How to erase data from Xiaomi Redmi: the complete guide

Owners of Xiaomi Redmi smartphones sooner or later face the need to completely clean the device, this may be due to the sale of the gadget, transferring it to relatives or the desire to eliminate software errors accumulated during active use. The process of formatting internal memory requires care, as it will be almost impossible to recover deleted files without prior backup.

There are several proven methods to perform this operation: through the standard settings menu, using the control buttons in Recovery mode or remotely through the Mi Cloud service. Each method has its own characteristics and is suitable for different situations, for example, when the phone screen does not respond or you forgot the pattern lock. Below we will discuss all the options in detail so that you can choose the most suitable for your case.

Preparation of the device for complete reset

Before embarking on radical measures to clean up the internal drive, a number of preparatory steps must be taken, and ignoring this step can lead to the loss of important contacts, photos and passwords from applications, and first of all, you should create a full backup of the system using built-in MIUI tools or third-party cloud storage.

Make sure the battery is charged at least 50-60%. The formatting process may take 10 before 30 minutes depending on the amount of memory, and a sudden power outage can damage system partitions. SIM-microSD card and memory card, unless you plan to erase information from them.

If you plan to sell your phone, be sure to untie your phone from your accounts before resetting, otherwise the new owner will face FRP (Factory Reset Protection) activation blocking, and the phone will turn into a brick before entering your data.

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Take screenshots of important app settings before resetting. Often users forget what settings were set in specific programs, and screenshots will help quickly restore the work environment.

Method 1: Reset via the settings menu

The easiest and most secure method available to every user is to use the standard operating system interface, which is suitable if the screen is working properly and you remember the unlock password. First, go to Settings and find About the phone, which is usually located at the bottom of the list.

In the menu that opens, select Reset, then click on the Delete All Data button, and the system will warn you that all files will be destroyed. If the device has password protection enabled, you will need to enter it to confirm the operation, and then the cleaning process will begin, which may take some time.

Importantly, after the reboot, the phone will look like you just bought it in a store.You will have to re-set your initial setup, select a language, and connect to Wi-Fi.This is the perfect way to erase data from Xiaomi before selling, as it ensures that user content is deleted by software.

Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode

If the smartphone doesn't turn on, freezes on the logo or the touch screen doesn't respond to touch, the only way out is to use Recovery Mode, which allows you to perform what's called Hard Reset, ignoring the state of the operating system. To enter this mode, you need to turn off the device completely.

After turning it off, press 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, continuing to hold the volume. In a few seconds, the Recovery menu will open, where the volume buttons (up/down) and the power button confirmation are controlled.

⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touchscreen does not work, all actions are performed with mechanical buttons on the body. Be careful when choosing menu items, so as not to start unnecessary processes.

In the menu that appears, select the language (if available) or immediately go to Wipe Data. Then the system will prompt you to select Wipe All Data and confirm the action by selecting Confirm. After the process is complete, click Back to Main Menu and select Reboot, and then Reboot to System. The phone will restart, and the long initialization procedure will begin.

Remote cleaning through Mi Cloud

There are different situations: the phone can be lost or stolen, and physical access to it is impossible, in which case the Mi Cloud cloud service comes to the rescue, and to use this method, you need to have the Internet on the device and activate the "Find device" function.

Go from your computer or other smartphone to the official i.mi.com website and log in to your Mi Account. In the interface, select Devices, find your Redmi in the list, and select Delete Data command. The system will send a signal to the phone, and the first time you connect to the network, it will be fully formatted.

This also allows you to lock your device or display a contact number message if you hope to return it, but remember that remote reset only works if you have an active Internet connection. If the phone is turned off or in flight mode, the command will only be executed after the network is available.

Cleaning through computer and ADB

For advanced users who prefer complete control of the process, there is a method of cleaning through debugging. USB. This method requires pre-configuration: the phone must be enabled by the developer menu and activated function. USB Debugging. Drivers must also be installed on the computer. ADB.

Connect your smartphone to your PC and open the command line in the ADB tool folder. Enter the command to check the connection: adb devices. If the device appears in the list, you can go to the reset command. Enter the following code:

adb reboot recovery

Once the command is executed, the phone will automatically reboot to Recovery mode, where you can reset with buttons, as described in the second section. Alternatively, if access rights allow, you can use the adb shell recovery command. --wipe_data, But it doesn't work on all firmware versions. MIUI security constraints.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-A syntax error or a wrong partition can cause a software breakdown of the phone that can only be fixed by flashing it.

Google Account Problem (FRP Lock)

One of the main problems after a reset is FRP (Factory Reset Protection) locking, which is a security mechanism that requires you to enter a password from a Google account that was synced to the phone before the reset, and if you don't remember the data, the device will be locked.

To avoid this situation, before selling or resetting, be sure to delete your Google account from your phone settings. Go to Settings → Accounts & Sync → Google, select your address and click Delete Account. Only then can you safely format.

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Deleting your Google account before reset is the only guaranteed way to avoid FRP blocking on your new device.

If you bought a used phone and were faced with a request for the password of the previous owner, the only legal way to unlock it is to communicate with the seller. Bypassing FRP by third-party methods is a complex procedure, often requiring specialized software and does not guarantee the result on new versions of Android.

What to do after formatting

After you've successfully completed the process and loaded your desktop, don't rush to install all the applications in a row. First, check the basic functions: microphone, speakers, cameras and communication modules. Make sure the sensor responds correctly throughout the screen area.

Now you can start restoring data from the backup. Android will offer to restore apps and settings from the Google cloud when you first sign in. This will save time, but note that some data may not be restored if it wasn't synced before.

To improve security, it is recommended to set a strong password or biometric protection immediately. Also remember to update to the latest available version via Settings → About Phone → MIUI version to close vulnerabilities that may have been in the factory firmware.