What is removed when reset to factory settings on Xiaomi

Making the decision to return a smartphone to its original state is often the only way out of a situation where a device starts to work unstable or is transferred to a new owner. Owners Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco face this process for various reasons, from selling a gadget to trying to fix software errors that cannot be fixed by standard methods. Full reset is a radical but effective measure that returns the software to the state in which it was immediately after it left the assembly line.

The main fear of any user before starting a procedure is the irretrievable loss of personal information. Indeed, the mechanism of Hard Reset or reset via the menu involves cleaning all user memory partitions. However, not all files are deleted in the same way, and understanding the structure of the MIUI or HyperOS storage helps to save important documents if you act prudently.

In this article, we will discuss in detail what data disappears from your device forever, and what can be restored from the cloud or backups. You will learn about the intricacies of working with a Mi Account, the features of cleaning a memory card and how to properly prepare the gadget so that after turning on it it will meet you with a clean desktop, rather than a lock screen with a password requirement.

Critical data: what disappears irrevocably

When you start cleaning internal memory, the system marks all user partitions as rewritable, which means that the files are not moving anywhere, but simply no longer visible to the operating system. The first to be hit are the multimedia files, which usually occupy the largest amount of storage. The photos, videos, voice notes and screenshots you take will be removed from the gallery.

Special attention should be paid to system settings and interface configuration, and any changes you have made to your smartphone since you bought it will be voided, not just for visuals, but for the underlying system, and Wi-Fi access points, passwords, Bluetooth interface settings, and mobile network data will be erased.

⚠️ Note: If you haven't synced your contacts to your Google or Mi Cloud account, they will be lost. Check the sync status in advance, as retrieval of numbers from your account is a good idea. SIM-The maps don’t always go well on new versions of Android.

A list of what is guaranteed to be deleted when running the Wipe data command:

• 📸 All photos and videos from internal memory (folders) DCIM, Pictures, Downloads).
• 📱 Applications installed by the user and their data (game progress, messenger cache).
• 🔑 Saved passwords in the browser and autocomplete system.
• 📝 Notes, dictaphone recordings and alarm clocks not synchronized with the cloud.

The fate of Google apps and accounts

The app issue deserves a separate discussion. Once reset, the smartphone will look like it's just unpacked. Only standard system utilities will remain on the desktop. All third-party apps, whether they're social networks, banking clients or games, will be removed along with their data. This means you'll lose instant messenger correspondence if you don't back up inside the app itself.

The most important aspect is the device’s link to accounts. When reset through the settings menu, the system may suggest saving the list of installed applications, but the data inside them (logins, cache, offline cards) is most often not stored. Google account and Mi Account are deactivated on the device during the cleaning process, but remain active on the servers.

Some users mistakenly believe that cleaning the app cache will solve their problems. However, Factory Reset goes much further, removing not only temporary files, but also application databases. If you use WhatsApp or Telegram, remember that the correspondence history is stored locally (unless the cloud reservation is turned on), and after reset, the chats will disappear.

External memory and SIM-map: myths and reality

One of the most common issues is microSD cards. Many users are afraid to insert a memory card during reset or, conversely, forget to remove it. The standard procedure for resetting through the Settings menu usually affects only internal storage. However, if you use Recovery mode (via volume buttons), there is a risk of formatting and external storage if you select the Wipe all data option with the corresponding flag.

Data on SIM-The card, such as the phone book (if it is stored in the SIM card, and not in the phone memory), usually remain intact. Android does not have direct access to overwriting the system sectors of the SIM card in a standard reset. SIM-The card before the procedure is recommended to avoid any software conflicts at the time of the reboot.

* Provided that the card has not been formatted as an internal memory (Adoptable Storage).** Application files on the SD remain, but without data in internal memory they will not run.

Preparation of the device: security checklist

Before you press the confirmation button, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps, ignoring this stage can lead to the fact that the smartphone turns into a “brick” with blocked access to data or accounts. The first step should always be to back up important data.

Use the built-in MIUI to create a backup on your PC or in the cloud, and manually copy the DCIM and Documents folder to your computer, and check if Find Device is disabled, even though when resetting through settings, the system will ask for the Mi Account password to confirm.

Make sure you remember the password from your Mi Account and Google account.Factory Reset Protection (FRP) will work after the reset.If you can't enter the correct data immediately after you turn on, the smartphone will be locked.This is a security measure against theft that often becomes a problem for forgetful owners.

Step-by-step reset instruction through settings

The safest and easiest way to get Xiaomi back to factory is to use the built-in menu, which ensures that all system processes are completed correctly before cleaning up. Go to the Settings menu, then select About Phone.

At the bottom of the screen, find the Reset button (or Factory Reset) and the system will alert you that all data will be deleted, you will need to enter a pattern lock or unlock password, and then the preparation process will begin, which can take several minutes.

⚠️ Warning: During the reset process, the phone may reboot several times.Do not attempt to interrupt the process or turn off the device, even if the screen is out for a short time.

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If the phone is too hot or getting stuck before resetting, try to reboot completely (turn off and on) and then start resetting.

Once cleaned, the device will turn on as new, and you will be greeted by a language-selected welcome screen, at which point the system may require you to connect to Wi-Fi and enter passwords from accounts that were previously synced to the device.

Resetting through Recovery Mode: For Advanced

If the system does not boot or reset via the menu is impossible, Recovery mode is used. To enter it, you need to turn off the smartphone and pinch the combination of buttons (usually Volume Up + Power). In the menu that appears, the navigation is carried out by volume buttons, and the choice is made by the power button.

You have to select Wipe Data, then Wipe All Data, and confirm the action by choosing Confirm, which is a more "rough" method that guarantees that you delete all partitions, including those that might have been protected in a normal reset.

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Use Recovery Mode only if a standard reset is not possible.This method does not require entering the lock screen password in advance, but will require entering the Mi Account password after activation (FRP).

Once the process is completed, the log will write Data wiped successfully. Select Reboot -> Reboot to System. The first download can take up to 5-10 minutes, as the system needs to recreate the file structure.

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