Situations where you want to completely reset your Xiaomi smartphone to factory status are quite common. The device can start to work slower, accumulating errors in the system, or you plan to sell the gadget and want to make sure that personal data does not fall into the wrong hands. Sometimes the cause is a forgotten pattern lock or lock screen that does not allow access to the main menu. Regardless of the reason, understanding the process of restoring the original parameters is a critical skill for any equipment owner.
The reset procedure, often called Hard Reset, deletes all user information, including contacts, photos, installed apps and system settings. Factory resetting puts software back to its state immediately after a store purchase.It's a radical but often the only effective way to reanimate a smartphone that freezes, restarts in a loop, or has software conflicts after a failed upgrade.
Before you start taking action, you need to be aware of the irreversibility of the process. Once you click the confirmation button, there is no going back unless you back up the data in advance. In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods, from standard reset via the settings menu to using the Recovery engineering menu. We will also discuss the nuances of working with your Google account and Mi Account to avoid problems with blocking activation.
Preparation of the smartphone for the procedure of data resetting
The beginning of any interference with system files requires careful preparation. The first and most important step is to back up all the important information. You can use cloud services like Google Drive or Mi Cloud, or transfer files to your computer via a computer. USB-Photos, videos, documents and messaging will disappear forever unless you take care of the data in advance.
The second critical point is the battery charge level: the process of formatting the memory partition and reinstalling system files can take from 5 to 20 minutes, during which the device should be guaranteed to receive power. Discharge during the reset can damage the file system and turn the smartphone into a “brick”, the restoration of which will require soldering of the programmer.
⚠️ Warning: If the battery is below 50%, be sure to connect the device to the original charger before starting the procedure.
You also need to unplug accounts if you can. Modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS have anti-theft protection. If you just reset your settings without logging out of your Mi Account and Google account, the next time you activate your phone, you'll need to enter a password from those accounts. Without a password, you won't be able to use the device.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Method 1: Reset via the MIUI and HyperOS settings menu
The easiest and safest way to get back to the system is to use the built-in shell functionality, which is suitable for cases where you have access to the desktop and the phone menu. It does not require special knowledge or a connection to the computer. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and regional firmware, but the logic of the actions remains the same.
To start, open the Settings app and find the About Phone section. Some firmware versions have the option in their separate Advanced Settings section. You need to find the line that contains the words "Reset" or "Recovery." When you click on it, the system will prompt you to choose the type of reset: delete only user data or completely format all content (including internal memory, music and downloads).
Once the cleaning type is selected, the system will request confirmation of the action, often requiring a graphical key or screen unlock password to be entered, a security mechanism that prevents unauthorized users from accidentally resetting the internal memory, a deeper cleaning that makes it almost impossible for third-party programs to recover data, which is especially important when selling a device.
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Before the final confirmation of the reset via settings, take a picture of the screen with the current network and display settings, which will help you quickly restore the usual configuration after turning on the clean phone.
The final step is to automatically reboot, the smartphone will turn off, and the Mi or Android logo with a progress indicator may appear on the screen. Don't touch the device at this point. The process takes time, as the system recreates the file structure and checks the integrity of the system partitions.
Method 2: Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
If the phone doesn't turn on, it's stuck on the logo, or the touch screen doesn't respond to touch, the only way out is to use Recovery mode, which is a special diagnostic mode built into the device's memory regardless of the main operating system, and is controlled by volume and power buttons, because the sensor usually doesn't work in this mode.
To enter recovery mode, turn off the smartphone completely. Then press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released while keeping the volume down. A menu with black background and text should appear on the screen, often in English or Chinese.
Navigating the menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is confirmed by the power button. You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data. In new versions of MIUI, you may need to enter the word yes or choose a specific type of cleaning, such as Wipe All Data. Be careful: Wipe Cache only cleans temporary files and does not delete personal data, it is not suitable for a complete reset.
| Action. | Control button | Description of function |
|---|---|---|
| Navigation up/down | Vol + / Vol - | Moving the cursor by menu items |
| Confirmation of choice | Power | Starting a selected team or entering a submenu |
| Getting out of the regime | Power (Reboot) | System restart after completion of operations |
| Cancellation | — | In Recovery mode, cancellation is often impossible after confirmation. |
⚠️ Warning: In Recovery mode, the touch screen is not working. If the volume buttons don't respond, they may be physically damaged and you'll need to connect to your PC via a PC. ADB.
What to do if the menu is in Chinese?
Google Account and Mi Account (FRP Lock)
One of the biggest challenges after a reset is FRP (Factory Reset Protection), which is Google's security mechanism that links the device to the last account you enter, and once it's reset, the phone will require you to enter the password for that account, and if you forget the password, it will be blocked, and it's very difficult to get around that protection legally.
A similar situation is observed with the Xiaomi ecosystem: if the phone was enabled to search for a device, after reset, you will need to enter a password from Mi Account. This is done to protect against theft: even a flash or reset will not help an attacker to use the stolen gadget.
If you reset your phone but don’t remember your passwords, the only legal way to unlock it is to restore access through the account manufacturer’s website. For Google, it’s an account recovery page; for Xiaomi, it’s an i.mi.com portal. Attempts to use third-party software to bypass FRP often result in viruses being installed on your computer or the device permanently locked over IMEI.
Data recovery and initial setup
Once the reset procedure is completed successfully, the smartphone will start as a new one, you will be greeted by a language selection screen and a welcome window, the initial setup process will take some time, at which point the system will suggest connecting to the Wi-Fi network, which is necessary to activate the device and check the lock statuses.
During the setup process, you will be asked to restore data from the backup. If you have used Google or Mi Cloud services, you can select a restore point. The system will offer to return contacts, call history, SMS and a list of installed applications. Application recovery takes place in the background, icons will appear on the desktop as you download from the store.
It is important to avoid missing the steps of security updates and system components that can be offered immediately after the first turn on. New patches close vulnerabilities that could lead to unstable work, which may have caused you to reset, and it is recommended to immediately configure biometric protection (fingerprint or facial recognition) to secure the device.
If the phone is slow or discharges quickly after reset, give it 1-2 hours in the connected state. The system indexes files and optimizes applications. In the first hours after reset, battery consumption can be increased, this is normal behavior for Android.
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The full system optimization cycle after reset takes up to 24 hours of active use.