Xiaomi Phone Formatting: 4 Proven Ways to Completely Reset

Formatting a Xiaomi smartphone is a radical but sometimes necessary step to solve system problems, prepare a device for sale or eliminate the consequences of virus attacks. The procedure completely erases user data, returning the phone to factory settings. However, not everyone knows that there are four official reset methods, each of which is suitable for different situations, from the standard menu to the Fastboot mode for bricks.

In this article, we will discuss each method in detail - with explanations of when to use what method, how to avoid typical errors (for example, hanging on the logo). MI After an incorrect reset via Recovery 3.0), And what if the phone requires authorization to the Mi Account even after formatting. MIUI 14/15 HyperOS-based devices, where the process is different from older firmware versions.

Preparation for formatting: what to do before resetting

Before starting the reset, keep in mind that the procedure irreversibly deletes all data from internal memory, including:

• 📸 Photos and videos (including hidden folders.thumbnails and DCIM)
• 📱 Contacts, SMS/MMS (If not synced with Google or Mi Cloud)
• 🎮 Game saves (even those in the cloud may not recover)
• 🔑 Passwords from Wi-Fi, apps and accounts (unless you use a password manager)
• 📄 Documents and downloads (including files in the /Download and root directory)

To minimize losses, follow the following steps:

Backup through Settings → About Phone → Backup |

Sync contacts with Google Account or Mi Cloud|

Copy photos on PC or in the cloud (e.g. Google Photos) |

Write it down. IMEI phone (dial *#06#) in case of locking after resetting|

Untie the device from the Mi Account (if you plan to sell)|

Check the battery power – it should be at least 50%-->

If you forget the password from your Xiaomi account, after resetting the phone can be locked with the requirement to enter a username / password (Mi Cloud Activation Lock function), in this case, you will need official unlock through support, which takes up to 7 days.

⚠️ Note: On the Redmi Note 12 Pro+, Xiaomi 13 Ultra and newer with HyperOS reset via Recovery can cause data loss on the memory card even if it wasn't encrypted!

2. Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (the safest method)

This method is suitable if the phone turns on and responds to touch, and if you remember a pattern lock or a key. PIN-The procedure takes 5-10 minutes and is guaranteed not to "brick" the device.

Instructions for MIUI 14/15 and HyperOS:

1. Open the Settings. → The phone.
2. Tap 5-7 times on the MIUI version (or HyperOS version) to activate the developer mode (optional, but useful for debugging).
3. Return to the main settings menu and select Additional → Reset.
4. Click Erase All Data (or Delete All Data and Reset Settings in HyperOS).
5. Enter. PIN-lock-screen code/password.
6. Confirm the action by clicking Reset Settings.

The phone will reboot and start the formatting process. An animation will appear on the screen that says Erasing... (erasing) is normal. Don't interrupt the process even if it takes more than 15 minutes (on weak models like the Redmi 9A, it can last up to 20 minutes).

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If after resetting the phone asks you to enter Mi Account data that you do not remember, try to restore access via [this link](https://account.xiaomi.com/). Enter the linked email or phone number, then follow the instructions to change the password.

3. Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If your smartphone is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touch or is locked, but loads into recovery mode, use this method. It works even with corrupted system files, but requires caution: improper actions in Recovery can lead to a complete loss of operation of the device.

How to log in to Recovery Mode:

• Turn off the phone (press the power button for 10-15 seconds).
• Hold the combination: 🔘 Power button + Loudness up for most models (Redmi Note) 9/10/11, Xiaomi 11/12). 🔘 Power button + Loudness up + Loudness down - for POCO F3/F4 and Black Shark.
• Hold the buttons until the Mi logo appears and vibrations (usually 5-10 seconds).

In the Recovery menu, use volume buttons for navigation and power button for confirmation.

1. Choose a language (usually English or English).
2. Go to Wipe Data → Wipe All Data (or Clear Data in older versions).
3. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
4. Wait until the end (there will be a progress bar on the screen).
5. Choose Reboot. → Reboot to System.

⚠️ Note: On HyperOS devices (e.g. Xiaomi 14 or Redmi) K70) Recovery menus may look different: instead of Wipe Data, look for Factory Reset, and newer versions require confirmation via Mi Account, even in recovery mode!

Method 3: Formatting via Fastboot (for power users)

This method is used if:

• 📵 The phone does not turn on or enter Recovery.
• 🔄 Hanging on the logo. MI or in a reboot cycle (bootloop).
• 🔧 You need to reflash the device after a failed update.

