Brand smartphones Xiaomirunning shells MIUI or new HyperOSmay begin to work unstable over time. The accumulation of system garbage, errors after unsuccessful updates, or a forgotten pattern often become the reasons why the user needs to return the device to its original state. This procedure, known as Hard Reset or hard reset, deletes all personal data and returns the software to its out-of-the-box state.
The process of restoring factory settings on Redmi and Poco can be performed in two main ways: through the standard operating system settings menu or through the engineering menu Recovery. The choice of a specific method depends on the current performance of your gadget. If the screen responds to touch and you can log in, the first option will be the most secure and easiest to follow.
However, if the device is frozen at the logo, does not respond to the password, or reboots cyclically, the only workable solution is to use the volume and power buttons. Regardless of the path chosen, it is critically important to understand that Full reset irreversibly destroys all information in the internal memory. Photos, contacts and messages will be lost beyond recovery unless a backup was created in advance.
Preparing the device for the reset procedure
Before initiating the cleaning process, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps that will save your important data from irretrievable loss. The most reliable tool for this is a cloud service Xiaomi Cloud or account Google. Synchronization of contacts, calendar and notes occurs automatically if the Internet is available, but media files often require manual backup.
It is recommended to create a local copy of the system directly on the phone before starting manipulations. This will allow you to quickly roll back to a working state in case of failure or critical errors without losing installed applications and their settings. To do this, in the settings menu, find the section responsible for expanding the capabilities of the system.
- 📸 Take photos of important documents and correspondence if they are not synchronized with the cloud.
- 🔋 Make sure that the battery charge level is at least 60-70% so that the phone does not turn off at the most crucial moment.
- ☁️ Check the login status of your Mi account and Google account, remembering their passwords.
- 💾 Copy the contents of the DCIM, Download and Documents folders to a computer or external drive.
Special attention should be paid to the function Find device. If this option is active, the system will require you to enter your Mi account password immediately after the reset is completed and the first boot is completed. Without this data, the phone will remain locked, turning into a useless piece of plastic. You can disable this protection only by knowing your current credentials or by first logging out of your account in the settings.
☑️ Checklist before resetting
Reset through the Android settings menu
The most gentle and understandable way to return Xiaomi to factory settings is available directly from the user interface. This method is preferred because the system will gracefully terminate all background processes and format memory partitions correctly. The path to the required function may differ slightly depending on the shell version MIUI or HyperOS.
In modern firmware versions, the algorithm of actions is as follows: you need to open the “Settings” application, scroll down the list to the “About phone” item and find the reset option there. In older versions, this item could be located in the “Advanced Settings” section. After selecting “Reset settings”, the system will show a list of data that will be deleted.
Click on the large button at the bottom of the screen to confirm your intentions. The device will ask you to enter a pattern key, PIN code or screen unlock password to confirm the owner's identity. After successful authentication, the cleaning process will begin, which can take from a few minutes to half an hour depending on the amount of occupied memory.
If you plan to sell the phone, be sure to select the “Erase everything” option, and not just “Reset settings”, in order to delete files in the internal memory as well.
It is important to note that the phone may reboot several times during the process. The screen will turn off and light up again, and the logo Android or MIUImay be displayed on the display. Do not try to interrupt this process by pressing buttons, as this can lead to damage to the file system and the need to reflash the device via a computer.
Using Recovery mode for a full reset
If the smartphone does not turn on normally, is stuck on the screensaver or you have forgotten the unlock password, the only way out is to use the mode Recovery. This is a special diagnostic mode built into the device’s memory, which allows you to perform low-level operations with the system without loading the main interface.
To enter this mode, you must completely turn off the smartphone. Then hold down the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time. Hold them down until the MIlogo appears on the screen, after which you can release the power button while continuing to hold the volume up. After a few seconds, you will see the main recovery menu.
Navigation in the menu Recovery is carried out exclusively by hardware buttons: volume up and down move the cursor, and the power button confirms the selection. You need to find the item Wipe Data and select it. Next, the system will prompt you to confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen does not work. All actions are performed only with mechanical buttons. If you accidentally select the wrong item, use the volume buttons to go back.
