How to Reset Xiaomi to Factory Settings: The Complete Guide

Owning a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone is a balance between powerful functionality and the need for periodic maintenance. Sooner or later, the user is faced with a situation when the device begins to work unstable: errors appear, applications freeze, and the battery runs out faster than usual. In such cases, the most effective solution is a complete return to the original state, known as Factory Reset, which deletes all user data and restores the software shell of MIUI or HyperOS to its original appearance.

However, there is no need to rush. Incorrect preparation or interruption of the procedure can lead to loss of important information or, in rare cases, software failures. Before you start active actions, you need to clearly understand what steps are required for your model. In this article, we will discuss all available methods, from standard reset via menus to advanced options through Recovery mode.

It's important to realize that once you've finished the procedure, you'll get a device that's identical to the one you just took out of the box, and all your contacts, photos, correspondence and installed programs will be permanently deleted, which is why the preparatory phase is critical and it's absolutely impossible to ignore.

Preparation of the device before discharge

The first and most important step is to back up data, and today's Xiaomi smartphones offer built-in tools to do this, but don't rely on them alone, and use a combined approach to make sure that files are safe.

• 📸 Back up photos and videos to Google Photos cloud storage or copy them to your computer.
• 📞 Sync your contacts and calendar with your Google or Mi Account.
• 💬 Save important correspondence from messengers, as after reinstalling applications, the story may disappear.
• 🔋 Make sure that the battery is at least 50-60%, so that the process does not stop.

You also need to unplug accounts if you plan to transfer the device to another owner or sell it.Special attention should be paid to Mi Account, as without it disabling, the new user will not be able to activate the phone due to the Find Device protection system.

Remember to remove the microSD card if it is used. Although the system usually asks if internal memory should be formatted along with external memory, physical extraction of the card ensures that your personal files on it are not affected.

Method 1: Classic reset via settings

The easiest and safest method is for cases where the smartphone is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and you can get into the main menu, which is ideal for routine cleaning of the system or before selling the gadget.

To start, open the Settings app and scroll down to About Phone. In some versions of the MIUI shell, the desired section may be called Advanced Settings or be at the bottom of the system settings list.

⚠️ Warning: Before pressing the reset button, the system may request confirmation of the screen unlock password several times or PIN-code SIM-This is a security measure to prevent accidental data loss.

The next step is depending on the version of your operating system, and newer versions of HyperOS and newer MIUIs may have a slightly different path than the classic one.

• 📱 Go to the About Phone section.
• ⚙️ Find the Resetting or Factory Reset option.
• 🗑️ Press the button to erase all data.
• 🔒 Enter the screen unlock password to confirm.

Once confirmed, the phone will restart and the cleaning process will begin, and the Android logo or MIUI may be displayed on the screen, as well as the progress scale. Don't touch the device at this point.

Method 2: Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

If your smartphone is stuck, doesn’t respond to touch, or doesn’t boot to your desktop, you’ll need to use Recovery Mode, a technique called Hard Reset, which allows you to clean up even when the interface is broken.

To enter this mode, you need to use a combination of physical buttons. First turn off the device completely, then press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time.

Hold both buttons until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, after which the power button can be released while holding the volume button. When the Main Menu menu appears (usually with a black background and colored lines), the volume button can also be released.

In the Recovery menu, the touch screen is not working. Navigation is done with volume buttons, and selection is done with a short press of the power button. Select Wipe Data, then Wipe All Data, and confirm the action by selecting Confirm.

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If the Recovery menu does not appear, try connecting the phone turned off to your computer via the Recovery Menu. USB-And then you just press the button combination, and on some models, it's a requirement.

Method 3: Remote reset via Google Find My Device

If your phone is lost or stolen, but it has Internet and geolocation enabled, you can reset remotely, which will help protect your data from prying eyes.

To do this, use any other device (computer or tablet), go to google.com/android/find and log in to the same Google account that was used on the lost smartphone.

In the service interface, select the device you want from the list on the left, and you'll have three options: Lock, Call, and Clear. Select the Erase Device option.

• 🌍 Requires an active internet connection on a lost phone.
• 🔐 You need to know the password from the Google account.
• 📍 Geolocation should be enabled on the device.
• 🚫 After the procedure, it will be impossible to track the location of the phone.

Once confirmed, the team will be sent to the smartphone, and once it's online, all the data will be destroyed, and the device will return to factory settings, which is a last resort when it's impossible to return the phone.

Solution: blocking Mi Account and FRP

Once the settings are reset, Android and MIUI security systems can request owner confirmation, which is a theft protection known as FRP (Factory Reset Protection) and Mi Account protection.

If you didn't untie your Mi Account before resetting, the system would require you to enter your password when you first activate it, and without that password, you wouldn't be able to use your phone, and you would also need to log in to a Google account that was previously synced to your device.

⚠️ Warning: If you bought a phone with your hands and require the password of the previous owner to activate, it is almost impossible to bring the device back to life legally without its participation.

In some cases, especially after flashing or crashing, you may experience a "Device is locked" error or a requirement to unlock the bootloader. If you haven't done complex software manipulations, just enter your data. If you bought a used phone with an unlocked bootloader, you may experience warranty nuances.

What to do if the phone does not turn on after resetting

Sometimes, after the cleaning process is complete, the smartphone may get stuck on the logo, go into a cyclical reboot, or just go out. Panic early - often this is solved by a forced reboot.

Try pressing the power button for 10-15 seconds, and if the phone vibrates and the logo appears, but it doesn't go any further than downloading, you may have damaged the system files, and in this case, only flashing the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility will help.

If the screen is black and the phone is not responsive, try charging it for 30-60 minutes. Sometimes the deep battery drain does not allow you to start the reset process to the end, and the device simply turned off at a critical moment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)