How to Reset Android on Xiaomi: A Complete Hard Reset Guide

Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, are complex computing systems that can accumulate software errors over time. Users often face a situation when the device begins to work unstable, unexplained hangs or advertising in system applications.

The factory reset procedure removes all user information, including contacts, photos, installed apps and account logins, a radical measure that eliminates software conflicts, viruses or the consequences of failed system updates. It is important to understand that once the process is complete, the phone will return to the state in which it was removed from the box in the store.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to perform a reset on Redmi and Poco devices, you will learn how to prepare the gadget for the procedure, what methods are available to enter recovery mode and what to do if the system is blocked. It is critical to back up data before starting any manipulations, since it will be impossible to recover deleted files without a backup.

Preparing the device for a complete data reset

Before taking decisive action, make sure the device is ready to overwrite the system partition.The battery should be at least 50-60% charged, as the formatting process can take from 5 to 15 minutes, and a sudden power outage will damage the bootloader.

Smartphone owners should pre-extract the SD card and Sim card. While modern versions of Android usually require confirmation before formatting an external drive, the risk of accidentally losing important files from the memory card is too great, and removing the SIM card will prevent possible failures in the communication module during the system reboot.

⚠️ Warning: If your phone has Mi Account or Google Account protection enabled, remember your username and password. Once reset, the system will require authorization to an account that was previously synced. Without this data, you will not be able to activate the device.

Make sure you check for important files in cloud storage. Xiaomi Cloud or Google Photos tools allow you to quickly restore contacts and media files after a clean installation. Make sure that the sync is successful and all data is displayed in the web version of the cloud service.

Method 1: Reset via system settings (standard method)

The safest and easiest way to get Xiaomi back to factory settings is to use a regular menu, which is suitable for cases where you remember the unlock password of the screen and the phone interface responds to touch. Go to Settings and find the About phone item, which is usually located at the bottom of the list.

In the menu that opens, you need to find the Reset button at the bottom of the screen. The system will offer two options: Reset all settings (saving files) and Erase all data. To completely clear the memory, choose the second option. The device will warn that all files will be deleted without recovery.

After confirmation of action, the phone may request input PIN-It's a security mechanism that prevents unauthorized or malicious resets, and once you enter the code, you start a process of preparation that takes a few seconds, and then the smartphone restarts and starts formatting.

💡

Before resetting through settings, take pictures of screens with important Wi-Fi network settings and mobile operator APN settings to restore the internet faster after the procedure.

The time it takes to complete the operation depends on the amount of internal memory and the number of files installed. In the process, the MI or Android logo can be displayed on the screen, as well as a progress indicator, do not interrupt the process or try to turn off the device, even if it seems to be getting stuck at 90%.

Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

If the Android operating system is not booting, is in a cyclic reboot (bootloop) or the touch screen does not respond, Recovery mode is used. Entering this mode is a combination of physical buttons, which allows you to bypass the software locks of the interface.

To enter, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the Volume Up button and the Power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume up until the main Recovery menu appears.

In Recovery mode, the touchscreen is not working, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data item and select it. Next, the system will prompt you to select Wipe All Data to completely delete the information.

• 🔘 Wipe All Data – Completely delete all data and return to factory state.
• 🔘 Reboot – Simple to restart the device without changes.
• 🔘 Connect with MIAssistant – mode for connecting to PC and firmware through a computer.
• 🔘 Safe Mode – Start in Safe Mode (available on some versions).

⚠️ Note: Some global versions of the firmware MIUI When you try to reset via Recovery, you may need to unlock the screen with a pattern lock. If you forget the key, this method may not work without an Internet connection and a Mi Account.

Method 3: Reset via computer and ADB (for advanced users)

For professionals and experienced users, there is a method of debugging via USB. This method requires a computer, an ADB driver installed and the option of debugging over USB on the developer menu on the smartphone itself. The method is effective when the sensor is partially working, but you can not enter the settings menu.

You need to connect the phone to your PC and open the command line in the ADB tool folder. To check the connection, you enter the adb device command. If the device appears in the list with device status, you can proceed to the reset command.

adb shell recovery --wipe_data

Once you type in a command, you'll see a confirmation request on your phone screen, agree to the action, and the formatting process will begin, and this method allows you to bypass some of the software interface errors that block the standard reset through the menu.

Table: Comparison of Resetting Methods

To make it easier for you to choose the right option, we have organized the basic methods into a comparison table that will help you quickly determine which method is best used in your particular situation.

💡

Recovery Mode is the only way to reset your phone if it doesn’t load to your desktop or the touch screen doesn’t respond fully.

Solving problems: Forgotten password and Google account

One of the most common problems is when a user performs a reset but forgets the data from the Google or Mi Account account to which the phone was attached. FRP (Factory Reset Protection), locking device.

If you forget your lock screen password, resetting through Recovery is the only way out, but it doesn’t remove account binding. Bypassing FRP protection on modern versions of Android 11-14 requires complex technical manipulations using special crawlers or service accounts.

If you block the Mi Account, the device becomes a brick for the average user, and the only legal way to unlock it is to contact Xiaomi’s official support with a receipt to purchase the device, which confirms that the phone is not stolen.

• 🔑 Try to restore access to your account through your computer using the “Forgot password” function".
• 📞 Contact the service center with documents of ownership.
• 💻 Use specialized software to remove FRP (at risk).
• 📄 Find a phone box where you can duplicate your account.

⚠️ Attention: Using third-party software to hack FRP This can lead to a device being permanently blocked or infected with viruses. Official support will not help if there is an interference with the code.

Initial setup after Hard Reset

Once the procedure is completed successfully, the phone will restart and the welcome screen will prompt you to choose a language. The initial setup process is similar to how you set up the phone immediately after you bought it in a store. Choose the language you want and connect to the Wi-Fi network.

The system will check for updates and suggest that you restore data from a backup. If you used Google One or Mi Cloud, you can select a restore point, which will return contacts, call history and the list of installed applications.

At the security setting stage, it is recommended to install a new PIN-Don’t miss this step, as it is necessary for banking applications and secure password storage, and it is also worth checking the Android version in the settings immediately and updating the system if new security patches are available.

At the end of the setup, go to Settings → About phone and check the build version. Make sure all basic features like calls, internet and camera work correctly. The clean system should run faster and more stable than before the reset.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)