How to format Xiaomi phone: the complete guide

Xiaomi’s current smartphones, which are powered by MIUI or HyperOS shells, are complex computing systems that can accumulate software errors over time. When a device starts to malfunction, freeze or demand sale, the user is faced with the question of completely cleaning up internal memory. Formatting is a radical but often the only effective way to return the gadget to factory performance and cleanliness of the system.

This process requires care, as it involves the complete destruction of user data, including contacts, photos and installed applications. Unlike simple file deletion, formatting affects system partitions, restoring their original state. It is important to understand the difference between a regular reset and deep formatting, especially if you plan to transfer the device to another owner.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all available cleaning methods, from the standard operating system tools to advanced tools for specialists. You will learn how to properly prepare the device, what nuances are in different models and how to avoid common errors that can turn a smartphone into a “brick”.

Preparation of the device for complete reset

Before any manipulation of the file system begins, critical preparatory steps must be taken, and ignoring this step can lead to the irretrievable loss of important information or locking the device by the owner’s account. The first step is to back up all data using Google’s cloud services or the built-in Mi Cloud tool.

Special attention should be paid to accounts. If the phone is activated Mi Account or Google account, they must be unplugged before reset, otherwise FRP (Factory Reset Protection) will work, and after the reboot, the device will require a password from the previous owner, which will make the phone unusable.

It is also recommended to remove microSD cards and SIM-Although modern systems usually ask if you need to format an external card, physical extraction guarantees that your data is safe on the media. 50-60%, This process is not interrupted at a critical stage.

⚠️ Note: If you do not remember the password from the associated Google account, be sure to restore access before the formatting.

Method 1: Standard reset via MIUI settings

The safest and easiest method for most users is to use a built-in settings menu, which is relevant if you remember the unlock password and have access to the system, and allows you to clear the data without using third-party software or complex keyboard combinations.

To start the procedure, you need to go to Settings, then select About Phone and find the Reset option. In some versions of the firmware, the path may look like Advanced Settings → Recovery and Reset. The interface may vary slightly depending on the Android version and shell.

The system will offer two options: Reset (without deleting files) and Clear all data. We are interested in the second option. After selecting, the system will show a list of deleted items and ask you to confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or password.

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If the phone is on sale, be sure to select the “Clear all data” option so that the new owner does not get access to your personal photos and correspondence.

Once the procedure is complete, the device will restart and you will see the screen of the initial setting, as when you first turn on the new smartphone. All user data, app cache and system logs will be completely deleted.

Method 2: Formatting with Recovery Mode

If the system doesn't boot or the touch screen doesn't respond, the only way out is to use Recovery Mode, a special diagnostic interface that is stitched into the device's memory regardless of the main operating system, and is logged in by a combination of physical buttons.

To get on the menu, turn off your smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the Volume Up and the power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then the power button can be released, while continuing to hold the volume. In a few seconds, the menu with a black background will open.

Navigation in this mode is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data item. Inside there will be several options, including "Wipe All Data" (full clean) and "Connect with MIAssistant" (to connect to a PC).

⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touchscreen does not work. All actions are performed with strictly mechanical buttons on the device body.

Use of PC and Mi Flash Tool

For advanced users or in cases of serious software failures, there is a method of firmware through the computer, which allows not only to clean the data, but also to reinstall the operating system itself, which ensures that any software errors are corrected, USB-cable and official utility Mi Flash Tool.

The process begins with downloading a firmware image (Fastboot ROM) for a specific model of your phone from the official website. The file must be unpacked into the disk root (the path should not contain Cyrillic). Then the phone is transferred to Fastboot mode (clamping the volume and power button when the device is turned off) and connects to the computer.

In the Mi Flash Tool, you need to specify the path to the firmware folder and select the cleaning mode, and it is critical to choose the right option in the bottom corner of the window:

• 🟢 Clean all – complete data cleanup, but retaining the ability to unlock the bootloader in the future.
• 🔵 Clean all and lock – complete cleaning and re-locking of the bootloader (recommended for sale).
• 🔴 Save user data – reinstall the system with file saving (not suitable for formatting).

After selecting the Clean all option, press the "Flash" button. The process will take a few minutes. You can not interrupt the cable connection at this time, otherwise you can damage the system partition.

Problem Solving and Typical Errors

The formatting is not always smooth. Users may experience a freeze on the Mi logo, an endless bootloop, or an account verification error, often caused by a corrupt firmware file or a failure in the recording of memory sectors.

If the phone requires a password from a Mi Account you don't remember after resetting, you'll have to go through the recovery process through i.mi.com. Without this step, the device will remain locked. In cases where the phone is not included in the Recovery menu, the recovery section itself may be damaged and you will need to flash through EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode, which already requires an authorized service center account.

Sometimes users complain that after the reset, the battery starts to run out faster. This is normal for the first 2-3 days: the system needs time to optimize the background processes and re-index files. Full system optimization after deep formatting takes up to 72 hours of active use.

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If the phone doesn’t turn on for more than 15 minutes after reset, try a forced reboot by holding the power button for 15-20 seconds.

Data security after formatting

Many people mistakenly believe that a simple reset makes data irrecoverable. In fact, in standard formatting, information is not physically erased, but only marked as free space. Specialized software can theoretically recover deleted photos or documents.

To ensure maximum privacy, it is recommended that you do not set up the phone after the first reset, but immediately download it with unnecessary data (for example, record a large video before filling the memory), and then reset. This procedure, known as “rewriting”, makes it almost impossible to restore old data.

Also, remember to check the associated devices in your Mi Account settings. After successfully selling and transferring the device to a new owner, remove it from the list of trusted devices in the cloud so you can reset your password without accessing that phone.