Situations when it is necessary to return a mobile device to its original state arise among users Xiaomi with enviable regularity. This may be due to the sale of a gadget, critical errors in the system, or the desire to clear the memory of accumulated digital garbage. The procedure for returning to the “out of the box” state is called Hard Reset or Factory Reset, and in the ecosystem it is implemented in several ways. When performing a reset on a smartphone, it is important to understand that this the process is irreversible. All user data, including photos, contacts, message history and installed applications, will be completely destroyed. Before starting any manipulations, it is strongly recommended to create a backup copy of important information in cloud storage MIUI it is implemented in several ways.
Performing a reset Android on a smartphone Redmi or POCO, it is important to understand that this process is irreversible. All user data, including photos, contacts, message history and installed applications, will be completely destroyed. Before starting any manipulations, it is strongly recommended to create a backup copy of important information in cloud storage Google Drive or Xiaomi Cloud.
In this guide we will analyze in detail all available reset methods, from the standard settings menu to using engineering mode Recovery. We will also touch on the nuances associated with the account Google and protection against theft, so that after a reboot the device does not ask for a password from someone else's account.
Preparing the device for a full data reset
Before initiating the cleaning process, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. Ignoring these steps may result in the phone being locked by the FRP (Factory Reset Protection) function after turning it on. This is a security mechanism that requires you to enter account information Googlethat was synced with the device before the reset.
First, check the battery level. The process of formatting the data partition and reinstalling system files requires energy. If the smartphone turns off in the middle of the procedure, there is a risk of damage to the bootloader or software failures that will have to be corrected by flashing it through the computer.
⚠️ Attention: Make sure that the battery charge is at least 50-60%. Connecting to the charger during a reset via the Recovery menu may be unavailable or incorrectly recognized by the system.
The second critical step is unlinking accounts. Go to settings and delete the linked account Google i Mi Account. This will prevent the device from being locked after a reboot. If you have forgotten your account password, it is better to remember it now than to struggle with blocking later.
☑️ Checklist before resetting
Reset via the standard MIUI settings menu
The safest and easiest way to return Xiaomi to factory settings - use the built-in system menu. This method is suitable for devices that turn on and the screen responds to touches. The interface may differ slightly depending on the version MIUI (12, 13, 14 or HyperOS), but the logic of actions remains the same.
Open the “Settings” application and scroll the list to the very bottom. You need the "About Phone" section. Inside this menu, find an option usually called “Factory Reset” or “Factory Reset.” In new firmware versions, this option may be hidden under the “Erase all data” button.
The system will offer you two options: “Reset settings” (without deleting data) and “Erase all data”. For a complete return to factory condition, select the second option. After pressing the button, the system will request confirmation in the form of entering a pattern key, PIN code or screen unlock password.
- 📱 Go to
Settings → About phone. - 🗑️ Press the button
Reset settingsbottom screen. - 🔓 Enter your current screen unlock password to confirm.
- ⏳ Press the button
Erase all dataand wait for the reboot.
After confirmation, the device will reboot and the cleaning process will begin. A logo MI or animation Androidmay be displayed on the screen. The procedure execution time depends on the amount of memory occupied and the speed of the built-in storage. This usually takes from 5 to 15 minutes.
If you have two-factor authentication or synchronization with Mi Cloud enabled, make sure that you remember the password for your Mi account, as the system may request it before the final deletion of data.
Using Recovery mode for Hard Reset
If the smartphone does not boot, is stuck on the logo or you forgot the pattern key, the standard settings menu becomes unavailable. In such cases, the regime Recoverycomes to the rescue. This is a special diagnostic mode, hardwired into the device’s memory, which allows you to control the system at a low level.
To enter this mode, you must completely turn off the smartphone. Then you need to hold down the combination of physical buttons. On most models Xiaomi i Redmi this is a combination of the volume up button (Vol+) and the power button (Power). Hold them simultaneously until the logo appears MI, after which you can release the power button while continuing to hold the volume.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen does not work. Control is carried out exclusively by the volume buttons (up/down to select) and the power button (to confirm the selection).
In the Recovery menu, the interface can be in Chinese or English. If you see Chinese characters, don't panic. Typically the reset point is second or third on the list. Focus on the cart icon or the word Wipe Data.
Select an item Wipe Data, then confirm your choice by pressing Wipe All Data. The system will ask for confirmation again (Confirm). After successful completion of cleaning, a message Data wiped successfullywill appear. Select Back to Main Menu, and then Reboot → Reboot to System.
