Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco are all known for their performance, but over time, even the most powerful gadget can experience software failures. Accumulation of system debris, deleting critical files, or a failed update can cause the operating system to stop responding or start operating incorrectly, in such situations, the only right decision is a complete reinstallation of the system or a deep reset.
Users often confuse “setting reset” and “flashing” when technically they are different processes with different depths of impact on the device. Factory Reset only cleans user partitions, leaving system files intact, while firmware replaces all software code. The choice of method depends on how serious the problem with your smartphone is and what the end result is.
Before you start taking drastic measures, you need to understand that any interference with the software shell MIUI or HyperOS carries risks. Wrong actions can turn the device into a brick, so strictly follow the algorithm of actions. Below we will look at all the available ways to restore the health of your device, from standard methods to advanced tools.
Preparation of the device for complete reset
Any manipulation of system files requires preparation to avoid losing important data. The first step should always be to back up all the information you don't want to lose, which can be contacts, photos, instant messenger correspondence, and document files stored in internal memory.
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Use the Mi Cloud or Google Drive cloud service to automatically backup contacts and calendar before you start any work.
Xiaomi smartphone owners should pay special attention to the attached Mi Account. If you plan to do a full reset, make sure to remember the username and password, otherwise the FRP (Factory Reset Protection) lock system can lock the device after a reboot, requiring authorization from the previous owner.
It is also critical to check the battery level: the reinstallation or reset process should not be interrupted due to battery discharge, as this can damage the partition table. The optimal indicator is a charge of at least 60%, and it is better to connect the device to the power source throughout the procedure.
☑️ Pre-reset check
Method of regular reset through settings
The safest and easiest way to get your phone back to factory is to use the built-in operating system functionality, which is suitable for cases where the smartphone is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and you can get into the Settings menu, which effectively deletes user data and returns the program settings to the original state.
To start, open the settings menu and find the About Phone section. Depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, the reset point may be in the submenu or be highlighted by a separate "Reset" button, the system will warn you that all data will be deleted, and ask you to enter a graphical key or password to unlock the screen for confirmation.
⚠️ Note: Once you activate Find Device in your Mi Account, a simple reset via settings will not delete your account from your phone’s memory.
There is also the “Clean All” option, which deletes all files, including the contents of internal memory and the contents of the internal memory. SD-If you just need to reset your network or menu settings, select the appropriate items to avoid losing personal photos and videos.
| Parameter | Resetting settings | Complete cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| Personal files | Removed | Removed |
| Annexes | Removed | Removed |
| System settings | Dropped. | Dropped. |
| Mi Account | Remains (password required) | Remains (password required) |
Hard Reset via Recovery Mode
If the operating system is not booting, hanging on the logo or the touch screen does not respond, Recovery mode comes to the rescue. This is a special diagnostic mode, sewn into the device memory regardless of the main OS.
To get into the recovery menu, turn the device off completely. Then press the Volume Up and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi or Android logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume down. In a few seconds, a menu with English text and usually an orange or black background will appear.
Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the power button selects the item. You need to find the Wipe Data item and go to the Wipe All Data selection. The system will again request confirmation, often requiring you to select the Confirm item several times in a row.
What to do if the Recovery menu is in Chinese?
Once the cleaning process is complete, which can take a few minutes, the phone will automatically restart.The first boot after Hard Reset always lasts longer than usual, as the system reassembles the cache and checks the integrity of the files.
Fastboot and Mi Flash Tool
When software errors are too deep and even Recovery doesn't work, you need a complete firmware reflash, which replaces all system partitions with fresh ones from the manufacturer's servers, USB-cable and special utility Mi Flash Tool.
The first thing you need to do is download a firmware image for your model. It's important to consider the region: the global version (Global) is different from the Chinese version (China). Fastboot requires a file with the.tgz extension, not.zip. Unpack the archive to the root of the disk so that the path does not contain Cyrillic characters.
The path to the file should be short, such as: C:\Xiaomi\ROM\Next, transfer the smartphone to Fastboot mode. To do this, when the phone is turned off, we press the Volume Down button and connect it. USB-You'll see a picture of a hare repairing an android on the screen, or you'll see the word Fastboot. Launch the Mi Flash Tool on behalf of the administrator, click "Refresh" and select your device from the list.
⚠️ Warning: When flashing in the Mi Flash Tool window, be sure to select "Clean All" mode. "Save User Data" mode can lead to errors when changing the firmware region or Android version, causing an endless cycle of reboots.
After you choose the path to the unpacked firmware folder, press the "Flash" button. The process will take from 3 to 10 minutes. You can not interrupt the connection or turn off the phone at this time. At the end, the phone will go to restart with a clean system.
Removal of viruses and advertising software
One of the common reasons why users want to reinstall Xiaomi phone is intrusive advertising or virus software. Often not a complete reset, but a competent cleaning is enough, since Android viruses rarely are embedded in the system partition without superuser rights (Root).
To start, check the list of installed applications. Viruses often masquerade as system processes or don't have icons. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps and carefully study the list. If you see an app without a name or with a suspicious name that you didn't install, delete it.
- 🛡️ Google Play Defender: Run a check through the built-in antivirus Google Play Store.
- 📱 Security: Use Xiaomi’s regular Security app to scan your system.
- 🔍 Safe boot mode: boot into Safe Mode (clamping the off button in the menu, then tapping the off icon) to remove the virus if it interferes with work.
If the ads appear in the browser as push notifications, the problem is not the virus, but the permissions of the sites. Go to the browser settings and turn off notifications for suspicious resources. Complete reinstallation is not required, just clear the browser cache.
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90% of advertising problems on Xiaomi are solved by disabling the recommendation in the system (MSA) and checking application permissions, not by flashing.
Possible errors and their solution
There can be a variety of errors in the recovery process, from simple crash reports to error codes in Fastboot. One common problem is the Missmatching image and device error when running the firmware, which means you're trying to install firmware from another model or region, which is unacceptable without an unlocked bootloader.
Also, users often experience a situation where the phone, after a reset, requires a password from a Mi Account that is forgotten, which is protection against theft. You can only restore access through i.mi.com if you have access to a linked number or mail, and if you do not have access, you will need to contact the service center with a check for purchase.
Another common scenario is a “bootloop” after a failed update. If Recovery mode is not available, only EDL (Emergency Download Mode) mode remains, which allows you to reflash the phone at a deep level, but this often requires special account rights in service centers.