Smartphones Xiaomi i Redmi deservedly popular due to their excellent price-to-functionality ratio, but over time any the software may become unstable. The accumulation of temporary files, errors in updates or conflicts of installed applications often lead to the device slowing down or freezing. In such situations, the most effective solution is a complete return to the original state of the system.
The reset procedure, or the so-called Hard Reset, completely deletes all user data, restoring the software shell MIUI to the state in which it was when purchased. This is a drastic measure, but it allows you to eliminate deep software errors that cannot be fixed by simply clearing the cache. If your phone has stopped responding to commands or you have forgotten the pattern key, this method will be the only way out.
Before taking decisive action, you need to understand that the process is irreversible. All photos, contacts, correspondence and installed apps will be permanently deleted from the device’s internal memory. Therefore, it is extremely important to create a backup copy of valuable information in advance, using cloud services or transferring files to a computer.
Preparing a smartphone for a full reset
The success of the operation largely depends on proper preliminary preparation. Ignoring this step may result in the loss of important data or interruption of the recovery process, which can have serious consequences for the device. Make sure that the battery is charged at least 60-70% so that the phone does not turn off at the most critical moment.
The next step will be to synchronize the data with the cloud Mi Cloud or Google Drive. This will allow you to quickly restore contacts, notes and call history after turning on the cleaned smartphone. Also, do not forget to check the binding of your Mi account, since after the reset the system will require you to enter a login and password to confirm the owner’s rights (theft protection).
⚠️ Attention: If you do not remember the password for your Mi account, be sure to restore access before the reset begins. Otherwise, you may lose the ability to use your phone after turning it on due to activation lock.
For the convenience of transferring heavy files such as videos and photos, it is recommended to use a USB cable and a computer. Connect the gadget in file transfer mode and copy the folders DCIM, Download and MIUI to your hard drive. This will take a little time, but will save your memories from being deleted.
☑️ Checklist for preparing for the reset
Method 1: Reset through system settings (soft reset)
The simplest and safest method Factory reset is available directly in the operating system settings menu. This option is suitable for devices that turn on and respond normally to screen touches. To begin, go to the main menu and find the gear icon.
In the list that opens, scroll down to the section About phone. All technical information about your device is located here, as well as a memory management button. Click on the item Reset settings, which is usually located at the very bottom of the screen.
The system will offer two options: Reset all settings and Delete all data. We are interested in the second option, since it involves completely clearing the internal memory. After pressing the button Reset settings the phone will ask you to enter a security code or pattern key, if installed.
- 📱 Make sure the phone is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network for the correct operation of some system components.
- 🔋 Do not press the volume control buttons during the process so as not to accidentally switch the device to Recovery mode.
- 🔄 After confirming the action, the screen will go dark and the data deletion process will begin, which may take from 5 to 15 minutes.
After the procedure is completed, the smartphone will automatically will reboot. The first startup after a reset takes longer than usual because the system reinitializes all services and creates new configuration files. Be patient and do not try to speed up the process by repeatedly pressing buttons.
If you plan to sell the phone, be sure to remove the SD card before resetting, as sometimes the system may prompt you to format it too if it is installed as internal memory.
Method 2: Hard Reset via the Recovery menu
If the smartphone is stuck on the screensaver, does not respond to the sensor, or you have forgotten the unlock password, you will need to use a special service menu Recovery. This method works at the hardware level and does not require access to the Android operating system. To enter this mode, the device must be completely turned off.
Hold down the power button and the volume up button (Volume Upat the same time). Hold them until the logo Redmi or Miappears, then release the power button, but continue to hold the volume key until the main Recovery menu appears.
Navigation in this menu is carried out with the volume buttons (up/down), and the selection of an item is confirmed with the power button. You need to find the section Wipe Data and go to it. Next, select the option Wipe All Data and confirm the action by pressing Confirm.
⚠️ Attention: The touch screen does not work in the Recovery menu. All actions are performed exclusively by mechanical buttons on the smartphone body.
After confirmation, formatting of the memory partitions will begin. A progress bar for completing the task will be displayed on the screen. When the process is completed, the system will return to the main Recovery menu, where you need to select the item Reboot, and then Reboot to System.
What to do if the Recovery menu does not appear?
If the button combination does not work, try connecting the switched off phone to the computer with a cable and repeat the procedure. In rare cases, several attempts may be required at different button press intervals.
