Users often face the need to return the smartphone to its original state, whether it is selling the device, transferring it to another family member, or trying to fix critical errors in the operating system.A process known as a full reset or Hard Reset deletes all user data, including photos, contacts and installed apps, returning the gadget to the state "out of the box."
However, before you start the procedure, you need to understand the difference between a normal reset via the settings menu and deep formatting through Recovery Recovery mode. Depending on your goal - just clear the memory or fix the system failure - the appropriate method is chosen.
In this article, we will discuss all the stages of preparation, describe the step-by-step algorithm for different versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shell, and also consider ways to bypass account protection if you forget your password.
Preparing the device for full formatting
The first and most critical step is to save important data, and because a complete reset destroys information without the ability to recover it with standard means, you need to back up beforehand, not just the gallery, but the files in the Download folder, the notes and settings of the messengers.
Make sure that the battery is at least 50-60%. Interrupting the formatting process due to discharge can damage the system partitions, after which the phone will stop booting. SIM-map so that they do not accidentally format their contents.
Special attention should be paid to linking the Mi Account. If you do not know the password from it, be sure to untie the device before resetting, otherwise the protection against theft will work, and the phone will lock.
- 📸 Back up photos and videos to the cloud or to your computer.
- 📱 Save your contacts to a Google account or export them to a.vcf file.
- 🔋 Check the battery level and connect the charger.
- 💾 Remove an external memory card for data security.
⚠️ Note: If two-factor authentication is enabled on the phone, make sure you have access to the phone number or backup code, as after a reset, the system may request a sign-in confirmation.
☑️ Ready to dump
Standard reset via the MIUI settings menu
The safest and easiest way to get Xiaomi back to factory settings is to use the system’s built-in menu, a method that is suitable for most users who want to clean their phone before selling or simply refresh the system without deep intervention.
To start, go to Settings and find About Phone. Depending on the firmware version, the button you want can be at the bottom of the list or be placed in a separate menu Additional.
The system will offer two options: Erase all data or Reset Wi-Fi and mobile settings. Choose the first option to completely delete the information. The device will request confirmation of actions and possibly a screen unlock password or a pattern lock.
- 🔍 Find the About Phone section in the main settings.
- 🗑️ Click the Reset button at the bottom of the screen.
- ✅ Select the option to erase all data for full formatting.
Once confirmed, the cleaning process will begin, which can take 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of memory filled.The phone will automatically restart and you will see the screen of the initial setting, as when you first turn on the new gadget.
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Before resetting via the settings menu, perform full sync with Mi Cloud to automatically restore icon placement and system settings after turning on.
Resetting methods comparison: Menu vs. Recovery
There are two main approaches to cleaning your device, and the choice between them depends on the current state of your smartphone. If the system is stable and you can log in, it is better to use the standard method. However, if the phone freezes, does not boot or has software errors, you will need a Recovery mode.
Recovery mode allows for deep formatting, including cleaning cache and system logs that are not affected by a normal reset, a more aggressive method that often helps solve system debris problems.
Below is a table that helps to determine the choice of method:
| Characteristics | Through the settings menu | Through Recovery Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Only when the OS is running | Even if the OS doesn't load. |
| Difficulty | Low (automatically) | Medium (buttons needed) |
| Depth of cleaning | User data | User data + cache |
| Risk of error | Minimum | Medium (human factor) |
Hard Reset via Recovery Mode
If the operating system is not responding or locked, the only way out is to use Recovery mode, to enter it, you need to completely turn off the smartphone, then press the volume button and the power button at the same time.
Hold the buttons until the Mi logo appears, then release the power, but keep the volume up. A menu with a few items in English or Chinese will appear on the screen, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is with the power button.
You need to find the Wipe Data item and select it. In the next menu, select Wipe All Data. The system will ask you to confirm the action by selecting Confirm. After the process is complete, select Reboot to restart.
- 🔌 Turn off the phone completely before the procedure begins.
- 🔊 Hold the volume up. + Power before vibration.
- 📉 Use volume buttons to navigate the Recovery menu.
- 🔄 Choose Wipe Data -> Wipe All Data -> Confirm.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen is not working. All actions are performed exclusively with mechanical buttons, so press them clearly and slowly.
What to do if the Recovery menu is in Chinese?
The problem of activation and protection of Mi Account
Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with a serious security system. If before reset on the device was entered Mi-account and enabled the function "Find the device", then after formatting the phone will require you to enter the username and password from this account at the first activation.
This is done to protect against theft: even a full reset will not allow an unauthorized person to use the phone. If you forget your password, you can only restore access through the official procedure on the Mi Account website.
Attempts to circumvent this protection by informal methods (Bypass) are often temporary or require complex flashing, which may not be safe, and the best way is to recall data or restore it via email/phone before the reset begins.
- 🔒 The system blocks activation without the owner's password.
- 🌐 Restoration is possible only through the official website of Xiaomi.
- ⚠️ Resetting via Recovery does not remove account binding.
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Mi Account protection is tied to a unique device ID (IMEI) on the server, so simply resetting data won’t remove that binding.
Frequent errors and ways to fix them
Users can face a variety of difficulties in the process of a complete reset, and one common problem is the “bootloop” when the phone is constantly turned on and off, which can occur when system files are damaged during formatting.
Another error is the message "Could not perform factory reset", often due to lack of space in the system partition or damage to the recovery partition, in which case you may need to flash the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.
It is also worth considering that after a reset, some applications may not work correctly if their data has not been completely deleted, and it is recommended to give the phone 10-15 minutes after the first turn on for the background optimization of the applications.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone gets hot and discharges quickly after reset, let it charge for about an hour.