Xiaomi’s mobile devices are famous for their performance and functionality of the MIUI or HyperOS shell, but over time, even the most powerful smartphone can start to work unstable. Interface slowdown, constant application errors, rapid battery discharge or intrusive advertising often result from accumulated system debris or software conflicts.
The Hard Reset process removes all user information, including contacts, photos, installed apps and saved passwords, a radical but often necessary step to restore the Android operating system to good working order. It is important to understand that once you complete this procedure, the phone will become the same as it was when you bought it in the store.
Before you take action, you need to be clear about the consequences of your manipulation of the file system. The reset process is irreversible without a pre-created backup. If you ignore creating a backup, it will be almost impossible to restore deleted files even with specialized software. So the first step should always be to prepare, not find the Reset button.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure the battery level is at least 50-60%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can damage system partitions and turn the phone into a brick».
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
The first and most critical step is to back up all the important information. There are several ways to save data in the Xiaomi ecosystem: using the Mi Cloud cloud service, locally copying to your computer or saving to external media.
Special attention should be paid to the Mi Account and Google account, and if you do not untie the device from these services before resetting, a security system may be triggered after switching on, which will require a password from the previous owner, this is the FRP (Factory Reset Protection) security mechanism designed to thwart device theft.
☑️ Checklist before reset
It is also recommended to remove the microSD card and SIM-The card before the procedure, although the current versions MIUI People often ask if you need to format internal memory or external, physical extraction of the memory card ensures that you don't accidentally delete files from it.
- 📸 Copy all photos and videos to your computer or cloud storage.
- 📞 Export contacts to a.vcf file or sync them with your Google account.
- 🔐 Write down or remember passwords from Mi and Google accounts for subsequent authorization.
- 💿 Remove the MicroSD card to avoid accidental formatting.
Reset via the standard MIUI settings menu
The easiest and safest way to get Xiaomi’s smartphone back to its original state is to use a built-in settings menu, which is suitable for when the device is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and you have access to the system. The algorithm of actions may vary slightly depending on the shell version (MIUI 12, 13, 14 or the new HyperOS), but the general logic remains.
To start, you need to open the Settings app and scroll down to the bottom. You're interested in a section that's usually called About Phone or Advanced Settings. Newer firmware versions often put the reset item separately in the Additional or System section.
Where to look for reset in different versions of MIUI?
Once you've moved to the right partition, the system will offer you several options: reset all settings or completely delete data. Select the option to erase all data. The system will warn you several times about the consequences and ask you to enter the unlock password of the screen or PIN-This is a code to confirm the transaction. This is protection against accidental deletion of data by unauthorized persons.
Once confirmed, the cleaning process will begin, which can take anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour depending on the amount of information accumulated, and the phone will automatically restart, and you will see a screen of the initial setting, as when you first turn on a new device.
Use Recovery Mode for Hard Reset
If the operating system does not boot, the phone is stuck on the logo or the touch screen does not respond, the only way out is to use Recovery mode, a special diagnostic mode built into the device’s memory that allows you to perform low-level operations, including partition formatting.
To enter Recovery mode on the device turned off, you need to press the key combination. On most Xiaomi and Redmi models, this is the simultaneous pressing of the Volume Up button and the Power button, you need to hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen is not working, and is controlled by volume buttons (up/down for moving) and a power button (to select a point.
From the menu that opens, select the language (usually English and Chinese), then go to Wipe Data. Then select Wipe All Data and confirm the action by selecting Confirm. The system will clean up and give a message about successful completion. After that, select Reboot to restart.
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If the Recovery menu does not appear with the standard combination, try connecting the phone to your computer via a computer. USB-cable before buttons are pressed, and on some models, it's a prerequisite for resetting.
Remote reset via Google and Mi Cloud
There are situations where you can't physically access the buttons or the device is locked but it's connected to the Internet, and you can use remote management services, and for devices that are linked to a Google account, there's Find My Device.
Go to the official website of the service from any other device, enter the details of the Google account that was used on the locked phone. In the list of available actions, select Clean the device. The command will be sent to the phone, and if you have an Internet connection, it will reset to the factory settings.
A similar feature is available on Xiaomi Cloud. Log in to i.mi.com, go to the "Device Search" section. If the gadget is online, you can initiate remote data cleanup, which also allows you to erase data if the phone has been stolen so that information does not fall into the wrong hands.
| Resetting method | Access required | Difficulty | Risks. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through Settings. | Access to the system, screen password | Low. | Minimum |
| Through Recovery. | Working physical buttons | Medium | Menu error |
| Google Find My Device | Internet, Google account | Low. | We need the Internet. |
| Xiaomi Cloud | Internet, Mi Account | Low. | We need the Internet. |
Solving problems after resetting settings
Once the procedure is complete and the phone is turned on, the user may encounter a number of standard situations. The first thing you will see is a welcome window with a choice of language, then the system will require a connection to Wi-Fi and enter a password from the Google account that was the main one on this device before the reset.
FRP (Factory Reset Protection) locking is a major hurdle for those who bought a phone with their hands and don't know the passwords of the previous owner. If the phone requests an old account, you can't get around it legally without a password, and it's proof that the reset was successful and the protection works.
Recovering data from backup is the next important step. When you set up your phone, the system will suggest restoring applications and data from the cloud. This process can take considerable time, especially if you install a lot of heavy apps and games.
If the phone starts to run out or warm up quickly after reset, give it 2-3 days to adapt, the system needs time to index files and optimize background processes, and if problems persist for longer than a week, it may be due to hardware or a battery defect.