Method 3: Remote reset via Google Find My Device
In situations where the phone is lost or stolen, but it has geolocation and a Google account enabled, you can reset it remotely. This will erase all data from the device so that it does not fall into the wrong hands. To do this, you will need access to a computer or another smartphone.
Go to the official website of the service Google Find My Device and log in to the Google account that was active on the lost device. The system will automatically detect the location of the gadget if it is on the network.
In the list of available actions, select the option Wipe the device. After sending the command, the phone will receive a signal to delete all data at the first opportunity to connect to the Internet. It is worth noting that after this procedure it will be impossible to track the location of the phone.
| Reset method | Requires access to the menu | Delete data | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through Settings | Yes (working screen) | Full | Low |
| Via Recovery | No (buttons) | Full | Medium |
| Google Find My Device | No (Internet) | Full | Low |
| Mi Cloud | No (browser) | Full | Low |
This method is especially relevant if you suspect that an attacker is trying to gain access to your banking applications or personal correspondence. Instant data clearing reduces the risks of information leakage to a minimum.
Data recovery and initial setup
After the reset and reboot are successfully completed, you will see a welcome screen similar to what you saw when you first turned on the new phone. The system will prompt you to select a language, connect to a Wi-Fi network and log in to your Google account.
At the setup stage, you can use the restore from backup function. If you previously created a backup in Google Drive or Mi Cloud, the system will offer to download applications, settings and some data automatically. This will significantly speed up the process of returning to the usual use of your smartphone.
It is important to pay close attention to your privacy settings and app permissions. A clean system is a great time to reconsider which apps you really trust with access to your microphone, camera, and location. Disable unnecessary tracking services in the menu Settings → Privacy.
- 🔐 When logging into your Mi account, make sure that two-factor authentication is enabled for increased security.
- 📲 Install applications only from the official store Google Playto avoid re-infection with viruses.
- ⚙️ Check for system updates in the menu
About the phone → MIUI versionimmediately after setup.
Do not rush to install hundreds of applications the first time hour Let the system run in the background for a while to complete file indexing and battery optimization. This will have a positive impact on the autonomy of the device in the first days of use.
Restoring from a cloud copy is the fastest way to return to the familiar environment, but it will not save files that were not synchronized in advance.
Possible problems and solutions
Sometimes the reset process may not go entirely smoothly, especially on devices with modified software or in the presence of bad memory sectors. One of the common problems is getting stuck on the manufacturer's logo after a reboot, the so-called bootloop.
If the phone reboots endlessly, try to enter the mode again Recovery and perform the procedure Wipe Data again. In some cases, connecting to a computer and using the official utility Mi Flash Tool to flash the device helps.
⚠️ Attention: If after resetting the phone requires entering the password from the previous Google account (FRP Lock), this is standard protection against theft. Without entering the correct data, you will not be able to log in to the system.
Users may also encounter a situation where, after a reset, the sensor does not work or the network disappears. Most often, this indicates a hardware malfunction that coincided with a software failure, or damage to system partitions that cannot be restored by simple formatting.
In such cases, independent actions can only aggravate the situation. If resetting and checking for updates did not help, it is advisable to contact an authorized service center for in-depth diagnostics.
Why does the phone ask for a password after a reset?
This is a Factory Reset Protection (FRP) function. It is activated automatically if a Google account has been added to the phone. The goal is to make the stolen phone useless to the thief even after a full reset.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will the information on the SD memory card be deleted when resetting?
By default, the system resets only the internal memory. However, if in the settings the memory card was combined with internal memory (adaptive storage), then it will also be formatted. If the card is used as a portable storage device, the data on it will be saved, but we still recommend removing it before the procedure.
How long does the Hard Reset process take on Xiaomi?
The data deletion itself usually takes from 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the amount of occupied memory. However, the first start of the system after a reset can last up to 15-20 minutes, as applications are optimized and system files are created.
Is it possible to reset the phone if the screen is broken and the sensor does not work?
Yes, this is possible through the Recovery menu, using the physical volume and power buttons. Also, if USB debugging is enabled and you have a suitable adapter, you can try to control the phone through a computer, but the method with buttons is more reliable.
What should you do if the phone says “Device is locked” when you try to reset?
This message means that the device’s bootloader is locked. For a standard data reset via the Recovery menu, this is not an obstacle. If you are trying to flash the device via Fastboot, you will need to unlock the bootloader through the official Xiaomi website.