The company's smartphones Xiaomi are known for their performance and rich functionality, but over time the operating system Android may begin to work unstable. The appearance of errors, slowdown of the interface or incorrect operation of applications are often solved by a drastic method - returning to the original state of the device. Users often look for a way to “refresh” their phone, meaning a complete reset of all settings and data.
The Factory Reset procedure deletes all user information, returning the software to the state it was in when purchased. This is an effective tool for troubleshooting software glitches, clearing memory before selling a gadget, or preparing to install new firmware. It is important to understand the difference between a regular system update and a full reset: the first saves data, the second deletes it irrevocably.
Before taking active steps, you need to understand the seriousness of the step. Full reset affects all sections of memory, including internal storage, where photos, documents and messenger caches may be located. An unprepared user risks losing valuable data forever if he does not create a backup copy in advance. Next, we will analyze in detail all the available methods of system recovery on devices Redmi and Poco.
Preparing the device for a full reset
It is necessary to begin the process with careful preparation, since interrupting the procedure at the stage of erasing data can lead to software errors. The first and most critical step is to create a backup of all important information. The ecosystem MIUI i HyperOS provides built-in backup tools that allow you to save contacts, messages and settings to the cloud Mi Cloud or to external storage.
You should also make sure that the battery charge level is sufficient. The process of formatting and reinstalling system files requires energy, and turning off the phone in the middle of the procedure is unacceptable. It is recommended to charge the device to at least 60-70%, and preferably to a full charge, in order to eliminate the risk of power outage at the most inopportune moment.
⚠️ Attention: Before resetting, be sure to unlink your account Google and Mi Account. If you do not do this, after turning on the phone will require you to enter the password from the previously synchronized account (FRP protection). Without this data, you will not be able to access the system.
Another important aspect is removing the memory card SDif it is used. Although modern versions Android usually do not format external drives when resetting, there is a risk of file system corruption or accidental deletion of data from the card. Physical extraction microSD guarantees the safety of your files on external media.
☑️ Checklist before resetting
Reset through the settings menu (standard method)
The safest and easiest way to return Xiaomi to factory settings is using the system's built-in menu. This method is suitable for devices that turn on normally and respond to screen touches. The interface may differ slightly depending on the shell version MIUI or HyperOS, but the logic of actions remains the same for all models.
First, go to the device settings section. Navigation is carried out sequentially: open the main menu, find the item “About phone” or “Advanced settings”. In new firmware versions, the reset option is often placed in a separate “Security and Privacy” or “Advanced” subsection. You will need to find an item containing the phrase “Reset settings” or “Delete all data.”
After selecting the appropriate item, the system will ask for identity confirmation. You will have to enter a pattern key PIN code or account password, if one is installed. This is a security measure to prevent accidental or unauthorized reset of the device by unauthorized persons. After confirming the action, the phone will prompt you to read the warning about deleting data again.
- 📱 Go to
Settings → About phone → Reset settings. - 🗑️ Select option
Delete all datafor complete formatting. - 🔒 Enter the screen unlock password to confirm the operation.
- ⏳ Wait for the process to complete and automatically reboot.
After pressing the button confirmation, the cleaning process will begin. The screen will go dark and the device will reboot. A Mi or Redmilogo will appear, under which a progress indicator will be displayed. The waiting time depends on the amount of internal memory and the number of files: the more data there was on the phone, the longer it will take to delete it. On average, the procedure takes from 5 to 15 minutes.
If you plan to sell your phone, do not restore data from a backup copy immediately. Leave the device in its factory state so that the new owner can customize it.
Using Recovery mode to reset
Situations when the smartphone does not boot, freezes on the logo or does not respond to the sensor, require the use of a special recovery mode - Recovery Mode. This mode works independently of the main operating system and allows you to reset even in case of critical errors Android. It is accessed using a combination of physical buttons when the device is turned off.
To enter the recovery menu, turn off the smartphone completely. Then hold down the volume up button (Volume Up) and the power button (Power) at the same time. Hold them until the logo appears, after which you can release the power button, continuing to hold the volume key until the logo appears Mi Recovery. Control in this menu is carried out using the volume buttons (up/down) to move and the power button to select an item.
| Action | Control button | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Move up | Volume Up | Moves the selection one item higher |
| Move down | Volume Down | Moves the selection one item lower |
| Confirm selection | Power (Power) | Activates the selected menu item |
| Reboot | Power (Power) | Selecting the Reboot item |
In the menu Recovery select a language (if available) or immediately find the item Wipe Data. Confirmation of the action will require selecting an option Wipe All Data. The system may request additional confirmation, which is also selected by the power button. After the cleaning is completed, the message “Data wiped successfully” will appear, and the device will offer to return to the main menu (Main Menu) to reboot.
What to do if Recovery does not open?
If the button combination does not work, try connecting the switched off phone to the computer via a USB cable before pressing the buttons. On some models, this is a prerequisite for entering recovery mode.
Hard Reset via the engineering menu
There is an alternative reset method, which is sometimes called the “engineering” reset, although technically it also leads to the recovery menu. This method may be useful if the standard button combination does not work due to the characteristics of a particular model or version of the bootloader. The essence of the method is to emulate button presses through app code.
