Owning a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone often involves periodic system cleaning, especially if the device has started to run slower or you plan to sell it.Full data cleanup, known as Factory Reset, returns the gadget to its original state by removing all user files, accounts and installed applications. This process is a radical but often the only effective way to solve software failures or prepare the device for a new owner.
The MIUI shell reset procedure or the new HyperOS can be done in several ways, each with its own characteristics and risks. It is important to understand the difference between a standard reset via the settings menu and a hard reset via Recovery Mode Recovery Mode. Data loss is inevitable in both cases, so pre-backup is a critical step, ignoring which can lead to the permanent loss of photos and documents.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available methods for Xiaomi to return to factory parameters, paying special attention to the nuances of working with a Mi Account. We will look at situations when access to the system is limited, and explain how to bypass activation lock. You will also learn about the specifics of working with a two-button navigation system and hidden functions of the developer menu, which may be necessary in difficult cases.
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
Before you start the cleaning command, you need to do a number of preparatory activities. The most important step is to back up all the important information, because once the process is complete, you can not recover files without a backup. Backup can be done through the Mi Cloud cloud service, a computer using the Mi PC Suite program or third-party solutions like Google One.
The second critical point is battery power: the process of formatting the system partition and reinstalling configuration files requires stable power. If the battery runs out at a critical time of writing system files, the device can turn into a brick and stop booting. Charge the smartphone to at least 60%, ideally up to 100%, and connect it to the charger before starting the procedure.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure you remember the password from your Google account and Mi Account. Once reset, the system will require authorization from those accounts as a security measure (FRP Without this data, it will be extremely difficult to unlock the phone.
It is also worth checking the presence SD-If you have a memory card installed in your device and you don't want to format it with your internal memory, remove it before you start the procedure. MIUI When you select the option “Clean everything” can be a tick on the formatting of the external drive, and if you accidentally leave it, you will lose all the photos and videos stored on the map.
Standard reset via the smartphone settings menu
The safest and easiest way to get Xiaomi back to factory is to use the built-in functionality of the settings menu, a method that is suitable for most users whose devices are stable and have access to the desktop. The algorithm may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the overall logic remains the same throughout the brand ecosystem.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll down to About Phone. In some versions of the interface, the option you want is taken to a separate menu item called Advanced Settings or Additional. We need to find the reset item. In modern versions of HyperOS and MIUI 14, it is often hidden inside the About Phone menu, where you click on Reset or Erase all data.
☑️ Pre-reset check
After you go to the appropriate menu, the system will suggest you to choose the type of reset, and there are usually two options available: Reset (without deleting personal files, only system settings change) and Erase all data (full Factory Reset). The system will warn about the consequences several times and request the entry of the unlock password of the screen or PIN-code SIM-card.
If the device has Find Device enabled, the system will require you to enter the Mi Account password, which is a security mechanism to prevent data theft, and once confirmed, the cleanup process will begin, which can take 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of memory you have, and the phone will reboot, and you will see the screen of the initial setting, as when you first turn on the new gadget.
What to do if the reset button is inactive?
Hard Reset with Recovery Mode for Problem Devices
Situations where a smartphone doesn’t respond to touch, freezes on a logo, or can’t boot the operating system require Recovery Mode. This method, often called Hard Reset, allows you to reset at a low level, bypassing the Android interface. It’s a powerful tool, but it requires precision in actions, since it is controlled by physical buttons.
To enter recovery mode on most Xiaomi and Redmi models, you need to complete the following sequence: turn off the device completely, then simultaneously press the Volume Up and Power buttons. Hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, then release the power button, continuing to hold the volume button. In a few seconds, the main Recovery menu will appear with a black background and a few lines of text.
Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data or Clear Data. After choosing, the system can offer two options: Wipe All Data (complete cleaning) and Reset Settings (reset settings). Choose the first option for complete deletion of data.
| Action. | Control button | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Moving on the menu | Volume Up/Down | Use short presses. |
| Confirmation of choice | Power (Power) | One short press. |
| Exit from the menu | Food (long-term) | Or selecting a Reboot item |
| Entrance to Fastboot | Volume Down + Nutrition | Alternative firmware mode |
Once the cleaning process is complete, which is displayed as a percentage or logo, the system will automatically return to the main Recovery menu. You need to select Reboot and then Reboot to System. The first download after Hard Reset can last longer than usual - up to 5-7 minutes. This is normal, since the system recreates the file structure and checks the integrity of the system partitions.
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Hard Reset via Recovery is the only way to restore access to your phone if it’s getting stuck or not loading, but it’s guaranteed to delete all data without the ability to recover.
Remote reset via Find Device
If your Xiaomi device is lost, stolen, or simply not physically available, but it has been turned on and Mi Account is activated, you can reset remotely.This feature is also useful if you forgot the pattern lock, but remember the data from the cloud account.
Go to i.mi.com from any computer or smartphone. Sign in using the same Mi Account that was entered on the lost device. In the service interface, select Find Device. The map will show the last known location of the gadget, if it was online.
From the device management menu, select the Wipe Data option. The system will warn you that all files will be deleted irrevocably. Once confirmed, the command will be sent to the device. Once the smartphone connects to the network, it will reset. Importantly, after this procedure, the phone will still request a password from the Mi Account when turned on, which protects against the use of the device by unauthorized persons.
⚠️ Warning: Remote reset is only possible if the device is connected to the mobile Internet or Wi-Fi. If the phone is turned off or is in an uncoated area, the command will be executed automatically the first time the network appears.
Mi Account problems and activation blocking
One of the most common problems after resetting settings on Xiaomi is the activation lock (Mi Activation Lock), a security mechanism that links the device to the owner's account. If you do not log out before resetting (Settings → Mi Account → Sign out), the system will require you to enter a password from this account when you first download it.
Entering the wrong password several times can lead to a temporary locking of the account or the device itself for a certain time (from 1 hour to 24 hours), this is done to protect against password selection by attackers. If you buy a used Xiaomi phone and see an activation screen requiring someone else's account, this is a sign that the previous owner did not follow the correct reset procedure.
To solve the problem, the owner needs to:
- 🔑 Remember the exact username and password from the Mi Account that was used before the reset.
- 📱 Restore access to your account through the “Forgot password” procedure on mi.com if data is lost.
- 📞 Contact Xiaomi Support with a check about buying a device to remove the lock in the service center.
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When buying used Xiaomi, always ask the seller to perform a full reset and initial setup to the desktop to make sure there are no other Mi Account accs.