How to erase everything from Android Xiaomi Redmi: a complete guide

Smartphone users Xiaomi and Redmi often face the need to radically clean the device. The reasons may be different: selling a gadget, selling it for spare parts, critical failures in the operating system, or simply the desire to start with a clean slate without pre-installed garbage. The phrase “how to delete everything” in this context implies not just deleting files, but completely formatting internal drives and, in some cases, flashing the device.

The process of completely deleting data on Android devices from a Chinese manufacturer has its own nuances related to account protection Mi Account and bootloader blocking. Wrong actions can turn the phone into a “brick” or leave it locked for the new owner. In this article we will look at all methods: from a standard reset to advanced manipulations with memory partitions through the engineering menu and PC.

Before embarking on destructive actions, you need to clearly understand the difference between a soft reset and the complete destruction of the file system structure. Full data formatting irreversibly deletes all information without the possibility of recovery using standard means. We will go from simple settings to using specialized software so that you can choose the level of cleaning depth that is needed specifically in your case. your situation.

Preparing the device for complete data deletion

Any operation to completely wipe the system or data requires preliminary preparation. Ignoring this step may result in the device asking for a password from the previous owner after rebooting (FRP protection - Factory Reset Protection). This is a critical point if you plan to transfer the phone to another person.

The first step should always be to log out of all accounts. In the ecosystem Xiaomi this is especially important, since the tie to Mi Cloud is one of the strictest. If you do not log out of your account before resetting, the phone will turn into a useless piece of plastic for the new user, requiring you to enter the login and password of the previous owner upon activation.

You also need to remove all lock screens. PIN codes, pattern keys and fingerprints must be erased from memory. This is done through the security menu. If you forget this step, the system may require identity verification after wiping, which will ruin your plans for a quick wipe.

⚠️ Attention: Make sure the battery level is at least 60%. The process of full formatting or flashing is energy-consuming, and a sudden power outage in the middle of writing system partitions can disrupt the structure of the bootloader.

It would be a good idea to check for important files. Even if the goal is to “destroy everything,” sometimes users accidentally delete desired photos or contacts, believing that they are synced, although synchronization may have been disabled. Make a backup copy of what is really valuable to an external drive or to a cloud other than Mi Cloud.

Standard reset to factory settings (Hard Reset)

The most accessible and safest cleaning method is to use the built-in factory reset function. This method is suitable for most users who just want to clean the phone before selling it or fix software glitches. It removes user data, applications and settings, returning the system to its out-of-the-box state.

To perform this operation through the interface, you must go to the settings section. The path may differ slightly depending on the shell MIUI or HyperOSversion, but the logic remains the same. You will need to find the item responsible for recovery and reset. It is usually located in the “About Phone” category or in a separate “Advanced” section.

After selecting the reset option, the system will issue a warning that all data will be deleted. This is the final frontier, after which there is no turning back. Confirming the action starts the process of cleaning the partition /data i /cache. The phone will reboot and the initial setup will take a few minutes.

• 📱 Go to Settings → About phone.
• 🔄 Find the button Reset settings or Delete all data.
• 🗑️ Press Reset settings and enter the screen unlock password to confirm.
• ⏳ Wait for the process to complete and automatic reboot of the device.

It is important to understand that a standard reset does not affect some system logs and hidden sections that may contain technical information about the use of the device. For normal sales, this is enough, but for deep cleaning or solving complex software problems, more radical measures may be required, which will be discussed below.

Full cleaning through the Recovery mode (Wipe Data)

When the operating system does not boot or you want to perform a deeper cleaning, the mode Recoveryis used. This is a special recovery environment built into the firmware Xiaomi. It allows you to manage memory sections regardless of the state of the main Android.

This mode is entered when the phone is turned off. You need to hold down the combination of the power and volume up buttons. You need to hold them until the logo Mi or the recovery menu appears. In new versions of MIUI, the Recovery interface can be touch-sensitive, in older versions it is controlled by the volume buttons (up/down) and the power button (select).

In the recovery menu we are interested in the item Wipe Data. Selecting this item will lead to the appearance of an additional menu where you need to confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data. This action formats the user section, deleting absolutely all applications, photos, music and account settings. After the operation is completed, the phone will prompt you to return to the main menu or reboot.

⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, controls may not be obvious. If the screen does not respond to presses, try using the volume buttons to navigate and the power button to confirm the selection.

It is also possible to connect the phone to a PC in this mode for more complex manipulations, but for the task of “destroying everything” the built-in tools are sufficient. The process takes from 30 seconds to several minutes depending on the amount of memory filled. Upon completion, you will receive a clean device, ready for initial setup.

What to do if Recovery is blocked?

Some carriers or corporate versions of phones may block access to Recovery mode. In this case, you need to unlock the bootloader through the official Mi Unlock utility, which requires waiting from 7 to 30 days.

Radical method: Cleaning all partitions (Format All)

For those who want to erase absolutely everything, including hidden partitions and traces of previous firmware, there is a mode Format All. This is the most aggressive method and essentially recreates the file system structure. It is often used when moving from one version of Android to another or when there are deep failures in the partition table.

This feature is also available in Recoverymode, but is often hidden or requires additional steps to activate. In some versions of Recovery, you need to repeatedly click on the window title or enter a special command via ADB for the “Format All” button to become active. The usual “Wipe Data” leaves the partition structure intact, changing only the content, while “Format All” changes the structure itself.

