How to Reset Xiaomi Phone to Factory Settings

Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco are all known for their functionality, but over time, even the fastest system can become unstable. Accumulation of temporary files, errors in the operation of applications or the need to transfer the device to a new owner are only part of the reasons why users need to completely reset the device.

The data partition formatting procedure is a major solution that requires prior preparation. Before pressing the confirmation button, it is critical to make sure that all the necessary contacts, photos and documents are stored in the cloud or on an external medium. Ignoring this step will lead to irretrievable loss of personal information, which will later be extremely difficult to recover without special skills.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to perform Hard Reset on devices with a shell MIUI and the new HyperOS. We will look at standard methods through the settings menu, options for resetting through Recovery mode with a locked screen, and also touch on the security of Google and Mi Account. Understanding the nuances of each method will help you choose the most suitable option for your situation.

Preparing the device for full formatting

Before taking decisive action, a number of preparatory steps are needed. Backup is the most important step not to be missed. Xiaomi smartphones offer built-in tools to create a full copy of the system, including a list of installed applications and their data. It is recommended to use the Mi Cloud cloud service or synchronization with Google Drive to maximize the storage of important information.

The process of erasing data and reinstalling system files is energy-intensive and can last from 10 to 30 minutes.If the device turns off at a critical time of writing system partitions, this can damage the bootloader and inability to continue turning on the phone.

It’s also worth disabling all connected Bluetooth devices and removing the MicroSD card if it’s used to store data. Although the system usually asks if it needs to format an external drive, physically extracting the card ensures that your personal files on it stay intact. Also, make sure you remember the screen unlock password and Google account details, as after the reset, the system will require them to confirm ownership.

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Before reset, take pictures of screens with important settings (such as APN hotspot settings or email settings), as they will have to be manually re-entered after formatting.

Reset via the system settings menu

The safest and easiest way to get the device back to factory is right from the operating system interface, which is suitable for cases where the phone is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and you have access to the main menu. The algorithm for actions may vary slightly depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, but the overall logic remains the same.

To start, you need to go to the settings section. Depending on the firmware version, the desired item may be in the About Phone category or in advanced settings. In new versions of the interface, the path often looks like Settings → About Phone → Reset. In older versions of MIUI, you should look for the Advanced Settings → Recovery and Reset.

After you go to the menu, the system will offer several options, we are interested in the option to erase all data, when you select this item, the phone will warn you that all information will be deleted, if the device has a password or a pattern lock, the system will require you to enter it to confirm the operation, this is a protective measure to prevent accidental reset.

• 📱 Click on the “Erase All Data” button at the bottom of the screen.
• 🔒 Enter the screen unlock password if the appropriate window appears.
• ⏳ Wait until the process is completed, which can take a few minutes.
• 🔄 The phone will automatically restart and start the initial setup.

⚠️ Note: After resetting through the settings menu, the phone can request a password from a Google account that was previously synced to the device (FRP), And it's almost impossible to get around it without the raw data.

It is important to note that in some regions or on global versions of firmware, confirmation through the SMS-code if you have a Mi Account attached to your phone. SIM-The card is active and receives network signals if you don't remember the exact login details. /data and /cache.

Using Recovery Mode for Resetting

If the smartphone doesn't turn on, freezes on the logo, or the touch screen doesn't respond to commands, Recovery Mode comes to the rescue. It's a special diagnostic mode built into the device's memory regardless of the main operating system, and it's entered by a combination of physical buttons before the interface loads.

To log in to Recovery on most Xiaomi models, you need to do the following sequence: turn off the device completely, then press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume key. After a few seconds, a menu with a black or white background will open.

Volume Up + Power = Entry to Recovery


Volume Down + Power = Entrance to Fastboot

Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is confirmed by the power button. However, on many modern models with MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS, the Recovery menu supports multi-touch, and you can control directly with your finger. You need to select Wipe Data, and then Wipe All Data.

• 🔌 Connect your phone to the charger if the charge is less than 40%.
• 🔘 Press the button combination to enter recovery mode.
• 👆 Select the language (if available) or go straight to Wipe Data.
• ✅ Confirm the reset and wait for the message "Data wiped successfully».

After the operation is successfully completed, a notification will appear on the screen, then select Reboot → Reboot to System. The first start after such a reset will last longer than usual, since the system takes time to recreate system files and optimize applications.

Resetting a forgotten password and protecting FRP

One of the common reasons for resorting to the reset procedure is a forgotten pattern lock or PIN-In this case, the only way to access the device is through the Recovery formatting described above. FRP (Factory Reset Protection developed by Google.

FRP blocks the use of the phone after a reset, requiring you to enter a login and password from a Google account that was previously added to the device.This is done so that the thief who stole the phone can't just dump it and use it. If you own the device but don't remember the email password, you'll have to restore access to the account through your computer or other device.

There is also the possibility of remote reset via Xiaomi's Find Device service. If the phone has internet enabled and the Device Search feature is activated, you can access i.mi.com from your computer, log in to your Mi Account and select the "Clean the Device" command, which will also result in full formatting, but can be done without physically accessing the smartphone buttons.

⚠️ Attention: Attempts to circumvent FRP Using third-party software or Internet “crackers” often leads to the installation of malware on your computer or the final locking of the device (turning into a “brick.

Features of reset on different versions of MIUI and HyperOS

The interface and layout of features are constantly changing with the release of new versions of the software. Owners of devices based on Android 13 and Android 14 may notice changes in the structure of the security menu. In HyperOS, Xiaomi has increased integration with the ecosystem, so when reset, additional authorization may be required in the Mi Account even for simple operations.

On older versions of MIUI (e.g. 10 or 11), the reset process was less stringent to verify accounts when turned on if the reset was made through Recovery. Modern firmware versions check for a Google and Mi Account at the bootloader level, meaning that even a deep reset won't remove the link to the owner's account.

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Regardless of the shell version, having an active Internet session and knowing the passwords from Google and Mi accounts is a prerequisite for successful completion of the reset and further operation.

Also worth mentioning is the "Second Space" feature, which means that if you used this mode to separate work and personal data, resetting the main space will not affect the second profile data if it is stored in the same partition. However, when you select the "Erase all data" option, both spaces are deleted simultaneously. In some rare cases, users encounter bugs when after a reset the phone continues to request a password from the second space - in which case the reset via Fastboot using the official Mi Flash software helps.

Frequent problems and their solution

Users may encounter various difficulties in returning to factory settings, one of the most common problems is the “bootloop” when the phone is constantly turned off and on without fully booting the system, which can occur if the reset process has been interrupted or if system files have been damaged before the operation begins.

If the phone has been stuck on the Mi or Android logo for more than 15-20 minutes, try forcibly restarting the device by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds.If that doesn't help, you'll need to flash the device through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.This is a more complex procedure that requires an unlocked bootloader (in most cases).

• 🔋 Problem: The phone doesn't turn on after reset.Solution: Leave the device on charge on 1-2 Maybe the battery calibration is gone.
• 📶 Problem: There is no network or IMEI. Solution: Recovery of backup required NV-section or referral to a service center.
• 🔐 Problem: Requesting a password you didn't set Solution: It's probably a corporate profile or residual data from a previous owner.

Another problem can be when the sensor is not working properly or dancing after reset, often by calibrating the sensor through an engineering menu (code # #64663##), but if the problem persists, it may be a hardware fault of the plume or display that manifested itself after updating the drivers during the reset.