The work will require:

• 💻 Computer with Windows or Linux.
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C (original, undamaged).
• 🛠️ Mi Flash Tool (download from [official website](https://new.c.mi.com/global/miuidownload/index)).
• 📥 The firmware for your model (you can find it on the [Xiaomi Firmware Updater](https://xiaomifirmwareupdater.com/)).

Step-by-step:

1. Turn off your phone. Press the Power Button + Volume down for 5-10 seconds to enter Fastboot mode. The hare in the Mi Bunny logo will appear on the screen.
2. Connect your phone to your PC. Install Xiaomi USB Drivers (unless Windows finds them automatically).
3. Download and unpack the firmware for your model (for example, tucana_global_images_V14.0.5.0.TKOMIXM_20231010.0000.00_12.0_global For the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G).
4. Open the Mi Flash Tool, press Select and point the path to the firmware folder.
5. At the bottom, select Clean All (full reset) or Clean All and Lock (reset + lock bootloader).
6. Press Flash and wait until it is completed (10-20 minutes).

After successful firmware, the phone will reboot to factory status. Importantly, if you choose Clean All and Lock, the bootloader will be locked, and you will have to wait 7-15 days to re-unblock (Xiaomi policy).

Through the settings menu |

Through Recovery Mode|

via Fastboot (Mi Flash Tool) |

Never dropped |

Another way.-->

5. Method 4: Remote reset via Mi Cloud (if phone is lost)

If you lose your phone or it's stolen, you can remotely erase all your data through Mi Cloud, which only works if you meet three conditions:

1. The phone is connected to the Internet (mobile network or Wi-Fi).
2. Find the device in the Mi Account settings.
3. Xiaomi’s account was not detached from the device.

Instructions:

1. Go to [i.mi.com](https://i.mi.com/) and log in.
2. In the Devices section, select your phone.
3. Click Find the device, then erase the data.
4. Confirm the action by entering the password from Mi Account.

It can take up to 30 minutes to reset, and when you reset, it's uncoupled from your account, and you can't retrieve it remotely, and you also have to remember that this method doesn't work if you:

• 📴 Phone's off or discharged.
• 🌐 There is no internet connection.
• 🔒 The device was reflashed with unofficial firmware (for example, LineageOS).

💡

Remote reset via Mi Cloud does not guarantee locking of the phone for the new owner. If the device was stolen, be sure to contact the police with IMEI (you can find it through your Google account or phone box).

Typical errors and their solutions

Even when following instructions, users often face problems.

If the phone doesn’t turn on or is stuck on loading after reset, try:

1. Connect to charging for 30-60 minutes (sometimes the battery is discharged in the process).
2. Repeat the reset via Fastboot with the Clean All option.
3. Install firmware manually through ADB Sideload (instructions are available on the 4PDA forum).

For models with HyperOS (such as Xiaomi 14 or Redmi K70 Pro), after a reset, a No OS installed error may appear, which means that the system partition is corrupted.

1 Download the full firmware (not OTA!) for your model.


2. In Fastboot, execute the command:




fastboot flash boot boot.img




fastboot flash system system.img




3.Reboot the phone with the command:




fastboot reboot

7. How to recover data after formatting

If you haven't backed up, the chances of getting your data back are minimal, but there are.

Photo and video recovery:

• 🖥️ Use programs like DiskDigger or Recuva (only if your phone is defined as a drive).
• ☁️ Check cloud services: Google Photos, Mi Cloud, Yandex.Disk.
• 🔍 Xiaomi has a utility Mi Photo Recovery (works only on intact partitions).

Contact recovery and SMS:

• 📱 If you have enabled Google Sync, your contacts will be restored automatically when you add an account.
• 📧 Check the mailbox - some of them SMS stored in letters (e.g. confirmation codes).
• 🔄 For SMS try SMS Backup & Restore (if previously backup).

3. Restore applications and games:

• 🎮 If the games were linked to Google Play or Mi Account, you can get your progress back through authorization.
• 📥 The list of installed applications is stored in Google Account (section My Account). → Data and personalization → Devices).

⚠️ Warning: Do not install recovery software on the phone itself after reset! This can overwrite deleted files and make them impossible to recover. Only use a computer with your phone connected in mode. MTP.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Xiaomi formatting