When you use a Xiaomi or Redmi smartphone, you may need to return the device to its original state, such as when you sell the gadget, transfer it to another user, or when software failures make the system unstable. Resetting all the data, often called Hard Reset, is a radical but effective way to solve many software problems accumulated over the years.
The process of cleaning up memory and restoring factory settings can be done in two main ways: directly through the operating system settings menu or through a special Recovery Mode engineering menu. The choice of method depends on whether the device has access to the desktop and whether the user can unlock the screen. It is important to understand that both methods lead to the complete removal of user information, so pre-preparation is critical.
In this guide, we will take a detailed look at each step of the process for current versions of the MIUI and HyperOS shells. You will learn how to properly prepare the device, what are the nuances of deleting a Google account to bypass protection, and what to do if the phone is locked with a forgotten pattern lock.
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
Before you start erasing data, you have to do a series of preparatory steps that are often ignored by users. The most important step is to back up all the relevant information. Once you activate the reset function, you can restore deleted photos, contacts and correspondence in messengers without a pre-created backup. Use cloud services or the built-in Mi Cloud app to save data.
The second critical point is the Google account, where if the phone has theft protection activated, the device will require you to log in and log in to the account that was synced earlier, and if you forget that, the phone will turn into a brick for an outsider, so make sure you log out or make sure you remember the login details.
- 📸 Back up photos and videos to your computer or cloud storage.
- 📱 Keep important contacts in SIM-Map or export them to.vcf file.
- 🔋 Charge the smartphone battery to at least 50-60% avoidance.
- 📡 Turn off the internet just in case you are afraid of syncing before resetting.
☑️ Checklist before reset
It's also worth removing the MicroSD card if it's installed. Although the system will offer a choice of erasing data from the internal drive or the card, too, physical removal of the media ensures that your personal files on the flash drive remain intact, which is especially true if you plan to sell the device but keep the memory card.
Reset via the MIUI and HyperOS settings menu
The easiest and most secure way to get back to factory settings is directly from the operating system interface. This is suitable for devices that are stable, the screen responds to touch, and you can unlock the phone. The algorithm may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the overall logic remains the same for all Xiaomi and Redmi models.
To start, go to the main settings menu. Depending on the version of the MIUI shell, you need to find the About Phone or Advanced Settings section. In newer versions of HyperOS, the interface has become more structured, and the reset point is often listed under Protection and Security or searched by settings. Look for the phrase "Reset" or "Recover and Reset".
Once you log into the recovery menu, the system will take you through several confirmation steps, you will be asked to choose whether to erase data from internal memory, make sure the switch is activated if your goal is complete cleanup, and the system may also request a pattern lock or screen unlock password to confirm the identity of the owner.
⚠️ Attention: After pressing the confirmation button, the deletion process will begin, which cannot be interrupted. If the battery sits down at this point, the file system may be damaged, which will require flashing through the computer.
In some cases, especially on Chinese firmware, the process may be called "Wipe Data." Don't be afraid of the terminology, the essence of the action is one - completely delete the user partition. Once confirmed, the phone automatically restarts, and you will see the Mi logo, followed by the initial setting, as when you first turn on a new device.
Why can the reset button be inactive?
Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (buttons)
If the smartphone is not turned on, stuck on the logo or the touch screen does not respond, the only option is to use Recovery Mode Recovery Mode. This method does not require access to the operating system and works at the level of low-level software.
The login procedure is standard for most Redmi and Xiaomi models, first turning off the smartphone completely, then simultaneously press the Volume Up and Power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume button until the Main Menu menu appears.
Navigation in the Recovery menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the power button selects the item. You need to find the Wipe Data section and select it. Then the system will suggest you select Wipe All Data. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm. The process will take a few seconds or minutes, after which a message will appear about the successful completion.
| Action. | Control button | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Move upwards | Volume + | Selecting the menu item above |
| Moving down | Loudness. | Select the menu item below |
| Confirmation | Power (Power) | Entering the menu / Starting the action |
| Exit/Back | Food (sometimes) | Back to level one |
Once you have cleaned, select Reboot and then Reboot to System. The phone will restart and start a long initial setup process. The first turn on after the reset can last longer than usual - up to 5-10 minutes, as the system creates new configuration files.
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If the Recovery menu doesn’t appear when you press the buttons, try connecting the phone that’s off to the charger or computer via a button. USB-cable, and then try again to enter.
Deleting Google Account and Protecting FRP
One of the most common problems after a reset is FRP (Factory Reset Protection), a security mechanism that Google has implemented to protect against theft, where if a Google account is added to a phone, the device will require that account to be passwordd after the reset, and without that data, it will be impossible to activate the phone.
To avoid problems, before resetting through the settings, it is recommended to manually delete the account. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google. Click on your email address and select the option “Delete Account” or “Sign Out” that will break the connection between the device and Google’s security server.
In case you forget your account password, the situation gets complicated: the official way is to restore access through the Google site from any other device. There are also FRP Bypass, but they require technical knowledge, use special utilities on the PC and often depend on the specific version of Android and the security patch.
- 🔒 FRP locks your phone, requiring a password from the last synchronized Google account.
- 🗑️ Deleting your account before reset is the only guaranteed way to avoid blocking.
- 📲 Recovery of password is possible through the page of Google account on the computer.
- ⚠️ Third-party circumvention programs FRP They may contain viruses or be paid for.
Problem Solving: The phone is getting stuck or not resetting
Sometimes the reset process may go wrong: the device may freeze on the logo, reboot in a loop, or the reset screen simply does not respond to presses. If the phone is stuck in the deletion phase, try to perform a forced reboot. To do this, press the power button and hold it for about 10-15 seconds until the device vibrates and turns off.
If the phone is bootlooped endlessly after reset, the system partition may be damaged or there is not enough space for temporary files when you upgrade, in which case you can log in to Recovery mode and select the Wipe Data option again, and if this does not help, you will need to flash the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.
⚠️ Attention: Infinite reboot after reset may indicate a hardware malfunction, such as wear and tear of flash memory. If software methods do not help, contact the service center.
In rare cases, especially on custom firmware, it may be necessary to clean the Dalvik / ART Cache partition.This is done in Recovery mode, but requires a transition to an extended menu. For standard MIUI users, the standard Wipe All Data procedure is enough, which automatically cleans the necessary caches.
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Cyclical reboot after reset is most often solved by re-running Wipe Data in Recovery Mode or completely flashing the device.