Situations where a Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco smartphone stops responding to commands or is blocked by a forgotten pattern lock are familiar to many users. At such moments, standard menu reboot methods are not available, and the only way out is to use hardware control buttons. This process, often called Hard Reset, allows you to return the device to its original state by removing all user data and settings.
However, before taking drastic action, it is important to understand the risks and consequences: Recovery Mode reset process irreversibly deletes all photos, contacts and apps if they were not saved to the Mi Cloud or computer. That is why this instruction is intended for those who realize the need to completely clean the memory in order to restore the functionality of the gadget. MIUI hyperos.
You don't need to be an engineer or have the tools to do this, all the buttons you need -- Volume+ and Power -- are on your device's body, and you need to be consistent and watch for changes on the screen, because the menu interface may vary depending on the regional version of the software.
Preparation of the device for forced discharge
The first and most critical step is to check the battery level. If the device is turned off due to battery discharge during the process of formatting the internal memory, there is a high risk of damage to the system partitions, which will lead to the inability to further boot. Make sure that the indicator shows at least 50-60% charge, and ideally connect the smartphone to the original charger for the duration of the operation.
The second important point is to understand the differences between normal reset and data formatting. Xiaomi’s recovery menu often features options that can confuse an unprepared user.You need to be clear that choosing the wrong item can only result in the deletion of the cache or, conversely, the complete erasure of the /data partition where all your personal information is stored.
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Before the procedure begins, remove SIM-MicroSD card and memory card if supported by your model, this will prevent the accidental deletion of important files from the external drive or damage to the SIM card contacts by software failures.
And you also have to mention the Mi Account protection, which is that once you reset and re-enable, the phone will require you to log in and log in to the Google or Mi Account that you previously linked, and it's a theft protection mechanism, and it's almost impossible to get around it without access to the owner's data, and if you forget that data, it takes longer to restore access than the reset itself.
Enter Recovery mode on different Xiaomi models
The recovery entry procedure is standardized for most of the brand's devices, but there are nuances that depend on the model and the version of the shell. The classic method involves completely turning off the smartphone. Not just locking the screen, but full. After that, you need to pinch the key combination. On most models, this is the simultaneous clamping of the Volume Up and Power buttons.
Hold the buttons until the Mi or Redmi logo appears. Once the logo appears, the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume key until the main Recovery Mode menu appears. The interface of this menu can be of two types: Touch Recovery or volume button-only (where the selection is made by moving the cursor, and confirmation is the power button).
If instead of the recovery menu you saw an image of a hare repairing an android, you are in Fastboot mode. This is a common error when the buttons were pressed at the same time or at the wrong interval. In this case, just press the power button for 10-15 seconds until the phone vibrates and turns off, then try to log in again, changing the time of the press.
For some older models or devices with a physical home button (which are almost no longer in the lineup), the combination may be different, but for modern Xiaomi Mi. 11, Redmi Note Series and Poco F/X It is the swelling that is used.+ + Power. It's important to press them quickly and clearly, without falling into a long hold until the vibration, namely when you turn them on.
Step-by-step reset instruction through buttons
Once you successfully log in to the Recovery menu, you'll see a list of options. If you have a touch menu, just click on the right items. If the menu is text-based (a black screen with colored lines), use volume buttons to move up and down and power buttons to confirm your choice. The action algorithm is the same for all current versions of MIUI.
First, select the interface language. The default is often English or Chinese. It's recommended to choose English as it's the most versatile and understandable language. Once you select the language, the main menu will open where we're interested in Wipe Data. It's the one responsible for the factory reset.
☑️ Data reset algorithm
Inside the Wipe Data section, you will be offered two options: Wipe All Data (full reset) and Reset Password (lock screen password reset, not working on all Android versions). Choose the first option. The system will warn you that all data will be deleted. Confirm is often required to click or, in some cases, enter the word yes (although new versions of MIUI 13/14 and HyperOS just confirm).
The formatting process can take anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. The progress bar will be displayed on the screen. Under no circumstances try to turn off the phone or remove the battery (if it is not removable) at this point. Breaking the file system record can lead to the software brick of the device.
Features of MIUI and HyperOS interfaces
The MIUI shells and the new HyperOS have visual differences in recovery mode that can be confusing. In the older versions (MIUI 10-12), the menu was strictly textual, with orange or blue highlighting of the selected item, navigation was carried out exclusively by hardware buttons, which created certain difficulties for beginners.
Since MIUI 13 and all versions of HyperOS, the interface has become more friendly, with support for touch input directly into Recovery, larger icons and more intuitive action descriptions. However, the functional process has remained the same. The new versions also have a stronger emphasis on security: after a reset, the system can longer check the integrity of the bootloader on the first turn on.
What to do if the menu is in Chinese?
Another feature of the newer versions is the more aggressive work of data protection: If encryption has been enabled on the device, the reset process can take longer, since the system needs not only to delete the pointers to the files, but also to overwrite the encryption keys, which is normal behavior that should not be a cause for concern.
Table of keyboard combinations for different modes
Besides the standard Recovery, Xiaomi smartphones have other loading modes that you might need for deeper issues, and knowing these combinations will help you not panic if something else appears instead of the reset menu.
| Mode of work | Keyboard combination | Description and purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery Mode | Loudness+ + Nutrition | Recovery menu for data reset and flashing. |
| Fastboot Mode | Loudness- + Nutrition | bootloader mode for firmware via PC (Mi Flash). |
| Safe Mode | Press Loudness-- when loading | Starting with disabled third-party applications (does not work on all models). |
| Edl Mode | Special combination or cable | The Qualcomm Download mode requires a PC. |
Note the Fastboot mode, which is activated by pressing the Volume Down button along with the power, and in this mode, the phone does not do anything on its own, it waits for a connection to the computer and commands from the flasher. If you happen to be here by accident, just press the power button on 10-15 second-on-seconds.
EDL (Emergency Download Mode) is often associated with a black screen image of a cable, and on modern Xiaomi models, button entry is closed or requires disassembly of the device (closing contacts on the board) to prevent unauthorized flashing. For the average user, entering this mode means contacting the service center.
Possible mistakes and ways to solve them
It doesn't always go smoothly. One of the most common problems is a cyclical bootloop after a reset. The phone turns on, shows the logo, then turns off again and so endlessly, which may indicate that system files are corrupted or that an unsuccessful update has been superimposed on old data.
In this case, simply resetting through the buttons may not be enough: you will need a computer, a USB cable and the Mi Flash Tool to completely flash the device in Fastboot mode. However, before you go to radical measures, try resetting, making sure you chose Wipe All Data, rather than just clearing the cache.
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If the phone hangs on the logo for more than 15-20 minutes after reset, don’t wait any longer – most likely, the system partition is damaged, and you will need to flash it through your PC.
Another common mistake is to say, "Can't verify update," or to require you to enter your unlock password after you reset, which is account protection, and if you forget your Mi Account password, you can only restore access through the official mi.com or id.mi.com website using a linked phone number or email, without which the phone will remain a brick.
And sometimes users are faced with a situation where the buttons don't physically respond, which is a rare but possible scenario for hardware failures of the plumes. USB-keyboard OTG-adapter (if the model supports the OTG), To navigate the Recovery menu, although it doesn’t work on all devices.