When Xiaomi’s display is broken, unresponsive to touch, or completely black, it often poses a dilemma: How do you keep your information private? Smartphone owners store passwords from banking apps, personal photos and correspondence on their devices that anyone who takes possession of the phone can access. If the sensor stops functioning, the standard path through the settings menu becomes unavailable, requiring alternative methods of cleaning memory.
There are several proven ways to perform Hard Reset without visual control or tactile input. The specific method depends on whether the Mi Account was enabled, whether the debugging is activated over USB, and whether the device search function is available. In some cases, a simple combination of buttons will help, in others you will need to connect to a computer and use specialized software.
It is important to understand that the process of deleting data is irreversible. Once the procedure is completed, it will be impossible to restore files without professional intervention, so if there is critical data on the device that you did not have time to copy, it is worth weighing the need for a complete reset several times before starting to take action.
Using the Mi Cloud service for remote resetting
The most civilized and secure way to erase information from a device is to use the built-in tools of the Xiaomi ecosystem. If the phone has logged in to Mi Account and enabled the Find Device function, you can initiate the cleanup remotely through any browser, this method does not require cable connection or the presence of drivers on the PC.
To start the procedure, you need to go to the official cloud storage site. Enter your credentials (login and password) that were used on the damaged smartphone. After authorization, the system will prompt you to select a device from the list of associated gadgets. If the phone is displayed in the list and has the status of “Online” or “Last time was online”, the remote management functionality will be available.
In the device management menu, find the option “Erase data” or “Wipe Data”. The system will warn about the consequences of the operation. Once confirmed, the command will be sent to the smartphone. Once the device connects to the Internet (even if the screen is not working, the communication module may be healthy), it will execute the command and return to factory condition.
⚠️ Note: Remote reset via Mi Cloud will only work if the phone is connected to a mobile network or Wi-Fi. If the device is turned off or is in an uncoated area, the command will be executed when the connection first appears.
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If your phone is connected to Wi-Fi but you don’t remember the password, try to remember if you have a router with WPS or a guest network that your phone could connect to automatically.
Resetting with Google Find My Device
Alternative to Xiaomi’s branded service
Android
Go to the Google page and log in to the account that was the main one on the broken phone, the system automatically locates the gadget (if geolocation is enabled) and offers three actions: call, block or delete data.
Once this option is selected, the uninstall process will begin. Unlike some other methods, this method often requires an active Internet connection at the time the command is received. If the phone is in sleep mode, the command can be delivered with a delay.
What if the device is not visible on the list?
Use Recovery Mode for Hard Reset
If cloud services have not been configured, the only option is to use the built-in recovery mode, Recovery Mode. This mode runs at a low level of the system before the operating system loads, so it works even when the screen driver or touchpad is damaged, if the display itself at least partially displays the image.
To enter recovery mode on most Xiaomi and Redmi models, you need to perform a certain sequence of actions with the buttons. Usually you need to press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, while continuing to keep the volume.
The main difficulty with this method is navigation, so if the touchscreen doesn't work, you can't select the menu item, but if you can connect a USB-OTG adapter and a normal computer mouse to the phone, the cursor will appear on the screen (if the matrix is intact), and you can use the mouse to select "Wipe Data" and confirm the reset.
☑️ Preparing for resetting through Recovery
In the Recovery menu, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. If the screen does not show the image, but the phone vibrates when you press the buttons, you can try to touch the reset, although this is risky due to the lack of visual confirmation.
⚠️ Attention: On new versions MIUI (particularly MIUI 12, 13, 14 and HyperOS) logging into Recovery may require unlocking the screen or entering a password, even to perform a reset.
Delete data via ADB (Android Debug Bridge)
For advanced users who have pre-built USB debugging on their menu, Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a powerful tool that allows you to control your device from your computer via the command line, and it works even if the screen is completely black, but the system works.
First, you need to install the Platform-tools package on your PC and connect the smartphone with a cable. If debugging is allowed and the computer is authorized (previously, permission was given on this PC), the terminal will allow you to execute a command to restart in recovery mode or immediately perform a wipe.
adb reboot recoveryOnce rebooted, you can try to send a command to reset, but modern versions of Android often block direct execution of wipe data through ADB without confirmation on the screen, in which case ADB is used only as a bridge to enter recovery mode, where further action depends on the ability to control the buttons.
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The ADB method is only effective if you have previously given permission to debug from that particular computer, and without prior authorization, the command will be logged.
Comparison of data dumping methods
The choice of the optimal method depends on the initial conditions: the state of the hardware, the presence of accounts and presettings. Below is a table that helps to quickly navigate the available options and their requirements.
| Method | I need Internet on my phone. | I need a PC. | It works on a black screen. | Requires a password. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Cloud | Yes (to get a command) | No. | Yes. | Yeah (from the account) |
| Google Find My Device | Yes (to get a command) | No. | Yes. | Yeah (from the account) |
| Recovery + Mouse (OTG) | No. | No (needs a mouse) | Only if the matrix is intact. | Often yes (on new MIUIs) |
| ADB Commands | No. | Yes. | Yes. | No (but PC authorization is required) |
As you can see from the table, cloud methods are the most versatile, as they don’t require physical interaction with a damaged device. However, they are powerless if the phone is off or doesn’t have access to the network. Hardware methods (Recovery, ADB) work autonomously, but have limitations related to the security versions of Android.
It’s worth noting that on FRP-enabled devices, once reset, the phone will require you to enter a Google account or Mi Account that was previously synced, which protects data from intruders, but can be a barrier to a new owner if you plan to sell the phone.
Frequent questions and problems with resetting
The procedure for complete deletion of data can raise a number of questions, especially when it comes to faulty hardware. users often face security locks or misunderstanding of synchronization processes.
One common issue is requiring a password when logging into Recovery. in recent updates MIUI If you don't remember the unlock password, you might not be able to reset your phone through the buttons -- the system will require a pattern lock or PIN-code.
⚠️ Note: If the phone requests a password when you log in to Recovery and you do not remember it, the only legal way to reset is to delete the account through the manufacturer’s website (if the device was removed from the list of trusted) or contact the service center with a check for purchase.
It is also important to consider the battery condition: if the phone is discharged, no software methods will work. In the case of a damaged charging port (which often accompanies the fall of the phone), it can be problematic to charge the device, and then deleting the data becomes technically impossible without repair.
Can I recover data after resetting through Recovery?
Conclusion and precautions
Deleting data from Xiaomi phone with a broken screen is a solvable task, but it requires care. The most reliable method is to use Mi Cloud or Google cloud services, since they do not depend on the state of the touchscreen and port of the device. Regular synchronization and enabled geolocation are the best friends of the user in such situations.
If cloud-based methods are not available, the USB-OTG and mouse combination allows you to bypass the non-working sensor and reset through the Recovery menu. However, owners of new models should be prepared for additional security checks. Always keep checks and remember passwords from the main accounts, as they are the key to managing the device.
Remember, prevention is better than cure. Regularly backing up your external hard drive or the cloud will allow you to simply forget about your old phone if you break down without worrying about the safety of your personal information. The security of your data starts with the right settings before it breaks.