How to erase memory on Xiaomi phone: a complete reset without errors

Why reset your Xiaomi phone to factory settings?

Resetting on Xiaomi smartphones is a radical but effective way to get the device back on track, get rid of viruses, or prepare the gadget for sale. The procedure removes all user data: photos, messages, accounts and installed apps, returning the phone to a “out of the box” state, but many users make critical mistakes that lead to loss of access to Mi Account or incomplete deletion of files.

In this article, we will discuss three official ways to completely reset — through settings, Recovery mode and Fastboot, and also tell you how to avoid typical problems. MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS-based phones, where the process is different from older firmware versions.

Before you start, check if your Xiaomi is linked to a Mi Account with Find Device activated, otherwise, after a reset, the phone may lock and require the username / password of the previous owner.

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

This method is suitable if the phone turns on, you remember the pattern lock/PIN-You can access the menu, it's the simplest and the least risky, because it doesn't affect system partitions.

Instructions for MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 7-10 times on the MIUI version (or HyperOS version) to activate the developer mode.
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Reset.
4. Click Erase all data and confirm the action.

It takes 5-15 minutes, and the phone will reboot and suggest that you configure it as new, and the important thing is that if you had Find Device on before the reset, you'll need to enter the data from the Mi Account that was linked to the device after the reboot.

Make sure your phone is charged at least 50%|Keep a backup copy of important data|Untie Maps and Accounts from Google Pay/Mi Pay|Remember the username/password from Mi Account (if tied)-->

Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If a Xiaomi smartphone is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touch or is locked with a pattern lock, resetting through recovery mode will help, which works even on “bricks” (defaulting devices), but requires accuracy.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press Power + Volume up for 10 seconds).
2. Keep Power + Volume up until the Mi logo appears.
3. In the Recovery menu, select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (manage by volume buttons, confirm by power button).
4. Confirm the action and wait until the end (the screen will appear the words Data wipe successful).
5. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

On some models (e.g. Redmi Note 12 or POCO F5), the Recovery menu may be in Chinese.

• 🔹 The first item is reboot (Reboot)
• 🔹 The second is power off (Power Off)
• 🔹 The third is reset (Wipe Data)

⚠️ Note: On devices with a bootloader, a reset via Recovery may trigger Mi Account protection. If you don't remember your account details, the phone will become a brick"!

Method 3: Complete Fastboot reset (for power users)

This method is used if the first two fail or you need to delete all data, including system files, guaranteed. ADB/Fastboot cable USB Type-C.

Instructions:

1. Download Google’s Platform Tools and unpack the archive.
2. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Hold Power + Volume down 10 seconds.
3. Connect your smartphone 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 If the device is determined, perform a full reset: fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot reboot

For models with an unlocked bootloader, you can use the fastboot-w command, which will reset the phone and restart it in normal mode. On devices with HyperOS (such as the Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70), an additional command may be required:

fastboot erase metadata

⚠️ Warning: On HyperOS devices (released after 2023), a Fastboot reset without an erase metadata command could lead to a cyclical reboot!

Through the settings menu | Through Recovery Mode | Through Fastboot | Never reset |Another way-->

What to do after resetting: setup and recovery of data

After a successful reset, Xiaomi will offer to go through the initial setup.

1. Skip the recovery from the backup if you sell your phone, otherwise the new user data will be mixed with the old one.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi and update your firmware to the latest version (this will fix any bugs after reset).
3. If the phone is locked on the screen This device is linked to a Mi Account, enter the account details that were tied before the reset. What if you don't remember the password?

For the recovery of personal data:

• 📱 Use Mi Cloud if sync was enabled before reset (photos, contacts, notes will be automatically restored).
• 🖥️ Connect your phone to your PC and use programs like Dr.Fone or EaseUS MobiSaver to recover deleted files (not all models).
• 🔄 If you have made a backup copy through Settings → Additionally. → Backup, restore it after you log in to your Mi Account.

💡

If the phone is slower after reset, try to turn off the animation system. To do this, activate the developer mode (7 taps by the build number in "About Phone") and in Settings → Additional → For developers, set all animation options to Animation disabled.

Typical Resetting Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes face problems after a reset, and here are the most common mistakes and solutions:

• 🔋 The phone went out during the reset. → Connect the charger and repeat the procedure. If the device doesn't turn on, use Fastboot.
• 🔒 Blocked on the Mi Account screen → Enter the account that was linked before the reset.If you don't remember the password, try to restore it via account.xiaomi.com.
• 📱 After reset, the camera or sensors do not work. → Update your firmware to the latest version or reset again via Fastboot.
• 🗃️ Data not deleted completely → In some models (for example, POCO X3) You need to manually format the userdata partition via Fastboot.

If Xiaomi phone doesn’t turn on or boots into a bootloop after reset, system files are likely damaged, in which case only flashing through the Mi Flash Tool will help.

💡

On HyperOS devices (2023-2026), Recovery resets don’t always delete data completely. Use Fastboot with fastboot erase metadata to ensure cleanup.

How to erase data without recovery (for sale)

If you sell or transfer a phone, it's not enough to just reset, you can recover data with special software, if you don't overwrite the memory. Here's how to reset without the possibility of recovery:

1. Reset via Fastboot (see Method 3).
2. After restarting, don’t set up your phone – turn it off immediately.
3. Fill the memory with junk data: 📸 Take 100 to 200 photos of the black screen (to overwrite old files). 🎵 Upload several large videos (such as movies in the 4K) And remove them immediately. 🎮 Install and uninstall some heavy games (such as Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile).

Fastboot

This method overwrites memory cells, making it almost impossible to recover old data. Repeat the procedure 2-3 times for maximum security.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset