Wipe Data on Xiaomi: A Complete Data Reset Guide

If you're using the term Wipe Data in the context of Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO, it's probably a process of completely resetting the device to factory settings, which removes all user data, apps and settings, bringing the phone back out of the box. But why do you need it and when should you use such a radical method?

Xiaomi device owners often face the challenge of running Wipe Data in three key situations: when selling a phone, fixing a serious software failure, or installing custom firmware. However, not everyone understands what happens to the device and how to do the right thing to avoid turning a smartphone into a brick. In this article, we’ll look at all the nuances from the differences between Wipe Data and Wipe Cache to step-by-step instructions for different versions of MIUI and Xiaomi models.

What is Wipe Data and how it differs from other types of reset

Wipe Data (or Factory Reset) is a procedure for completely removing all user data from the device’s internal memory, including:

• 📱 Installed applications and their data (cache, settings, accounts)
• 📁 Personal files (photos, videos, music, documents)
• 🔑 System settings (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, wallpaper, sound profiles)
• 📋 Google accounts, Mi Accounts and other services

It is important to understand that Wipe Data does not affect:

• 🔄 System files MIUI (unless you use the Wipe System option in custom recavators)
• 📀 Files on an external memory card (if not encrypted)
• 🔒 Data in protected partitions (e.g., DRM- Widevine keys L1)

Users often confuse Wipe Data with other types of resets:

⚠️ Warning: On Xiaomi devices with MIUI 12 and a newer reset via settings (Settings → About Phone → Settings Reset) may leave some data in the /data/miui section. For complete removal, use Wipe Data via Recovery Mode.

When you really need Wipe Data on Xiaomi

Complete resetting is not a panacea, and abuse of it can lead to wear and tear on flash memory. Here are the specific cases where Wipe Data is justified:

🔹 Preparing for the sale or transfer of a phone. Even if you delete files manually, you can restore deleted data (photos, correspondence) without completely resetting it with specialized utilities. Wipe Data is guaranteed to clean up internal memory.

🔹 Critical system failures. If the phone:

• 🐢 Hovers on the MI logo or in an infinite download
• 🔄 Reboots spontaneously (bootloop)
• 🚫 Does not respond to touch or buttons
• 📵 Not connected to networks (Wi-Fi, mobile)

🔹 After a failed update MIUI. If the firmware is flying and the phone is not booting, resetting data via Recovery Mode often helps restore functionality without flashing it.

🔹 Before installing custom firmware, most unofficial software (like LineageOS or Pixel Experience) requires a complete reset to avoid conflicts with the previous system.

⚠️ Warning: On devices with a bootloader locked and Mi Account protection enabled, a reset via Recovery may result in a phone lock, requiring authorization through a Xiaomi account linked to the device.

Step-by-step: how to make Wipe Data on Xiaomi

There are three main ways to do a data reset, and the choice depends on the state of the device:

Method 1: Using MIUI settings (if the phone is running)

This method is the easiest and suitable for scheduled reset before selling or transferring the phone.

Make sure the battery is at least 50 times charged%|Save important data on your PC or cloud|Unplug Google and Mi Accounts (if you sell a phone)|Remember the password from the Mi Account (required after resetting)-->

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Slip on Reset (in some versions of MIUI - Recover and Reset).
3. Select to erase all data (setting reset).
4. Enter the screen lock password (if installed).
5. Confirm the action by pressing Erase Everything.

It takes 5-15 minutes, and when it's done, it'll reboot to the "out of the box" state.

Method 2: Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't boot)

If Xiaomi is stuck on the logo or doesn’t respond to clicks, use Recovery Mode:

1. Turn off the phone (press the Power + Volume Up for 10 seconds).
2. Press Power + Volume Up before the Mi logo appears, then release.
3. In the Recaveri menu, select the language (usually English or Chinese).
4. Tap it on Wipe Data. → Wipe All Data.
5. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
6. Once you have finished, select Reboot → Reboot to System.

🔹 For devices with MIUI 13+: In the new recavator, the path may look like Wipe & Reset → Erase All Data.

🔹 For POCO: The menu may be called Recovery → Wipe data.

