select Reboot to Reboot

Important: on some firmware (especially custom) the option of Wipe Data may be called differently: Factory Reset, Format Data or even Clean All. If you see several reset options, choose the one that contains the word Format - it performs a deeper cleanup.

⚠️ Note: On devices with a bootloader, a reset via Recovery may require you to enter your Mi Account data even if the Find Device feature has been disabled.

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

This is the most radical and effective method, and it allows you to completely clean all the parts of the device, including the system partitions, but it requires an unlocked bootloader and knowledge of fastboot commands. Misuse can lead to a device blink!

For the work you will need:

• 🖥️ Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot
• 🔌 Cable USB (preferably original)
• 🛠️ Google platform-tools utility (download from the official website)
• 🔓 Unlocked bootloader (if not, read the unlock instructions)

The formatting process:

1. Turn off the device and enter Fastboot mode (clip Volume Down). + Nutrition)
2. Connect the phone to the computer
3. Open the command line in the folder with platform-tools
4. Run the command to check the connection: fastboot devices (should display the serial number of the device)
5. Run full formatting: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot format system fastboot format data
6. Reboot the device: fastboot reboot

This method is guaranteed to delete all data, including:

• 📁 User files and settings
• 🔧 System applications and updates
• 🔐 Cryptographic keys (if the device has been encrypted)
• 📱 Residual data from previous firmware

⚠️ Note: After formatting via Fastboot, the device may not boot if you have custom firmware installed, in which case you will need to re-firm the official software through the Mi Flash Tool.

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Fastboot formatting is the only way to completely clean a device before selling if it has been encrypted or used a file system. F2FS.

5. Typical errors and their solutions

Even if you follow instructions correctly, users often encounter problems, and let's look at the most common errors and how to fix them.

The Mi Cloud Lock issue is particularly noteworthy, and this protection works even after full formatting if the device was tied to a Xiaomi account with Find Device enabled.

1. Enter original account details
2. Provide proof of purchase (check, box) to the service center
3. If the device is bought from hand – demand from the seller an uncouple through the personal account Mi

For devices with an unlocked bootloader, there is an informal method of bypassing a modified persist partition through the firmware, but it requires deep technical knowledge and can disrupt some functions (NFC, camera).

Formatting specific models: features and nuances

Despite the general similarity, different Xiaomi series of devices have their own characteristics when reset.

Sriya Redmi Note (8/9/10/11):

• 🔹 Have a separate partition for camera data (metadata), which is not cleaned by soft reset
• 🔹 Redmi Note 8 Pro with Mediatek processor requires a special driver for Fastboot
• 🔹 Recovery via Mi Flash Tool may require account authorization

syria POCO (F1/F2/F3/F4):

• 🔹 They have an alternative recovery (POCO Recovery) with extended options
• 🔹 Nana POCO F1 Resetting through settings may not clear the vendor partition
• 🔹 To unlock the bootloader requires a separate permission on the site POCO

Flagship models (Mi) 10/11/12 series):

• 🔹 Use dynamic partitions (super.partition) that are not formatted by standard commands
• 🔹 Requires a special version of the Mi Flash Tool for firmware
• 🔹 Have hardware-based binding of some features (such as Ultra Wideband) to the original account

For devices on Qualcomm processors (most flagships) there is an opportunity to use the EDL Mode (Emergency Download Mode) for recovery of "brick" devices, however, this mode requires an authorized Xiaomi account and a special cable.

7.What to do after formatting: initial setup

Once reset successfully, the device will return to a "out of the box" state, but there are a few important points to consider when you first set up.

1. Skip logging in to your accounts (if you plan to sell):

• 🔄 At the welcome stage, tap Skip for your Xiaomi account
• 🔄 For a Google account, select No Account (Don't copy)
• 🔄 If you are selling a device, do not connect to Wi-Fi during the setup phase.

2. check the performance of the main functions:

• 📶 Mobile network and Wi-Fi
• 🔊 Sound and microphone (record voice notes)
• 📷 Cameras (front and main)
• 🔋 Charging (check with original and third-party cable)
• 🪲 Sensors (gyroscope, compass, approximations)

3. Update firmware: After reset, it is recommended to check for updates immediately (Settings) → The phone. → System Update: This is especially important for devices that have not been updated for a long time – the new firmware may contain critical security patches.

4. Set up protection: If the device is left with you, activate immediately:

• 🔒 pattern lock or PIN-code
• 👆 Fingerprint/Face recognition
• 🔄 Automatic backup in Mi Cloud
• 🛡️ Find Device (but remember your account details!)

⚠️ Attention: On devices with Android 12+ After reset, it may be necessary to reactivate OEM Unlock in the developer settings, even if the bootloader has already been unlocked before.

8. Unlocking the bootloader: when it is necessary for formatting

The bootloader on Xiaomi devices is locked by default, which means you can’t:

• 🔧 Stripping Custom Recovery (TWRP)
• 📥 Install unofficial firmware
• 🔄 Run some fastboot commands (for example, fastboot flash)
• 🛠️ Completely format system sections

Unlocking will require:

1. Create a Xiaomi account and link your device to it
2. Download Mi Unlock Tool
3. Enable OEM Unlock in the Developer Settings
4. Connect the device in Fastboot mode and follow the program instructions
5. Wait 7 to 30 days (depending on the model)

Important: unlocking the bootloader resets all the data on the device, and it can also affect:

• 📱 Mi Pay and banking applications
• 🎮 Widevine Certification L1 (downgrad L3 impairs the quality of streaming)
• 🔒 Opportunity to obtain OTA-update
• 🛡️ Guarantee (in some regions)

If you unlocked the bootloader for formatting only, after the procedure is completed, you can block it back using the command:

fastboot oem lock

However, this will erase all data again and return the device to a factory state.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi formatting