Xiaomi’s full formatting: 5 ways to reset to factory settings

Xiaomi’s full formatting is a radical way to bring the smartphone back to factory status when standard optimization methods are no longer working.This procedure removes all user data, apps and settings, returning the device to a “clean” state, as after purchase. But not everyone knows that a full reset on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices can be done in at least five different ways, from a simple menu in settings to low-level formatting via Fastboot.

In this article, we will discuss all the current methods, including hidden Mi Recovery features, working with the Mi Flash Tool to firmware a clean image, as well as recovery after a failed formatting. Particular attention will be paid to the nuances for devices with a locked bootloader and models based on HyperOS (2026). If your Xiaomi is slowing down, does not turn on or is infected with viruses, here you will find a solution.

1.When should Xiaomi be fully formatted?

Complete reset is not a panacea, but in some cases it is the only way to bring the device back to life.

• 🐢 The smartphone lags even after cleaning the cache and removing applications (booting the system takes up a lot of time). >30 seconds).
• 🔄 Cyclical Bootloop: The device turns on, shows the Mi logo and shuts off again.
• 📱 The lock screen does not respond to password/fingerprint input, although the device is charged.
• 🦠 Suspicion of a virus or malware that is not removed by an antivirus (e.g., status bar advertising).
• 🔧 Before selling or transferring a phone to another user (even after deleting files, data can be restored).

However, there are situations where formatting will not help or exacerbate the problem:

• 🔋 The battery is swollen or the phone does not hold the charge (>50% battery wear).
• 💧 Fluids have fallen - you need to dry the fee first.
• 📡 Network problems (not catching) SIM Wi-Fi – often the communication module is to blame, not the software.

⚠️ Note: On devices with an unlocked bootloader (for example, after installing custom firmware), a complete reset via Fastboot can lead to brick (turning into a brick) if you use the wrong firmware. Always check the phone model with the command fastboot getvar product.

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

If the phone turns on and responds to touch, start with this method. It does not require a computer and saves the possibility of rollback through the Mi Cloud (if sync was enabled).

Step-by-step:

1. Open Settings → About Phone → Memory (or Settings → Additional → Recovery and Reset on Older versions of MIUI).
2. Select Resetting → Delete all data.
3. Enter the password from your Mi Account (if linked) or a pattern lock.
4. Confirm the action with the Reset button (some models will require CAPTCHA).

It takes 5-15 minutes to do this, and after you restart, you'll be asked to set your phone up as new, and if you have a "failed to reset" error at this point, go to method 3 (Recovery).

Make a backup copy in Mi Cloud|Remember the username/password from the Xiaomi account|Charge your phone at least 50 times%|Delete SD-card (if any)

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3. Method 2: Hard Reset via Recovery Mode

This method works even if the phone is not booted into the system, but responds to power and volume buttons. Suitable for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, including new ones on HyperOS.

How to log in to Recovery:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume up and hold until the Mi logo appears.
3. Release the buttons when the Recovery menu appears (usually in Chinese or English).

Further action:

• 🌐 Use volume buttons for navigation, power for selection.
• 🔍 Choose Wipe Data → Wipe All Data is called Clear Data on some models).
• 🔄 Confirm the reset (a password from Mi Account may be required).
• 📱 After completion, select Reboot. → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS (2026), the Recovery menu may not have Wipe All Data. Select Advanced instead → Format Data, but it will delete all internal memory, including files on the "internal" SD-map".

Method 3: Full formatting via Fastboot (for experienced)

This method removes all partitions, including system, data, and cache, and requires a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed.

• 🔴 Not even downloaded to Recovery.
• 🔄 Stuck on the Mi logo or bootloop.
• 📦 Requires a clean firmware installation (for example, after a failed update).