Method 3: Through Fastboot (for power users)

This method is used if the recavers are unavailable or damaged. Requires a PC and installed ADB/Fastboot drivers.

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

⚠️ Careful: The wrong commands in fastboot can damage the bootloader!

What to do after Wipe Data: Restore and Configure

Once reset, the phone will start as new. Here are the key steps to follow:

🔹 Authorization to Mi Account. If the phone was linked to a Xiaomi account, you'll need to enter your login and password after the reset, and without that, you can't unlock the device, because it's anti-theft.

🔹 Data recovery. If you backed up through Settings → Additional → Backup, you can restore it at the initial setup stage, and copies from Google Drive or Mi Cloud will also work.

🔹 Check IMEI and serial number. In rare cases, the IMEI or the data of the NFC module may be reset after the reset.

• 📞 The number IMEI is displayed in Settings → About Phone → General information
• 💳 NFC and Google Pay work (if supported)
• 📶 Mobile network catches (check Settings → SIM- cards and mobile networks)

💡

If you lose your IMEI after the reset, try typing in the engineering menu with ##4636## and selecting "Update module data." If that doesn't work, you'll need to flash it back.

🔹 Security settings. After reset:

• 🔒 Set a new password or pattern lock
• 👤 Link your Google account to your Mi Account (if you didn’t do so when setting up)
• 🛡️ Enable Find Device in Mi Account Settings to Protect Against Theft

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Even experienced users sometimes make mistakes when resetting Xiaomi, and here are the most common ones:

🔸 Reset without decoupling Mi Account. If you sell a phone and you haven't deleted your Xiaomi account, the new owner won't be able to use the device -- Mi Cloud will block it. Solution: Untie your account in Settings → Accounts → Mi Accounts → Delete your account before the reset.

🔸 Process interruption: If you take out the battery or force the phone to turn off during a reset, it can damage the /data partition. Solution: Wait until the procedure is complete (Data wipe complete appears on the screen).

🔸 Reset via unofficial recaps (TWRP) In custom recaps (e.g. TWRP), the Wipe → Format Data option deletes all internal memory, including firmware files. This can lead to a "brick." Solution: Use only Wipe → Advanced Wipe → Dalvik, Cache, Data.

🔸 Ignoring backup. Many users forget to save:

• 📇 Contacts (export to.vcf via Google Contacts)
• 📅 Calendar and Notes (Mi Notes, Google Keep)
• 🎮 Save games (use Google Play Games or Helium)
• 🔑 Wi-Fi passwords (save the list of networks in a text file)

⚠️ Note: On devices with encrypted memory (MIUI 12+) after reset via Recovery, you may need to enter the old lock password even if you reset it. This is due to the File-Based Encryption mechanism.FBE).

Wipe Data on different Xiaomi models: features

The procedure for resetting may vary slightly depending on the model and version of MIUI. Let's consider the key nuances:

🔹 For HyperOS devices (2026+): In the new shell, the path to reset has changed to Settings → About Phone → Reset and Restore → Erase All Data. Also added the Quick Reset option, which saves some system settings.

Wipe Data Alternatives: When to Do Without a Complete Reset

Complete resetting is a last resort, and in most cases, the problem can be solved with less radical methods:

🔹 Network resets, if only Wi-Fi or mobile issues:

1. Go to Settings. → SIM-maps and mobile networks.
2. Select Network Resetting.
3. Confirm the action.

🔹 Cleaning the app cache if the phone is slowing down or apps are crashing:

1. Open Settings → Applications → Application Management.
2. Select the problem app.
3. Slip the vault. → Clear the cache.

🔹 Restore via Mi Assistant. For devices with MIUI 14+, Mi Assistant is available (downloaded from the official website) which can restore the system without losing data.

🔹 Update rollback: If the failures started after the MIUI update:

1. Go to Settings → About the phone → System update.
2. Slip on the ⚙️ icon (settings) → Remove the downloaded update.
3. Reboot the phone.

💡

Before any reset, try restarting your phone in Safe Mode (press Power → Long tap on Turn Off → Safe Mode) If the problems have disappeared in this mode, the third-party app is to blame.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Wipe Data on Xiaomi