Wipe Reset Xiaomi: how to enable a full system reset

Situations where a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone stops responding to commands, forgets passwords or starts to critically slow down require drastic measures. Wipe reset is a procedure that returns the device to a factory state, deletes all user data, applications and settings. Unlike simple file deletion, this process affects system partitions, making it a powerful tool for resuscitating the gadget.

Many users are looking for a way to activate wipe reset without access to the desktop when the sensor is not responding or the system is stuck on the logo. It is important to understand that there are several methods for doing this: through the regular settings menu if the phone is turned on, and through a special engineering menu Recovery Mode if it is impossible to boot the OS, the choice of method depends on the current state of your device.

Before you start taking decisive action, you need to realize the irreversibility of the process. All photos, contacts, correspondence in messengers and installed applications will be destroyed without the possibility of recovery by standard means. Backing up data to the cloud service Mi Cloud or computer is a mandatory stage of preparation, which is absolutely not worth neglecting if information is dear to you.

Preparation of the device for forced discharge

The start of the procedure requires careful preparation, since it will be impossible to roll back the changes after the process starts. The first step should always be to check the battery level. If the device runs out at the time of writing system files, this can damage the memory partitions and turn the smartphone into a “brick” that can not be turned on.

The second critical point is the Mi Account, which is that modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS have activated anti-theft protection. If you reset but don't know the password from the associated account, the phone locks itself at the initial setup stage, requiring you to enter the owner's data, make sure you remember the username and password, or untie the device from the account in advance through the settings menu.

⚠️ Note: Removing a microSD card before reset is recommended so that you don’t accidentally format an external drive if you choose the option to clean internal memory, which can sometimes affect external media in older versions of the software.

It is also worth preparing a stable Internet connection if you plan to restore data from the cloud immediately after reset. Although the wipe process itself does not require a network, subsequent activation and verification of the account can take time if the signal is bad. Make sure that the control buttons (volume and power) are correct and have a clear tactile response, since in recovery mode the touch screen often does not work.

Reset method through the standard settings menu

The safest and easiest way to perform wipe reset is available if the operating system boots and you can get into the menu.This method is preferred for users who want to sell the device or just clean it of garbage without having problems with the bootloader.The process is fully automated and minimizes the risk of human error.

To start, open the Settings app and find the About section. At the bottom of the screen or in the Advanced Settings menu (depending on the MIUI version), you need to find the Reset option. Here, the system will offer two options: “Erase all data” (full reset) or “Reset Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings.” We need the first option that initiates a full formatting of the user partition.

Once you select the "Erase All Data" option, the phone can request confirmation of the action several times, warning you of loss of information, PIN-The unlock code or password will need to be entered to verify the identity of the owner.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → About the telephone or Additional.
• 🗑️ Select the Reset option → Erase all data.
• 🔒 Enter the screen unlock password to confirm.
• ✅ Press the Reset button and wait for the reboot.

Once confirmed, the smartphone will restart, and the Android logo with a progress indicator may appear on the screen. This stage can take from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the storage capacity and number of files.

Wipe Reset with Recovery Mode (hardware method)

If the system does not boot, freezes on the logo or the touch screen does not respond, the only option is to use Recovery Mode Recovery Mode, which is built into the device’s memory and works independently of the main operating system, allowing you to perform low-level operations with the file system.

To enter this mode, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then you need to press the combination of buttons: usually a Volume Up button and a Power button. Hold them simultaneously until the Mi or Android logo appears, after which the power button can be released, while continuing to keep the volume. Some Redmi or POCO models may require a charger to activate this function.

In the Recovery menu, you can control the volume buttons (up/down for moving to items) and the power button (to select). The interface can be in English or Chinese. You need to find Wipe Data or Wipe & Reset. Inside this menu, you should select Wipe All Data to delete the information completely.

⚠️ Attention: The Recovery menu doesn't have a touch screen, it's only physical volume and power buttons, and don't panic if you're not working, because that's the normal behavior of the mode.

Once you select the Wipe All Data command, the system will request a final confirmation, often requiring you to select Confirm or Yes. The formatting process will start, the progress of which will be displayed as a percentage, and at the end of the phone will prompt you to return to the main menu (Back to Main Menu) and select a reboot (Reboot → Reboot to System).

Reset via Fastboot and computer

For advanced users or in cases where standard methods do not work, it is possible to perform a reset via Fastboot mode using a computer. USB-cable installed by Xiaomi driver USB Driver and Mi Flash Tool or Command Line Utility ADB/Fastboot.

To put the phone in Fastboot mode, when the device is turned off, press the Volume Down button and connect it. USB-And you'll see a picture of a rabbit fixing an android on the screen, or you'll see a sign that says, FASTBOOT. This state allows the PC to send commands directly to the device’s memory.

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

Executing these commands through the console completely clears the user data and cache sections. The erase userdata command is analogous to wipe data, but runs at a deeper level. This method is often used when flashing the device or removing locks imposed by previous owners (provided the bootloader is unlocked).

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Use the original. USB-Cheap charging-only cables don’t transmit data, and the computer won’t see the device in Fastboot mode, leading to a connection error.

It is worth noting that some Fastboot operations require a pre-unlocked bootloader.If the bootloader is locked, erasure commands may not be available or require authorization through Xiaomi servers, making this method less versatile for the average user, but indispensable in the hands of specialists.

Problem Solving: Bootloop and Hangings

One of the common reasons users look for wipe reset is a cyclic reset, where the phone constantly displays the logo and shuts down again, which can happen after a failed update, a virus damages system files, or an application conflict, in which case a reset via Recovery is often the only escape.

If the phone continues to go into a reboot cycle after the Wipe Data procedure, the problem may be deeper, the system partition may be damaged, which is not restored by simply formatting user data, in which case a complete flashing of the device using the computer and official firmware is required.

It is also worth checking the state of the hardware. If the switch on "stuck" in the pressed state due to dirt or damage to the case, the phone may reboot or not turn on on on on its own. Visual inspection of the buttons and careful cleaning can solve the problem, which the user mistakenly believes to be a software failure.

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If Wipe Reset has not helped to eliminate the cyclic reboot, the problem is hardware in nature or requires a complete flashing through the computer, as the software reset has exhausted its capabilities.

What to do after the discharge is completed

Once you have successfully completed the wipe reset, the device will turn on as a new device, greeting you with a language selection screen, which is called the initial setup, you will need to connect to the Wi-Fi network and enter your Google account details, and this is where FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection works.

If you're planning to sell your phone, you can either complete the setup or just turn it off, the new owner will go through the activation process, and if you keep the phone, the system will suggest you restore data from the backup, sync contacts, photos and the list of installed applications, which allows you to quickly return the smartphone to its usual appearance.

• 🌐 Select the interface language and connect to Wi-Fi.
• 🔐 Enter the password from Google account (to withdraw) FRP lock-in).
• 📲 Sign in to your Mi Account to sync.
• ⏳ Wait for data recovery from the cloud (if you have a copy).

It is recommended that you check for system updates immediately after the first download. Since you have just installed a clean version of the software (or returned to the factory version), important security patches or stability improvements are available that will eliminate the reasons why you initially needed to reset.