Xiaomi smartphone users often face the need to return the device to factory status to fix software errors or clean up the system from accumulated debris. However, the main fear in this procedure is the risk of irretrievably losing important photos, contacts and correspondence. Fortunately, the shell of MIUI and the new HyperOS provides mechanisms to perform a soft reset without removing user content.
Understanding the difference between full formatting and simple resetting is key to safe operation of the gadget. If you want to fix interface failures, but save your files, you need to follow the algorithms described below. In this guide, we will discuss how to reset settings without affecting personal information, and what nuances should be considered by owners of different models.
Before you start any manipulation, make sure you really choose the right type of recovery. Often users confuse resetting with a complete cleanup, which leads to undesirable consequences. We will take a detailed look at each step to ensure that the operation is successful only when the battery is above 50%, as a sudden power outage during the process can damage system files.
Differences between soft reset and complete cleaning
Many smartphone owners mistakenly believe that any kind of factory reset automatically erases all data. In fact, there are different levels of return to the original state on Xiaomi's menu. Soft reset only affects system settings: call settings, displays, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, and application configuration.
By contrast, a full reset or Clean Everything removes the user's memory partition, making the phone completely clean, like when you bought out of the box. It's important not to confuse these options in the recovery menu. If your goal is to fix interface bugs or reset network settings, using a full cleanup would be redundant and risky.
⚠️ Note: Even when choosing the option "Without deletion of data" strongly advise to back up important files to the cloud service or computer. Software failures are unpredictable, and reinsurance will never be unnecessary.
System logs and application cache may also be affected in the optimization process, but your personal galleries and documents will remain intact. Understanding this difference allows you to choose the most gentle method of solving problems with the performance of the device.
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Before resetting your settings, be sure to remove the microSD card if it is installed to avoid the system accidentally formatting the external drive.
Preparation of the device for the restoration of parameters
Before you start to take action on the menu, you need to perform a number of preparatory operations, which will ensure the stability of the process and minimize the risks. First of all, check the battery level: it should be at least 50-60%, as the procedure can take from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of memory installed.
It is also recommended to disable all active VPN-If you have a lock pattern or password on your phone, make sure you remember them, as after a reset, the system may request confirmation of your Google or Mi Account for security reasons.
- 🔋 Charge the device to at least 60% or connect the original charger.
- 📶 Turn it off. VPN-Services and third-party programs to optimize memory.
- ☁️ Check your contacts sync with your Google account just in case.
- 📱 Make sure there are no critical damages on the screen that prevent you from pressing buttons.
Ignoring the preparation can cause the phone to run out at the wrong time, which can lead to a cyclical reboot, and a stable connection to the power grid is key to successful completion of the procedure.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Resetting settings via the phone menu (Without data loss)
The safest and most recommended way to return factory settings to the system without deleting files is to use the built-in settings menu, which is available to all users, regardless of the shell version. First, go to the main menu and find the Settings icon, usually located as a gear.
The path may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI. In most cases, you need to go to About Phone and then select Reset. In some versions of the interface, this item is placed in a separate menu Additional or Advanced Settings, your task is to find an option that sounds like “Reset” (without the word “all” or “data”).
When you press the button, the system will issue a warning that your Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, alarms and other settings will be removed, and at this point, it's critical to read the text on the screen carefully, and if it says, "media files and apps will be saved," you can go on.
| Parameter | Resetting settings | Complete cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| Photos and videos | Preserve. | Removed |
| Contacts | Preserve. | Removed |
| Annexes | Preserve. | Removed |
| Wi-Fi settings | Dropped. | Dropped. |
Confirm the action by entering a graphical key or unlock password. The device will restart, and the process will take a few minutes. Once turned on, the phone will have standard system settings, but your files will remain in place.
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Using the built-in Settings Reset menu is the only guaranteed way to save data without using sophisticated tools like ADB.
Using the Engineering Menu for Diagnostics
For more advanced users, there is a hidden engineering menu that allows them to test components and reset certain parameters, but this method requires caution.
Dial the combination ##6484## or ##4636##. In the CIT menu that opens, you can check the sensor, speakers and other modules. Although there is no direct “loss-free reset” button, this menu is useful for diagnosing before making a reset decision.
Some users are trying to find hidden reset features here, but it's risky. The engineering menu is designed primarily for testing. If you're not an experienced user, it's better to limit yourself to the standard methods described above.
The dangers of the engineering menu
If the phone isn't working properly, it's often through this menu that you can tell if the problem is hardware or software, for example, if the touchscreen test shows a malfunction, resetting is unlikely to help - repairs are needed.
Resetting network and connection settings
Often, the general query "how to reset" is a user's answer to Internet or Bluetooth problems, so you don't have to touch the whole system, and there's a separate feature in the MIUI shell to reset the network settings.
To do this, go to Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. This operation will remove saved passwords from Wi-Fi, paired Bluetooth devices and mobile hotspot settings, but will not affect your photos or applications.
This is a great way to solve problems when the phone "sees" the networks but does not connect to them, or when the connection is constantly reset, and after the procedure you will need to re-enter the passwords from your wireless networks.
- 📡 Remove all saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords.
- 📱 Resets the settings of the mobile network (APN) factory-wise.
- 🎧 Disables all associated Bluetooth headsets and watches.
- 🔒 Does not affect personal files, contacts and installed applications.
Using this narrowly focused reset often solves 90% of conectividad problems without requiring a complete system reboot.
What to do if your phone is not switched on or locked
When a device fails to respond to commands or is locked with a forgotten password, it requires a switch to Recovery mode, but there is a major trap: Xiaomi’s standard recovery menu often offers only two options – “Clean All” and “Reboot”.
If you are in the Recovery menu (usually called by pressing the power and volume button up) and there is no option “Wipe Data without losing files”, then in your region or firmware version this feature is not available through the engineering menu.
⚠️ Warning: In Recovery mode, the option "Wipe Data" almost always means full formatting. Don't expect the system to ask for a data retention confirmation - it won't happen.
If the phone is locked with a pattern lock and the data is needed, the only way to save it may be to unlock it through a Google account (if the device was connected to the network) or use the previously enabled “Find the device” feature.
To enter Recovery mode, use the combination: phone turned off, press Volume Up + Power before the logo appears. If you see a menu in Chinese or English with Clean All options, be prepared to lose data when selecting this item.