Modern Xiaomi smartphones, running on the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS, accumulate a huge amount of data that can slow down the system over time. Sometimes the only right solution to restore performance or prepare the gadget for sale is a complete memory cleanup, which returns the device to its factory state, removing all user files, applications and settings.
The formatting process may be required not only for sale, but also for fixing software bugs, viruses or crashes after a failed update. It is important to understand the difference between a regular reset and deep formatting, since full formatting of the userdata partition makes data recovery almost impossible even for specialists.
Before you take action, you need to understand the consequences: you will lose contacts, photos, messaging, and installed programs if you don’t back up in advance, and we will detail how to properly prepare Redmi or Poco for this process to avoid being blocked by your Google or Mi Account.
Preparation of the device for complete reset
Starting with the critical point of saving information, many users ignore backups, relying on cloud services that can’t sync all folders. It is recommended to manually copy important documents and media files to a computer or external drive using the USB-cable.
The second step is to check the associated accounts, and if you have a Mi Account or Google account activated on your phone, you have to unplug them before resetting them, otherwise you have FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection, and once you turn on, the phone will require a password from the account that you may have forgotten.
Don’t forget to remove the microSD card and SIM-Although modern systems do not normally format external drives when internal partitions are reset, there is still a risk of accidental damage to the card file table if you choose to clean the entire storage.
Method 1: Standard reset via settings
The safest and easiest method is available right from the operating system interface. It's suitable for when the phone is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and you know the unlock password. To begin, open the Settings app and find the About Phone section.
At the bottom of the screen, there's a Reset button, and the system will offer two options: "Reset all settings" (without deleting data) and "Erase all data" (full reset), and we need the second option, and after selecting, the system will request confirmation and possibly enter a password or a pattern lock.
⚠️ Note: If you have two-factor authentication enabled or protection against theft, your phone may require proof of login via SMS or notification on another trusted device.
The process of deleting data can take from 5 to 20 minutes depending on the amount of information. The smartphone will reboot several times, and you will see the Xiaomi logo with a progress indicator.
What to do if the reset button is inactive?
If the option to erase the data is grey, check if the Find the Device function is enabled. Also, the button can be blocked if the phone has corporate profiles or device administrators that prohibit resetting.> Method 2: Formatting via Recovery Mode If the system does not boot or the touch screen does not work, Recovery mode is used. This is an integrated environment that allows you to control the phone at a low level. To log in, you need to turn off the smartphone completely, and then press the key combination: Volume + Power. Hold the buttons until the Mi logo appears loudly, then hold the button to the menu, then you hold it to the button to the button to the speaker, you will be loudly switch to the menu. From the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data, then Wipe All Data. The system will alert you to data loss. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm. Once the procedure is complete, select Back to Main Menu and then Reboot to restart in normal mode. Action button combination Result Login to Recovery Volume Up + Menu Recovery Entrance to Fastboot Volume Down + Power Firmware Mode (Hare) Forced Reboot Power (10sec) Emergency restart Screenshot in Recovery Volume Up + Down Log Saving Method 3: Deep Cleaning Through PC and ADB For advanced users, there is a method of formatting through a computer using debugging by USB. This method allows you to erase data even in cases where standard methods fail. USB Driver and platform SDK Platform Tools on your computer. You need to activate the developer mode on the phone. To do this, seven times click on the build number in the About Phone section, then turn on the Advanced Settings menu. USB-Connect your smartphone to your PC with a cable and open the command line in the tool folder. ADB. adb reboot bootloader fastboot erase userdata fastboot reboot The fastboot erase userdata command performs a forced erasure of the user partition. This action is irreversible and occurs faster than a standard reset. Use this method only if you understand what you are doing, as a command error may affect the system partition. ⚠️ Attention: fastboot commands run at bootloader level. Misuse can turn the phone into a "brick" requiring flashing over MiFlash. Mi and Google account problems (FRP) One of the main problems after formatting is FRP (Factory Reset Protection) blocking. This is a security mechanism that prevents the use of the stolen device. If you do not log out before resetting, the phone will require you to enter a password when you first set up. Xiaomi owners should also be afraid of being linked to Mi Account. If the Find Device function was active, Xiaomi servers will remember the serial number of the device. When you connect to Wi-Fi after reset, the device will request the username and password from the Mi Account to which it was associated with the first setting. If the Xiaomi owner also fears about the registration of the virus, you will often use the password for the restoration of the registration of the program. When formatting is intended to sell or transfer a phone to another person, a normal reset procedure may not be enough to guarantee data deletion. Current information recovery methods allow you to lift files even after a standard Wipe Data. For maximum security, experts recommend filling your phone’s memory with useless garbage after the first reset (for example, record several hours of high-resolution video), and then reset. This overwrite memory sectors with new data, making it impossible to restore old information. Also remember to remove the phone from the list of trusted devices in the security settings of your accounts (Google, social networks, banks). This will prevent unauthorized access to your data through saved sessions if they somehow survive or are intercepted. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) How long does it take Xiaomi to fully format? Usually the process takes 5 to 15 minutes. The time depends on the amount of information accumulated and the speed of the internal drive. If the phone is stuck on the logo for more than 30 minutes, there may have been a firmware failure. Will the Android or MIUI version be deleted when reset? No, the standard reset only returns user settings and files to the factory state. The operating system and shell version will remain the one that was installed on the format if the phone is needed to be reset. It's not recommended to interrupt the process, but if the phone doesn't respond for more than an hour, you can force a reboot by pressing the power button. However, this can damage the file system and require a flashing through the PC. What if, after a reset, the phone requires a code from the previous owner? This is FRP protection. Without entering the account data that was synchronized before the reset, you can not use the phone. You need to contact the previous owner or provide purchase documents to the service center.