Owners of Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones periodically face situations when the device starts to work incorrectly, this can be a sudden decrease in performance, constant system errors, or even locking the screen with a forgotten password. In such cases, the most effective solution is a complete return to the original state, which deletes all user data and returns the software shell MIUI or HyperOS to its original appearance.
Often referred to as a “hard reset” procedure, the reset procedure differs from a normal reboot in that it affects the system partition of memory.You should prepare for all your photos, contacts and installed applications to be permanently deleted, which is why pre-creating a backup is a critical step without which you can lose valuable information forever.
There are several proven ways to do this, each of which is suitable for different use cases. If the phone turns on and responds to touch, the easiest way to use the standard settings menu is to use the standard settings menu. However, if the device is stuck on the logo or does not respond to commands, you will have to use a combination of physical buttons to enter recovery mode.
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
Before you start active actions, you need to perform a number of preparatory procedures. Ignoring this stage can lead to loss of access to accounts or important files. First of all, make sure that the battery charge is at least 50-60%.
⚠️ Note: Before starting the procedure, be sure to remove SIM-microSD card and memory card, if installed, will prevent accidental damage to the external media and prevent the operator from blocking the device when reactivating the device.
The second important step is synchronizing data with the Mi Cloud or Google Drive cloud storage. Modern versions of the MIUI shell allow you to flexibly configure what data will be stored, usually contacts, notes, call history and system settings. Don't rely on internal memory alone, as it will be completely cleared during the procedure.
It’s also worth checking the status of your Mi Account. If you plan to sell a device or transfer it to another user, you need to untie it from your profile, otherwise the new owner will face an activation lock screen and you’ll still have to unlock the phone remotely through the manufacturer’s website.
☑️ Checklist before resetting
Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (standard method)
The safest and easiest way to return to factory settings is available directly from the working system.This method is ideal for those who want to clean the phone before selling or simply eliminate software glitches without using complex key combinations. The settings interface in Xiaomi is intuitive, but requires careful choice of options.
To start, go to the main menu and find the Settings icon. In the list that opens, scroll down to the About Phone section. This is where the basic system management tools are hidden. In some firmware versions, this item may be in the Additional category, but most often it is placed at the bottom of the main list of parameters.
Inside the About Phone section, you'll need to find Settings Reset (sometimes called Factory Reset) and the system will alert you that all data will be deleted. Here, you need to select the option to Erase all data. If you just want to reset your network or Bluetooth settings, select the appropriate items below, but it's a complete cleanup that's needed to return to factory status.
After confirmation of action, the system will ask you to enter a pattern lock, PIN-A screen unlock code or password is a security measure that prevents unauthorized users from accidentally resetting the password, and a cleanup process will begin once you enter the password, which can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of information accumulated and the speed of internal memory.
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)
Situations where a smartphone stops responding to touch or hangs on a screensaver require a more radical approach. Recovery mode is a special diagnostic interface built into the device’s memory regardless of the main operating system.
To get into the recovery menu, turn the device off completely first. Then press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, after which the power button can be released while holding the volume key. After a few seconds, a menu with black background and text will appear, often in English or Chinese.
⚠️ Attention: In the Recovery menu, the touch screen is not working, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is confirmed by the power button.
If you see a menu in Chinese, don't panic. Usually, "Wipe Data" is second or third on the list. After selecting this item (power button), the submenu will open where you want to select Wipe All Data. The system will again request confirmation, often requiring you to choose Confirm or OK. After you complete the process, select Reboot to restart.
What to do if the Recovery menu is in Chinese?
Deleting Google Account and Protecting against Blocking
One of the most common problems after a reset is blocking FRP (Factory Reset Protection) activation, which is an Android security mechanism that requires you to enter a password from a Google account that was synced to the device before the reset, and if you forget that data, the phone will turn into a useless piece of plastic and metal.
To avoid this situation, it is strongly recommended to manually delete your Google account before resetting. To do this, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync (or Users and Accounts). Find your Gmail address in the list, click on it and select Delete Account or Sign Out.
A similar procedure should be carried out with the Mi Account. In the MIUI shell, Xiaomi cloud binding is mandatory for many functions, and the system strictly monitors authorization. Deleting the account through the settings menu is guaranteed to remove the activation lock, while a simple reset without leaving the account will leave the protection active.
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Expert advice: If you don't remember the password from your Google account, restore access to it through your computer before resetting your phone. Attempts to bypass FRP locking by software methods often lead to unstable system operation.
Comparison of discharge methods: characteristics table
The choice of the specific reset method depends on the current state of your Redmi or Xiaomi device. Below is a comparison table that will help determine the optimal way to solve the problem. Each method has its own characteristics, run time and requirements for the state of the smartphone.
| Parameter | Through Settings. | Recovery Mode | Through the Mi Cloud |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen on required | Yes. | No. | No (remotely) |
| Data security | Complete removal | Complete removal | Complete removal |
| Difficulty of implementation | Low. | Medium | Low. |
| We need the Internet. | Not mandatory. | No. | Yes (for the team) |
As you can see from the table, the method through settings is the most preferred for routine maintenance. Recovery mode serves as an emergency tool. Remote reset via Mi Cloud site is useful if the phone is lost or stolen, but it requires the device to be connected to the network at the time the command is received.
Importantly, all three methods have the same result: a complete cleanup of the user partition, the only difference is how the process is initiated, and the choice of method depends solely on the technical ability to access the smartphone interface.
Initial configuration after system reset
Once the reset and reboot is successfully completed, you will see a welcome screen similar to the one you saw when you first turned on the new phone, and the initial setup process will take some time, and you will be asked to choose a language, connect to the Wi-Fi network, and accept the license agreement.
At the authorization stage, the system will ask you to enter your Google and Mi Account account details. If you have correctly followed the deletion guidelines before resetting, the phone will accept any new data. If you restore the backup, select the appropriate option, and the system will start downloading your apps and settings from the cloud.
The MIUI shell will also offer you to configure the basic features of fingerprint, facial recognition, theme and gesture management. Take your time at this stage, carefully study the options offered, for example, you can immediately turn off ads in system applications by going to the settings of your Mi Account and disabling personalized recommendations.
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The first download after a reset can last longer than usual (up to 10 minutes), which is normal behavior of a system that optimizes applications and checks the integrity of files.