Step-by-step:

1. Download the Mi Flash Tool (the official tool from Xiaomi) and the firmware for your model (choose the Fastboot version, not Recovery).
2. Unpack the firmware in a folder without Cyrillic characters (for example, C:\MiFlash\rom).
3. Turn off the phone and press Volume Down + Power to enter the Fastboot (the image of a hare in a hat-eared will appear).
4. Connect your phone to your PC via USB and start the Mi Flash Tool.
5. In the program, click Select, specify the path to the folder with the firmware, then Refresh (the device should appear).
6. Select Clean All mode (full formatting) and press Flash.

It takes 5 to 20 minutes. When it's done, it automatically restarts. If you have an anti-rollback error, you're trying to flash the old version of the software, download the newer firmware.

fastboot oem device-info

If the answer Device unlocked: false, it means that the bootloader is blocked - unlock it through the official Xiaomi website (you will need an account binding and wait 72-168 hours).

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5. Method 4: Formatting via ADB (for unlocked bootloader)

This method is suitable if you have access to ADB (e.g., the phone is turned on but the reset menu is not available) requires USB debugging enabled and an unlocked bootloader.

Instructions:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and allow debugging over USB (in the developer settings).
2. Open the command line in the platform-tools folder and type in: adb shell recovery --wipe_data
3. If the team didn't work, try: adb reboot recovery fastboot --wipe-data

To completely remove all partitions (including internal memory) use:

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot format:ext4 userdata




fastboot format:ext4 cache

⚠️ Note: The fastboot erase command without subsequent format can cause file system errors.Always format partitions after erasure.

6. Method 5: Hardware reset via test menu (for older models)

Some Xiaomi devices from 2016-2019 (e.g. Redmi 4X, Mi A1) have a hidden engineering menu that allows you to reset settings without a password, which works even if you forget the pattern lock.

How to activate:

1. Turn off the phone.
2. Press Volume up + Volume down + Power at the same time for 10-15 seconds.
3. Release the buttons when a menu labeled Test Mode appears.
4. Select Wipe & Reset → Wipe All Data (navigation – volume buttons, choice – power).

If the menu doesn’t appear, try an alternative combination:

• 🔢 Dial on the phone turned off ##3646633## (code engineering menu).
• 📱 Go to Debugging. → Factory Reset.

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7.Recovery after failed formatting

If the phone doesn’t turn on, gets stuck on the logo, or shows a “No command” error after reset, try the following steps:

• 🔄 Fastboot Firmware: Download the full firmware for your model and run it through the Mi Flash Tool (select Clean All and Lock if you plan to sell your phone).
• 🔧 Recovery IMEI: If it's gone after the dump. IMEI (No network, use the tool SN Write Tool (requires authorization on Xiaomi servers).
• 📡 Problems with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth: Reset your network settings via Recovery (Wipe) → Wipe Network Settings).

If your phone has turned into a brick (no button response, no computer detection), try:

1. Connect charging for 30 minutes – sometimes helps to “resuscitate” the power controller.
2. Press Power + Volume up + Volume down for 20-30 seconds (hardware controller reset).
3. Use EDL Mode (Emergency Firmware Mode) through UFi boxing or EasyJTAG (requires soldering skills).

8. Frequent mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users make mistakes when formatting Xiaomi, and here are the most common ones:

• 🔌 Interrupting: If you pull the cable out during firmware through the Mi Flash Tool, the phone can turn into a brick.
• 📥 Installation of firmware from another model (for example, Redmi Note 11 instead of Redmi Note 11 Pro) will lead to an anti-rollback error.
• 🔒 Forgotten Mi Account: If the phone was tied to the Xiaomi account, after reset, you will need to enter a login / password.
• 🗃️ Unmade backup: After full formatting, data (photos, messages) can only be recovered from a backup of Mi Cloud or Google Drive.

To avoid problems:

• 📋 Write down before resetting. IMEI (type *#06# and the firmware version (Settings) → The phone. → Version. MIUI).
• 🔋 Charge your phone at least 70% – discharging during the process can damage the file system.
• 🖥️ Use the original. USB-cable USB 2.0 (ports) USB 3.0 sometimes causes firmware errors).

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FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions