How to reset Android settings to factory Xiaomi: the full guide

Xiaomi owners often have to return their smartphone to its original state, whether it’s selling the device, handing it over to a relative or simply wanting to start with a clean slate after experimenting with firmware, a full reset is the most radical and effective solution. Android operating system based on the MIUI shell or HyperOS provides several ways to perform this procedure, each of which has its own characteristics and risks.

Before any manipulations are initiated, it is critical to understand that Factory Reset will completely destroy all user data. Photos, contacts, instant messaging and installed apps will be permanently deleted. So the first step is not to find the Reset button, but to create a backup. Recovery does not require unlocking the screen, but deletes the data in the same way as a reset via the menu. Ignoring this step can lead to the loss of valuable information, which can then be restored even with paid services.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the available methods for returning to factory settings on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices. We will look at the regular system tools, the use of the Recovery engineering menu, as well as the nuances associated with the Google account and Mi Account. Understanding these processes will help to avoid locking the device and maintain peace of mind.

Preparing the smartphone for a complete reset

The preparation process takes longer than the memory cleaning procedure itself. The first thing to do is check the battery charge. It is recommended that the charge level be at least 60%, although the optimal indicator is a full charge of up to 100%. Sudden power outage during the formatting of system partitions can damage the bootloader and turn the smartphone into a “brick”.

Next, you need to take care of data synchronization. Xiaomi owners have access to the Mi Cloud service, which allows you to save contacts, notes, voice recordings and even alarm schedules. You also need to manually copy important files to your computer or external drive. Be sure to check which applications use local storage for their databases.

  • 🔋 Charge the device to minimum 60-70% Or keep it connected to the original charger.
  • ☁️ Sync your contacts and calendar with your Google or Mi Account.
  • 💾 Copy photos and documents to cloud storage or on PC.
  • 🔐 Remember or record passwords from Google and Mi accounts that were linked to the device.

Pay special attention to tied accounts. Android security is equipped with FRP (Factory Reset Protection) mechanism. If after reset you can not enter the login and password from the Google account that was synced with the phone before cleaning, the device will remain locked.

☑️ Checklist before reset

Done: 0 / 4

Method 1: Reset via the Settings Menu (Soft Reset)

The safest and easiest method available to every user is to use the built-in functionality of the operating system. This option is suitable when the smartphone is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and you can get to the main menu. The algorithm of actions may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS, but the general logic remains unchanged.

To start, open the Settings app and scroll down to the bottom. You're interested in About Phone or Advanced Settings. Newer versions of the shell often put the reset button in About Phone. By clicking on it, the system will offer several cleanup options. It's important to choose "Erase all data," because the "Reset settings" option can only return the system to default by saving your files.

Once you have selected an action, the system will request confirmation, you will need to enter the screen unlock password or the pattern lock, a security mechanism that prevents unauthorized or accidental data cleanup by unauthorized persons, and if the device has not been rebooted for a long time, the process can take from 5 to 15 minutes.

📊 What's your version of the shell? MIUI/HyperOS?
MIUI 12
MIUI 13
MIUI 14
HyperOS
I don't know.

Method 2: Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)

If the smartphone doesn’t turn on, freezes on the logo or the touch screen stops responding, Recovery Mode is a low-level environment that runs independently of the main operating system, and is entered by a combination of physical buttons, making the method universal for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models.

To get into the Recovery menu, turn the device off completely. Then simultaneously press the volume button and the power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then the power button can be released, while continuing to hold the volume. You will see a menu with several items in English or Chinese. Navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and selection is done with a power button.

⚠️ Attention: The Recovery menu doesn't have a touch screen, it's only done with mechanical buttons, and you're careful when you select items to keep things from being erased.

You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data. Once you have selected, confirm the action by pressing Wipe All Data. The system can ask twice for confirmation of the operation. Once the cleanup process is complete, the message "Data wiped." To exit, select Reboot or Reboot successfully to System. The first turn on after such a reset will last longer than usual.

