How to reset Android on Xiaomi: complete guide

Situations when a smartphone Xiaomi begins to work unstable, accumulates system garbage, or requires preparation for sale, arise for every owner. In such cases, the only radical and effective solution is to completely reset the device, which users often call “zeroing.” This procedure returns the gadget to its original state, deleting all user data, applications and changes to the system, making it as clean as the day it was purchased.

The process of restoring factory settings on the shell MIUI or a new one HyperOS is technically simple, but requires care. Any error at the preparation stage or during the procedure itself can lead to the loss of important photos, contacts, or even a software failure that requires flashing through a computer. Therefore, before starting any manipulations, it is critical to understand the difference between types of reset and to properly prepare the device.

In this material we will analyze in detail all the available methods of resetting a smartphone, from the standard settings menu to recovery mode Recovery. You will learn how to secure your data, what nuances exist for different models, and what to do if your phone has forgotten the unlock password. Follow the instructions step by step to return your device to maximum performance.

Preparing the device for a hard reset

Before you initiate the data erasing process, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. Ignoring this step may lead to the fact that after a reboot you will not be able to activate the phone due to protection Google FRP or you will lose access to important files. Make sure that the battery is charged at least 50-60%, since a sudden power outage while formatting memory partitions is fatal to the system.

Make a backup copy of all valuable information. Built-in tools Xiaomi allow you to save contacts, messages and call history to the cloud or to an SD card. For photos and documents, it is better to use a computer or third-party cloud services. Remember that after pressing the confirmation button there will be no way back - the data will be destroyed irrevocably.

⚠️ Attention: If you have Mi Accountinstalled on your phone, be sure to exit it before resetting it through the settings. Otherwise, the theft protection will work, and during the first setup the system will require you to enter a password for this account, which you may have forgotten.

It is also worth disabling all lock screens: PIN code, pattern and fingerprint. This will simplify the initial setup process after a reboot and eliminate possible conflicts when restoring the system. If you plan to sell the device, remove the SIM card and microSD memory card so as not to accidentally transfer personal data to the new owner.

Reset via the settings menu (standard method)

The safest and recommended method reset the phone - use the built-in settings section of the operating system. This method guarantees correct data deletion and overwriting of system partitions without the risk of damaging the bootloader. The interface may differ slightly depending on the version Android and shell, but the logic of actions remains the same for all models.

Go to the main menu and select item Settings. Scroll down the list to the About phonesection. Here you will need to find the item Reset settings or Delete all data. In some firmware versions, this item may be hidden inside the “Advanced” or “Advanced Settings” submenu, so carefully examine the available tabs.

A warning will appear on the screen indicating what data will be deleted. The system will offer two options: Reset settings (saving files in internal memory) and Clear all data. To completely reset, choose the second option. The system will ask you to confirm the action, often requiring you to enter your current screen unlock password for security.

After confirmation, the deletion process will begin. The screen will go dark and the device will reboot. The first launch may take from 5 to 15 minutes, as the system needs to initialize the file structure. Do not interrupt this process, even if the phone seems frozen - this is normal behavior during the first boot after formatting.

Using Recovery mode to reset

If the smartphone does not turn on, is stuck on the logo, or you have forgotten the pattern, the standard method through the settings is not available. In this case, mode Recovery comes to the rescue - a special service menu hardwired into the device’s memory, regardless of the main system. You can enter it using a combination of physical buttons when the device is turned off.

Turn off the smartphone completely. Then simultaneously hold down the power button and the volume up button (Volume Up). Hold them until the logo Miappears, then release the Power button, but continue to hold the volume down until the recovery menu appears. Navigation in this menu is carried out with the volume buttons, and selection is done with the power button.

In the menu, select a language (usually English or Chinese is available), then go to the item Wipe Data. You will be asked to select Wipe All Data. Confirm the action by pressing Confirm. The system will warn you about data loss again. After the process is complete, select Reboot to reboot in normal mode.

What to do if the buttons do not respond?

If the button combination does not work, try connecting the switched off phone to the computer via a USB cable and repeat the procedure for logging into Recovery. Sometimes this helps to activate the diagnostic mode.

It is worth noting that on some new models with processors Snapdragon entering Recovery may require connecting to a PC or a specific sequence of clicks. If the standard method does not work, check the documentation for the specific model on the official forum.

⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen does not work. Be careful when navigating with the buttons so as not to accidentally select the item Connect with MIAssistant instead of reset, if you do not plan to flash the firmware via cable.

