How to fully format your Xiaomi smartphone: 3 proven ways

Formatting a Xiaomi smartphone is a radical way to bring the device back to factory status by removing all user data, apps and settings.The procedure may be required when selling a phone, fixing system glitches, or if you forget the pattern lock.However, an improper reset can lead to the loss of important files or even the phone crashing.

In this article, we will discuss all the current ways of formatting Xiaomi – from a standard reset via menu to forced via Fastboot (for locked devices). 11, Poco M4 Pro, where the reset algorithm through Recovery is different from Qualcomm, you will also learn how to avoid the error "Can't mount". /data" What to do if the phone does not turn on after resetting.

Preparation for formatting: what to do before the dump

Before you start resetting, make sure you follow the critical steps. Without a backup, you will lose:

• 📸 Photos and videos (including hidden folders) DCIM/Thumbnails)
• 📱 Contacts, SMS Call log (if not synced with Google)
• 🎮 Game saves (even cloud-based ones may not recover)
• 📄 Documents in Download and Documents folders
• 🔑 Passwords from Wi-Fi and apps (unless you use Mi Account)

To back up on Xiaomi, go to Settings → About Phone → Backup. Alternatively, use Google Drive (Settings → Accounts → Google → Synchronization) or third-party utilities like Titanium Backup (requires root).

⚠️ Note: On Redmi Note 10 Pro models and the newer Mi Account binding, the phone can be locked after a reset if you haven't untied your account in advance. → Xiaomi account → Devices.

Also prepare:

• 🔋 Battery charge of at least 50% (when reset via Recovery, the phone should not turn off).
• 📡 Stable Internet connection (to download firmware after reset, if required).
• 🔐 Mi Account data (login and password) if the phone is linked to the account.

Backup of important data |

Unplug Mi Account (if you plan to sell your phone)|

Charge your phone to at least 50% |

Make sure you know the data from your Google account |

Get out. SIM-card and memory card (optional)-->

2. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest)

This method is suitable if the phone is turned on and you remember the unlock password. It preserves the integrity of system files and minimizes the risk of errors. The instructions are relevant for all Xiaomi models on MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS.

Steps:

1. Open Settings (the gear icon on the main screen).
2. Go to About Phone → Backup and Reset.
3. Select Resetting → Erase all data.
4. Enter the password from the lock screen (if requested).
5. Confirm the action by clicking Reset (some models will need to enter) PIN-code SIM-map).

The process will take 5-15 minutes. The phone will reboot and suggest that you configure it as new. If after the reset, the error "There was an error in the reset", try alternative methods (see section 4).

💡

If after reset, the phone asks you to enter the old password and you do not remember it, it means that the device is tied to the Mi Account. Solution: log in under the same account or unlock through [the official Xiaomi service] (https://account.xiaomi.com/).

Method 2: Recovery Formatting (for locked phones)

If the phone is not turned on or locked with a pattern lock, use Recovery mode.This method works for all Xiaomi, but the algorithm differs depending on the processor:

Instructions for Qualcomm:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume up for 10 seconds until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data (use volume buttons for navigation, power for confirmation).
4. Select Wipe All Data and confirm the action.
5. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

For MediaTek:

1. Similarly, go to Recovery.
2. Select Wipe Data, then Format Data.
3. Enter the password from Mi Account (if the phone is tied).
4. Confirm the formatting. It'll take up to 20 minutes.

⚠️ Note: On some models (Redmi) 9A, Poco C31) After resetting via Recovery, an error "No" may appear. OS installed. This means that the system partition is damaged. Solution: Fastboot your phone (see section 5).

Method 3: Forced Fastboot Reset (for experienced)

This method is used if:

• 🔄 The phone does not turn on or hovers on the Mi logo.
• 🔐 Mi Account password is forgotten and Recovery requires authorization.
• 🛠️ You need to reflash your phone after a failed update.

The work will require:

• 💻 Computer with drivers installed ADB/Fastboot (Download from [official website](https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/platform-tools)).
• 🔌 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 📄 Firmware for your model (download from the [en.miui.com](https://en.miui.com/download.html)).

Steps:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press the Power button + Volume down for 10 seconds to enter the Fastboot (a screen with a rabbit and a Fastboot inscription).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and open the command line in the folder with the platform-tools.
4. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices Must appear serial number of the device.
5. Run reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

If you don't turn on after these commands, you'll need a full flashing.

1. Download the firmware for your model (for example, tissot_global_images_V12.5.1.0.RDLMIXM_20210913.0000.00_11.0_global_1234567890.tgz).
2. Unblock it to a folder with platform-tools.
3. Run the command: fastboot flash all (on some models, use fastboot flash boot.img, etc. for each partition instead of all).

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Fastboot resets only user data, not system files. If the phone is “bricked” (not turned on at all), you need a complete flash flash all command.

5 Common errors after reset and their solutions

Even after successful formatting, problems can arise, and here are the most common ways to fix them:

If the phone is resetting, asks to enter the old PIN-code, although you have completed the full formatting, this means that:

• 🔹 Factory Reset Protection is available on the phone (FRP) Google.
• 🔹 You didn’t untidy your Mi Account before resetting.

FRP solution:

1. Connect your phone to Wi-Fi on the settings screen.
2. Enter the details from the Google account that was linked to the phone before the reset.
3. If you don’t remember the data, use [Google Recovery Service](https://accounts.google.com/).

Reset via the settings menu |

Recovery (volume buttons)|

Fastboot (via PC) |

I haven't tried it yet.-->

6. How to avoid data loss during formatting

Even if you back up some data, you might lose some of it. Here's how to minimize the risks:

• 📁 Local files: Transfer photos, videos and documents to your PC or cloud (Google Drive, Mi Cloud: /storage/emulated/0/MIUI/ /storage/emulated/0/Android/data/
• 📱 Contact and SMS: Export via Contacts (menu) → Contact management → Imports/Exports).
• 🎮 Save games: Use built-in sync (e.g. in Genshin Impact or in the game). PUBG Mobile) or utility like Helium (requires root).
• 🔑 Wi-Fi Passwords: Save Network Listings through Settings → Wi-Fi (click on the network) → Share).

To automate backup on Xiaomi:

1. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup.
2. Choose Local Backup or Cloud Backup (requires Mi Account).
3. Specify data for copying (applications, settings, multimedia).
4. Click Create a backup copy.

⚠️ Attention: Backup copies MIUI They're not compatible between different versions of the firmware. MIUI 13 may not recover on MIUI 14. Before reset, check the software version in Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI.

7. Formatting vs. flashing: which is better to choose

Many users confuse resetting and flashing, and let's look at the key differences:

Reflashing is required in cases:

• 🐌 Phone brakes heavily even after reset (maybe system memory is damaged).
• 🔄 You need to update/downgrade the version. MIUI.
• 🛠️ After a failed update, "over the air" (OTA).
• 🔓 To delete Mi Account without official unlocking (requires unlocking the bootloader).

If you decide to search the phone, follow this algorithm:

1. Unlock the bootloader via [Xiaomi official website] (https://en.miui.com/unlock/) (can take up to 72 hours).
2. Download the stock firmware for your model from [en.miui.com](https://en.miui.com/download.html).
3. Use the Mi Flash Tool to run in Fastboot mode.

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If the phone is stable, but you want to clean it before selling it, just reset the settings menu, and you only need to flash it when there are critical crashes or to update the software.

8.Frequent Questions About Xiaomi Formatting