When a smartphone starts to work unstable, it often occurs after long-term use or installation of incorrect applications. Users of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices often face the need to return the gadget to its original state. This action, known as Hard Reset, removes all personal information and software errors accumulated during use.
It's not just software failures that make it necessary to reset the system, but often owners sell or transfer the device to other people, and in that case, complete data cleanup becomes a matter of digital security, and it's important to understand that this process is irreversible, so it needs to be approached with awareness and preparedness.
In this article, we will discuss all the available ways to return the system to factory parameters. You will learn how to properly prepare to avoid losing important contacts and photos, and what to do if the phone stopped responding to commands. Resetting through the Recovery menu is the only way to resuscitate the device if it does not turn on in normal mode.
Preparation of the device for complete reset
Before you start cleaning, it is critical to make sure that your data is safe. Once you activate the reset function, all photos, instant messengers, contacts and installed applications will be permanently deleted. Backup is the only way to recover information in the future.
Make sure that the battery charge is at least 50-60%. The process of formatting internal memory is energy intensive, and if the device turns off in the middle, it can damage the system files and turn the smartphone into a "brick." SD and SIM-The card so as not to accidentally erase its contents.
Pay attention to the accounts that are linked to the phone. If you don't know the password from your Google account or Mi Account, you'd better untie them before they're reset, otherwise there's a theft protection, and you can't activate the phone after a reset without entering your old credentials.
☑️ Checklist before resetting
Check out the free space in Google Drive or Mi Cloud. Modern smartphones store gigabytes of information, and the standard 15 GB may not be enough for a full copy.
Method 1: Resetting through system settings
The easiest and safest method is available to every user whose phone is turned on and responsive to touch, which is preferable because the system correctly closes processes and clears the cache before deleting data, you will need to go to Settings, then select About Phone (or Advanced Settings in older versions of MIUI).
Then the algorithm of actions depends on the version of the operating system. In the current shells MIUI 12/13/14 and HyperOS, you need to find the Reset button located at the bottom of the menu, the system will warn you of the consequences and prompt you to clear all data.
- 📱 Click on the button to erase all data for confirmation.
- 🔒 Enter the pattern lock or digital screen unlock password.
- ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed, which can take 5 to 15 minutes.
- 🔄 The device will automatically restart and start as new.
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If your phone asks for a password from your Mi Account when you reset and you don’t remember it, try to restore access via i.mi.com before you start the procedure.
In some cases, the system may request confirmation by sending an SMS to the associated number, make sure that the SIM card is in or near the phone, and after confirmation, the deletion process will begin, the progress of which will be displayed on the screen as a percentage.
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
If your smartphone is stuck, doesn’t respond to touches, or doesn’t load to your desktop, you’ll need to use Recovery Mode, a method that’s deeper and allows you to reset Xiaomi even if you have serious software errors.
Turn the device off completely. Then press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo or menu appears in English. Some models, such as the Redmi Note series, may require a charger to be connected.
| Action on the menu | Function | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|
| Wipe Data | Complete deletion and resetting | 100% (Everything removed) |
| Reboot | System restart | 0% (Data retained) |
| Connect with MIAssistant | Connecting to a PC for firmware | Depends on the action. |
| Safe Mode | Launching in safe mode | 0% (Data retained) |
Navigation in the menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. Select Wipe Data, then confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data.
⚠️ Warning: In Recovery mode, the touchscreen doesn't work. If you accidentally pick the wrong item, you can only fix it by reboot, but the data may already be affected.
Once you have cleaned, select Reboot -> Reboot to System. The first run will last longer than usual, as the system needs to recreate the file structure. Don't panic if the phone hangs on the logo for 5-10 minutes.
Resetting the forgotten screen lock password
A common reason users are looking for a way to reset their phone is a forgotten pattern lock or pin code. Unfortunately, modern versions of Android and MIUI are designed with a focus on security, so simply unblocking without losing data will not work.
If your phone is connected to the Internet and you have geolocation enabled, you can try to find the device through Google Find My Device or Mi Cloud, which allows you to remotely send a command to erase data, which will also remove the screen lock, but if the Internet is turned off, this method will not work.
If you lock it completely, you only have to use Hard Reset through Recovery, which is the only guaranteed way to access the device, and you have to be prepared to destroy all the data inside, and when you turn it on, you'll need to enter a Google account that you've synced to before.
What to do if your phone requires an account after a reset?
There are specialised PC programs like Mi Flash Tool or Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools, but they require an unlocked bootloader that you can’t get on a locked phone, so standard button reset is your main weapon.
Typical errors and problems after resetting
Once Xiaomi has been reset, users may face a number of specific problems, including the most common one being the bootloop, where if the phone is stuck on the logo for more than 20 minutes, the process may have interrupted or the system files may have been damaged.
Another common problem is fast battery discharge and heating in the first hours after turning on, which is normal behavior, since the system indexes files in the background and updates Google Play services. 1-2 hourly.
- 🔋 Fast discharge: Usually goes through 2-3 charge-discharge cycle.
- 📶 Lack of network: Check if inserted correctly SIM-post-reset.
- 📱 Touchscreen Not Working: Try calibration or reset.
- 🔒 Account Blocking: Requires the entry of old data by Google or Mi.
⚠️ Warning: If after a reset, the phone requires a password from an account you don't know and it's impossible to restore it, the device may become unusable.
In rare cases, you may need to flash your device through your computer, a more complex procedure that requires Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers and the official Mi Flash utility, but a standard cleaning procedure is enough for 95% of users.
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The most common mistake is to interrupt the reset process: Never remove the battery (if it is not removable) and never turn off charging during formatting.