How to reset to factory settings Android on Xiaomi Redmi

The Android operating system on Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones can accumulate software errors over time that lead to slowdowns, sudden reboots or a quick battery drain. A complete reset is the most radical, but often the only effective way to return the device to its original speed and stability, eliminating all accumulated over the years of use of digital “junk” files.

The process of restoring factory status is relevant not only in the presence of technical problems, but also in situations where the owner plans to sell the gadget or transfer it to another user, wanting to guarantee the complete confidentiality of his personal data. It is important to understand that resetting through the Recovery menu completely removes the data section, including photos, contacts and installed applications, so ignoring the backup stage can lead to irreversible loss of information.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods of returning to factory state, from standard operating system tools to low-level commands for advanced users. You will learn how to properly prepare a Mi Account, what nuances exist when unlocking a bootloader and how to act if the touch screen has stopped responding to commands.

Preparation of the device for the cleaning procedure

Before you initiate the formatting process, you need to make sure that the battery is charged at least 50-60%, as a sudden power outage during the recording of system files can lead to irreversible damage to the bootloader. If the battery runs out at a critical moment, the smartphone can turn into a “brick”, the restoration of which will require the use of professional equipment and soldering of memory chips.

A prerequisite is to back up important data that cannot be recovered from cloud storage. → Reservation and recovery, which allows you to save the list of installed applications, call history, SMS-Messages and system settings to a memory card or internal storage.

Special attention should be paid to the binding to the Mi-account and Google account, since after the reset, the system will require the confirmation of the owner's password for security purposes (FRP function). If you forget the login data, it will be extremely difficult to unlock the device without contacting an authorized service center with a check for purchase.

Remember to remove the SD card before you start the operation, so as not to accidentally format the external drive along with the internal memory of the phone. Many users make the mistake of choosing the option “Clean all”, which in some versions of MIUI firmware can affect the attached storage, if you do not remove the tick of the corresponding item.

Standard reset via MIUI settings

The safest and most recommended method for most users is to use the built-in operating system tools, so you first need to go to the main settings menu and find the About phone section where you can find the Reset settings or Erase all data, which is preferable, since the system will check for critical errors before starting the procedure.

After selecting the data deletion point, the system will request proof of identity, suggesting entering a pattern lock, PIN-Next, a warning will appear on the screen that all files will be destroyed and you will need to re-press the confirmation button, often with a countdown to prevent accidental actions.

If your smartphone is unstable but the screen is responsive to touch, you can use an alternative route through the Safety app. At the bottom of the screen, find the tool icon, select Clean up, and go to Reset, where you can also use the factory reset feature without having to dive deep into the system menu.

⚠️ Warning: After starting the reset process through the settings, you can't interrupt the operation. Do not try to take out the battery or pinch the power buttons if the device is stuck on the logo - let the system complete the formatting, this may take up to 10-15 minute.

Importantly, newer versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14 may require re-authorization to the Mi Account just before the final cleanup phase, an additional anti-theft measure that ensures that only the device owner can initiate complete data erasure.

Reset via Recovery (Hard Reset)

If the touch screen is not working or the system does not boot at all, the only way out is to use Recovery mode. To enter this mode, you need to completely turn off the smartphone, then pinch the Volume up + Power key combination and hold them until the Mi logo or the Recovery menu appears.

In the recovery menu, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the power button selects the item. You need to find the Wipe Data item and select the Wipe All Data option, then confirm the action by selecting Confirm, which is deeper and ignores the software locks of the interface.

There is also the option of resetting via Fastboot if standard Recovery are not available. To do this, press Volume Down + Power, connect the phone to a computer with the Mi Flash Tool installed, and select the "Clean All" option in the program interface. However, this method requires drivers and a stub, which makes it more difficult for beginners.

Once the process in the Recovery menu is successfully completed, the device will automatically restart, and the first download can take up to 5-7 minutes, as the system needs to recreate the file structure and verify the integrity of the system partitions.

Remote reset via Google and Xiaomi services

In situations where access to the device itself is not possible (for example, in case of loss or theft), you can use remote management services. Google Find My Device allows you not only to track the location of the smartphone, but also initiate a command to completely erase data if the device is connected to the Internet.

Similar functionality is provided by the cloud service Xiaomi Cloud. After logging into your account through a web browser on your computer, go to the "Device Search" section, select the desired gadget from the list and click the "Erase Data" button. This command will be executed automatically as soon as the smartphone is online.

It should be borne in mind that remote reset does not always guarantee the deletion of data from the memory card if it was installed in the slot.In addition, after such a procedure, the phone will remain blocked by the owner’s account, and the attacker will not be able to use it, but you will lose access to it without re-authorization.

⚠️ Warning: Remote reset is possible only when geolocation is enabled and the Internet connection (Wi-Fi or mobile data) is active on the target device. If the phone is turned off, the command will be executed immediately after it is turned on and logged in.

Using these tools also helps in cases where you forgot the screen unlock password, but remember the data from the account. After remote cleaning, the password will be reset and you can set the phone as new by restoring data from the cloud copy.

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If you sell a phone, don't sign in to your Mi Account after the reset. Leave the device on the welcome screen so the new owner can activate it under their profile.

Solving problems after resetting settings

Once back to factory settings, users are often required to enter a password from a previously synchronized Google account or Mi Account, which is a standard anti-theft (FRP) procedure, and it is impossible to circumvent it in legal ways without the owner’s passwords – the system blocks the use of the smartphone.

Sometimes there is an increased battery consumption in the first hours and days after reset, which is due to the fact that the background processes of indexing files, updating applications and synchronizing contacts put a high load on the processor, usually stabilizing within 24-48 hours of active use.

In rare cases, a cyclic bootloop can occur, where the phone constantly displays the logo and reboots. If a simple reset via Recovery does not help, you will need to flash the device using the computer and the Mi Flash utility, which implies installing a clean version of the operating system, devoid of custom modifications.

⚠️ Warning: If after a reset, the phone requires a password you don’t remember and two-factor authentication doesn’t help restore access, the only solution is to provide a purchase check to the service center to unblock the lock.

It is also recommended that you check for system updates in the Settings → About Phone section immediately after the first boot. Manufacturers often release security patches and bug fixes, which may not be available in the factory version of the firmware.

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Cyclical reboot after reset most often indicates damage to the system partition or hardware conflict, requiring firmware or repair.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)