How to Reset Android on Xiaomi through the Buttons: The Complete Guide

The situation when Xiaomi smartphone stops responding to commands, forgets the unlock password or begins to critically slow down is familiar to many owners of this technique. At such moments, a program reset through the settings menu becomes unavailable, and the only true solution is to use physical access to the recovery system. Hard Reset through buttons is a powerful tool to return the device to its original state, ignoring software failures of the operating system.

Using volume and power buttons requires accuracy and understanding of the processes that take place inside MIUI or HyperOS. Unlike a simple restart, this method completely erases user data, returning the gadget to the state of “out of the box”. Below we will discuss in detail the algorithms of actions for different scenarios, the features of entering Recovery mode and the nuances that will help avoid turning the smartphone into a “brick”.

Preparation of the device for forced discharge

Before you start manipulating the buttons, you need to realize the irreversibility of the process. A complete reset will destroy all your photos, contacts, messages and installed applications. If the phone responds to touch, it is critical to try to back up data to the Xiaomi Cloud or your computer. Ignoring this step will lead to the permanent loss of personal information.

Make sure the battery is at least 50-60%. The process of formatting system partitions can take time, and a sudden power outage in the middle of the procedure can damage the bootloader or system files. Connect the device to the original charging cable if possible, or just make sure that you have enough power.

⚠️ Note: After resetting on devices with activated Mi Account or Google protection FRP You need to enter a login and password from an account that was previously synced, and a forgotten password can make the phone unusable without complex unlocking procedures.

Enter Recovery mode on different models

The login algorithm for the engineering menu may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and smartphone model, whether it is a budget Redmi or a flagship Xiaomi. The standard procedure requires a complete shutdown of the device. If the phone freezes and does not turn off in the usual way, you need to press the power button for 10-15 seconds before vibrating or quenching the screen.

After turning off, press the Volume Up and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released while holding the volume key. The Recovery menu with English interface should appear on the screen, where the volume button is controlled and the power button is selected.

Some older models or devices with custom firmware may require cable connection USB If the standard combination doesn't work, try connecting your smartphone to your PC through USB-This activates Fastboot mode, from which you can sometimes go to Recovery via the selection menu using volume buttons to navigate.

Step-by-step reset instruction through buttons

Once you're in the Recovery menu, you'll see a few items like Reboot, Wipe Data, and Connect with MIAssistant. The navigation here is completely button-button-on: the volume swing moves the cursor, and a brief tap of the power button confirms the choice. You need to select Wipe Data.

Once you select a point, the system can request confirmation of actions, because this is a critical operation. The screen will display a warning that all data will be deleted. Select Wipe All Data or Confirm and press the power button. The formatting process will start automatically, and the progress bar will be displayed on the screen.

1. Volume Up + Power (to the logo)

Selection of "Wipe Data"

3. Select "Wipe All Data"

4. Confirm's confirmation

5. Waiting "Data wiped successfully"

6.Reboot selection

When the Data wiped successfully message appears, it means that the procedure is successfully completed. Press the power button to return to the main menu and select Reboot, then Reboot to System. The first run after the reset will take longer than usual, as the system needs to recreate the file structure and update the components.

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The main step is to confirm Wipe All Data, after which there will be no way back, so double check the backup before pressing the confirmation button.

Solving problems with a locked screen

A common reason to reset is a forgotten pattern lock, PIN-If you can't unlock the screen, the button method is the only way to get back to the device without losing functionality, even though the data will be lost.

If, after resetting and resetting, the phone requires you to enter a Google Account Password (FRP), that means that the protection worked correctly, and without the owner's data, you can't legally circumvent this requirement, and FRP is designed precisely to make sure that the phone dropped through the buttons can't be used after theft.

In situations where the phone is locked by the operator or has the status of stolen (IMEI blacklist), resetting through buttons will not help unlock the network. Hard Reset affects only the software part and user data, but does not change the status of the device in global databases of telecom operators.

Features of reset for different versions of MIUI and HyperOS

The recovery menu interface may look different depending on the shell version. On new devices with HyperOS or fresh MIUI 14, the menu design has become more minimalistic, but the logic has remained the same. However, some regional firmware versions (Global, China, EEA) may have differences in the order of menu items.

Chinese versions of Xiaomi smartphones often have a recovery menu entirely in Chinese or English, but with the same structure.The data clearing point is usually second or third on the list.If you see characters, focus on the position of the item in the list relative to the standard English version or use an image translator.

It is worth noting that some models with MediaTek or Spreadtrum processors may have an extended recovery menu with the ability to install firmware from a memory card. Be extremely careful: random selection of Install from storage without the correct firmware file can lead to a verification error (signature failed verification).

Alternative methods and reset via Fastboot

If you can't log in to Recovery or the volume buttons are faulty, you can try Fastboot. To enter it, you need to press the Volume Down and the power button. The screen will show an image of a hare repairing an android or the words Fastboot. You can't reset it with a button, but you can use a PC.

To reset via Fastboot, you will need a computer, USB-cable and fastboot utility (part of Android) SDK Platform Tools: Connecting your phone in this mode to your PC can send a command to clean up the data partition, which is a more complex method that requires minimal technical skills, but it is effective at damaging the recovery partition.

The command to reset via Fastboot:


fastboot erase userdata




fastboot erase cache

⚠️ Note: Using Fastboot commands requires drivers ADB/Fastboot. Misuse of commands such as fastboot erase boot can completely disable the device, requiring professional repair through the programmer.

There is also a method of resetting service codes if the screen is at least partially responsive to clicks. Entering code ##7780## or #7378423## (for some models) can trigger a reset menu, but this method does not work on all versions of MIUI and often requires confirmation through an unlock password, which can be forgotten.

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If the phone hangs on the Mi logo for a long time after reset (more than 10 minutes), try going back to Recovery and selecting Reboot to System again, or reset. Sometimes it takes 2-3 cycles to completely clear the Dalvik cache.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)