Resetting Xiaomi’s smartphone to factory settings is a radical but often necessary step to fix software bugs or remove viruses. However, the reset process itself is only half the battle, and immediately after the reboot, you are in front of a clean welcome screen, where you need to properly go through all the initialization steps.
Incorrect sequences at this point can lead to activation issues, locking your device, or losing important security features. The correct initial configuration of MIUI or HyperOS lays the foundation for a stable device in the future. In this guide, we will detail each step to make your device work like a clock.
Before you start, make sure the device is at least 50% charged; the initial setup process can take 10 to 40 minutes depending on the amount of data being recovered and the speed of the internet connection; and a stable Wi-Fi is critical, as mobile internet can be interrupted at the most inopportune moment.
Primary activation and language selection
After the reset and reboot is complete, the Mi logo will appear on the display, followed by a welcome screen, and you will be asked to choose the interface language. Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian and Kazakh are relevant for users from CIS countries. Language choice is not just a change of text, it is the definition of regional standards for date, time and currency formats.
The next step is to connect to a wireless network, and the Internet connection is necessary to check the status of the device for theft (activation lock) and synchronize time. If the network is password protected, enter it carefully, as an error can lead to a connection timeout.
In some cases, the system may suggest updating the firmware immediately after you connect. Skipping this update during the setup stage can cause bugs in the work of Google services, so it is better to agree to download the current package. If the update is heavy, make sure that the phone is connected to the charger.
⚠️ Note: If you connect to Wi-Fi and you notice that you have blocked your Mi or Google account, it means that your device has not logged out before resetting, you will need to enter the password from the last account you used, otherwise the phone will remain locked.
The system will also suggest adjusting display parameters, such as font size and interface element scale, which can be changed later, but it is more convenient to set the basic parameters immediately, and then the main stage of account configuration will begin.
Setting up Mi and Google accounts
Xiaomi’s ecosystem is tied to two major accounts: Google Account and Mi Account. The first is necessary for the Play Store, YouTube, Gmail and contact synchronization; the second is for using Xiaomi cloud storage, finding the device and working with the design themes; data entry is better done manually to avoid synchronization errors.
When you sign in to a Google account, the system will ask for a security confirmation, which can be a code from an SMS or an app confirmation on another device. Two-factor authentication significantly increases the protection of your personal data. If you use an old account, the system may suggest that you restore a backup from the cloud.
Mi accounts are often intrusively suggested to be created when you first set up, and if you don't have one, you can skip that step by clicking the "skip" button in the corner of the screen, but having Mi Account is useful for Find Device, which allows you to remotely lock your phone or erase data in the event of a theft.
After authorization, the system will offer to configure Google Pay (or Google Wallet) for contactless payment. PIN-without it, payment services will not work, which is a requirement of the security of payment systems.
⚠️ Warning: Never sign in to your primary Google account on someone else's or suspicious devices.When setting up a restored used phone, always perform a full reset so that the previous owner does not have access to your data.
Permits, Services and Security
At this point, Android and Xiaomi will ask for consent to the user agreement and privacy policy, which is a mandatory procedure, and the system will ask for permission to collect usage data to improve the service, you can turn off the sending of diagnostic data if you value maximum privacy.
Next, you'll be asked to enable geolocation, and for maps, weather, and device search around you (Bluetooth scanner), you'll need to activate this function, and the accuracy of location depends on the GPS modules and network data that are on.
☑️ Security setting
Pay special attention to the setting of biometrics. The fingerprint scanner in modern Xiaomi models works quickly and conveniently. It is recommended to add both thumbprints to unlock in any position of the phone. Face ID is also available, but less secure than a print.
The system may offer antivirus or additional security services. Built-in virus scanner from Avast or AVL is already integrated into the shell and runs in the background. Installing third-party "heavy" antivirus immediately after reset is not required and can slow down.
The important thing is to set up the applications to access data, so when you first run, the browser or gallery can request access to photos and files, give permissions only to those applications that really need it to work, and excessive access rights are a security hole.
Data recovery and information transfer
Once you have completed the basic setup, the data recovery process begins, and if you have backed up in Google One or Mi cloud, the system will prompt you to restore apps, contacts, call history and SMS, which can take a long time.
To transfer data from an old phone, Xiaomi offers Mi Mover, the most efficient way to data between Xiaomi devices. The app creates a direct Wi-Fi connection between phones and transmits data at high speeds without consuming Internet traffic.
| Type of data | Method of recovery | Transmission speed | Conditions required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts and Calendar | Synchronization of Google/Mi | Instantly. | Internet |
| Photos and videos | Google Photos / Mi Cloud | Depends on the volume. | Stable Wi-Fi |
| Annexes | Play Market / Mi GetApps | Medium | Internet |
| Files and Documents | Mi Mover / USB | Tall. | Both devices are close |
The apps will start loading automatically in the background, at which point the phone can heat up and the battery can run out quickly, which is normal because it's actively recording data and indexing files, and don't interrupt the process until it's done.
What to do if the recovery is suspended?
Passwords from Wi-Fi networks can also be restored automatically if Google has enabled password synchronization, eliminating the need to re-enter the access keys to the home and work network.
Optimizing the system and removing advertising
Immediately after installing all applications, it is recommended to perform basic optimization, primarily for disabling advertising in system applications, which is standard practice for Xiaomi users. MSA (MIUI System Ads).
To turn off the ad, you need to go to the settings and find the "Password and Security" option. There you should turn off receiving recommendations, and you should also go to each system application (Conductor, Music, Downloads) and find the "Receive recommendations" switch in their settings and turn it off.
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Secret code for checking ads: Dial the code ##6484## in your phone to log into the engineering menu, where you can check the operation of all sensors, but to turn off ads, you should use the Mi profile settings.
Next, set up auto-run applications. By default, Xiaomi aggressively unloads applications from memory to save battery. If you need notifications from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber), they need to allow auto-run and remove battery restrictions.
Go to Settings → Applications → Autostart and activate the programs you want. Without this, message steps may come with a delay or only after opening the application, a common problem that is forgotten after a reset.
⚠️ Note: Do not disable system processes with the name "Security","MIUI Daemon or Analysts, if not sure what they're doing, can cause unstable shell function or cyclic reboots.
Also check for updates to the apps themselves through the Play Store. Often, after a reset, older versions of programs are installed that may contain security vulnerabilities, and updating to the latest versions will close known security holes.
Final inspections and personalization
The last step is to customize personalization, and the HyperOS shell and MIUI allow you to deeply customize the look, you can change the desktop grid, add widgets, and choose the theme, and not only the icons change the themes, but also the system sounds, fonts and lock screen.
Check the core modules: take a test shot on the camera, turn on the recorder, check the sound in the speakers and through the headphones. Make sure that the proximity sensor is working correctly (the screen goes out when you bring it to the ear). If there are problems, you should identify them immediately before the warranty period for return expires.
Set up Do Not Disturb mode and your phone's on/off schedule, which helps you control screen time and doesn't bother you at night, and it's also helpful to adjust your control gestures if you're used to swiping instead of buttons.
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Full setup of the smartphone after reset takes an average of 45-60 minutes, including installing updates and all apps.
Now your smartphone is fully ready to go, it's litter-free, customized and protected, and backup your sensitive data regularly so that the next reset can be even faster.