Xiaomi cleanup: factory reset, account and hidden data deletion

Cleaning a Xiaomi smartphone completely isn’t just about removing photos or apps, it’s about getting the device back out of the box, removing all personal data, settings, and even traces of the Mi Account, a procedure that you need before selling, if you have a major system failure, or if you want to get rid of the digital junk that has accumulated over the years.

In this article, we will look at all the ways to completely clean up, from a standard reset via the menu to forced flashing through Fastboot. Particular attention will be paid to untying the Mi Account without a password - this is critical if you forgot the login data or bought a used device with a tied someone else's profile, and you will learn how to clean hidden memory areas that do not affect the usual reset.

The instructions are valid for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models based on MIUI 12-14 and HyperOS, including Xiaomi 13/14 flagships, budget Redmi Note 12 and gaming POCO F5. If your device is locked or does not respond to touch, there is a section at the end of the article with solutions for “bricks”.

1.Preparation for complete cleaning: what to do before the discharge

Before you click the Reset button, follow the mandatory steps to avoid losing important data and avoiding account problems:

• 📱 Create a backup. Use the built-in Backup app (Settings) → The phone. → Backups or third-party services like Google Drive. Especially important to save: Contacts (export to.vcf) Photos and videos (copy to PC or cloud) SMS and call logs (applications like.vcf) SMS Backup & Restore Wi-Fi settings and passwords (via Settings) → Passwords)
• 🔑 Make sure you know the username/password from Mi Account. After reset, the device may require you to enter the associated account data (protection) FRP). If you forget, restore access to account.xiaomi.com.
• 🔋 Charge your phone at least 50%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can cause you to lose power.
• 📶 Disable all accounts: Google, Mi Account, social networks, this will speed up the process and avoid conflicts when re-authorizing.

If you clean your phone before selling, be sure to untie it from your Mi Account via a website.

1. Go to account.xiaomi.com.
2. Log in and select the Device Management section.
3. Find your smartphone in the list and click Delete Device.

⚠️ Warning: If you don't unplug your Mi Account before a reset, the new owner won't be able to use the phone without your data, in some cases, locking the device 72 hours after the reset.

2. Standard reset via the settings menu

The easiest and safest way is to use the built-in reset function, which is suitable if:

• 📱 The phone is turned on and reacts to touch.
• 🔓 You know the screen unlock password.
• 🔄 Want to return factory settings without deleting your Mi Account (the account will remain tied).

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Reset (on HyperOS: Settings → Memory → Resetting).
2. Choose to erase all data (or delete all data and settings).
3. Enter the password/pattern lock from the lock screen.
4. Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings.
5. Wait for the reboot (it will take 5-15 minutes).

Once the phone is restarted, it will suggest you set it up as new.

• If you did not untie Mi Account before reset, the system will require you to enter a login / password from it.
• If the account has been untied, you can skip authorization and configure the device without binding.

Make sure your phone doesn't require Mi Account| Check camera and speakers | Connect to Wi-Fi and mobile network | Update to the latest version | Restore data from backup (if necessary)

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⚠️ Note: Standard reset does not delete data from the partition /sdcard/.miui (hidden settings MIUI) and EEPROM (stored IMEI Use the methods in the following sections to clean the entirety.

3. Hard reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't turn on)

If your smartphone doesn’t respond to touch, is stuck on the logo or is locked, use Recovery Mode, which works even when your firmware is damaged, but requires physical access to the device’s buttons.

Instructions for all Xiaomi/Redmi/POCO models:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Click the combination: For most models: Power button + Volume up. For older devices (until 2019): Power button + Volume up + Volume down.

Mi Bunny

Use volume buttons for navigation and power button for selection.

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Clear All Data

Confirm

Reboot → Reboot to System

If Recovery doesn't have Wipe All Data, you have customized recovery (e.g. TWRP).

1. Select Wipe → Advanced Wipe.
2. Check the boxes: Dalvik / ART Cache System Data Internal Storage (if you need to erase internal memory)

Swipe to Wipe

4. Complete cleaning through Fastboot (for power users)

Fastboot allows you to completely erase all partitions of memory, including hidden MIUI data, which does not remove the standard reset.

• 🔒 The phone is blocked by Mi Account and does not accept login data.
• 🛠️ Refuse the device from scratch.
• 🗑️ You need to remove traces of root rights or custom firmware.