Method 3: Remote reset via Google

In situations where a device is lost, stolen or in the hands of third parties, physical access to the buttons is not possible, in which case the only option is remote reset via Google Find My Device, which requires that the smartphone be turned on, connected to the Internet (mobile or Wi-Fi), and has active geolocation.

To perform the operation, go from any other device (computer or tablet) to android.com/find. Log in with the same Google account used on the lost smartphone. The service will try to locate the device. If the connection is established, select the option “Clean the device” from the control menu.

Once the command is confirmed, the smartphone will receive a signal to perform Factory Reset. It is important to understand that after this procedure, you will no longer be able to track the location of the gadget, since it will be disconnected from the network until the new user enters the data, this method is effective for protecting personal information, but will not help to return the phone physically.

What to do if the Recovery menu is in Chinese?
If you're on the Chinese Recovery menu, look for characters that match English terms. Usually, it's the second item on top (Wipe Data) and the second item on the submenu (Wipe All Data). The confirmation button is often on the right or bottom. Be careful, you better find an exact picture for your model. The activation problem and accounts (FRP and Mi Account) Modern Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with a serious protection system against theft. Once reset to factory settings, the device will require confirmation of the identity of the owner. This applies to both the Google ecosystem and the MIUI's own shell. If the device is on the account, the user's password is not included in the account. Google’s protection works the same way. FRP: If you have a Google account before you reset your phone, you need to reset your password, and you can't get around those protections legally without passwords. Here's a table showing the lock dependencies: Type of protection Activation Condition What is required to unlock Google Block Risk FRP Google account before reset Login and Google password High Mi Account Enabled Option "Find device" Password from Mi Account Critical Lock screen Installed PIN/pattern lock Unlocking Code Average Bootloader Attempt to flash Unlocked bootloader Low (when reset) Before selling the device, be sure to log out of all accounts. Go to settings, find the Accounts and Sync section and delete all associated profiles. Only after that do you perform the reset. This ensures that the new owner does not encounter the lock screen and can fully use the gadget. Possible errors and ways to solve them The reset process does not always go smoothly. Users may experience a logo hover, cyclic reboot or formatting error. Often the cause is damage to the system files or lack of space for temporary files of the operation. If the phone is stuck in the boot phase, try to perform a forced reboot, holding the power button for 10-15 seconds. In some cases, after the reset, the touch screen may not work correctly or at all. This can be a software failure of calibration, try to re-refuse the device, or re-reset the device with re-tool. Another common problem is the message “Failure to reset,” which often happens when a device has superuser rights installed (Root) or a modified system partition. In such situations, standard methods may not work and you will need the intervention of a specialist or the use of specialized software for flashing. 🔄 Cyclical Reboot: Try logging into Recovery and selecting “Reboot” and then again “Wipe Data». 📱 Touchscreen does not work after reset: check for protective film or perform calibration through the engineering menu. 🔒 Requesting a password you don’t remember: The only way out is to prove your device was purchased from a service center. ⚠️ Warning: Don't interrupt the reset process, even if it seems to be hanging. The progress indicator may not move for a few minutes - this is normal when working with large amounts of data. 💡If standard reset methods fail and the phone continues to crash, the problem may lie in the physical wear and tear of flash memory, which requires replacing a component in the service (FAQ) How long does it take Xiaomi to reset completely? 5 before 15 However, the first activation after the reset may last up to 10-20 minutes, as the system performs initial configuration and optimization of applications, whether the Android version is removed or not MIUI No, Factory Reset only returns user data and settings to the original state, the operating system and shell version will remain the same as when it was reset, and no rollback to the older version is possible in this way. Can you restore data after a reset? Without a pre-built backup, it's almost impossible to restore data. Modern encryption methods make information unreadable after formatting. Special services rarely help in such cases. What if the phone asks for a password from Mi Account, which I forgot? You need to go to mi.com or i.mi.com from your computer and try to restore access through the linked mail or phone number. Without this, you can legally unlock the device.