How to reset Xiaomi phone settings to factory: a step-by-step guide

Mobile devices based on the Android operating system and the proprietary shell MIUI over time can accumulate software errors that manifest themselves in the form of periodic freezes, spontaneous reboots or a significant decrease in the speed of the interface. If you notice that your Xiaomi smartphone started to work slower than the first day after purchase, or you just want to transfer the gadget to a new owner, cleaning personal data is a mandatory step of maintenance. The process of returning to the original state, often called Hard Reset, allows you to delete all user files, application cache and system settings, returning the software to the “state of the box”.

However, before you decide to take such a radical step, you need to clearly understand the consequences of this procedure and carefully prepare for it, so as not to lose important contacts, photos and documents. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to perform a reset, from the standard settings menu to the use of the Recovery engineering menu for cases when the device is locked or not turned on. Full reset irreversibly deletes all user data without the possibility of recovery through standard system tools. Therefore, careful reading the instructions and creating a backup is not just a recommendation, but a critical step.

There are several scenarios where resetting is the only working solution, from a forgotten pattern lock to critical errors after a failed firmware update. We will look at each of these cases, focusing on the nuances of working with a Mi Account and Google Account account, which can lock the device after cleaning, if you do not follow certain security rules. Understanding these security mechanisms will help you avoid a situation where the phone turns into a “brick” with a lock screen.

⚠️ Before starting any manipulations, make sure that the battery is at least 50-60%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can lead to damage to system partitions and complete inoperability of the device.

Preparing the device for a complete data reset

The first and most important step is to back up all the important information, since after clicking the factory reset confirmation button, it will be impossible to return the data in standard ways. Modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco offer built-in backup tools that allow you to save the list of installed applications, desktop settings, calls and SMS-memory-card SD It is also recommended to manually copy photos and videos to a computer or upload them to Google Photos to ensure the safety of personal archives.

Special attention should be paid to accounts associated with the device, since the security system Android has a mechanism of protection against theft, known as FRP (Factory Reset Protection).If you perform a reset without first deleting your Google account or Mi Account from the phone settings, the next time you turn on the device will require a password from the last synchronized account.

For quality training, it is recommended to perform the following actions:

• 📱 Check if there is free memory on the map SD or in the cloud to place a backup copy.
• 🔌 Connect your device to a stable Wi-Fi network to synchronize data before resetting.
• 🔋 Make sure your battery level is above 60% to ensure that the procedure is completed.
• 📝 Write down or remember passwords from Google and Mi accounts to avoid activation issues.

Once all the data is saved, you can go directly to the choice of reset method. The choice of the specific method depends on the current state of your gadget: whether the screen is working, whether the sensor is reacting, or whether the device is in a state of endless reboot. In the following sections, we will describe in detail the algorithms for each of these scenarios, so you can choose the most suitable option.

Reset via the settings menu (standard method)

The safest and easiest way to get Xiaomi’s smartphone back to factory status is available right from the operating system interface, as long as it’s stable and you have access to the menu.This method is preferred for most users, as it minimizes the risk of accidental deletion of system files and allows the system to correctly complete all background processes before cleaning. To get started, go to the main menu and find the Settings icon, which usually looks like a gear.

In the list of parameters that opens, you need to scroll down to the About Phone section, which contains basic information about the model, version. MIUI And it's here, at the bottom of the screen, that you have the Reset button (or Factory Reset in the English version of the firmware), and it will again warn you that all the data will be deleted, and it will ask you to enter the unlock password of the screen or PIN-code SIM-Cards to confirm your actions.

The cleaning process takes different times depending on the amount of information accumulated and the speed of the built-in drive, but usually takes from 5 to 15 minutes. During this procedure, the screen can go out and light up again, and the device can reboot several times - this is a normal behavior that indicates that the firmware is being cleaned and reinstalled again.

Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)

Situations where the Android operating system stops booting, cyclically restarts (bootloop), or the touch screen stops responding to touch, require a special boot mode called Recovery. This mode is built into the device's memory at a low level and is available even when the main system is damaged. To log in on the switched-off device, Xiaomi needs to pinch the key combination: usually this is the Volume Up button and the Power button, which are held simultaneously until the Mi logo appears.