Using this option carries increased risks. If the process is interrupted, the phone may no longer be detected by the computer or may not show signs of life at all. In addition, after formatting all partitions, the device may require firmware flashing via a computer, since system files will also be deleted.

Cleaning method	Access level	What is being deleted	Risk of loss of performance
Reset in settings	User	Applications, media, settings	Minimal
Wipe Data (Recovery)	System	All user data, cache	Low
Format All (Recovery)	Engineering	All partitions, including system ones	High (requires firmware)
Fastboot + Flash	Bootloader	Full overwrite memory	Medium (depending on the firmware file)

Recommended to use Format All Only in extreme cases, when other methods have not helped eliminate errors, or if you know exactly what you are doing and have the original firmware file on hand for recovery. For the usual sale of a phone, a method is sufficient Wipe Data.

Using Fastboot and Mi Flash for a complete flashing

The most reliable way to “destroy everything” and install a clean system is to use the mode Fastboot and utility Mi Flash Tool on the computer. This method completely overwrites the contents of the phone's memory, replacing the current firmware with a new one. This ensures that any software junk, viruses or remnants of old updates are removed.

First you need to unlock the device's bootloader. Without this procedure, the computer will not allow you to burn new system images. The unlocking process is official, but requires linking your account to the device and waiting for a set deadline. After unlocking, the phone is switched to Fastboot mode by holding down the power and volume down buttons.

Having connected the phone to the PC, you need to start Mi Flash Tool and select the downloaded firmware (Fastboot ROM). A critically important point is selecting the firmware mode at the bottom of the app window. To delete all data, you must select the option clean all. This command deletes all user data and installs a clean system.

fastboot flash recovery recovery.img
fastboot reboot

Option clean all and lock does the same thing, but additionally locks the bootloader back. This is an ideal option for selling a device, since the new owner will receive a phone with a closed bootloader and a clean system, just like from a store. However, if you make a mistake with the firmware version (for example, try to install Global on the Chinese version), the phone may be blocked.

⚠️ Attention: app interfaces and requirements for unlocking the bootloader may be changed by Xiaomi. Before starting the procedure, check the current requirements on the official Mi Community forum or in the help of the Mi Unlock utility.

The firmware process takes from 200 to 500 seconds. Do not unplug the USB cable during this time. Once completed, the phone will automatically reboot. The first launch after a complete flashing will be longer than usual, as the system optimizes applications and creates new cache files.

Removing system applications and partitions (Advanced level)

For users with rights Root or an unlocked bootloader, it is possible to delete not only data, but also entire system applications that are usually not deleted (bloatware). This can be done through special managers like System App Remover or through ADB commands.

The ADB command line (Android Debug Bridge) allows you to interact with the system at a deep level. By connecting a phone with USB debugging, you can send commands to remove packages. For example, the command pm uninstall -k --user 0 package name removes an application for the current user, hiding it from the system, although the file may physically remain in the system partition until the next flashing.

A more radical approach is to change the partition table through custom recovery (for example, TWRP). In Wipe -> Advanced Wipe mode you can select specific sections: Dalvik / ART Cache, System, Data, Internal Storage. Unchecking a partition System with a normal wipe leaves the system untouched, and selecting all the checkboxes turns the phone into “bare” hardware that requires OS installation.

• 🛠️ Install the ADB and Fastboot drivers on your computer.
• 📲 Turn on “USB debugging” in the “For Developers” menu on the phone.
• 💻 Connect the phone and check the connection with the command adb devices.
• ❌ Enter the command to remove a specific system component.

Such manipulations require high qualifications. An error in the package name or deletion of a critical system process will result in a cyclic reboot (bootloop). Therefore, before deleting system components, always make a full backup (Nandroid backup) through custom recovery.

Is it possible to restore deleted system applications?

If you deleted an application via ADB without root access (for user 0), it can be returned with a factory reset. If the partition has been formatted or the file has been deleted from the system partition with root access, only flashing it will help.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is FRP and how to bypass it when selling a phone?

FRP (Factory Reset Protection) is Google protection that requires entering an account after reset. To bypass it legally when selling, you just need to log out of your Google account and Mi account in your phone settings BEFORE performing the reset. If the phone is already reset and locked, you will need to enter the data of the previous owner.

Will unlocking the bootloader be removed after a full reset?

No, a regular factory reset (Wipe Data) does not lock the bootloader back. The unlock status is saved in a separate protected memory section. To block the bootloader, you need to use the command fastboot oem lock or option clean all and lock in the Mi Flash Tool.

Is it safe to buy a used Xiaomi with reset settings?

It is safe to buy only if the phone does not prompt during initial setup someone else's Mi account or Google account. If, after turning it on, it asks you to enter a password for an unknown account, this is a stolen or problematic device that you will not be able to use.

How long does it take to completely format a Xiaomi Redmi?

The Wipe Data process in Recovery usually takes from 1 to 5 minutes. A complete flashing via Fastboot with the clean all option takes from 3 to 10 minutes, depending on the speed of the USB port and the size of the firmware. The first launch after this can last up to 10-15 minutes.

Is it possible to demolish Android and install another OS?

Theoretically yes, but in practice for Xiaomi smartphones this is extremely difficult and rarely makes sense. There is a LineageOS project and other custom firmware, but they require an unlocked bootloader and technical literacy. It is almost impossible to completely replace Android with another system (for example, Linux) on a mobile processor without losing functionality.