A situation where access to your own smartphone is limited due to a forgotten password, PIN-The owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco devices often face locking the screen after accidentally entering incorrect data or a long break in use of the gadget. The only effective way to regain full control of the device in such a situation is to force the reset of all user data.
The full reset procedure, known as Hard Reset, allows you to completely clear the internal memory of the device from all files, settings and applications, returning the software to its original state. It is important to understand that this process is irreversible, and without prior backup, it will be impossible to restore personal photos, contacts or correspondence. Below we will discuss in detail all current methods of unlocking and cleaning the system.
Before you start taking action, you need to assess the current state of the gadget and the availability of access to accounts. If the device is connected to the Internet and you remember the data from the Mi Account, the process can go through the cloud services easier, otherwise you will have to use physical control buttons to log into recovery mode.
Preparation for discharge procedure and precautions
Before you start any manipulation of system partitions, you need to make sure that the battery is charged at least 50-60%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can lead to critical errors in the file system and turn the device into a “brick.” If the phone turns on, try to quickly copy important files to your computer or to the cloud, if the interface allows you to do this.
⚠️ Note: After resetting factory settings, Google's security system (FRP) You will need to enter the username and password from a Google account that was previously synced with this phone, make sure you remember this data, otherwise it will be extremely difficult to restore access to the device.
It's also worth removing the microSD card in advance, if it's installed, so you don't accidentally format it along with the phone's internal memory. MIUI HyperOS usually ask for proof of erasure SD-This is especially true for older models, where selective formatting may not work properly.
If you have the option to connect to Wi-Fi, do so before resetting, as some methods require checking the status of the device over the Internet. However, if the password is forgotten completely and the phone is locked, most likely the only option will be to use Recovery mode, which does not require access to the operating system.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Method 1: Reset via Recovery Menu (Standard Method)
The most common and versatile way to reset Xiaomi’s settings is to use the built-in recovery menu, which works even if the touch screen is partially unresponsive or the system is getting stuck during the boot phase, and a combination of physical buttons on the device body is used to enter this mode.
Turn off your smartphone completely. If you can't do this because of locking, press the power button for 10-15 seconds before you force the screen to turn off. Once the screen goes out, simultaneously press the Volume Up and Power button. Hold both buttons until the Mi logo appears, and then the power button can be released while you keep holding the volume key.
When the main Recovery Mode menu comes up, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down) and the power button confirms the choice. In some newer touchscreen-enabled models, you can use a touchscreen in the recovery, you need to select Wipe Data, then Wipe All Data, and confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
What to do if the Recovery menu doesn’t appear?
The cleaning process can take anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, depending on the amount of information accumulated. Once completed, the message “Data wiped successfully” will appear on the screen. Select the option Reboot, then Reboot to System. The first turn on after the reset will last longer than usual, since the system needs to recreate the file structure.
Method 2: Remote reset via Find Device
If a locked phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network) and has the Device Search feature enabled, you can reset remotely, a method that does not require remembering complex button combinations and can be performed from any other device that has access to the network.
Go to the official Xiaomi cloud service website at i.mi.com or use the Find Device app on another Xiaomi device. Sign in using the same Mi Account that was entered on the locked smartphone.
In the control interface, select the Erase device function. The system will alert you that all data will be destroyed. Confirm action. The phone will receive a reset command and automatically restart in clean mode, even if the screen was turned off at that time.
| Parameter | Recovery Mode | Find Device (Online) | Fastboot + PC |
|---|---|---|---|
| We need the Internet. | No. | Yeah (on the phone) | No. |
| I need a PC. | No. | No. | Yes. |
| Data retention | No. | No. | No. |
| Difficulty | Low. | Low. | Tall. |
This method is especially useful if the volume buttons on the smartphone are faulty or go off, however, if the phone is in flight mode or does not have a SIM card, remote reset will not be possible until the device appears on the network.
Method 3: Reset via Fastboot mode and computer
For advanced users or in cases where the Recovery menu is unavailable or damaged, there is a method of resetting via Fastboot mode.This low-level mode allows you to control the device bootloader from the computer, USB-cable and installed drivers ADB/Fastboot.
To enter Fastboot mode on Xiaomi, turn off your phone and press the Volume Down and Power button at the same time. The screen will show an image of a hare repairing an android with the inscription: FASTBOOT. Connect the device to the computer through USB-cable.
On your computer, open the command line (CMD) or PowerShell in the folder with the platform tools installed. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices. If the device serial number is displayed in response, the communication is established. To reset the data, the command is used: fastboot erase userdata. After it is executed, enter the command fastboot reboot to restart.
⚠️ Note: Using Fastboot commands requires caution. Entering incorrect commands such as fastboot erase boot or fastboot oem unlock without understanding the consequences can lead to a complete failure of the phone and loss of warranty.
This method is often used by service centers when a software failure does not allow you to enter the standard recovery menu, and it is also useful for unlocking the bootloader, although the data reset command (erase userdata) does not require an unlocked bootloader on most devices.
Solving Google Account Problems (FRP Lock)
Once you successfully reset your settings, you'll encounter the initial setup screen. At the Wi-Fi connection stage, the security system will require proof of identity. This is a theft protection known as FRP (Factory Reset Protection), and you'll be asked to enter a Google account that was synced to the phone before the reset.
If you remember your username and password, just enter them and continue setting up. If the account is unknown or you changed it shortly before the lockdown, access to the system will be limited, in such cases there are several scenarios, but none of them is an “official loophole”.
The most reliable way is to restore access to your Google account through a computer using the password recovery procedure on the Google site. If the phone was bought from hand and the previous owner did not untie the device, you need to contact him to remove the device from his list of trusted.
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When buying a used Xiaomi smartphone, always ask the seller to perform a full reset and log out of all accounts. This will save you from FRP-blocking problems in the future.
There are various FRP workarounds that depend on the Android and MIUI versions, but they are often closed by security updates. Using third-party software to reset a Google account carries the risk of malware being introduced, so rely only on official account data.
Features of reset on different versions of MIUI and HyperOS
The interface and options available may vary depending on the firmware version. On older versions of MIUI 10-12, the recovery menu looked ascetic and was controlled only by buttons. In newer versions, such as MIUI 13, 14 and the new HyperOS, the interface became friendlier, with touchscreen support even in Recovery mode.
Global ROMs often require you to connect your phone to your computer to activate the “Clean” button in the Recovery menu, so that attackers can’t easily steal data by finding your phone. The Chinese version (China ROM) typically allows you to reset immediately, without connecting to a PC.
It is also worth noting the difference in the behavior of the system when installed SIM-Some firmware versions require input. PIN-SIM card code before the reset process, if it was installed. PIN-sim-card (PUK-code, it is better to remove the tray with a SIM before the procedure begins.
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The firmware version (Chinese or Global) directly affects the need to connect to a PC when reset via Recovery.