How to completely erase your Xiaomi phone: 4 proven ways

Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings is a procedure that can be required in a variety of situations, from preparing the device for sale to eliminating critical system failures. However, the complete erasure of data on phones of this brand has its own nuances related to the binding to the Mi Account, the encryption of the /data partition and the features of the MIUI firmware. Mistakes can lead to a “brick” of the device or lock after a reboot.

In this article, we will look at all the current ways to reset, from the standard settings menu to low-level methods through Fastboot and Recovery. We will focus on unlocking after reset, as many users encounter a request for a Mi Account login even after full formatting. You will also learn how to check whether data is deleted without recovery, and what to do if the phone does not turn on after the procedure.

1.Reset preparation: what to do before deleting data

Before you start erasing information, follow a few critical steps that will save you from losing important files and problems activating the device after reset.

• 📱 Create a backup through Settings → The phone. → Backup or manually copy files to your PC. Mi Cloud cloud storage does not store all data (e.g, SMS And the notes may not be synchronized).
• 🔑 Make sure you remember the username and password from Mi Account. Once reset, the phone may require authorization, even if it has not previously requested it.
• 📡 Disable Google Account in Settings → Accounts if you plan to sell the device will prevent blocking through Google FRP.

If you reset your phone before selling, check the Mi Account status at account.xiaomi.com.The device must show as "inactive" after reset.Otherwise, the new owner may face lockdown.

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If you have forgotten your Mi Account password, restore it to the official website. Once reset, the recovery can be blocked for 72 hours due to security measures.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with MIUI 12+ and newer versions reset via the settings menu does not delete data from the section /sdcard (For complete erasure, use the method via Fastboot or format the memory separately.

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

This method is suitable for working devices when you have access to the system and remember the pattern lock./PIN-It retains its binding to Mi Account, but deletes all user data.

Instructions:

1. Open Settings → About the phone → Reset settings.
2. Select Erase All Data (on some models – Delete All Data and Reset Settings).
3. Enter the screen lock password if requested.
4. Confirm the action by clicking Reset the phone.

It takes 5-15 minutes, and after you restart, you'll be asked to set your phone up as new, and if the device requests a Mi Account login, enter your associated account details.

The device is loaded without errors|No request for the old one PIN-code|Mi Account is recognized (if it has been linked)|Internal memory is empty (check through the Explorer)-->

3. Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If your Xiaomi smartphone is stuck on the logo, unresponsive or locked with a pattern lock, use Recovery, which works on most models, including the Redmi Note 10/11, POCO X3/X4, Mi 11/12.

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
2. Click the combination: For most models: Volume up + Power for older devices (until 2018): Volume up + Volume down + Power

Mi

Recovery

Choose a language (usually English or Chinese).

Wipe Data → Wipe All Data

Confirm

Once completed, the phone will restart. If "This device is locked" is a bug, Mi Account protection is enabled, you will need authorization.

Method 3: Completely erasing via Fastboot (for power users)

This method deletes all data without recovery, including internal memory, and resets Mi Account protection (on some firmware), requires a computer with ADB/Fastboot drivers installed and a USB Type-C cable.

Warning: Wrong commands in Fastboot can turn your phone into a brick.

Steps:

1. Install Platform Tools from Google.
2. Turn off the phone and put it in Fastboot mode: Volume down + Power Hold until the hare appears in the hat-eared (lago Fastboot).
3. Connect your phone to your PC and check for device detection by command: fastboot devices must display a serial number.
4. Complete erasure (Warning, data will be deleted irrevocably!): fastboot erase userdata fastboot erase cache fastboot format:ext4 userdata fastboot format:ext4 cache
5. For models with an unlocked bootloader, additionally do: fastboot flash userdata userdata.img (the userdata.img file must be downloaded from the official firmware for your model).
6. Reboot the device: fastboot reboot

⚠️ Note: On phones with a blocked bootloader, fastboot erase commands can lead to an error "FAILED (remote: 'Flashing is not allowed in Lock State.

5. Method 4: Reset via Mi Account (Remote Erasure)

If a phone is lost or stolen, you can delete it remotely through Xiaomi’s Find Device service, which only works if:

• 📶 Device connected to the Internet (mobile data or Wi-Fi).
• 🔄 Synchronization with Mi Cloud enabled.
• 🔐 The phone is tied to your Mi Account.

Instructions:

1. Go to i.mi.com and log in.
2. Select the lost device in the list.
3. Click Erase Data and Confirm Action.

Once the command is completed, the phone will be reset to factory settings on its next Internet connection, and note that this method does not work on devices with data switched off or a battery drained.

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Remote erasure via Mi Account does not delete data from the memory card (microSD). If the phone has a flash drive, the information on it will remain available.

6.How to Unlock Xiaomi After Reset (solving Mi Account Problem)

Many users are faced with a request for a Mi Account login after a reset, even if they have not previously used it, which is due to the theft protection feature, which is activated automatically when an account is linked.

Official method (recommended):

1. Enter the username and password from the Mi Account that was linked to the phone.
2. If you forget your data, restore it via account.xiaomi.com.
3. After successful authorization, the lock will be removed.

Alternative methods (if the official method does not work):

• 📧 Contact Xiaomi with proof of purchase (check, box with) IMEI). The answer may take up to 7 days.
• 🔧 Swipe your phone through Fastboot with official firmware (requires an unlocked bootloader).
• 🛠️ Use service centers with access to Mi Authorized Unlock tools.

⚠️ Note: Methods of bypassing Mi Account lock through firmware "holes" (e.g. using the ADB or engineering menus often result in a complete loss of warranty and may be closed in newer versions MIUI. Starting with MIUI 13, most of these vulnerabilities have been fixed.

7.Result Check: How to Make Sure Data Is Actually Erased

Even after the reset, some of the information can remain on the device, and here's how to check that the phone is actually clean.

• 🔍 Check internal memory: connect your phone to your PC and make sure folders are in place DCIM, Downloads, WhatsApp empty.
• 📱 Run data recovery with programs like DiskDigger or Recuva, and if they can't find files, erasure is successful.
• 🔒 Make sure Mi Account is untied: go to your account settings on your phone – there should be no tied devices.

For maximum confidence that data recovery is impossible, use multiple overwrite via specialized utilities (for example, SD Card Formatter with Overwrite format option). On phones with MIUI 14+, this feature is built into the reset menu (Settings → Additional → Full erasure).

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If you sell a phone, take an IMEI photo (on the box or in the *#06# menu) and save it, which will help prove that the device was yours if the new owner wants to unlock the Mi Account.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi reset