Modern Xiaomi smartphones, based on the shells MIUI or HyperOS, are complex software complexes that over time can accumulate system “junk”, software errors or conflicts after unsuccessful updates. In such situations, the most effective and radical solution is to return the device to its original state, which allows you to eliminate most software failures, remove viruses or prepare the gadget for sale to a new owner.
This process, often referred to as “hard reset” or “vape”, completely clears the internal memory of the device from user data, including photos, contacts, installed applications and saved passwords, returning the phone to the state in which it was immediately after leaving the assembly line. It is important to understand that it is almost impossible to recover deleted data after performing this procedure without prior backup, so this step must be approached consciously and prepared.
In this detailed guide, we will look at all the available ways to go to factory settings on Xiaomi, from the standard settings menu to using the Recovery engineering menu for cases when the system does not boot. We will discuss in detail the nuances of working with the Mi Account, FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection and typical errors that users encounter when trying to reset.
Preparing a smartphone before a complete reset
Before you start the cleanup mechanism, you need to perform a number of critical actions that will protect your personal data and prevent the device from locking down after rebooting. Ignoring the preparation stage can lead to the phone turning into a “brick” or require proof of ownership that is not always easy to provide.
The first and most important step is to create a full backup. Xiaomi smartphones have a powerful backup tool built in that allows you to save not only contacts and messages, but also desktop layout, call history and application settings. It is recommended to use cloud storage Mi Cloud or local storage on the SD card or computer to ensure the security of files.
- 🔋 Charge the battery to minimum. 60-70%, as the process of formatting memory energy-intensive and interrupting power supply can damage system partitions.
- 📱 Untie all trusted devices and log out of Google and Xiaomi services in settings to avoid activating theft protection.
- 💾 Remove the microSD card and the Sim card so that you don’t accidentally format external media or damage their file system.
- 🔐 Write down or remember the password from your Mi Account and Google account, as they will be required for authorization immediately after the reset.
Make sure your photos are uploaded to Google Photos or Xiaomi Gallery and contacts are exported. If you use two-factor authentication, make sure you have access to your phone number or backup codes, as after a reset, logging in to some services may require confirmation.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (standard method)
The safest and easiest way to go to factory settings on Xiaomi is directly from a working operating system, a method recommended for all users who have no problems accessing the smartphone interface and forgotten screen lock passwords.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll down to the bottom of the list by finding About Phone, where basic device information and system management tools are concentrated. New versions of HyperOS may have slightly different menu logic, but key elements remain the same.
Inside the About Phone section, you need to find the "Settings Reset" line (or "Factory Settings"), and clicking on it, the system will offer two options: "Reset" (without deleting data) and "Erase all content." We are interested in the second option, which initiates full formatting.
Android security will require a confirmation of action, and you will be asked to enter a pattern lock, a digital pin or a password that is used to unlock the screen, a measure of protection against accidental deletion of data by unauthorized persons.
⚠️ Attention: Once the operation is confirmed, the phone may restart several times. The data erasure process can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of memory filled!
Once the procedure is complete, the device will restart in its clean state, greeting you with a language selection screen, as when you first turn on a new smartphone. All user data will be irrevocably deleted, and system settings will return to default values.
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If you plan to sell the phone, be sure to exit your Mi Account before resetting so that the new owner doesn’t face an activation lock.
Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the system is not booting)
In situations where the MIUI operating system is damaged, the phone goes into an endless restart (bootloop) or does not respond to touch, the only option is to use Recovery Recovery mode. This mode loads independently of the main OS and allows you to perform formatting at a low level.
To enter Recovery mode on most Xiaomi smartphones, you need to turn the device off completely. Then you need to press the combination of buttons: usually this is the on button and the volume button (“Loudness +”). Hold them simultaneously until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to hold “Loudness +”.
Recovery can be controlled by both a sensor (in some versions) and volume buttons to navigate through the menu and a power button to confirm the selection. If the sensor is not working, use the volume swing to navigate to the Wipe Data point.
Within the Wipe Data menu, select the Wipe All Data option. The system will alert you to data loss and require confirmation, often requesting special code or re-pressing the confirmation button. Once the process is complete, select Reboot to restart the system.
| Action. | Button/Element | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Recovery | Power + Vol Up | Hold it when the phone is off. |
| Navigation | Volume +/- | Move up/down on the menu |
| Selection of a paragraph | Power button | Confirmation of Action (Enter) |
| Exit | Reboot to System | Reboot as normal |
This method is a more “rough” but effective tool for resuscitating the device, but it is worth remembering that it will not help if the bootloader is damaged or there is physical damage to the memory.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
The problem of FRP and Mi Account: how to avoid blocking
One of the most common problems users face after a reset is activating FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection from Google and similar protection from Xiaomi.These mechanisms are designed to protect against theft: if the phone was reset not through the settings menu (where the password was entered), but through Recovery or buttons, when turned on, it will require you to enter account data that was synced with the device previously.
If you forget the password from your Mi Account or Google account, the phone will become useless for normal use. So the golden rule is: before any reset, especially through Recovery, be sure to delete the accounts from your phone's settings. Go to Settings → Mi Account → Sign out and similarly for Google.
If the phone is bought with hands and it has someone else’s account, it is almost impossible to legally unlock it without the data of the previous owner. Xiaomi official support can unlock the device only if there is a check about the purchase and a box with a box of data from the previous owner. IMEI-code that confirms that the device is not included in the theft.
- 🔒 FRP Google: Requires Gmail and password that were on the device before the reset.
- 📱 Mi Cloud Lock: Locks your device if you don’t log out of your Mi Account before formatting.
- 📄 Check and Box: The Only Legal Way to Restore Forgotten Passwords through a Service Center.
⚠️ Note: There are services for bypassing FRP, But their use often violates the warranty, can lead to unstable system operation or installation of malware.
Understanding these security mechanisms helps avoid a lot of problems, so if you reset your phone for yourself and remember your passwords, you won't have any problems, and if you sell your phone, you'll have to log out.
What to do if the phone freezes after resetting
Sometimes, after the formatting and rebooting procedure is complete, the device may freeze on the Mi or Android logo.This phenomenon, called a “bootloop,” can last anywhere from minutes to an hour as the system performs application optimization and file integrity checks.
If the phone is hanging on the logo for more than 15-20 minutes, you can try a forced reboot by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds. In most cases, this helps the system to come out of the freeze and continue to boot. If the problem repeats cyclically, it may be damaged system partition.
In this situation, you may need to flash the device using your computer and the Mi Flash Tool utility. This process is more complicated and requires an official firmware file (Fastboot ROM) for a particular model. Before you run the firmware, you need to transfer the phone to Fastboot mode (usually by pressing the power button and "Loudness -").
It is important to distinguish between software failure and hardware malfunction. If the phone warms up in the area of the processor when booting or makes strange sounds, the problem may be physical, and software methods, including resetting, will not help here.
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Waiting on the logo after a reset is normal, so give the phone 10-15 minutes to set up the system first before panicking.