Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on the shell MIUI or HyperOS, are complex computing systems that over time can accumulate software errors, cache and application conflicts. Users often face situations when the device begins to work unstable, quickly discharged or simply sold to a new owner, requiring complete cleaning.
The procedure for complete deletion of data, known as Hard Reset, is a powerful diagnostic and maintenance tool, but requires caution in execution. Before starting any manipulation, it is necessary to clearly understand that it will be impossible to restore deleted files after the process is completed without a pre-created backup. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for returning the system to its original state, eliminating common errors.
It’s worth noting that the Android security architecture, coupled with Xiaomi’s security mechanisms, provides multiple levels of reset access, so that attackers can’t easily steal data just by dropping their phone, but legitimate owners can regain control of the device. We’ll look at both the software methods through the interface and the hardware available even when the screen is down.
Preparation of the device for the discharge procedure
The first and most critical step is to keep your personal information safe, and the process of formatting your internal memory will affect photos, contacts, correspondence history, and installed applications, and if you just want to speed up your phone but haven't backed up, now is the time to connect to Wi-Fi and sync your data to your cloud service, Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
The second important aspect is battery charge: the reset procedure can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on the storage capacity, and the power interruption at this point can damage the system partitions. Make sure the charge level is at least 60%, and ideally connect the device to the power source throughout the process.
⚠️ Note: If the device has enabled the “Find Device” function (Mi Account or Google) FRP), Remember the username and password from the account. After resetting, the phone will require authorization to the account that was the last, otherwise it will be extremely difficult to unlock the smartphone.
It is also recommended to remove microSD cards and SIM-The cards before the operation, although the current versions MIUI Often offered a choice: format only internal memory or also external, physical extraction of the card ensures that you do not accidentally lose important files stored on it.
☑️ Checklist before resetting
Reset method through the system settings menu
The safest and most recommended way to get Xiaomi back to factory is to use the standard operating system interface, which is suitable for most users whose phones are turned on and the touch screen responds to touch. First, go to the main menu and find the Settings icon, which usually looks like a gear.
In the list of options that opens, you need to scroll down to About the phone, and that's where the basic information about the model, the version of the processor, and, importantly for us, the reset button is concentrated. Different versions of MIUI may have slightly different locations, but the logic remains the same: we're looking for a point related to recovering or deleting data.
After you log in to the About Phone menu, you will see several options for action. We are interested in the Reset button (or “Erase all data”). The system will warn you that all files will be deleted. If you are ready, click the appropriate button and enter a graphical key or unlock password for confirmation.
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Before clicking the final button, “Reset all data,” take a screenshot of the screen with important settings (such as static IP or access point settings) to quickly restore them after the reboot.
A countdown, usually 10 seconds, will start to prevent accidental tapping. Once the time is up, the phone will reboot and a cleaning process will begin, which visually can look like a hanging on the Mi or Redmi logo.
Alternative path through advanced settings
In some versions of the HyperOS shell or fresh MIUI bets, the path to reset has been changed by the developers to improve the menu structure. If you don't find the right button in the About Phone section, try an alternative route through the advanced system settings.
Go back to the main settings menu and find the option Additional (or Advanced Settings) that often hides features for developers and deep cleaning.
Here, the algorithm is similar to the previous one: select Reset and confirm deletion, which is especially relevant for users who are used to the old Android menu structure and can not find the feature in the About Phone section.
| MIUI/HyperOS version | The way to dump | Features |
|---|---|---|
| MIUI 12 / 13 | Settings → About the phone → Resetting settings | The classic path, it works stably |
| MIUI 14 | Settings → Additional → Resetting settings | Changed menu structure |
| HyperOS 1.0 | Settings → About the phone → Resetting settings | Return to the classics, a new design |
| Global ROM | Settings → System → Resetting settings | The Standard Android Way |
Regardless of the path you choose, the system will ask you repeatedly for your consent to delete, an Android security mechanism that prevents children from accidentally losing data or from accidentally tapping into their pocket.
Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
So there are different situations: the phone might freeze on the screensaver, the touch screen might stop responding, or the device might go into a cyclical reboot, and in those cases, the standard menu path is not available, and you have to use Recovery Mode, or Recovery Mode, which is a low-level environment that you boot before the main operating system starts.
To enter this mode, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold both buttons until the Mi logo appears on the screen, after which the power button can be released while keeping the volume still.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touchscreen does not work. Navigation on the menu is done with volume buttons (up-down), and the choice of item is made by a short press of the power button. Select a language (usually available in Chinese and English), then go to Wipe Data. In the next menu, select Wipe All Data and confirm the action by selecting Confirm. What to do if the Recovery menu does not open?If the button combination does not work, you may have debugging enabled USB Or you can use an ad blocker. Try connecting your phone to your computer through a computer. USB-cable, press the buttons, and through ADB Enter adb reboot recovery, this will force the recovery mode to start, and once the process is completed successfully, the message "Data wiped successfully" will appear on the screen». Click the return button on the main menu and select Reboot → Reboot to System. The phone will reboot in a clean state, as after buying in the store. Remote reset via Google and Mi Cloud If the device is lost, stolen or inaccessible, but it is enabled by the Internet and geolocation services, you can reset remotely. This is an extreme measure that will help protect your data from unauthorized persons. For users of the Xiaomi ecosystem, the Mi Cloud service is available. Go to the official website from any other device, log in under your account and select the function "Find my device" (the same service will provide a full Google Device). Just log into your Google account, select the right smartphone from the list and click "Clean the device." The command will be executed as soon as the phone goes online. 📱 It only works when you are connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile data). 🔒 Requires pre-enabled device search function in settings. 🌍 Geolocation must be active to determine the exact status. ⚡ Data is permanently deleted, it won't be possible to recover it, and this is especially effective if you sold your phone but forgot to log out, or if the device fell into the hands of unscrupulous users, and remote Wipe will block access to your photos and passwords. Solving problems after resetting After the process is completed and the phone has restarted, the initial setup stage begins. The system may be slower than usual in the first 15-30 It's a normal behavior for Android, because you have background indexing and application optimization, and one of the common problems is you have to enter your password from your Google account (FRP Lock. It's a security mechanism against theft. If you don't remember the password, it'll take a while to recover access and require you to call support or use check checks. 💡First-time 20 Just spend the minutes after you turn on your clean phone, just basic Wi-Fi setup and connection, without installing heavy games right away, let the system stabilize. Often, the factory firmware installed on the device contains bugs that have been fixed in more recent versions. MIUI. Go to settings and check for updates to ensure maximum security and stability. If after a reset the phone continues to warm or discharge quickly, it may be a hardware problem, or one of the automatically restored applications causes a conflict. In this case, it is recommended to configure as a new device, without restoring the backup of the applications immediately to identify the culprit. What if the phone asks for a password from Mi Account after a reset? This is standard protection. Enter the username and password that was used on this device before. If you forget the data, try to restore access through the i.mi.com. Without this step, it is recommended to officially unlock the phone from 5 minutes to the full reset? Time depends on the amount of internal memory and the number of files. Don't interrupt the process, even if it seems to be stuck on the logo. Will the operating system be deleted when reset? No, the Android operating system and the MIUI/HyperOS shell will remain. Only user data, applications and settings are deleted. The phone will return to the state it was in immediately after purchase. Can it be interrupted if it goes too long? It is categorically not recommended. Interrupting the write to the disk can damage the system files, and the phone will turn into a "brick" that can only be restored through the firmware.