How to reset settings on Xiaomi Android: an expert guide

Xiaomi’s current MIUI and HyperOS smartphones are complex computing devices that can accumulate software errors over time. Users often face situations where the gadget starts to work unstable, freeze or require a complete memory clean before selling. In such cases, the only correct solution is to return to factory parameters, which allows you to eliminate software conflicts and return the system to its original speed.

The reset procedure, known as Hard Reset, completely deletes user data, including contacts, photos and installed apps.It is a radical but effective measure that requires prior preparation and understanding of all the consequences.Incorrectly following steps can lead to the loss of important information or, in rare cases, to the lock of the device by the account.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for restoring factory settings on devices of the Redmi and Poco brand. You will learn how to safely prepare the phone, what are the hidden nuances of the procedure and how to avoid typical mistakes that inexperienced users make when working with the system partition.

Preparing the device for a complete data reset

Before initiating the process of erasure, it is critical to ensure the stability of the device's power.The battery should be at least 50-60%, as a sudden disconnection of the smartphone during the formatting of the system partition can damage the bootloader. If the phone turns on, be sure to connect it to the original charger.

The second step is to back up all of your important information, and the built-in MIUI tools allow you to save your contacts, messages and call history to the cloud or to an external memory card, and photos and videos are best copied to your computer or uploaded to Google Photos to eliminate the risk of permanent loss.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure you remember the password from your Mi Account and Google account. Once reset, the system will require you to enter this data to confirm ownership (protection) FRP), Without them, the phone will become a brick».

It is also recommended to remove the memory card. SD and SIM-Although modern versions of Android try not to affect external drives when reset, the risk of accidental formatting or damage to the file system of the memory card still exists. Separately, it is worth turning off the Internet if you plan to reset through the menu to avoid sudden system updates at the most inopportune time.

β˜‘οΈ Checklist before reset

Done: 0 / 4

Reset method through system settings menu

The safest and easiest way to get Xiaomi phone back to factory status is to use the operating system’s standard interface, which is suitable for most situations where the device is stable but requires cleaning. First, go to the main menu and select Settings, which is usually indicated by the gear.

The navigation may vary slightly depending on the shell version. In newer versions of HyperOS and newer MIUIs, you need to select the About section of the phone, scroll to the bottom of the screen and find the Reset button. In older versions, this item may be in the Advanced Settings section or immediately in the Additional category.

The system will offer several cleaning options. You're interested in Wipe all data. Once you press it, the phone will show you a list of what will be deleted and ask for confirmation of action. You'll need to enter a pattern lock or a pin code to unlock the screen, and then the reboot and cleanup process will begin.

  • πŸ“± Go to Settings. β†’ The phone.
  • πŸ—‘οΈ Click the Reset button at the bottom of the screen.
  • βœ… Choose to erase all data and confirm the action.
  • πŸ”’ Enter the screen unlock password to confirm.

πŸ’‘

If the phone is slowing down due to overcrowded memory, try clearing the app cache in the Apps section before resetting - this can temporarily speed up work without losing data.

Hard Reset with Recovery Mode (Recovery Mode)

If the smartphone is not turning on, stuck on the logo or not responding to the sensor, the only option is to use Recovery mode, a special diagnostic interface that is sewn into the device's memory regardless of the main operating system, and is logged in by a combination of physical buttons when the phone is turned off.

To enter recovery mode on most Redmi and Xiaomi models, you need to press both the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, continuing to keep the volume up until the Recovery menu appears. Some models may require a charging cable connection.

Recovery can support touch input or be controlled by volume buttons (up/down for navigation, power for selection).You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data. Some versions of Recovery require you to select a language (usually only English and Chinese), so be guided by the location of the buttons.

Action.Buttons (no sensor)Buttons (sensor)
Navigation up/downVolume +/-Touching
Confirmation of choicePower (Power)Touching
Choice of the Wipe Data ItemLoudness to point, NutritionTouching Wipe Data
Confirmation of dischargeLoudness to Confirm, MealsTouching Confirm

Once you select Wipe All Data, the system will require final confirmation, often with a wait timer or re-click. Be careful: if there is a Wipe Cache Partition on the menu, don't confuse it with a complete data cleanup, if your goal is a complete reset. Once the process is complete, the phone will automatically reboot.

