How to roll back Xiaomi to factory settings: the complete guide

Xiaomi smartphones running on the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS can accumulate software errors that slow down the system. Sometimes the user simply wants to sell the device or transfer it to another person, which requires the complete deletion of personal data. In such situations, the only sure solution is to return to the original state, known as a factory reset.

This process removes all user information, including contacts, photos, apps and account settings. It is important to understand that once the procedure is complete, it will be almost impossible to recover deleted files without a preliminary copy, so you need to approach the issue with the utmost care and attention to detail.

There are several ways to do this: through the standard settings menu if the phone is turned on, or through a special engineering menu Recovery if the system is not booting, the choice of method depends on the current state of your gadget and the availability of the interface.

Preparation of the device for complete reset

Before you start any manipulation of system files, you need to back up important data. You can use the Xiaomi Cloud service, Google Drive or the built-in Mi Mover app to transfer information to another phone. Make sure that all important photos, documents and correspondence are stored in a safe place.

The critical step is to check the battery charge. The memory partition formatting process can take 5 to 20 minutes, and a sudden power outage at this point will damage the system files. The battery should be at least 50-60% charged before starting the reset procedure. If the device runs out while writing new system files, the phone can turn into a brick.

You also need to unplug accounts, especially if you plan to sell the device. Modern versions of Android and MIUI have anti-theft protection: if you just reset the phone, the new owner will not be able to activate it without your password.

Don't forget to remove the memory card. SD and SIM-A card before the procedure begins, although modern systems usually ask for proof of erasure. SD-The physical extraction of the cards will eliminate any chance of accidentally deleting your archives or music collection.

Reset via the settings menu (standard method)

The easiest and safest way to get Xiaomi back to factory status is to use the built-in functionality of the operating system, a method that is suitable for most users whose phones are stable and have access to the desktop.

To start, open the Settings app and scroll to the bottom of the list. Find the About Phone or Advanced Settings section, depending on your firmware version. Next, select Reset or Factory Settings.

The system will offer two options: Reset (saves files) and Erase all data. You need the second option. PIN-unlock the screen or password from the Mi Account to confirm the identity of the owner.

• 📱 Click on “Erase all data” to delete the information completely.
• 🔐 Enter the screen unlock password to confirm.
• ⏳ Wait until the process is complete, the phone will restart automatically.

Once confirmed, the system will alert you that all data will be deleted. Confirm the action, and the cleanup process will begin. The screen may go out, the device vibrates, and the Mi logo will appear with a progress indicator. Don't touch the buttons at this point.

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If you can’t remember the password from your Mi Account, restore it through i.mi.com before resetting, otherwise the phone will lock after the reboot.

Using Recovery Mode for Resetting

If the phone doesn’t turn on, freezes on the logo or doesn’t respond to touching the screen, the standard method won’t work, and you need to use Recovery Mode, which is built into the device’s memory regardless of the state of the main operating system.

To get into this menu, turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume down until the menu with a black or orange background appears.

⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen may not work. Navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of point is with the power button.

In the menu that opens, select a language (usually English or Chinese), then look for Wipe Data. In some versions of Recovery, you will need to select Wipe All Data and confirm the action by selecting Confirm.

Once the cleanup is completed successfully, the bottom of the screen will be marked with the words "Data wiped successfully." Select the option Reboot and then Reboot to System. The first start of the system will take longer than usual, as the initial configuration of the components takes place.

Deletion of accounts and protection against blocking

One of the most common problems after a reset is blocking activation. The FRP (Factory Reset Protection) security mechanism links the device to the last Google account entered. If you reset your phone without deleting your account first, the system will require you to enter a password from that account when you first set up.

The same is true of Mi Account, where if you have a device search enabled in your phone settings, you'll need to enter a password from your Xiaomi account after you reset, and without that data, the phone becomes a useless piece of plastic and metal.

To avoid problems, do the following before resetting:

• ☁️ Go to Settings. → Accounts and synchronization.
• 🗑️ Select a Google account and click “Delete your account».
• 🔒 Select the Mi Account and log out.

If the phone is already reset and you don't remember passwords, the situation gets complicated. Officially, you can only restore access through password recovery on service providers' websites. Using third-party programs to bypass FRP often carries the risk of virus infection or permanent lockdown.

Reset via engineering menu and codes

There is a lesser-known but effective way to initiate resetting via a set of special code in the Phone app, which is similar to resetting through settings, but allows you to get to the desired menu faster if the settings shortcut is hidden or removed.

Open the dialer and dial the combination ##7780##. On some models with newer MIUI versions, this code may not work or be redirected to the normal reset menu. If the code is active, the system will prompt you to confirm the reset immediately.

It's important not to confuse this code with other engineering commands that can change the radio settings or screen testing. Enter the characters carefully. Once you enter the code, a warning system window will appear on the screen.

The good thing about this method is that it doesn't require a deep dive into the settings menu, which is convenient if the system interface is slightly slowing down, but functionally it's no different than the standard Settings path.

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Using #7780## is a quick shortcut, but it doesn’t work on all versions of MIUI and HyperOS.

Possible problems and solutions

Even if all instructions are followed, there may be unexpected situations, such as the phone may freeze during the bootloop stage of the Mi logo, which often happens if the process is interrupted or system files are damaged before being reset.

If the device is rebooted indefinitely, try to force it to restart by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds. If that doesn't work, you'll need to re-enter Recovery mode and try to reset again. In extreme cases, only flashing through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility will help.

⚠️ Note: If after resetting the phone requires a password from an account that you do not remember, and recovery through the site is impossible, the only legal way to unlock will be to contact an authorized service center with a check for purchase.

Another is the lack of network after reset, and make sure you don't remove the modem system applications (which is possible with custom manipulation, but rarely in factory resets), check your operator's APN settings, which sometimes fly off when completely cleaned.

Set up the phone after returning to the origins

Once you've successfully completed the procedure, you'll see a welcome screen, like when you first turn on a new device. Select a language, connect to a Wi-Fi network to activate. The system will check for security updates, which is recommended right away.

When you log in to a Google account, the system will suggest you restore data from a backup. If you created a backup before reset, now is the time to use it. Choose the backup date that precedes the problem and start the recovery.

Don't install all the applications at once. It's better to download only the minimum you need to assess the stability of the system. If the battery or heating problems are repeated, it may not be a software failure, but a wear and tear of the hardware components.

In conclusion, factory reset is a powerful tool in the Xiaomi owner’s arsenal, which allows you to eliminate software errors, clear memory and prepare the device for sale, the main thing is to always have an up-to-date backup and remember passwords from your accounts.