How to erase all data on Xiaomi phone: the complete guide

Selling a smartphone, handing it over to a relative, or simply wanting to start with a clean slate requires a complete cleanup of internal storage. Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi, and Poco devices often wonder how to ensure that personal information is deleted so it does not fall into the wrong hands. Simply deleting files through a conductor does not provide 100% security guarantees, since the data remains in memory until it is overwritten.

The correct approach to the reset procedure avoids locking your Mi Account by a new owner and protects your privacy. Current versions of the MIUI shell and HyperOS offer built-in tools for safe removal, but it is important to follow the sequence of actions. In this article, we will discuss all the nuances, from device preparation to deep cleaning through the engineering menu.

There are several ways to get the gadget back to its original state: through the settings menu, through volume buttons or remotely through a cloud service. The choice of method depends on the current state of the smartphone and the availability of the touch screen. It is important to understand that the process is irreversible, so pre-backup is critical.

Preparation of the device for complete reset

Before you start any manipulation of system files, you need to make sure you have saved all the important contacts, photos and documents. Internal memory will be fully formatted, so data loss is inevitable if you don't backup in advance. Use Google cloud services or Mi Cloud to automatically sync.

Be sure to check the battery level.The process of erasing data and reinstalling system files can take 10 to 30 minutes, and a sudden power outage will lead to a critical Bootloop error.If the battery is dead during formatting, the phone may stop turning on and need to flash through the computer.

It is also worth untethering bank cards and disabling two-factor authentication in applications where possible. After a reset, you will not be able to receive a confirmation SMS code on this number if you have a validation code. SIM-The card will already be inserted into another phone, which will protect your financial resources from potential access.

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Save screenshots of Wi-Fi settings and important network parameters - after reset, you will have to enter passwords again, and remember them by heart is not always possible.

Reset method via MIUI and HyperOS settings

The safest and most recommended cleaning method is to use a regular menu, which is suitable for devices that respond to touch, and the operating system is stable, and the algorithm of actions may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and the shell.

To start, go to the settings section. Find About Phone or Advanced Settings. In newer versions of HyperOS, the menu logic has been changed, and reset features often hide deep in the security subsections. Be careful when choosing options so you don't remove the extra.

• 📱 Click on the Settings icon on the desktop.
• 🔍 In the search for settings, enter the word "Reset" or "Clean up".
• ⚙️ Select Resetting or Factory Reset.
• 🗑️ Click the button to erase all data at the bottom of the screen.

The system will ask for proof of identity, you will need to enter a screen unlock password or a pattern lock, which is protection against accidental or malicious resetting of the device by unauthorized persons, and after entering the code, the preparation process will begin, which can take several minutes.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone has a Mi Account password, the system will require you to enter it before resetting. This is a theft protection feature.

Delete data via Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

If the smartphone is frozen, doesn't turn on to the desktop, or the touch screen doesn't work, Recovery mode will help. It's a low-level recovery environment built into the device's memory regardless of the operating system status, and it's entered with a combination of physical buttons.

To enter the recovery menu, you need to turn off your phone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears. When the menu appears in English, the power button can be released.

Key combinations for entry:




Volume Up + Power (Principal Method)




Volume Down + Power (for login to Fastboot, not suitable for reset)

Navigation in the Recovery menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is confirmed by a short press of the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data item and select it. Next, the system will suggest select Wipe All Data.

Once you select the reset point, the system can request confirmation by suggesting you select Confirm. The erasure process will take some time. Upon completion, the Success message will appear on the screen. After that, select Reboot to reboot the device in normal mode.

Remote cleaning through Find Device

In the event of a smartphone loss or theft, physical access to the buttons is impossible. This is where Xiaomi’s cloud-based Find Device comes in, and the device must be on, connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network) and authorized to operate on a Mi Account.

Go from your computer or other phone to the official i.mi.com website, enter the username and password of the Mi Account that was active on the lost device, select the smartphone you want from the list of devices, and if geolocation is enabled, you will see its location on the map.

• 🌐 Go to cloud.mi.com or i.mi.com.
• 🔑 Sign in to your Mi Account.
• 📱 Select the device from the list in the interface.
• 🚫 Press the button to erase data (Erase Device).

Once the command is given, the phone will receive a full reset signal, and the data will be deleted even if the phone is in sleep mode as soon as it communicates with the server, which is a powerful security tool, but it requires presetting and Internet access.

⚠️ Warning: After a remote reset, the phone will be locked with the activation screen. To use it, the new owner will need a login and password from your Mi Account. Be sure to remove the device from the list of trusted in the account settings after the reset.

Reset nuances with a forgotten password

The situation where the user has forgotten the pattern lock or unlock password is one of the most difficult. Resetting through the settings menu in this case is impossible, since the system requires confirmation to log in.

However, once reset, FRP (Factory Reset Protection) is activated, which is Google's security mechanism that links the device to the last Google account used, and when you first set up after reset, the phone will require you to enter an email and password that were synced earlier.

If you don't remember your Google account, it's very difficult or impossible to unlock your phone legally without going to the service center with a check to buy it, and it's done to protect your data in the event of theft.

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Recovery does not remove Google FRP protection. You will still need the account data that was previously on the phone.

Frequent mistakes and ways to solve them

During the cleaning process, users may encounter various problems, such as a phone that can hang on a logo or restart indefinitely, often due to damage to system files during formatting or a lack of battery power.

If the phone doesn't turn on after reset, try a forced reboot by holding the power button for 15-20 seconds. If that doesn't help, you'll need to flash the device through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility. This is a more complex procedure that requires drivers and a firmware file.

Another common problem is the error of deleting your account, where if you didn't log out of your Mi Account before selling, the new owner won't be able to fully use the phone, and they'll be constantly notified that the device is locked.