How to reset Xiaomi Redmi phone: a complete guide to resetting

Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones sooner or later face the need to completely clean the device, which can be caused by selling the gadget, transferring it to another user or wanting to get rid of accumulated system errors and software debris. The procedure, known as Hard Reset or full reset, returns the device to the state “out of the box”, removing all user data, accounts and applications.

The process of zeroing is not complicated, but requires carefulness and compliance with certain security rules. Mistakes can lead to locking the device with a Mi or Google account (FRP), as well as the loss of important contacts and photos. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available reset methods, from the standard settings menu to advanced methods through the Recovery engineering menu.

Before you take action, you need to be clear about the difference between simple file deletion and deep formatting. A full reset affects the system partition, restoring factory configuration settings, and is an effective way to combat viruses, undeleteable applications, and critical failures in the MIUI or HyperOS operating system.

There are several scenarios where memory cleaning is mandatory, and most often users are looking for ways to reset the phone when the device is unstable or slow, and this is also true before the sale, so that new owners do not have access to your personal information.

In some cases, a reset is necessary to remove forgotten screen lock passwords, although modern versions of Android require account confirmation after a reboot.It is important to prepare the device in advance to avoid problems with restoring access.

Preparation of the smartphone for the procedure of resetting

Start with careful preparation, as the process is irreversible. Backup is the first and most important step. Make sure all important contacts, photos, videos and documents are stored in Mi Cloud, Google Drive or on an external drive. Once the reset is activated, it will be impossible to recover data without a previously created copy.

Be sure to check the battery level. To successfully complete the process, the charge must be at least 50-60%. If the device turns off when the memory partitions are formatted, this can damage the bootloader and need to flash through the computer.

Special attention should be paid to accounts. If you have a Google Account or Mi Account installed on your phone, the security system after reset will require you to enter a password from them. This is a feature of protection against theft (FRP). If you do not remember passwords, it is better to delete accounts from the phone settings before starting the procedure.

It is also recommended to remove the microSD card if installed. Although modern versions of MIUI usually offer a choice: format only internal memory or all storage, physical extraction of the card ensures that your files on it are safe.

Reset via the standard settings menu

The safest and easiest way to reset a Xiaomi Redmi phone is through the operating system interface, which is suitable for devices that are stable and you have access to the settings menu. The path may vary slightly depending on the shell version.

To start, open the Settings app and find the About Phone section. In some firmware versions, the option you want is in Advanced Settings or in the main menu called Settings Reset.

⚠️ Warning: Before pressing the final button, make sure that the backup is backed up again.The process will take 5 to 15 minutes during which time the phone will be unavailable.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings (or Advanced settings) → Reset to factory settings).
• 🗑️ Click the “Erase all data” button).
• 🔒 Enter the screen unlock password if it is installed.
• ⏳ Wait for the process to end and automatic reboot.

Once rebooted, the device greets you with a screen of initial setup, like when you first turn on, all user data will be permanently deleted, and system settings will be returned to factory values, ideal for preparing the smartphone for sale.

Use Recovery Mode for Hard Reset

If the phone doesn't turn on, you're stuck on the logo, or you forget your password to log in to the menu, you'll have to use Recovery Mode, which is a special diagnostic mode built into the firmware that allows you to control the system at a low level.

To enter this mode, you need to perform a certain sequence of actions with the buttons. Make sure that the phone is completely turned off. If the screen does not respond, you may need to force the power button to restart for 10-15 seconds.

Instructions for entering Recovery for most Redmi and Xiaomi models:

• 🔌 Turn off the smartphone completely.
• 🔘 Press the “Loudness up” and “Power” buttons at the same time».
• 📟 Hold the buttons until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but continue to hold the "Loudness up" button».
• 🛠️ When the Recovery menu appears (usually in English or Chinese), release the buttons.

In the menu, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data. In some versions of the menu, you may need to select Wipe All Data, and then confirm the action by selecting Confirm.

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If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, look for the characters that match the Wipe Data item, often the second or third item on top, or the color scheme or the number of characters.

Deletion of accounts and protection of FRP

One of the most common problems after a reset is FRP (Factory Reset Protection), a mechanism that prevents the use of a stolen device, and if an account is entered on a phone, the system will require the password from that account to be entered after the reset.

To avoid blocking, log out of all accounts before resetting via the settings menu. Go to account settings and click "Login" or "Delete Account" for Google and Mi Account, which will untie the device from the activation servers.

If you reset your phone through Recovery, you can't bypass the account check if it wasn't deleted in advance, and knowing the password becomes critical, and without it, the device becomes a brick with limited functionality.

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Deleting your account completely before reset is the only guaranteed way to avoid blocking FRP and Mi Cloud after Hard Reset.

Problem Solving: Phone locked or hanging on logo

When a Xiaomi smartphone hangs on a logo after a reset or while it is being executed, it requires analysis. Sometimes it is normal behavior: the first turn on after formatting can last up to 10-15 minutes.

However, if the phone is cyclically restarted (bootloop) or the screen does not light up for more than 20 minutes, system files may be damaged or the process has been interrupted, in such cases, you may need to flash the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.

⚠️ Warning: Interrupting the firmware or reset process by removing the battery (if it is not removable) or disconnecting the cable is almost guaranteed to damage the loader.

To exit the reboot cycle, try entering Recovery mode (as described above) and reset again. If that doesn't help, the only solution is to go to the service center or self-flashing, which requires certain technical skills.

It’s also worth checking the integrity of the control buttons. A sticky volume button can send the phone to Recovery or Fastboot mode all the time, creating the illusion of a system malfunction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

This section contains answers to the most popular user questions related to the procedure of zeroing smartphones Redmi and Xiaomi.