How to Delete All Data from Xiaomi: A Complete Reset Guide

Owning a modern smartphone involves the accumulation of a huge array of personal information, from photos to bank data, and the question of how to delete all data from Xiaomi becomes critical when selling a device or transferring it to another user. The process of completely clearing internal memory requires careful attention, since irreversible deletion of files cannot be restored by standard methods after the procedure is completed. Many users mistakenly believe that simply transferring files to a computer is enough, but for complete security requires a deep cleaning of system partitions.

There are several ways to do this, each with its own characteristics depending on the state of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system. You can use the standard settings menu if the phone is switched on and functioning normally, or resort to more radical methods through Recovery mode if the device is locked or not working correctly. Before starting any action, be sure to back up important data, as the reset process will destroy all information without the possibility of recovery.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages of preparing and performing a reset, paying special attention to the nuances of working with a Google account and Mi Account, blocking which can turn a phone into a “brick” for a new owner. Understanding the mechanism of protection against theft FRP (Factory Reset Protection) will help to avoid common mistakes.

Preparing the device for complete removal of information

Before you start the cleanup mechanism, you need to perform a number of preparatory actions that are often ignored by users, which leads to problems with the activation of the device by the new owner. The first step is to untie all accounts, since Xiaomi's security system tightly ties the device to the owner. If you just reset the settings without leaving the account, the phone will require the previous owner's password to be entered on the first turn on.

The second important step is to ensure the process's independence: system resetting and memory partition formatting is an energy-intensive operation that should not be interrupted; battery discharge during writing can damage system files and prevent the operating system from booting; it is recommended to keep the charge above 60% or connect the device to the original charger.

• 🔐 Log out of all Google accounts, Mi Accounts, and banking and social media apps to break sessions.
• 💾 Check for a free copy of important contacts, photos and documents on external media or in cloud storage.
• 🔋 Connect your smartphone to the charger or make sure the battery is at least 70%.
• 📱 Remove the microSD memory card and SIM-map to avoid accidental formatting of external media.

Don't forget to check for two-factor authentication. If you have account protection enabled, make sure you have access to a phone number or backup code, as the system can request sign-in confirmation when you try to unplug the device, a standard data protection procedure that manufacturers implement to prevent theft.

Delete data through the standard settings menu

The safest and easiest way to clean your phone is to use the built-in functionality of the operating system. This method is suitable for most cases when the device is working properly, the screen responds to touch, and you know the unlock password. The interface of MIUI and HyperOS may vary slightly depending on the version, but the logic of actions remains the same for all Redmi and POCO models.

To start, go to the main menu and find the settings icon. You're interested in the general settings section. Newer versions of firmware often call it About Phone, whereas older versions might call it Advanced Settings, and that's where the full reset functionality hides, which initiates the formatting of the user partition.

After entering the reset menu, the system will prompt you to choose the type of cleaning. Usually two options are available: “Clear all data” and “Reset settings” (without deleting files). For our task, when you need to delete all data from Xiaomi, you need to select the first option. The system will warn you that all files, applications and settings will be deleted, and ask you to confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or password.

⚠️ Note: The formatting process can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of information accumulated.Do not attempt to interrupt the process by pressing buttons or removing the battery if possible.

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If the reset menu has the option to “Clear internal memory” or “Format internal storage”, be sure to activate it to ensure that files are deleted.

Once confirmed, the smartphone will restart and the cleaning process will begin. The screen may display a brand logo or animation of progress, at which time the device will actually rewrite the file system table, marking all memory cells as free. Upon completion of the procedure, the phone will turn on in the “out of the box” state, suggesting to choose a language and connect to Wi-Fi.

Reset via Recovery (Hard Reset)

In situations where the phone doesn't turn on, you're stuck on the logo, or you've forgotten your screen unlock password, the only way out is to use Recovery Mode. This method, often called Hard Reset, allows you to reset at a low level, bypassing the operating system.

To enter recovery mode, turn the device off completely. Then simultaneously press the volume button and the power button. Hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, while continuing to hold the volume. When the Recovery menu appears, all actions are performed by volume buttons (up/down) and confirmed by the power button.

From the recovery menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese/English), then go to Wipe Data, where you will be prompted to select Wipe All Data, the system will require confirmation, as this action is critical, and the cleanup process will begin after confirmation, which may take some time.

It's important to understand that Hard Reset doesn't remove the protection of Google FRP or Mi Cloud Lock. If the phone was tied to an account, it will require a password from that account to be reset, and this is done to protect against theft, so bypassing the lock without the owner's password is not legal.

Working with accounts and FRP protection

One of the most common problems after a reset is activation blocking. Factory Reset Protection (FRP) links the device to the last Google account used. If you deleted the data but didn't log out beforehand, the phone will require you to enter the email and password that were used on the device before the reset when you first set up.

The same is true for Xiaomi, where if you have a Mi Account in your phone settings and you have Find a Device enabled, you can't activate it once you reset without entering a password from that account, which makes it very difficult to sell, so deleting accounts is a must-have.

To unblock your Google account, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Select your account and click Delete Account or Sign Out. For a Mi Account, the path is: Settings → Mi Account → Sign Out. Only after you successfully log out of both services can you reset your data so that the new owner does not face a lockdown.

⚠️ Note: If you sell your phone without deleting your accounts, the customer will not be able to use it. If you lose access to your account, you can only restore it through the restoration procedure on Google or Xiaomi sites, which requires the presence of a linked number or mail.

Cleaning External Storage and Cloud Services

Many users forget that resetting the phone does not affect the contents of the MicroSD card if it is installed. However, if the card was used as part of internal memory (adaptive storage), it can be formatted with the phone or become unreadable on other devices without re-formatting.

Syncing photos in Google Photos or Mi Cloud means that deleting files from your phone can (in rare cases, with incorrect sync settings) affect cloud copies. Before resetting, it is recommended to temporarily disable sync or make sure that important files are saved on an independent medium.

After selling your old phone, it is recommended to go to the security settings of your Google and Mi Account account from another device and delete the record of the phone sold from the list of trusted devices, which will break the connection and allow you to use two-factor authentication on the new gadget without restrictions.

• 📸 Check the gallery sync settings and make sure all photos are uploaded to the cloud or PC.
• 💳 Untie your bank cards from Google Pay and Mi Pay before deleting your data.
• 🔑 Change passwords from critical accounts after transferring your device to a new owner.

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Full security is achieved only by a comprehensive approach: resetting the phone + untiing accounts + removing the device from the list of trusted in online security settings.

Frequent mistakes and ways to solve them

In the cleaning process, users often face unexpected situations, and one of the most common mistakes is to interrupt the reset process for fear that the phone is “hanging,” in fact, during formatting, the device may not respond to touch or hang on the logo for a long time, which is normal behavior of the system.

Another common problem is cyclic bootloop after reset, which can occur if the system system was damaged or if the failure occurred during a firmware update before reset, in which cases it may be necessary to flash the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.

If the phone writes “Device is locked” after the reset or requires a password from an unknown account, this means that the detachment procedure was not performed correctly. In this case, the only solution is to restore access to the account through the manufacturer’s web interface. Attempts to hack or use third-party software to bypass FRP can lead to a complete lock of the device over IMEI.