Owners of Redmi and Poco smartphones periodically face the need to return the device to factory status, which may be required when selling a gadget, critical system errors or simply wanting to start from scratch.A process known as Hard Reset completely removes user data, returning the software to its original state.
Modern MIUI and HyperOS shells offer multiple levels of cleanup, from simple deletion of applications to full formatting of memory partitions. It is important to understand the difference between a conventional reset and deep formatting, since the consequences can be different. Wrong actions sometimes lead to the loss of important photos or contact book.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods for returning to factory settings. You will learn about device preparation, step-by-step algorithms for actions through menu and Recovery mode, and how to bypass the protection of a Google account or Mi Account. Read carefully so you do not lose access to your device.
⚠️ Warning: Complete data cleanup is irreversible. If you have not backed up, it will be impossible to restore deleted photos and documents even with professional software.
Preparation of the smartphone for the procedure of resetting
Before starting the cleaning process, a number of preparatory steps must be taken, and ignoring this step can lead to the phone being locked or losing communication with the activation servers after restarting. First, make sure that the battery level is at least 50-60%.
Make sure to back up your important data. In modern Xiaomi, you can do this through the Mi Cloud cloud or sync contacts and calendar with your Google account. To save photos and videos, you better use a computer or external drive by connecting your smartphone via a USB cable.
- 🔋 Charge the device to at least 60% so it doesn’t turn off at a critical moment.
- ☁️ Check synchronization with cloud services Mi Account and Google.
- 📱 Backup applications through the built-in Settings tool → The phone. → Reservations.
- 🔑 Remember passwords from all accounts that were linked to the phone before.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Special attention should be paid SIM-card and memory card, if the device is installed SD-It is recommended to remove the card before the procedure, so that the external storage is not accidentally formatted along with the internal memory.
Standard reset via the settings menu
The safest and easiest way to get Xiaomi back to factory settings is to use the operating system's regular menu, which is fine if the phone turns on, the screen responds to touch, and you can log in. The algorithm for actions can vary slightly depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS.
To start, go to Settings. Find Advanced Settings (some versions call it "More") and select Recovery and Reset. Here you'll find several options, but we're interested in a full reset.
Why can the menu be different?
Click on the "Erase all data" button, and the system will alert you that all files will be deleted, if the phone has an unlock password or PIN-The code, you'll need to enter it to confirm the operation, and then the cleaning process will begin, which can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes.
Use of Recovery Mode (Recovery Mode)
If the smartphone doesn't turn on, it's stuck on the logo, or the touch screen doesn't work, the standard method won't work. In these cases, Recovery mode is a special diagnostic mode built into the device's memory, which allows you to control the system at a low level.
To enter this mode, turn off the phone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume up until the Recovery menu appears.
In the menu, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data or Clear Data item. Newer versions of Recovery may require confirmation of the selection of the language package before accessing the basic functions.
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If the sensor in Recovery mode is not working, that's OK. Use physical volume buttons to move the cursor and the on button to select points.
Once you select a cleanup point, the system can request confirmation by entering the word yes or the code displayed on the screen, which is accidental reset protection. Be careful when you type in. Once confirmed, the data and cache partitions will start formatting.
Remote reset via Google service
There is a scenario where the phone is lost, stolen or locked, but it has the Internet on and geolocation is active, in which case you can reset remotely through Google Find My Device, which will also help protect your data from unauthorized persons.
To do this, go from any computer or other device to android.com/find. Sign in with the same Google account used on the problem smartphone. If the device is online, you will see it on the map and the control panel.
Select the option "Clean the device" and then the phone will be given a command to reset completely, this command will only be executed if the phone has an active Internet connection on the smartphone itself, and if the phone is offline, the reset will occur the moment it first logs in.
| Resetting method | Access to the menu is required | Data retention | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through Settings. | Required. | No (removes everything) | Low. |
| Recovery Mode | Not required | No (removes everything) | Medium |
| Remotely (Google) | Not required | No (removes everything) | Tall. |
| Through the Mi Cloud | Not required | No (removes everything) | Medium |
The FRP problem and the Mi Account
Modern Android security is equipped with FRP (Factory Reset Protection), which is designed to prevent a stolen phone from being simply reflashed and sold, and once the settings are reset, the device will require you to enter a password from a Google account that was previously synced.
The same protection is available to the manufacturer itself, Mi Account. If you didn't log out of your Mi Account before resetting (Settings → Mi Account → Sign out), after rebooting, the phone will require a password from it. Without this password, it will be extremely difficult to activate the device.
⚠️ Attention: Bypass FRP blocking Mi Account by third-party methods often leads to unstable system operation or complete locking of the device on the Internet. IMEI. The best way to remember your passwords.
If you forget your password, restore it through a recovery procedure on Google or Xiaomi before trying to activate your phone.Trying to "hack" the protection through the engineering menu or ADB on new versions of Android is practically useless and requires professional skills.
Solving typical problems after resetting
After the procedure is completed and the first download is completed, users may encounter a number of nuances, such as a phone can stay on the logo for a long time (up to 10-15 minutes), which is normal, since the system optimizes applications and creates new configuration files.
Sometimes you have a quick battery discharge in the first hours of operation, and it's due to the background indexing and synchronization processes, so let the device run quietly for about an hour, plugging it into charging so that the battery can be recalibrated.
- 📶 Check the work. SIM-Cards: sometimes you need to re-allow contact access after resetting.
- 🔒 Make sure that biometric sensors (print, face) are working, reconfigure them if necessary.
- 📡 Reset network settings if you don’t catch Wi-Fi (Settings) → Connection and sharing → Wi-Fi reset).
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If the phone is bootlooped cyclically after reset, the system partition may be damaged, and you will need to flash it through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool.
In rare cases, you may have trouble identifying the network. Try manually selecting the operator in the mobile network settings. SIM-lock-up PIN-code that could have been lost during the resetting process.