Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are known for their performance and functionality, but over time, even a powerful device can start to work slower, system errors appear, applications fly out, and the battery runs out faster than usual.
The most effective way to solve software problems is to completely reset, or hard reset, which completely removes all user data, settings and applications, returning the MIUI operating system to a "out of the box" state. Zeroing the phone is a radical, but often the only surefire step before selling a device or after a major crash.
Before starting the procedure, you need to be aware that the process is irreversible, that all photos, contacts, correspondence and installed programs will be destroyed, so it is critical to back up data in the Mi Cloud or on your computer in advance, and ignoring this step can lead to the permanent loss of important information.
There are several ways to reset: through the standard settings menu if the phone is turned on, or through the Recovery menu if the system is not booting. The method choice depends on the current state of your Redmi. Next, we will discuss each of the options in detail so that you can safely restore the device to work.
Preparing the smartphone for a complete data reset
The preparation process is the foundation of a successful operation. Before pressing the "Delete All" button, make sure that the battery is at least 50-60%.A sudden power outage during memory partition formatting can damage system files and turn the smartphone into a "brick".
Be sure to unplug accounts. If your phone has a Mi Account or Google account activated, the security system can lock the device after a reset, requiring you to enter passwords from those accounts. If you forget passwords, unlocking the phone will be extremely difficult.
- 🔋 Charge the device to at least 60% or connect to the charger.
- ☁️ Backup your contacts and photos in Mi Cloud or Google Photos.
- 🔐 Remember or write down passwords from Google and Mi accounts.
- 📱 Extract. SIM-microSD card and memory card to avoid damaging their data.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Special attention should be paid to data encryption. In modern versions of MIUI, data is often encrypted. When you reset, the encryption keys are deleted, making it impossible to recover information even theoretically, which guarantees your security if you plan to sell the phone.
Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (standard method)
This is a device that works stably, is enabled and allows you to log in. It's the most secure and easy for the average user. MIUI interface may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the logic of the action remains the same.
To start, open the Settings app. Scroll down to the bottom and find the About phone item. That's where the basic system tools are hidden. In some versions of the shell, the section you want to see might be called Advanced Settings.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
- Click on the Reset Settings button (usually in the upper right corner or at the bottom of the list).
- Select the option “Erase all data”.
- The system will show you a list of what's going to be removed.
- Enter the screen unlock password or pattern lock for confirmation.
What to do if your phone asks for a Mi Account password?
Once confirmed, the smartphone will reboot, the Xiaomi logo and progress indicator may appear on the screen, which can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes.
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Standard resetting through settings is the safest method, as the system will correctly close all processes before deleting data.
Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)
If the MIUI operating system is damaged, the phone is stuck on startup the logo or doesn't respond to touch, recovery mode will help, a technique called Hard Reset, and it works at the bootloader level, regardless of the state of the main system.
To get into the Recovery menu, you need a button combination on the device that's turned off. Press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the logo appears, then release them.
⚠️ Attention: In the Recovery menu, the touch screen is not working. Navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button.
From the menu that opens, select the language (usually English or Chinese if you don't have Russian), then go to Wipe Data, and you'll be asked to choose Wipe All Data, and confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
Once the cleanup is complete, select Reboot -> Reboot to System. The phone will reboot and start the initial setup as new.
Comparison of discharge methods and their features
Users often get confused about which method to choose, and the difference is actually the availability of the interface and the depth of cleaning, and the usual reset through the settings is more “soft” because it is tested by the system for critical errors before launch.
Recovery is more aggressive and bypasses some software locks, making it indispensable for treating software viruses or boot failures, but the risk of interruption is higher if the battery runs out.
| Parameter | Through Settings. | Through Recovery. |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Only if the phone turns on. | It works even when the OS fails. |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium (you need to navigate buttons) |
| Security of data | High (systemic control) | Higher (but higher risk of interruption) |
| Implementation time | 5-10 minutes | 10-15 minutes. |
Choose a method based on your current situation. If your phone works, use settings. If it's on the logo, only Recovery.
What to do if your phone requires an account after a reset
Xiaomi's current smartphones are equipped with anti-theft protection. Once reset, the device can request a password from a Google account or Mi Account that was synced earlier, which is a normal security response.
If you have forgotten your Mi Account password, try to restore it via account.xiaomi.com from your computer. You will need access to your linked phone number or email.
In the case of a Google account (FRP lock), the situation is more complicated: if you don't remember the data, you have to prove ownership of the device in an authorized service center by providing a box and a check, bypassing this protection by third-party methods often violates the warranty.
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Keep the box and check from your smartphone for at least a year, and that's the only way to prove ownership of the device when you block your accounts.
Possible problems and solutions
Sometimes the phone can freeze during the boot phase after reset or go into an endless restart (bootloop), most often due to damage to system files or lack of space.
If the phone has been stuck on the logo for more than 20 minutes, try forcefully rebooting it by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds.If that doesn't work, the Recovery reset procedure will have to be repeated.
- 🔄 Bootloop: Try resetting again, but in the Recovery menu, select Wipe Cache as well.
- ❌ Formatting error: May indicate a physical memory or battery malfunction.
- 📉 Brake after reset: Give the phone 15-20 minutes after switching on to optimize the system in the background.
In rare cases, you 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.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone is constantly restarting after resetting and does not come out of the Recovery menu, the system partition may be damaged.