To implement this method, the phone must at least partially respond to actions: the screen must light up, and the system must accept input. Open the Phone application (dialer) and enter a special command. After entering the last digit or symbol, the device should automatically reboot into Recoverymode, where you can perform the standard cleaning procedure.
##7780##Entering this code initiates a factory reset, preserving some system files, or a full reset, depending on the firmware version. In some cases, the system will immediately prompt you to confirm the deletion of data without entering the Recovery menu. Be extremely careful: this method does not work on all devices with new security versions 11 and higher. Using engineering codes on devices with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware can lead to unpredictable consequences. On stock devices, the risk is minimal, but there is no guarantee of security. Xiaomi with new security versions Android 11 and above.
⚠️ Attention: Using engineering codes on devices with an unlocked bootloader or custom firmware can lead to unpredictable consequences. On stock devices the risk is minimal, but there is no guarantee of safety.
If the command does not work, do not try to enter other unknown codes from the Internet. Most of them are either outdated or intended for service centers with special equipment. Revert to the physical button method or use computer recovery software.
Reset via computer and Mi Flash utility
For advanced users who have encountered serious software failures (“bricking”, cyclic reboot), there is a method for flashing the device via a computer. Using the utility Mi Flash Tool allows you to completely reinstall the operating system, which is similar to resetting, but with loading a fresh firmware image. This method requires drivers ADB and Fastboot.
The process begins by putting the smartphone into Fastbootmode. To do this, turn off the phone and hold down the volume down button (Volume Down) together with the power button. An image of a hare in a hat with earflaps repairing an android will appear on the screen, indicating successful entry into the mode. Connect the device to the PC via a high-quality USB cable.
Run the app Mi Flash on the computer. You will need pre-downloaded official firmware for your specific model in .tgzformat. Unpack the archive to the root of the disk (the path should not contain Cyrillic). In the app interface, click the “Refresh” button so that the utility detects the connected device, then select the path to the folder with the firmware.
- 💻 Download the official firmware from the website miui.com.
- 🔌 Set the phone to mode
Fastbootand connect to the PC. - ⚙️ In the utility Mi Flash select mode
Clean All. - 🚀 Press the button
Flashand wait for the process to complete.
It is critical to select the firmware mode Clean All. It is this option that ensures the complete removal of all user data and partitions, essentially performing a deep reset to the factory state. Modes Save User Data or Clean All and Lock have other usage scenarios: the first saves files, the second blocks the bootloader, which may be undesirable for some users.
Clean All mode in Mi Flash Tool is the most radical and effective way to restore system functionality, eliminating any software conflicts.
Possible problems and their solutions
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users may encounter a number of difficulties. One of the most common problems is activation lock (FRP Lock). If you did not log out of your account before resetting Google, after rebooting the phone will require you to enter the password for the email that was synchronized earlier. This is protection against theft, and it is impossible to bypass it in legal ways without a password.
Another common situation is getting stuck on the logo after a reset. This may indicate corrupted system files or a failed update attempt. In this case, re-entering the mode Recovery and performing a reset may not help. The only solution is to flash the device through a computer using the mode Fastboot or EDL (for deep recovery).
Sometimes users complain about rapid battery drain or heating immediately after the reset. This is normal during the first hours of operation. The system performs file indexing, application optimization and background data loading. The process can take from 30 minutes to several hours. Do not panic and perform a second reset immediately - give the device time to stabilize.
⚠️ Attention: If after a reset the phone constantly reboots on its own (bootloop), this may indicate a physical malfunction of the power button (it could be stuck) or a hardware failure of the board. In such cases, software methods are powerless.
It is also important to consider that the interface and item names may change with the release of new versions. HyperOS. The developers periodically change the menu structure to improve the user experience. If you do not find the item you need, use the search in the settings by entering the request “Reset” or “Reset”.
Why does the phone ask for a password after a reset?
This is the Factory Reset Protection (FRP) function. It links the device to the owner's account. When resetting through the settings menu, verification is not required, but when resetting through the buttons (Recovery), the protection is necessarily activated.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will resetting delete the SD memory card?
Usually the standard reset procedure through settings does not format an external memory card if it is not was configured as internal storage (Adoptable Storage). However, when resetting via Recovery or Mi Flash, there is a risk of losing data on the SD card, so it is strongly recommended to remove it before starting the procedure.
Is it possible to cancel the reset after it has started?
No, it is not possible to cancel the process. As soon as formatting of memory partitions has begun, the data is deleted permanently. Interrupting the process (turning off the phone, removing the battery) will damage the operating system and turn the device into a “brick”, which will have to be restored through a service center.
Is the Android version reset during a Factory Reset?
No, returning to factory settings does not downgrade the operating system version. If you updated your phone to Android 13 or HyperOS, then after the reset the same version will remain, but with cleared user data and settings. To roll back the version, a complete flashing is required.
What should I do if I forgot the password for my Google account after the reset?
You need to restore access to your account through any other_DEVICE or computer by visiting the Google password recovery site. Without entering the correct password for the account that was synchronized on the device before the reset, you will not be able to unlock the phone due to FRP protection.
How long does a full Xiaomi reset take?
The formatting and cleaning process usually takes from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of internal memory and the speed of the drive. The first boot after a reset may take longer (up to 10 minutes) as the system performs initial setup and optimization.