The work will require:

• 💻 Computer with installed Xiaomi drivers (you can download on the official website).
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (for firmware) or Platform Tools (for Fastboot commands).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power Button + Volume down until the Fastboot logo appears (a robot labeled Fastboot).
3. Connect the phone to the PC.
4. Open the command prompt (cmd) in the folder with Platform Tools.
5. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the device is determined (the serial number will appear), continue. If not, install the drivers.
6. Run a full cleanup of all sections: fastboot erase boot fastboot erase system fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot erase recovery fastboot erase misc
7. For devices with unlocked bootloader, you can additionally clean: fastboot erase persist fastboot erase frp (this will remove the loader). FRP-lockdown and sensor data).
8. Reboot the phone: fastboot reboot

⚠️ Attention: fastboot erase commands permanently delete data from specified partitions. If you don't flash the device after that, it won't turn on! Use this method only if you are ready to install a new firmware immediately through the Mi Flash Tool.

💡

If the phone does not turn on after fastboot erase commands, download the official firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware website and run it through the Mi Flash Tool in Clean All mode.

5. Delete Mi Account without password (bypass FRP)

If you reset your phone without untieing your Mi Account, or if you bought a used device with someone else's account tied, you'll be asked to enter your login/password when you turn on (FRP) several ways:

Method 1: Through EDL (for tech-savvy)

EDL (Emergency Download Mode) allows you to flash the device without any locks.

1. Download Fastboot firmware for your model from the Xiaomi Firmware Updater website.
2. Unpack the archive and find the file. flash_all_except_storage.bat (or flash_all.bat).
3. Turn your phone into EDL mode: Turn off the device. Press Volume up + Volume down and connect the USB cable to your PC. Hold the buttons for 10-15 seconds until the Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 appears in Device Manager.

flash_all_except_storage.bat

Wait for the end of the firmware (5-10 minutes).

Method 2: Mi Account Unlock Tool (for older models)

For devices running MIUI 10-12, you can use utilities like Mi Account Remove Tool.

1. Download the utility (for example, Mi Flash Unlock or Xiaomi Tool V2).
2. Transfer your phone to Fastboot (Power + Volume Down).
3. Connect to the PC and launch the utility.
4. Select Remove Mi Account or Bypass FRP.
5. Follow the instructions of the program (IMEI may be required).

To clean them:

Method 1: TWRP (unlocked bootloader required)

1. Install TWRP Recovery for your model (instructions on twrp.me).
2. Download to TWRP (Nutrition + Volume Up).
3. Go to Advanced → File Manager.
4. Delete folders: /sdcard/.miui /data/log /data/vendor/radio
5. Go back to the main menu and select Wipe → Format Data (enter yes for confirmation).
6. Reset the device.

Method 2: Through ADB (no root rights)

If you don’t have TWRP, but USB debugging is enabled, you can clear the cache via ADB:

1. Connect your phone to your PC and allow debugging (Settings → About Phone → MIUI version – press 7 times, then Settings → Additional → For Developers → Debugging over USB).
2. Open the command line in the folder with Platform Tools.
3. Enter the commands adb shell su rm -rf /sdcard/.miui/* rm -rf /data/log/* sync reboot

To clean the Dalvik cache (accelerates the system after reset):

adb shell


su




rm -rf /data/dalvik-cache/*




reboot

7 What to do if the phone does not turn on after cleaning ("brick")

If the phone does not turn on after reset or Fastboot commands (black screen, flashing indicator, vibrating but not loading), then a critical firmware error has occurred.

Option 1: Firmware with the Mi Flash Tool

1. Download the Mi Flash Tool from the official website.
2. Download Fastboot firmware for your model (for example, tissot_global_images_... For the Redmi Note 7).
3. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic symbols.
4. Transfer your phone to Fastboot (Power + Volume Down).
5. Connect to your PC and start the Mi Flash Tool.
6. Click Select and point the way to the firmware folder.
7. Select Clean All mode (full cleaning + firmware).
8. Press Flash and wait until it is finished (5-10 minutes).

Option 2: EDL Recovery (if Fastboot doesn't work)

If the phone is not identified in Fastboot, transfer it to EDL:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Close the contacts of the testpoint (for each model, look for a scheme on 4PDA).
3. Connect the USB cable – Qualcomm HS-USB QDLoader 9008 should appear in the Device Manager.
4. Use the Mi Flash Tool or QFil for firmware.

Option 3: Contacting the service centre

If self-recovery did not help, contact the authorized service center Xiaomi. the cost of repair "brick" - from 1500 to 5000 rubles depending on the model.

• 📄 Check or warranty card (if any).
• 🆔 Passport (to confirm possession).
• 🔋 Charger (for testing).

⚠️ Warning: If the phone has been locked through Find Device, even firmware through the EDL It will not help – you will need official unlock from Xiaomi (cost) ~3,000 rubles.).

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi cleanup