The Recovery mode interface is spartan and is controlled by volume buttons (moving up/down) and power button (selecting a point). You need to find the Wipe Data option in the list and select it. Next, the system will offer several cleaning options, among which we are interested in Wipe All Data. Once you confirm the selection (usually you need to press Confirm), the process of formatting the Userdata partition will begin.

Importantly, newer versions of MIUI shells (starting with version 12 and up) may require a previously installed unlock password to confirm a reset in Recovery mode, an additional security measure designed to protect the owner’s data in the event of a device being stolen. If you forget your password, the Recovery reset procedure may not be available without the use of specialized tools or service accounts.

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Using volume buttons to navigate in Recovery is the standard for all Android devices, get used to this algorithm, it will come in handy in emergency situations.

Reset via service menu (engineering code)

For advanced users, there is an alternative method to initiate a reset via an engineering menu called by a special code, which is less common among ordinary users, but can be useful if the system interface is running with delays, but dialing is working correctly. To call the menu, you need to open the Phone application (the bell) and enter the sequence of characters # # # #7780##.

Once the last character is entered, a system window should appear on the screen with a warning about resetting. It is important not to confuse this code with other engineering combinations, as some of them can perform instant cleaning without additional warnings or change the parameters of the radio module. Code ##7780## usually initiates a reset of user data and settings, but leaves intact system applications and files at the root of internal memory, although behavior can vary depending on the version of MIUI.

If the code doesn't work and nothing happens after you type it, it means that on your firmware version, the feature is blocked by the manufacturer for security reasons, in which case you should use the standard method through the settings or Recovery mode described above.

Deleting accounts before reset (FRP protection)

One of the most common problems that users face after resetting is blocking FRP (Factory Reset Protection), which is built into the Android operating system since version 5.1 and is designed to prevent unauthorized users from using the stolen device. If a Google account or Mi Account was added to the phone and the Find Device function was turned on, then after Hard Reset, the system will require you to enter a password from this account on the first launch.

To avoid this situation, especially if you plan to sell your phone or give it away for repair, manually delete your accounts before resetting. Go to the Settings menu, look for Accounts and Sync (or just Accounts), and you will see all the associated services on the list: Google, Mi, WhatsApp, Skype, and others.

Select each account in turn and click Delete or Sign Out. Only after the list is empty can you safely reset, in which case the next time you turn on, the phone will not ask for old passwords, and the new owner will be able to activate the device with their data without obstacles.

⚠️ Note: If you reset your phone without deleting your Google account and forget your password, it will be extremely difficult to unlock your device, officially only by restoring access to your Google account from another device.

Decision and possible errors

Users may encounter difficulties in resetting, which are often the case with standard solutions. For example, if the phone is stuck on the Mi or Android logo after reset, this may indicate damage to system files or lack of space for temporary operations. In such cases, it is recommended to try to enter Recovery mode again and select the Reboot to Recovery option, and then, if possible, connect the device to a computer for diagnostics.

Another common problem is that the message "Previous owner's password needs to be entered" even after the reset, which suggests that the device was dropped incorrectly (without logging out) or was bought with protection already on, and owners of such devices need to be prepared that without the data of the previous owner, you will not be able to use the phone.

It's also worth mentioning that the phone starts to run even slower after the reset, which is normal for the first 30-60 minutes of operation, as the system indexes files, updates applications in the background and adjusts databases. Let the device lie on a charge with Wi-Fi on for about an hour, and the performance should recover.

• 🔄 If the reset is interrupted, try to perform the procedure again, making sure the food is stable.
• 🔒 The blocking of Mi-account is only removed through the website i.mi.com or Xiaomi support service.
• 📉 Decreased autonomy after reset – a temporary phenomenon associated with background optimization.

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After the first switch on after reset, don’t install all the applications at once. Give the system 15-20 minutes to stabilize the processes to avoid overheating and lag.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)