After confirmation, the system will begin formatting the partitions. The progress bar will show the status of the operation. When the process is complete, “Data wiped successfully” will appear on the screen. To exit, select Reboot, and then Reboot to System. The first boot after such a procedure will last much longer than usual, sometimes up to 10-15 minutes.
What to do if Recovery is in Chinese?
Some versions of smartphones for the Chinese market have a recovery menu in hieroglyphs. In this case, be guided by the location of the buttons. Typically, the Wipe Data item is second from the top, and the confirmation button is at the bottom of the list. If you are not sure, it is better to wait for the help of a specialist or find visual instructions for your specific model.
Bypassing Mi-account and Google FRP protection
Modern devices Xiaomi are equipped with serious anti-theft mechanisms. Function FRP (Factory Reset Protection) from Google and similar protection from Xiaomi lock the device after a reset, requiring you to enter the credentials of the last owner. This is done so that an attacker cannot use the stolen phone after it has been wiped.
If you are dumping a phone that you are going to sell or give to another person, it is critical to log out of all accounts before the procedure. Go to settings, find the “Accounts and synchronization” section and delete Google and Mi Account profiles from there. Only after this, resetting the data will not require entering old passwords during the first setup.
| Type of protection | When it works | How to avoid blocking | Consequences of ignoring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google FRP | When resetting via Recovery or buttons | Delete Google account in settings before resetting | Requiring you to enter the email and password of the last account |
| Mi Account Lock | When you enable “Find device” | Disable the “Find device” function in the Mi account | Blocking phone activation without a Mi-account password |
| Screen Lock | When you try to enter the reset menu | Know the current PIN code or pattern key | Inability to reset through the settings menu |
In case of purchase a used device on which someone else’s account remains, it can only be legally unlocked by contacting the previous owner. There are service centers that have equipment for removing locks, but their services are paid and require the provision of documents confirming ownership of the gadget (receipt, box).
Resetting the phone without first logging out of the accounts will lead to an activation lock (FRP), which is extremely difficult to remove without the owner's password.
Solving problems after resetting the settings
After successfully returning to factory settings, users may encounter a number of unusual situations. Most often, questions arise from the long first boot. The system optimizes applications and checks file integrity, which creates a load on the processor. If the phone hangs on the logo for more than 20 minutes, a failure may have occurred.
In such cases, it is recommended to perform a forced reboot by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds. If the problem repeats cyclically (bootloop), one of the system partitions may be damaged. Then you will need to log in again Recovery and try to reset again, or flash the device via a PC using the utility Mi Flash Tool.
Another common problem is the lack of connection or Wi-Fi immediately after turning it on. This may be due to the network settings being affected by the reset. It is enough to re-enter the password for the wireless network or reinstall the SIM card. In rare cases, manual selection of a telecom operator in the mobile network settings is required.
⚠️ Attention: The interface and location of menu items may differ on different Redmi, Poco and Xiaomi models. If you cannot find the described item, use the search in the settings by entering the word “Reset”.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will information be deleted from the SD memory card when reset?
By default, the standard reset procedure is through the settings menu does not affect external microSD memory card. However, if you used the card as internal storage (adoptable storage), the data on it may become unreadable. When resetting via Recovery, in some custom menus there is a checkbox “Empty SD card”, which must be unchecked in order to save the files.
Is it possible to interrupt the reset if it is frozen?
Interrupting the formatting process is extremely undesirable, as this can lead to the “bricking” of the device. If there is no progress for more than an hour, try performing a forced reboot (long press the power button). If the phone does not turn on after this, you will have to contact the service to reflash it.
Reset removes Android system updates?
No, the “Reset to factory settings” operation deletes only user data, applications and settings. The version of the operating system Android and shell MIUI/HyperOS will remain the one that was installed at the time of the reset. Rolling back to an older firmware version in this way is impossible.
What to do if the phone asks for a password for the Mi account after a reset?
This is protection against theft. You need to enter the login and password for the account that was synchronized with the phone before the reset. If you do not remember the data, try to restore access through the i.mi.com website. Without entering the correct data, you will not be able to activate the phone.
How long does it take to completely reset Xiaomi?
The data clearing procedure itself usually takes from 5 to 15 minutes. However, the first boot after the reset and setting up the system may require another 10-20 minutes. The total time depends on the amount of internal memory and the processor speed of the specific smartphone model.