How to perform a reset to factory settings on Xiaomi

Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones are powered by a MIUI shell or a new HyperOS that can accumulate software errors over time. Users often notice that the device starts to run slower, applications fly out, and battery life is consumed faster than usual. In such situations, the most effective solution is to return the system to its original state, which allows you to remove all accumulated software “junk” and conflicts.

The Full Reset, or Hard Reset, completely cleans the device’s internal memory by removing photos, contacts, apps, and settings. It’s a radical but often the only way to get the device back to its previous speed without flashing it through the computer. It’s important to understand that after this operation, the phone will become the same as it was when you bought it in the store.

There are several ways to do this: through the standard settings menu if access to the system is saved, or through a special engineering menu Recovery if the smartphone is locked or not booting, the choice of method depends on the current state of the device and the availability of access to the desktop.

Preparation of the device before data reset

Before you start cleaning, you have to do a number of critical things to avoid losing valuable information forever. Backup is the first and most important step that you can't ignore. All the data stored in your internal memory will be destroyed without the ability to recover it by standard means.

Make sure that the battery level is at least 50-60%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can damage system partitions and turn the phone into a “brick.” It is also recommended to remove the microSD memory card and SIM-map so that you don’t accidentally format external media or damage contacts.

⚠️ Note: If your device has two-factor authentication enabled for Google or Mi, be sure to remember or save passwords. Once reset, the phone will require you to enter the account information it was previously associated with for security reasons.

You can use built-in MIUI tools or cloud services to back up your backup. Go to settings and select a backup to save your application list, system settings and messenger data to an external medium or to the cloud.

• 📱 Check access to your Google and Mi Account (login and password).
• 🔋 Charge your smartphone to at least 60% or connect to the charger.
• ☁️ Sync contacts and photos with cloud storage.
• 💾 Transfer important files to your computer or external hard drive.

Reset via the MIUI and HyperOS settings menu

If your Xiaomi smartphone is turned on and you can unlock the screen, this is the easiest and safest way. The interface of modern versions of firmware is almost identical, so the instruction will suit most current models.

Depending on the version of the shell, the path may be slightly different. In the classic MIUI, you need to select "About Phone", then "Reset Settings." In the new HyperOS, the logic remained the same, but the visual design of the menu may have changed. Click on the "Erase all data" button at the bottom of the screen.

The system will alert you that all data will be deleted, and if you have an unlock password or a pattern lock on your phone, you will need to enter it to confirm the operation, and then the cleaning process will begin, which will take from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of memory.

Once the procedure is complete, the phone will automatically restart, and the first run may take longer than usual, as the system will reconfigure the basic parameters.

Use Recovery Mode for Hard Reset

Recovery Mode is a method that is needed when the smartphone does not boot to the desktop, freezes on the logo or you forget the graphic password. This method allows you to clean at a low level, bypassing the operating system.

After you turn off, you need to press the key combination. On most Xiaomi smartphones, this is the simultaneous pressing of the Volume Up and Power buttons. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, continuing to keep the volume up until the Recovery menu appears.

The control menu often lacks touch screen support, so the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. Find the Wipe Data item and select it. Then confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.

⚠️ Note: In the Recovery menu, navigation may be inverted or not working correctly on some models. If the buttons do not respond, try briefly pressing the power button to activate the menu.

Once the cleanup is completed successfully, the message “Data wiped successfully” will appear on the screen. Select the Reboot option and then Reboot to System to start the phone as normal.

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Recovery mode is the only way to reset a forgotten screen unlock password if you don’t have a Mi Account tied.

Reset via Google Device Search and Mi Cloud

If you can't physically access the phone menu, but the device is connected to the Internet and logged in to your account, you can use remote reset, which is true if you lose your device or if the screen doesn't respond to touch, and you need a computer or other smartphone.

For users of the Xiaomi ecosystem, i.mi.com is available. By logging in to your account through your browser, you can select the “Find Device” function and initiate the “Clean” command. Similar functionality is provided by Google services at android.com/find.

Remote reset only works when there is an active connection to the network, if the phone is in flight mode or not. SIM-The command will be executed automatically as soon as the device is online.

• 🌐 Open your browser on your PC and go to i.mi.com or google.com/android/find.
• 🔑 Sign in to an account that is tied to a problem smartphone.
• 📱 Select the desired device from the list in the menu.
• 🗑️ Click the “Clean the Device” or “Erase Device” button».

Table of keyboard combinations for different models

While most of the brand’s smartphones use standard combinations, they may differ in some lineups or different versions of Android. Below is a reference table for popular series of devices.

Fastboot mode, which is activated by pressing the volume button, is used for flashing through the computer, not for a normal reset. Don't confuse these modes, since Fastboot does not call the reset menu buttons with standard buttons.

Solving problems after reset (Bootloop and FRP)

Once you run Hard Reset, users may experience a situation where the phone is endlessly rebooted, showing the manufacturer's logo, a phenomenon called Bootloop. Often the cause is corrupt system files or a conflict of updates that have not been properly removed.

Another common problem is FRP (Factory Reset Protection), which is Google's protection, which requires you to enter a password from an account synced to your device before you reset, and if you forget your password, it's officially impossible to restore access without your account data.

In some cases, re-entering Recovery mode and resetting again, but with the internet turned off (without removing SIM, but turning off Wi-Fi if possible), helps. However, if the problem lies in damage to the data partition, a complete flashing through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility may be necessary.

⚠️ Attention: Attempts to circumvent FRP Unofficial blocking can cause the device to fail completely. Always use your credentials.

If the phone goes into a cyclical reboot immediately after the Mi logo, try pressing the power button for 10-15 seconds to force a reboot. If this does not help, you may need to contact a hardware diagnostics service center.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)