Selling an old smartphone, handing over a device to a relative, or fixing critical software bugs are just a few of the situations where you need to completely erase information. Xiaomi ecosystem owners often face the question of how to do it as safely and as guaranteed as possible. The cleaning process depends on the current version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, as well as access to the system menu.
There are several proven ways to get the gadget back to factory status, and we'll look at the standard method through settings that suit most users, and a deeper reset through Recovery mode for those times when the system doesn't boot, and it's important to understand the difference between simply deleting files and fully formatting memory partitions.
Before you start taking action, you need to realize the irreversibility of the process: a complete reset destroys absolutely all user data, including photos, contacts and installed applications, it will be impossible to restore them after the procedure is completed without a preliminary copy even with the help of specialized software.
Preparation of the device for complete reset
You should start with careful preparation, because hasty actions can lead to the loss of important information or lock the device with security mechanisms, first of all, you need to back up all valuable data, this can be done through the Mi Cloud service, Google account or by transferring files to your computer.
Special attention should be paid to accounts. If the phone is activated with theft protection, the device will require you to enter a password from your Google or Mi Account after reset. To avoid problems with blocking activation, it is recommended to log out of all profiles in advance.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to reset if the battery is below 50%.Sudden power outage during system partition formatting can damage the bootloader and turn the smartphone into a "brick».
It is also worth checking the presence SIM-memory-cards SD. If an external memory card contains data you want to store, extract it before the procedure begins. In some scenarios, the system may suggest formatting the external drive, which will result in the loss of files on it.
- 🔋 Charge the device to minimum 60-70% Stable operation throughout the process.
- ☁️ Create backup contacts and photos in the cloud or on PC.
- 🔓 Unplug Google and Mi accounts to prevent activation blocking.
- 💾 Remove the microSD card if you don’t plan on formatting it.
☑️ Ready to dump
Method 1: Resetting through system settings
The simplest and most secure method is available directly from the operating system that is running, and it is suitable for regular situations where the interface responds to commands and there are no critical errors. The path to the desired function may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and the shell.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll to the bottom. You'll need the About Phone or Advanced Settings section. In newer versions of HyperOS, the menu logic has been changed, so look for Reset.
After you go to the reset menu, the system will prompt you to select the type of information to be cleaned, and you are interested in the "Erase everything" option, and clicking on it will give you a warning that all files, including music, images and system settings, will be deleted.
To confirm the action, you will need to enter a pattern lock, PIN-The screen unlock code or password that is installed on the device is an additional security measure to prevent unauthorized persons from accidentally resetting the device.
| Action. | The Way to MIUI 12/13 | The Way to HyperOS/MIUI 14 |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to the menu | Settings → About the phone | Settings → About the phone |
| Selection of discharge type | Resetting settings → Erase all data | Advanced settings → Resetting settings |
| Confirmation | Entering a screen password | Entering a screen password |
| Finals. | Waiting for the reset (5-10 minutes) | Waiting for the reset (5-10 minutes) |
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Before clicking the final button, "Erase all data" again check that sync with the cloud is complete. the download indicator in the Mi Account profile should show 100%.
Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode
If the smartphone doesn't turn on, it's stuck on the logo, or the touch screen doesn't respond, Recovery mode is used, which works at the bootloader level and doesn't require access to the operating system, and it's a more "rough" but effective tool.
To enter this mode, you need to turn the device off completely. Then press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume.
When the Main Menu (usually with an Android logo and a robot) appears, the volume buttons (up/down) control the menu, and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data item.
⚠️ Attention: The Recovery menu doesn't have a touch screen. All navigation is done by mechanical volume and power buttons. Don't panic if the screen doesn't respond to touch.
Once you select Wipe Data, you will see a confirmation. Select Wipe All Data and confirm the action. The formatting process will take some time, after which the device will automatically restart to the clean system.
- 🔌 Turn off the phone completely before the procedure begins.
- ⬆️ Hold the volume.+ and feeding at the same time.
- 🔘 Use volume buttons to navigate the menu.
- ✅ Confirm the choice of the power button.
What to do if your phone is in Fastboot mode?
Deleting Google Account and Protecting against Theft
Modern Android smartphones are equipped with FRP (Factory Reset Protection) security, which locks the device after a reset, requiring you to enter the details of a Google account that was synced with the phone earlier, which protects the owner’s data in the event of a theft.
If you sell a phone, it will be extremely unpleasant for the new owner to encounter an activation screen that requires your password, so it is critical to delete the account from the system before you start resetting, you can do this in the Accounts and Sync settings section.
Select the Google account you want and click Delete your account, a similar procedure should be done with your Mi Account, as linking to Xiaomi services can also trigger a password request when you first activate it.
In some cases, especially on older firmware versions, simply logging out may not be enough, and it is recommended to also disable the Find Device feature in Google Play's security settings.
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Deleting your Google account before reset is the only guaranteed way to avoid blocking FRP when transferring your device to another person.
Cleaning the second space and cloning
Xiaomi users often use the “Second Space” function or app cloning. With a standard reset via settings, this data is also deleted, but make sure you do not leave traces in hidden sections.
If you've been using guest mode or created separate profiles for children, the system will usually ask for confirmation to delete all profiles when you execute the "Erase All Data" command, however, if you reset your phone through Recovery, all spaces will disappear automatically.
Check for hidden albums in the gallery. MIUI's Hidden Album feature requires a separate password. Before selling your phone, be sure to extract photos from the hidden album to a regular folder so they get into the total mass of files being deleted, or manually delete them.
Be sure to check the Security section → Scanner → Cleanup, where recent activity logs or cache that is not formally personal data, but may contain metadata about device usage, can be stored.