Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO are all known for their performance, but over time, even the most powerful devices can start to run slower. Accumulated software debris, conflicting applications or system errors can turn using a gadget into a test. In such situations, the only right solution is full formatting, which returns the device to the factory state.
The reset process, often referred to as Hard Reset or Factory Reset, removes all user information, including contacts, photos, installed apps and settings.It is a radical but effective measure that helps to eliminate deep software glitches that cannot be fixed by a conventional reboot. It is important to understand that formatting is an irreversible procedure that requires prior preparation.
In this guide, we will look at all the available ways to format devices based on the MIUI shell and HyperOS. You will learn how to safely clear memory through system settings, how to reset through the Recovery menu if the phone does not turn on, and what nuances should be considered for owners of older models.
⚠️ Before starting any manipulations, be sure to back up all important data on a cloud service or computer, since it will be impossible to restore information after formatting!
Preparation of the device for complete reset
Before you start destroying data, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. Ignoring these steps can lead to loss of access to accounts or locking the device. First of all, make sure that the battery is at least 60-70%, the formatting process is energy intensive, and if the phone turns off at a critical moment, the operating system can be damaged, which will require complex flashing through the PC.
The second critical thing is the linking of accounts, and if you have a Google or Mi Account on your phone, the security system will ask for a password after you reset, which is a theft protection mechanism (FRP), and if you don't remember passwords, you better delete your accounts from your settings beforehand or make sure you remember the login details.
☑️ Checklist before formatting
It's worth taking out. SIM-microSD card and memory card, if installed. Although modern systems try not to touch the external drive, the risk of accidental formatting SD-The cards, along with the internal memory, still exist, especially when using third-party reset tools.
Method 1: Formatting through MIUI settings
The easiest and safest method available to every user is to use the built-in reset feature, which is suitable for cases when the phone turns on, the screen responds to touch, and you can get into the menu. The algorithm of actions may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell (MIUI 12, 13, 14 or the new HyperOS), but the logic remains the same.
You need to go to the settings section. Find About Phone or Advanced Settings. In newer versions of firmware, the path often looks like: Settings → Phone → Reset. In some interfaces, this option is hidden in the menu Additional → Restore and Reset. Be careful when navigating so you don't get confused in the paragraphs.
Once you select the reset point, the system will offer two options: Reset (remove only application data and settings) and Erase all data (full formatting). We need the second option. The system will warn you of the consequences and ask you to enter a graphical key or screen unlock pin to confirm the operation.
During the cleaning process, the phone can reboot several times, and the Android or Xiaomi logo with a progress lane will be displayed on the screen. Do not touch the device at this point. The duration of the process depends on the amount of memory filled and can take from 5 to 15 minutes.
💡
If you have two-factor authentication enabled on your Mi Account, make sure you have access to a phone number or backup email to confirm login after a reset.
Method 2: Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
If the smartphone is stuck, unresponsive or cyclical, the standard method will not work, and this is Recovery Mode, a low-level environment that starts before the main operating system boots, and is entered by a combination of physical buttons.
Turn the device off completely. Then press the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume down until the Recovery menu appears. In this menu, the touch screen does not work - the navigation is done by the volume buttons (up/down), and the selection is done by the power button.
You need to select Wipe Data. Some versions of Recovery may require language selection (English/Chinese), then select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data again. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm. The system will warn you about deletion again.
What to do if you recover in Chinese?
Once the cleanup process is complete, the message “Data wiped successfully” will appear. Select Back to Main Menu, and then Reboot → Reboot to System. The first run after such a reset will be long, since the system needs to re-format the file system and prepare the environment for the user.
Table: Comparison of data resetting methods
To make it easier for you to choose the right method, we have systematized the main differences between a software reset via menu and hardware reset via Recovery.
| Parameter | Through Settings (Soft Reset) | Through Recovery (Hard Reset) | Through the Mi Flash Tool (PC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Condition required | Phone on, menu available | Phone's off or getting stuck. | Phone in Fastboot mode |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Tall. |
| Risk of error | Minimum | Low. | Medium (requires drivers) |
| Deletion of accounts | Requires a password. | Requires a password (FRP) | Complete flashing. |
As you can see from the table, for most users, the best option is to reset through settings, if possible. The method through Recovery is a “heavy artillery” for non-working devices. The use of a computer with Mi Flash utility is recommended only for advanced users, since improper actions can lead to complete inoperability (brick) of the device.
Remote formatting and device search
When a phone is lost or stolen, the owner has the option to remotely format the device to protect personal data, using Google Find My Device or a similar service Xiaomi Cloud, which only works if the device is on, connected to the Internet and geolocated.
Go to the service site from any other device (computer or phone friend) and log in with the same account that was on the lost smartphone. In the list of devices, select your Xiaomi. You will have three options: "Call", "Block" and "Clear device".
Once the command is given, the phone will receive a signal to perform Factory Reset. All data will be destroyed. However, as with a local reset, FRP protection will work, and the new owner (or thief) will not be able to use the phone without entering your Google account, which makes stealing the device pointless.
⚠️ Note: Remote cleaning is possible only if there is an active Internet connection on the lost device. If the phone is turned off or is in an area without a network, the command will be executed automatically on the first connection.
Solving problems after formatting
After the procedure is successfully completed and the first download is completed, you will encounter the initial setup screen, where the system may require you to enter a password from a previously synchronized Google account, which is a normal FRP (Factory Reset Protection) security response.
If you forget your password, it can take time to restore access, enter it carefully, taking into account the letter register, and if the phone requires a Mi Account and you do not remember it, you will have to go through the recovery procedure through i.mi.com, which is only possible if you have a linked phone number or email.
Sometimes, after a reset, users notice that the battery is running out faster than usual and the phone is warming up. This is a temporary phenomenon. The system performs file indexing, updating background services and downloading data from the cloud. Usually, after 2-3 days of active use, MIUI optimizes the operation, and the autonomy will return to its previous values.
💡
After the first turn on, take your time installing hundreds of apps at once. Give the system 1-2 hours for background optimization to avoid overheating and lag.
In rare cases, a reset may be necessary if the error that was intended to be used is not gone, which may indicate a hardware malfunction, such as a flash memory or motherboard problem, in which case the software methods are powerless and a service center is required.