Situations where a smartphone starts to work unstable, occur to every owner of an Android device. Slowing down the interface, endless notifications from system processes or a forgotten pattern lock are all solved in a radical but effective way. Resetting on Xiaomi (Hard Reset) returns the gadget to its original state, removing all user data and software errors. This is not just a reboot, but a deep cleaning of the system partition, which often becomes the only way to revive the device.
Before taking drastic action, you need to understand the consequences. A complete reset permanently erases contacts, photos, apps and logins if they were not stored in the cloud. For owners of modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, it is important to consider the binding to a Mi Account. Ignoring this moment can turn a phone into a “brick” blocked by security. So preparation is 90% of the success of the entire operation.
In this guide, we will take a detailed look at all the ways to return to factory settings. You will learn how to safely clear memory through the menu, what to do if the device does not turn on, and how to bypass locking the screen with legal methods. Deleting a Google account before reset is a critical step to avoid FRP (Factory Reset Protection) blocking. Follow the instructions carefully so that you do not lose important data forever.
Preparation of the device for complete reset
The first and most important step is to back up. Even if the phone is slow, try to save important files. The MIUI shell or the new HyperOS has built-in backup tools. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Restore. Here you can save a list of applications, system settings and messenger data to a memory card or computer.
Pay special attention to sync with Google Photos and Mi Cloud. Often users forget that contacts are not stored on the Internet. SIM-Check your account through your browser on your computer to make sure you have all the numbers, and don't forget to unplug banking apps and two-factor authentication if you plan to sell the device.
The battery charge should be at least 50-60%. The cleaning process of system partitions can take 10 before 30 If the screen is broken and the touchscreen is not working, plug in the power supply. USB-mouse-wise OTG-adapter for navigation on the menu.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Once you save your data, you need to log out of all your accounts, not just Google, but Mi Account itself, and if you don't, the first time you activate it after you reset, you'll need to enter a password from the previous owner, which is a standard anti-theft measure known as FRP Lock.
Reset via the settings menu (Soft Reset)
The safest and most recommended way is to use the operating system's regular menu, which is suitable for most cases where the phone is turned on and the touch screen responds to touch, and this method minimizes the risk of damage to system files, since the procedure is controlled by the operating system itself.
The algorithm may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI. In newer versions of the interface, the path is as follows: open Settings, scroll down to About Phone. At the bottom of the list, find Reset. The system will warn you that all data will be deleted.
The screen will show you a detailed list of what will be erased: apps, files, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings. If you are confident in your decision, click the "Erase All Data" button. The device can request confirmation through a pattern lock or unlock password. Once confirmed, the cleanup process will begin, and the phone will restart.
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If you plan to transfer the phone to another person, be sure to remove it. SIM-microSD card and memory card before the reset procedure.
There's also an alternative way to search for settings: click on the magnifier icon at the top of the Settings menu and type in the Reset request. The system will suggest the desired section, which is convenient if you're confused in the many menu items of the new shell.
Hard Reset via Recovery Mode
If the smartphone doesn't boot, freezes on the logo or the touch screen doesn't respond fully, you'll have to use Recovery Mode, a low-level environment that allows you to control the system bypassing the main Android interface, and you'll have to log in with a combination of physical buttons.
To log in to Recovery on most Xiaomi devices, you need to do the following sequence: turn off the smartphone completely. Then press both the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume.
In the recovery menu, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. In some models with touch-enabled Recovery mode, you can use the screen. You need to select Wipe Data, then Wipe All Data, and confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen may not work on some models. Be prepared to use volume buttons to navigate the menu. Don't click Connect with MIAssistant unless you plan to flash through your computer.
Once the cleanup process is complete, the message will appear, “Data wiped successfully.” Click Back to Main Menu, then Reboot → Reboot to System. The first run after such a reset will be long, as the system needs to recreate the file structure.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
Deleting your Mi and Google account before resetting
Android security and MIUI are closely related to cloud services. Activation block (FRP) and Mi Cloud theft protection are mechanisms that prevent unauthorized users from using the device after a reset. If you forget passwords, unlocking will be a complex legal and technical procedure.
To delete a Google account, go to Settings → Accounts & Sync → Google. Click on your email address and select Delete Account. Repeat the procedure for all added mailboxes. Without this step, after reset, the phone will require you to enter a password from the last account you used.
To deflect Mi Account, go to Settings → Mi Account. The bottom of the screen will be the exit button. The system will require you to enter a password. If you forget the password from your Mi Account, restore it through i.mi.com before you start the reset procedure. After leaving the account in the menu, the status will change to “Not authorized”.
Ignoring this step will cause you to see the screen, "This device is attached to..." when you first set up, you will not be able to enter a new account. Only the owner who knows the source data will be able to activate the device, and this is done to protect the user's data in the event of theft.
Comparison of data dumping methods
Different situations require different approaches. The settings menu is enough for the average phone user; engineers or advanced users who encounter software-based download errors will need Recovery. Understanding the differences will help you choose the right path and not make things worse.
Below is a table comparing the main characteristics of reset methods, which will help you quickly navigate depending on the state of your Xiaomi device.
| Parameter | Through Settings. | Through Recovery. | Through Find Device |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability | Only when the OS is running | Even if the OS doesn't load. | We need internet and GPS. |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Low. |
| Risk of error | Minimum | Medium (human factor) | Minimum |
| Removal of FRP | Departure from the account is required | Departure from the account is required | Automatically. |
Remote resetting via Find Device (cloud.mi.com) is useful if the phone is lost or stolen. You can send a command to erase data from any other device, but for this, the smartphone must be on, connected to the network and have active geolocation.
Possible problems and solutions
Once reset, users often experience the phone warming and discharge quickly, which is normal in the first hours of operation, indexing files, updating apps in the background, and adjusting Google Play services, and letting the device lie on a charger with Wi-Fi on for about an hour.
If after the reboot the phone is stuck on the Mi or Android logo, the system partition may be damaged or the reset process interrupted, in this case, only flashing the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility will help. Attempting to reset repeatedly in the loop can permanently damage the memory.
⚠️ Note: If after reset, the device requires a password from an account you do not remember and you cannot restore it, official unlocking is only possible if there is a receipt for the purchase of the device from an authorized service center.
Another common problem is the lack of communication or IMEI. This is rare, but it is possible when the EFS section crashes. If after Hard Reset the networks are lost, do not try to reset.
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The first run after reset can take up to 10-15 minutes.Don't panic or turn off the phone if it shows the logo for a long time.