Deleting accounts and FRP protection

One ​​of the main problems after a reset is blocking FRP (Factory Reset Protection). This is Google's security mechanism that ties the device to the last account used. If you reset your phone, but did not delete your Google account first, when you turn it on, the system will require you to enter your login and password.

To avoid this situation, before the reset procedure, go to the settings, find the section Accounts and synchronization (or Users and accounts). Select your Google account and click Delete account. Repeat this procedure for Mi Accountif it was used. This will break the connection of the device to your data at the server level.

If the phone is already reset and FRP locked, and you don’t remember the password, the situation becomes more complicated. You can officially unlock the device only by presenting the purchase receipt to the service center. Third-party methods of bypassing protection often require complex software and can be unsafe, so prevention in the form of first logging out of your account is the only reliable solution.

Reset features on different versions of MIUI

The interface and location of functions may vary significantly depending on the firmware version. Owners of devices with the old MIUI 11-12 can find the reset item immediately in the main settings menu, while in MIUI 13-14 and the new HyperOS it is hidden deeper in the system partitions. Understanding these differences will save time when searching for the right button.

The table below shows the paths to the reset function for different versions of the shell so that you can quickly navigate:

Shell version	Path to settings	Item name
MIUI 11-12	Settings -> Advanced settings	Backup and reset
MIUI 13-14	Settings -> About phone	Reset settings
HyperOS	Settings -> About device	Reset data
Android One (Mi A1-A3)	Settings -> System	Advanced -> Reset settings

Please note that on series devices Android One (global version with pure Android) the menu looks different and closer to the stock Google interface. Many MIUI features are missing here, but the reset process remains similar to stock Android. If you flashed your phone from the Chinese version to the global version, the paths may be hybrid, so focus on the current interface.

Solving problems after resetting the phone

After a successful reset and first boot, users may encounter a number of common questions. The phone may feel slow during the first hours of use - this is normal as the system indexes files and optimizes applications in the background. Let the device charge for about an hour without active use to complete background processes.

If the mobile network or Wi-Fi does not work after the reset, check your access point (APN) settings. Sometimes telecom operators require manual registration of Internet parameters. Go to the SIM card settings and make sure the correct operator profile is selected. It is also worth checking if the IMS service is disabled in the engineering menu, although this is a rare situation.

If the phone reboots cyclically (bootloop) after a reset, this may indicate corruption of system files or a faulty flash memory. Try flashing the device officially through the utility Mi Flash Tool in Fastboot mode. If the problem persists, there is most likely a hardware failure that requires service center intervention.

⚠️ Attention: If after resetting the phone gets hot and discharges quickly within the first 24 hours, do not panic. This is the result of the active work of background services to restore indexing. If the problem does not disappear after a day, check the installed applications.

Do not install all applications immediately after turning on. Do this gradually, observing the behavior of the system. This will help identify possible conflicting software that could have caused problems before the reset and will manifest itself again. A clean installation of applications often solves problems with energy consumption better than simply restoring from a backup.

Is it possible to interrupt the reset process if it is frozen?

Interrupting the process is strictly not recommended, as this can lead to damage to the file system. If the phone hangs on the logo for more than 30 minutes, try a forced reboot by pressing the power button for 15-20 seconds. If this does not help, you will need to enter Recovery mode and reset again or flash the firmware via a PC.

Are files on the memory card deleted during a reset?

During a standard reset through settings, the internal memory is completely cleared, but the external SD card usually remains untouched. However, when you select the "Clear all data" option, in some firmware versions a "Clear SD card" checkbox may appear. Carefully read the warnings on the screen before confirming so as not to lose the photo from the card.

What to do if the phone asks for a password after resetting to Recovery?

This is Xiaomi account protection. If you do not remember the password for the Mi Account associated with the device, you can legally unlock the phone only through the password recovery form on the i.mi.com website. Without access to this account, the device will remain locked as it is anti-theft.

Does a reset remove Android security updates?

No, a factory reset returns the system to the state of the currently installed firmware. If you updated your phone to the latest version of Android before the reset, it will remain on that version. Resetting does not roll back the Android version to an older one, it only clears user data and settings.

How to reset the phone if the screen does not work?

If the sensor does not respond, but there is an image, you can try connecting a USB mouse via an OTG adapter. This will allow you to manage the menu and perform a reset through settings. If the screen is completely black, only Recovery mode will help (with the volume buttons), but you will not see what you are selecting, so act blindly based on the memory of the location of the items.