Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have a lot of functionality, but over time they can start to run slower, glitches or overflow with system debris. In such situations, users often look for a way to return the device to factory speed and cleanliness of the system. Full formatting is a radical but effective method that removes all user data and returns the software to its original state.
The reset procedure is necessary not only for performance problems, but also before selling the gadget so that the new owner does not get access to your personal information. It is important to understand that a complete reset will destroy all photos, contacts, applications and files stored in internal memory.
In this guide, we’ll look at all the formatting options available, from the standard settings menu to more sophisticated methods through Recovery Recovery Mode.You’ll learn how to properly prepare your device, what steps to follow consistently, and how to avoid common errors that can lead to account lockdown or data loss.
Preparing the smartphone for a complete reset
Before you start the cleanup process, you have to do a number of preparatory steps. Ignoring this step can lead to the fact that after you turn on the phone will ask for a password from a Google or Mi Account that you do not have access to, or you will lose important files forever. Backup is the first and most important step.
Make sure the battery is at least 50-60%. The process of formatting and then setting up the system can take a long time, and if the device turns off in the middle of the procedure, it can damage the system files.
⚠️ Warning: If you don't know the password from your Mi Account or Google account linked to your phone, be sure to restore access before reset. Otherwise, anti-theft protection will work, and unlocking the device will be extremely difficult.
There are a number of ways to back up. The easiest way to do this is to use cloud services. Xiaomi users have Mi Cloud, which automatically synchronizes contacts, notes, photos and settings. You can also use Google Drive to save app data and contact lists.
For more advanced users, it is recommended to use local backup to your computer or external drive, which allows you to save not only contacts, but also media files, documents and even APK-Files of installed applications without compression and loss of quality.
- 📸 Make copies of all important photos and videos by moving them to your computer or cloud storage.
- 📞 Export your contact list to.vcf and save it separately.
- 🔐 Write down or remember passwords from Wi-Fi networks, social media accounts and banking applications.
- 💳 Extract. SIM-microSD card and memory card before the procedure, so as not to accidentally format them.
☑️ Preparation for formatting
Once all the data is saved, you can go directly to the procedure. There are two main methods: soft reset via the settings menu and hard reset via Recovery mode. The choice of method depends on whether the phone has access to the menu or it is locked.
Reset via the system settings menu
This is the easiest and safest way for most users, and it's available if you can unlock your smartphone screen and log in to the main menu. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, but the logic remains the same.
To start, open the Settings app on your desktop or in the notification curtain. Scroll down to About Phone or Advanced Settings. In newer firmware versions, the feature you want is often hidden under Privacy Protection.
Find “Reset” or “Erase all data” and the system will warn you that all files will be deleted, and here it is important to select the option “Clear all data” to perform the full formatting, not just reset network settings or shortcuts.
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If you have two-factor authentication enabled on your Mi Account, make sure that you have a SIM-The card with the phone number is in another device or at hand, as a confirmation code may be required.
After confirmation of action, the system can request a pattern lock, PIN-The unlock code or password is a security measure that prevents unauthorized people from accidentally resetting the screen, and you enter the code and it starts automatically.
The phone will reboot and the Xiaomi logo will appear on the screen with a progress indicator, during which time the device will completely rewrite the system partition.
Formatting with Recovery Mode
If the smartphone is not turned on, stuck on the logo or you forgot the password to unlock the screen, the only option is to use Recovery Mode Recovery Mode. This method works at the system level and does not require access to the desktop.
To enter this mode, you need to turn off the device completely. Then press the on button and the volume button at the same time ("Loud +"). Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but continue to hold "Loud +" until the Recovery menu appears.
In the Recovery menu, the control is done with volume buttons (up/down for moving) and a power button (to confirm the selection). The default interface language can be Chinese or English. Find Wipe Data or Erase Data.
⚠️ Warning: In Recovery mode, the touch screen may not work. Use physical volume buttons to navigate the menu to select the desired item.
Once you select the Wipe Data option, the system will prompt you to confirm the action. Select Wipe All Data and confirm by selecting Confirm. The process will take a few minutes, after which the phone will return to the main Recovery menu.
Select Reboot and then Reboot to System, and the device will reboot, and the initial setup will begin, as if you had just bought a new phone in a store, and all data will be permanently deleted.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
Delete your Google and Mi Account before resetting
One of the most important security measures in Android is protection against theft, and if a Google or Mi Account is added to a phone, the device will require that the password be entered on the first activation, so that the thief cannot use the stolen phone after formatting.
If you plan to sell the phone or transfer it to another person, it is crucial to log out of all accounts before the reset procedure begins, otherwise the new owner will not be able to use the device without your data, which will create an awkward situation.
To exit your Mi Account, go to the settings, click on the top plaque with your username, and select "Get out." Similarly, do the same thing with your Google account: go to your account settings, select the one you want, and click "Delete Account."
Deleting an account is different from simply logging out, and when you delete an account from a device, all the data associated with it on that particular phone is erased, but the account itself remains active on the servers, which is ideal for preparing the gadget for sale.
| Action. | Impact on data | Necessity of password after reset |
|---|---|---|
| Simple resetting of settings | Data is deleted | Account password required |
| Exiting your account before resetting | Data is deleted | Not required |
| Reset via Recovery | Complete removal | Account password required |
| Removing the SIM before resetting | Preservation of numbers | Doesn't affect accounts. |
Ignoring this step will result in an activation screen that says, "This device has been fermented. To continue, log in to a Google account that was previously synced to this device."
Solving problems after formatting
Once the phone is formatted and turned on, it may not behave as expected. The first turn on after a reset always takes longer than usual, as the system needs to index files and update service components.
A common problem is the battery's quick discharge in the first hours of operation, which is normal because the background processes optimize the system, so let the phone lie on charge in a Wi-Fi-connected state for about an hour.
If the phone continues to glitches, warms, or fails to catch the network after the reset, it may not be a software failure that is the problem, but a system partition or hardware malfunction, in which case it may be necessary to flash the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.
It’s also worth checking for system updates. Often, bugs that caused the need to reset have already been fixed in newer versions of MIUI. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and click the update check button.
- 🔋 Allow the phone to fully charge without use within the first hour after switching on.
- 📶 Check the work. SIM-Maps and mobile internet, make sure the network is determined.
- 🔄 Install all available system and app updates via Google Play.
- 🛡️ Install antivirus software if you plan to download applications from unknown sources.
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If after a complete reset and update of the system problems persist, the probability of hardware malfunction is high, and it is worth contacting the service center.
Data security and information disposal
Many users mistakenly believe that simply deleting files or even resetting settings is enough to completely destroy sensitive information, but modern data recovery techniques allow you to lift deleted information from memory if it was not overwritten.
If you dispose of an old phone or transfer it to an outsider, it is recommended that after the first reset, fill the device’s memory with unnecessary large files (for example, record several hours of high-resolution video), and then reset.
Data encryption is another layer of protection. In modern versions of Android, internal memory is encrypted by default. When you reset the encryption keys are destroyed, making the remaining bits unreadable without the key. However, for maximum security, it is better to use the double-write method when selling.
⚠️ Warning: Don’t trust Find Device to outsiders.Be sure to remove the device from your trusted list in your Google and Mi Account before selling it so the new owner can register it for himself.
Remember that you are responsible for the data left on the device sold, and careful preparation and dual control of deleting accounts ensure that your digital life remains safe.