Modern Xiaomi smartphones with a MIUI shell or a new HyperOS can accumulate software errors over time that cannot always be eliminated by standard cleaning methods. Slowing down the interface, spontaneous reboots or a forgotten pattern lock become a serious obstacle to comfortable use of the gadget.
A process known as Hard Reset or Factory Reset completely removes user data, settings and installed applications, a radical measure that returns the device to the state out of the box, but before starting the procedure, you need to clearly understand the risks and consequences, since it will be impossible to restore deleted files without a preliminary copy.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can reset, from the standard settings menu to the Recovery Engineered Mode, how to properly prepare your Redmi or POCO smartphone for the procedure to avoid locking your account or losing important information. Follow the instructions carefully to complete all the steps safely.
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
Before taking decisive action, it is critical to complete a series of preparatory operations, which can lead to loss of contacts, photos and access to accounts, and the first step should always be to back up all relevant data.
Use the built-in MIUI to create a backup to the Mi Cloud or external drive. It’s also worth checking sync with your Google account, as contacts and calendar are often stored there. Make sure that the battery is at least 50-60% so that the device doesn’t turn off at the most inopportune time.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Special attention should be paid to accounts. If the phone is activated with theft protection, the system will require you to enter a password from Mi Account or Google after rebooting. Forgetting the password from the Mi Account after reset can lead to a complete lock of the device (Mi Lock), which can not be removed without contacting support. So make sure you remember the login details or temporarily unplug the device from the account in the settings.
Method 1: Reset via system settings (Soft Reset)
The safest and most recommended method for working smartphones is to use a regular menu, which is suitable if you have access to the interface and can unlock the screen, and minimizes the risk of damage to system files, since it is run under the control of the operating system.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll down to the bottom. You're interested in the About phone item. Inside this section, you need to find the Reset button. Depending on the version of MIUI, the path may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same.
Click on the option "Erase all data" and the system will give a warning that all files will be deleted, you will need to enter a pattern lock or unlock password to verify your identity, and then the cleaning process will begin, which will take a few minutes.
What happens when you drop through the menu?
It's important to note that this method is not suitable if the phone is stuck on the logo or does not respond to touch, and in such cases, you need to move to a deeper method of recovery through Recovery. SD-The card may remain intact if you do not select the appropriate formatting option.
Method 2: Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
If your smartphone doesn't boot or you forget your unlock password, the only option is to use Recovery mode, which is a low-level environment that allows you to control the device before the main operating system boots, and you log in with a combination of physical buttons.
Turn off the smartphone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi or POCO logo appears, then the power button can be released, while continuing to hold the volume. In a few seconds, the Recovery menu will open.
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In Recovery mode, the touchscreen does not work. Navigation on the menu is carried out by volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is confirmed by a short press of the power button.
You can have an interface in English or Chinese, and you need to look for "Wipe Data" or "Clear Data." Some versions of Recovery require you to select "Wipe All Data" and confirm the action by selecting "Confirm." The process will start automatically.
Once the cleanup is complete, the screen will show "Data wiped successfully." Select "Reboot" or "Back to Main Menu" and then "Reboot to System." The first run after Hard Reset will be a long one, as the system needs to re-initiate all partitions.
Table of comparison of discharge methods
To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have systematized the main differences between software and hardware resets, and understanding these nuances will help you avoid mistakes and choose the least risky path for your situation.
| Characteristics | Through Settings (Soft) | Through Recovery (Hard) |
|---|---|---|
| Access to the menu is required | Yes. | No. |
| Risk of software damage | Minimum | Medium (on interruption) |
| Screen password removal | No (requires a password to log in) | Yes (data erased) |
| Difficulty of implementation | Low. | Medium |
As you can see from the table, the method through settings is preferred if the device is functioning normally. It provides a cleaner process for deleting data without the risk of interrupting the system file writing. Hard Reset is a last resort tool.
It's worth considering that after resetting via Recovery, the device may take longer to set up initially. This is normal, as app caches and system databases are reassembled. Don't panic if the phone warms up in the first few days. 10-15 minute.
Deletion of accounts and protection against blocking
One of the most common issues after a reset is blocking activation.Android has built-in protection that ties the device to the last used Google account or Mi Account.This is a security measure in case of theft.
If you didn't log out before resetting, the system will require you to enter the password from the last account on your first Wi-Fi connection, and this includes Google FRP (Factory Reset Protection), without which the phone will become a brick.
To avoid problems, log out of all accounts before resetting via the settings menu. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync. Select Google, Mi Account and other services, click "Delete Account." Only then can you reset.
⚠️ Note: If you buy a used Xiaomi phone, be sure to ask the seller to reset and log out of your accounts. Otherwise, you risk getting a locked device that cannot be activated legally.
In a situation where the password from the account is forgotten, and the reset has already been performed, access recovery is possible only through the procedure of restoring an account on the Google or Xiaomi website from another device. FRP Third-party methods are a complex technical procedure and are not guaranteed by manufacturers.
Problem Solving: The phone is getting stuck or not resetting
Sometimes the reset process may go wrong, the device may freeze on the logo, bootloop indefinitely, or stop at the loading stage, most of which indicates damage to the system partition or a lack of space for temporary files.
If the phone is stuck on the logo for more than 10-15 minutes, try to perform a forced reboot.Plug the power button 10-20 seconds before vibration and turn off the screen.If that doesn't work, you'll need to re-enter Recovery and try resetting again.
In more complex cases, when standard Recovery does not help, you may need to flash the device through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility. This is a more complex method, requiring drivers and a firmware file in.tgz format.
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If the phone doesn’t turn on for more than 20 minutes after reset or reboots cyclically, the problem is most likely not the user’s data, but the damage to the system partition or hardware memory malfunction.
It's also worth checking the integrity of the volume button. If it's stuck or faulty, the phone may be constantly trying to enter Recovery or Fastboot mode, ignoring normal booting. Light tapping on the body in the area of the buttons sometimes helps unlock the mechanism.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
In this section, we will answer the most popular questions users have when performing a reset, which will help to dispel doubts and avoid typical errors.