Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are known for their performance, but over time, even the most powerful devices start to work slower. Accumulation of temporary files, errors in system processes or just a desire to return the gadget to a factory state - all this leads users to the question of how to clean everything on Xiaomi. Deep cleaning of the system allows you to remove accumulated "digital debris", fix software failures and free up valuable space of internal memory.
Complete deletion is critical before selling a device, transferring it to another user, or preparing to flash it back, and a complete reset is guaranteed to destroy your personal information, including photos, contacts, passwords, and correspondence history, making it unavailable for recovery by standard methods, which is why this step must be approached with awareness and preparation.
In this article, we will take a look at all the cleaning options available, from soft deletion of temporary files to hard formatting through the Recovery Engineering Menu. You will learn how to properly prepare the device, what steps to follow to ensure a guaranteed result, and how to avoid common errors that can turn a phone into a “brick.” Careful adherence to the algorithm of actions will help you safely return the smartphone state “out of the box”.
Preparing the device for complete data deletion
Before starting the cleaning process, a number of preparatory steps must be taken. Ignoring this step can lead to irretrievable loss of important information or locking accounts. First of all, make sure that the battery level is at least 50-60%.
The second and most important step is to back up your phone, even if you plan to sell your phone, you may need contacts or notes, use the built-in Mi Cloud or third-party services like Google Drive to save data, and remember to transfer media files to your computer or external drive, as they will be deleted after the reset.
☑️ Preparation for cleaning
Pay special attention to the associated accounts. If the phone is on the theft protection, after the reset, the device will request a password from Mi Account or Google account that was used earlier, if you forget this data, it will be extremely difficult, and sometimes impossible, to unlock the phone without contacting the service center with purchase checks.
⚠️ Note: Before starting the procedure, be sure to remove SIM-MicroSD card and memory card, if installed, will prevent accidental deletion of data from the memory card and protect your phone number when transferring the device to the new owner.
Resetting settings via the phone menu (standard method)
The safest and most recommended way to clean up Xiaomi is to use the built-in functionality of the system, which is suitable for most situations where the device is switched on and running steadily, and allows you to delete user data while maintaining the integrity of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system.
To start, go to the main settings menu. Find the About section (usually at the top of the list or in the category "Additional", depending on the shell version). Inside this menu, you need to find the "Reset" item. The system will warn you that all data will be deleted and suggest you choose the type of reset.
You will be given two options: “Erase all data” (full reset) or “Reset” (system settings only). To clean up completely, choose the first option. Once confirmed, the system may request a pattern lock, PIN-A screen unlock code or password to confirm your identity.
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If the phone offers to update the system before reset, it is better to agree, this will ensure the installation of the latest security patches and fix known bugs that may have caused the slowdown.
The deletion process can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the amount of information accumulated and the speed of internal memory, during which time the screen may go out and light up, and the brand logo may appear several times.
Cleaning through Recovery (Hard Reset)
If the smartphone is not turning on, stuck on the logo or not responding to touch input, the standard method through settings is not available. In such cases, Recovery Mode is used, which allows you to perform what is called Hard Reset, forcibly clearing partitions of memory at a low level.
To enter Recovery mode on the device turned off, you need to press both the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, while continuing to hold the volume button. When a menu with several points appears on a black or blue background, the navigation is carried out by the volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is made by the power button.
In the menu that opens, select “Wipe Data.” The system can ask for confirmation of action by suggesting “Wipe All Data.” After selecting this item, the formatting process will begin. Once completed, you will see the message “Data wiped successfully”, and then select “Reboot” to reboot the device.
What if Recovery asks for a password?
⚠️ Warning: Hard Reset deletes everything through Recovery, including files in internal memory. Make sure you have an up-to-date backup, as it will be almost impossible to recover data after this action.
Deletion of accounts and reset protection (FRP)
One of the most important security measures in Android is FRP (Factory Reset Protection) which links the device to a Google or Mi Account. If you plan to sell the phone, be sure to unplug the accounts before resetting so that the new owner does not face lockdown.
To delete your Google account, go to the settings, look for Accounts and Sync (or Passwords & Security -> Authorization). Select the Google account you want and click Delete your account. Similar steps must be taken for your Mi Account: go to the Mi Account settings and click Log out before entering your password.
If you just reset without manually deleting your accounts, the first time you set up your phone, you'll need to enter a password from the last account you used, which is protection against theft: even after you flash it, an attacker won't be able to use the device without the user's password.
The table below shows the main differences between a soft reset through settings and a hard reset through Recovery so you can choose the best option for your situation.
| Parameter | Reset via Settings | Reset via Recovery |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Requires an on screen and a working touchscreen | Available even with a broken sensor or system |
| Difficulty | Low, automated process | Medium, requires an accurate hit on the menu |
| Risk of error | Minimum | Medium (when interrupting food) |
| Depth of cleaning | User data and cache | Full formatting of data sections |
Cleaning cache and temporary files without losing data
It doesn't always require a complete deletion of all the contents of a smartphone. Often, memory or slowdowns are solved by cleaning up the app cache and system debris, which allows you to make room without deleting your photos, contacts, and installed programs.
The MIUI shell has a built-in Security app, open it and select the Clean tool, analyze the storage and suggest removing temporary files, remnants of deleted applications and other debris, and using this feature regularly (once every 1-2 weeks) helps keep you up to speed.
You can also clear the cache of individual heavy apps, such as Telegram, WhatsApp or YouTube. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps → All apps, select the desired application, click Memory and then Clear Cache. It is important not to confuse with the “Clear Everything” button, as this will delete the login and correspondence data.
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Regularly cleaning the cache through the Security app prolongs the life of internal memory and prevents the appearance of errors in the operation of applications.
Another effective method is to use Second Space mode or guest mode if you no longer need them, and removing these profiles completely clears the memory area allocated to them, often freeing up several gigabytes of space.
Possible problems and solutions
Users may encounter various difficulties in cleaning up, and one of the most common problems is hanging on the logo after resetting. 15-20 For a minute, try to perform a forced reboot by pressing the power button on 10-15 seconds.
Another common situation is a cyclic reboot, which may indicate a system file corruption or an unsuccessful update, in which case it may be necessary to flash the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility, but this is a more complex procedure that requires an unlocked bootloader.
- 📱 The phone can't see. SIM-Card: After reset, check if it is blocked SIM-map PIN-code, and make sure it is properly installed in the tray.
- 🔋 Quick discharge: after complete cleaning, the system takes time (until the system is fully cleaned) 2-3 days) to re-index files and optimize background processes, so the battery can run out faster than usual.
- ☁️ Activation Error: If your phone requires a password from your old account and you forgot it, you can only restore access through the Google or Mi Account recovery procedure, not through a reset.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone starts to warm up or run out quickly after reset, let it run quietly for about an hour.