What to do if the Recovery menu is in Chinese?
The procedure is universal: second button from the top (Wipe Data) → second button (Wipe All Data) → lower right button (Confirm). After completion, click the second button from the top (Back), then the first (Reboot) → the first (Reboot to System).
Comparison of reset methods: characteristics table
Different situations require different approaches to solving the problem. To make it easier for you to choose the appropriate method, we have prepared a comparative table of the main methods of resetting settings on devices Xiaomi.
| Parameter | Through Settings | Via Recovery | Via Find Device |
|---|---|---|---|
| The need to turn on | The phone is on and working | The phone can be turned off | The phone must be online |
| Complexity | Low | Medium | Low (needs a PC/another phone) |
| Deleting accounts | Automatically (if logged in) | Not deletes accounts from memory | Full deletion |
| Risk of errors | Minimal | Average (human factor) | Depends on the connection |
As can be seen from the table, the method via Settings is the most preferable for a scheduled reset, since it correctly processes linked accounts. The mode Recovery is indispensable in case of software failures, but requires care when navigating.
Remote reset via the Mi Cloud service
In case of loss or theft of the device, and also if the phone is with you, but the screen is broken and does not respond to touches, you can use the remote control service. The “Find device” function (Find Device) allows you to initiate a reset remotely through the web interface.
To do this, go to the official website i.mi.com from any other device (computer or smartphone). Log in using the same account Mi Accountthat was entered on the problem phone. In the list of devices, select the desired model.
In the device management menu you will see several options: “Sound”, “Lock” and “Erase data”. Select the option Erase data (Wipe Data). The system will warn you that all data will be deleted permanently. Confirm the action.
This method will only work if two conditions are met: the smartphone must be turned on and connected to the Internet (via a mobile network or Wi-Fi). If the device is offline, the reset command will be executed automatically as soon as it appears online.
Solving common problems after a reset
After completing the Hard Reset procedure and the first boot, the user is faced with the initial setup screen. Questions related to security and access restoration often arise here. The most common problem is the request for a password for the account Google.
If you did not delete the account Google from the phone settings before resetting, the security system FRP is activated. This is protection against theft: the phone “remembers” that it was tied to a specific mail. You will need to enter your username and password for this account. You won’t be able to use your smartphone without them.
⚠️ Attention: If you bought a used phone and during setup it asks for the previous owner’s account, this is a sign that the reset was performed incorrectly (via Recovery without logging out of the account). Only the seller can legally bring such a phone back to life.
Another common situation is an endless bootloop. If after resetting the phone freezes on the logo MI more than 20 minutes, the system partition may be damaged. In this case, simply resetting may not be enough. You will need to flash the device via a computer using the utility Mi Flash Tool and official firmware in the format Fastboot.
It is also worth noting that after the first turn on the device may work slower than usual. This is due to the fact that the system Android optimizes applications and indexes files in the background. Let the phone work for 15-20 minutes, connecting it to Wi-Fi, to complete all internal processes.
Requesting a Google account after a reset is not an error, but standard anti-theft protection. Always log out of your account before selling or sending your phone for service.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Will information be deleted from the SD memory card when resetting?
By default, when resetting through the settings menu Android offers the option "Clear SD card." If you do not check this box, the data on the memory card will be saved. However, in Recovery mode, the memory card is often formatted along with the internal memory, so before entering Recovery it is better to remove the SD card physically.
Can I reset the phone if I forgot the password for the lock screen?
Yes, but only through the mode Recovery (volume and power buttons) or through the service Find Device, if the phone is connected to the Internet. Through the settings menu, a reset is not possible without entering the current unlock password.
Will the Android or MIUI version be reset after Factory Reset?
No. A factory reset returns only software settings and deletes user data. The version of the operating system Android and shell MIUI will remain the one that was installed at the time of the reset. You cannot roll back to an older version in this way.
What should I do if the phone asks for a password for the Mi account that I forgot?
You need to restore access to your account through the website id.mi.com before the reset begins. If the reset has already been completed and the phone is locked at the activation stage, unlocking it without account data is extremely difficult and often requires contacting an authorized service center with a purchase receipt.
How long does the data reset process take?
Usually the process takes from 5 to 15 minutes. If you have more than 100 GB of memory filled, the procedure may take up to 30 minutes. The main thing is not to interrupt the process and not press buttons until the phone itself reboots into the setup menu.