What happens if Recovery does not open?
If the button combination does not work, try connecting the phone to your computer via a computer. USB-Also on some models (for example, Redmi Note with MediaTek processors), the Recovery entrance is possible only with the connected charger.

Removal of a forgotten password or pattern lock

One of the common reasons users are looking for a way to reset is a forgotten screen lock password. Unfortunately, modern versions of Android with Google security patches do not allow you to simply bypass the protection without losing data. Recovery or menu reset (if you manage to get there) is the only legal way to regain access to the device.

When you reset to delete a password, the system activates the FRP (Factory Reset Protection) mechanism, which means that after the reboot, the phone will require you to enter a Google account that was synced to the device before locking, and if you don't remember this data, it will be almost impossible to unlock the smartphone using official methods.

There is a myth that a Recovery reset allows you to bypass a Mi Account, but it's not. On Xiaomi devices, theft protection is built deep into the system. If the phone was tied to the Mi Account, after the reset, it will ask for a password from it. The only exception is if the Find Device feature was disabled in the cloud settings before the loss of access, but you can't check this in advance.

⚠️ Note: Using third-party software for resetting FRP (Google account circumvention is a violation of the terms of use and may contain malicious code.

If you buy a used phone and it's locked by someone else's account, you can't bring it back to life without the previous owner, and the only way is to contact the seller and ask them to remotely remove the device from their trusted list in their Mi or Google account settings.

πŸ“Š What problem do you most often face?
The phone is slowing and glitching.
Forgot my screen password.
I'm selling my phone and I need to clean it.
Virus in the system

Typical errors and problems after resetting

After the successful completion of the Hard Reset procedure, users often find themselves in a situation where the first download takes an unusually long time.The screen can burn with the Mi or Android logo from 5 to 15 minutes. This is normal behavior, since the system is busy optimizing applications and checking the integrity of file systems.

Another common problem is a β€œbootloop” (cyclical reboot), where the phone is constantly turned off and turned on again, which may indicate damage to system files before reset, or a hardware fault of the on button (which may be stuck). If after 20 minutes of waiting, the phone does not boot, the reset procedure through Recovery can be repeated.

Sometimes users complain that after the reset, the network signal is lost or Wi-Fi does not work. In most cases, this is solved by reconfiguring the network or updating the software. However, if the reset was performed incorrectly (for example, interrupted by power), the partition with the IMEI could be damaged. IMEI restoration is a complex procedure that requires special boxes and skills, so it is better not to bring it to this.

  • πŸ”„ Long loading (up to 15 minutes) is the norm, wait.
  • πŸ“Ά Network problems are solved by setting up APN or refashion.
  • πŸ”‹ Fast discharge after reset - the system calibrates the battery (1-2 cycle).
  • πŸ“‰ If the phone is warm in simple – check the background processes.

πŸ’‘

The first download after the reset always takes longer than usual, as Android conducts indexing of media files and optimization of system libraries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Will the information be deleted from the SD card when reset?
By default, the standard menu or Recovery reset procedure only affects the device's internal memory. However, some Recovery menus have a separate formatting option. SD-If you haven't specifically chosen the option to clean the external drive, your photos and files on the map should be saved.
Can I interrupt the reset if it freezes?
It's very undesirable to interrupt the reset process, because it can damage the bootloader, but if the phone is hanging on the logo for more than 30-40 minutes, there's no choice. In this case, try pressing the power button for 10-15 seconds to force the reset. If the phone goes into reset again, wait. If it turns on, check the work.
Will Android or MIUI reset after Hard Reset?
No, Hard Reset doesn't roll back the operating system. If you had MIUI 14 running Android 13, the reset will have the same version. Reset only returns settings and deletes user data, but doesn't change the system firmware files to older ones.
What is a Mi Account and why is it important when resetting?
Mi Account is an account in the Xiaomi ecosystem, similar to Apple ID. It is used to synchronize data, find a lost phone and work cloud services. Once reset, the phone will request a password from this account for security purposes to confirm that the device is owned by the owner, and not by the person who found or bought it with his hands.
How to reset the settings if the screen is not working?
If the sensor is not responding, but the image is there, you can try to connect it. USB-mouse-over OTG. This will allow you to control the cursor and enter the reset menu, but if the screen is black, but the phone responds to buttons, the only way is to use the button combination to log into Recovery Mode. + Nutrition).