Modern Xiaomi smartphones with a shell MIUI or HyperOS have a huge functionality, but over time, even the most powerful hardware can begin to work unstable.
In these situations, the most effective solution is to completely reset the device, a procedure known as Hard Reset that puts the device back to where it was right after it left the assembly line, and it's important to understand that this process removes all user data, so you have to be mindful of it.
Below we will discuss in detail all available ways to restore the system, preparatory steps and nuances that will help to avoid blocking your account. Whether your phone screen is unlocked or your device is “hang” on the logo, you will find a working solution here.
Preparatory stage before system reset
Before you start the cleanup mechanism, it is critical to make sure that you have saved all the relevant files. After pressing the confirmation button, there will be no back way. Photos, contacts, instant messenger correspondence and documents must be transferred to an external medium or to the cloud storage.
The process of formatting internal memory and reinstalling system files is energy-intensive, and if the device turns off in the middle of the procedure, it can damage the system parts and turn the smartphone into a brick.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure the charge level is at least 60-70%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge is one of the main causes of fatal loading errors.
You also need to unplug Mi Account. If you just reset your settings without logging out, the next time you activate your phone, you'll need to enter the password from your old account for security reasons (Anti-Theft function). If you lose your password, it's going to be extremely difficult to unlock the device.
☑️ Ready to dump
Method 1: Reset via the Settings Menu (Soft Reset)
The most gentle and simple method is available to every user who has access to the desktop and smartphone menu, which is ideal for selling the device or transferring it to another person, as it ensures the purity of data.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll down to the bottom. You're interested in the About phone item. Inside this section, you'll need to find the option to Reset or Erase all data.
The system will offer several cleaning options, you can choose to delete only system settings or completely erase all content. For full effect, choose the second option, after which you will need to enter the unlock password for confirmation of the operation.
What exactly is removed when discharged?
Once confirmed, the phone will automatically restart and start the cleaning process, which can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the storage capacity.
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This method is safe and recommended for regular situations where the phone is working normally, but requires data clearing before selling.
Method 2: Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
If the smartphone doesn't turn on, freezes on the logo, or doesn't respond to touches on the screen, the standard path through the settings is not available, and in this case, the recovery mode, Recovery Mode, comes to the rescue. It's a low-level environment built into the device's memory.
To get into this menu, you need to turn off your phone completely. Then simultaneously press the volume button and the power button. 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.
Navigation in this mode is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to select Wipe Data, then Wipe All Data and confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
⚠️ Warning: In Recovery mode, the touch screen is not working. All actions are performed exclusively by mechanical buttons on the device body.
After the cleaning process is completed, which will be displayed as a percentage of execution, select the Reboot option to restart the system. The first start after such a reset can last longer than usual - up to 10 minutes.
Remote reset via Google and Mi Cloud
There's a scenario where the phone is lost or stolen, but it's geolocated and synchronized, in which case physical access to the device is not required to clean it. You can initiate the reset remotely.
For devices linked to a Google account, go to android.com/find from any other gadget. log in under the same email address. The map will show the location of the phone, and the "Clear Device" option will be available in the control menu.
Similar functionality is provided by the service Xiaomi Cloud. Go to the website i.mi.com, log in to your Mi Akka.--WIDGET:tip:Remote reset is only possible if the device is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network). If the phone is turned off or in flight mode, the command will be executed as soon as it appears on the network.-->
This method also requires pre-configuration: the Device Search function must be activated in the security settings until the gadget is lost.
Comparison of data dumping methods
Each of these methods has its own characteristics, advantages and limitations, and the choice of the specific method depends on the current state of your smartphone and the availability of access to the interface.
Below is a table that will help you quickly navigate and choose the best option for your situation.
| Characteristics | Through Settings. | Recovery Mode | Remotely (Cloud) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to the menu | Required. | Not required | Not required |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Low. |
| We need the Internet. | Not necessarily. | No. | I'll be sure. |
| Risk of error | Minimum | Medium. | Depends on the network. |
Using the settings menu is the most civilized way that allows the system to correctly complete all background processes before cleaning.Recovery mode is "heavy artillery" and is used in critical cases.
Data recovery and initial setup
Once you have successfully completed the reset and reboot, you will have a welcome screen identical to the one you saw when you first bought your phone, selecting a language, connecting to your Wi-Fi network, and logging into your Google account.
Android will offer to restore data from the backup. If you have backupd Google Drive in advance or used the built-in Mi Migration app, you can return contacts, call log and installed app list in a couple of clicks.
Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is a security mechanism that requires you to enter a password from a Google account that was synced to the phone before the reset, and it's designed to protect against theft: even after the firmware is flashed, the phone will remain useless to the attacker without the owner's password.
⚠️ Note: If you reset your phone through Recovery but forgot to log out of your Google account in advance, the system will require you to enter a password from that account when you first download it.
It is recommended to take your time to install all applications at once, give the system 10-15 minutes of work in the background to index files and optimize the processor, which will help to avoid slowdowns.