How to completely erase all data from your Xiaomi phone

The procedure for completely cleaning a Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco smartphone is critical not only when preparing a device for sale, but also when the gadget begins to work incorrectly. Many users mistakenly believe that simply deleting files manually is enough, but modern methods of recovering information allow you to return deleted photos and documents even after a standard cleaning of the basket, which is why you need to understand the difference between surface deleting and deep formatting of internal memory.

In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to return the device to factory status, we will touch on both standard methods through the operating system menu, and deeper ways to clean through the Recovery engineering menu.

Before you start to take irreversible actions, you need to realize that the process of erasure is one-sided, once it is completed, it will be impossible to restore information without a backup copy, system files, contacts, correspondence and media files will be destroyed forever.

Modern Xiaomi smartphones use a complex file system where data can be scattered across different parts of memory. Simply deleting does not guarantee that the memory sector where the file was stored will be overwritten with zeros.

Some users ignore the preparatory stage, which often leads to unpleasant surprises, such as losing access to accounts or locking the device with FRP protection. We strongly advise you to carefully study each step to avoid locking the device over IMEI or binding to someone else’s cloud storage.

Preparation of the device for complete reset

The first and most important step is backing up. The MIUI ecosystem and the new HyperOS have powerful backup tools that you can use the built-in Mi Cloud app or local save to your SD card, as long as that option is supported by your model.

Be sure to check the activation status of the security features. If the phone is enabled lock screen, two-factor authentication or protection against theft, you need to know the passwords to disable them. Otherwise, after reset, the device will request the data of the last account, and without them it will be impossible to log in.

• 🔋 Charge the battery to at least 60% so that the formatting process is not interrupted due to discharge.
• 📁 Move all important photos and documents to an external hard drive or cloud storage (not your phone).
• 📱 Write down or remember passwords from Google and Mi Accounts.
• 📶 Extract. SIM-MicroSD card and memory card before the procedure.

It's worth noting that retrieving a memory card isn't just a formality, but when you select the "Clear all data" option, the system may suggest formatting both internal and external memory, and if you forget to remove the microSD, you risk losing the archives you planned to keep.

⚠️ Warning: If you plan to sell your phone, be sure to log out of your Mi Account manually before resetting. → Mi Account press the "Log Out" button, which will remove the activation lock on the manufacturer's servers.

Reset via the settings menu (standard method)

The safest and most recommended way for most users is to use a standard operating system interface, which ensures that all background processes are closed correctly and partitions are formatted correctly, and the path to this feature may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS.

To start, go to the main settings menu of your device, find a section that is usually called About Phone or Advanced Settings. In newer versions of firmware, the feature you want is often hidden in Reset, and you'll be offered a few options: reset only network settings, reset applications, or perform a full reset.

Select the option "Erase all data" and the system will alert you that all files will be deleted, if you have a screen unlock password, you will need to enter it to confirm the operation, and then the phone will restart and the cleaning process will begin, which can take from 5 to 15 minutes.

It is important not to interrupt the process, even if the screen goes out or the phone seems to be getting stuck, at which point the memory sectors are overwritten, and interruption can damage the bootloader, and when completed, the phone will turn on as new, suggesting you choose a language and connect to Wi-Fi.

Using Recovery Mode for Deep Cleaning

If the operating system is damaged, the phone is not booting, or you have forgotten the unlock password, the standard method is not suitable. In this case, Recovery mode is used. This is a special environment built into the phone's memory regardless of the main OS, allowing you to perform low-level operations.

To enter this mode, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the button combination: usually an on button and a volume button. Hold them until the Mi or Android logo appears. If you are on a menu with an Android robot image and the words "No command", just press and hold the power button, then press the volume up once.

Navigation in the Recovery menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the "Wipe Data" item. Within this menu, select "Wipe All Data." The system will ask for confirmations several times to exclude accidental pressing.

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In some regions (such as China’s version of firmware), the Recovery menu may require a Wi-Fi connection to verify identity before resetting.

Once the cleanup process is successfully completed, you need to select "Reboot" from the Recovery menu. The phone will reboot and you will see the boot logo. The first run after such a reset may take longer than usual, as the system needs to recreate the file structure.

Deletion of accounts and protection of FRP

One of the most common problems after a reset is FRP (Factory Reset Protection) locking, which is Google's security mechanism that ties the device to the owner's account. If you reset your phone but didn't delete your Google account beforehand, the phone will require you to enter a password from that account when you first set up.

The same thing happens with Xiaomi, where if Find Device is active, the phone will lock and require authorization, so that the stolen phone cannot be reflashed and sold, so it's critical to make a clean exit from all services before selling.

The correct exit procedure is to go to Settings → Accounts and sync. Select a Google account and click Delete an account. Repeat the same for Mi Account. Only after the accounts are gone can you reset the data.

• 🔒 Make sure the “Find Device” function is disabled in the security settings.
• 📧 Check if there are any secondary mailboxes left in the system.
• 📱 Remove all attached devices from the list of trusted in Google settings.

⚠️ Warning: Buying a phone with your hands without checking for previous owners' accounts is a huge risk. If the seller is not logged out, you will not be able to use the phone, and restoring access without the owner is almost impossible.

Cleaning through Find Device

There is another way to erase data if a phone is lost or stolen, but it has Internet and geolocation enabled. Xiaomi Cloud (or Google Find My Device) allows you to remotely send a command to a full reset, which is an extreme measure, since once it is executed, the phone will not be traceable.

To do this, you need to go to the official website of the service from any other device, log in under the same account as on the lost phone. In the list of devices, select the desired model and click on the "Clean the device" or "Erase" button.

The command will be sent to the server and executed as soon as the phone connects to the network, and it is important to understand that this method will not bypass the activation lock. After the reset, the phone will still require you to enter a password from the account from which the command was sent.

This method is also useful if you forget the screen unlock password, but remember your account details. Remote reset will remove the pattern lock or pin code, but require authorization the next time you turn on.

What to do if the phone is locked after reset

A situation where, after a reset, the phone requires a password from an account that you do not remember or that belongs to the previous owner, is called FRP blocking. It is almost impossible to circumvent this protection by legal means without knowing the password, since this is a security hole in the entire Android system.

If this is your phone but you have forgotten your password, use the Google or Xiaomi restore procedure. After changing your password, you may need to wait 24 hours before entering new data on the reset device.

If you bought a phone with your hands and it's locked, the only solution is to contact the seller and ask for their login details or an appointment to unlock. Any FRP hacking software that can be found on the Internet is most often virus- or fraud-free.

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FRP locking is not a bug, it's a security feature, and it can't be removed just like that, it's stitched into the server-level checker when you first start up after you reset.

In the rare cases where the phone was dropped through the engineering menu without logging out of your account and you don't remember the password, you may need to contact an authorized service center with a check of purchase. Only having a document of ownership (with a matching IMEI) can help unlock.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)