Modern Xiaomi smartphones, running on the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS, are complex computing devices that accumulate huge amounts of system debris during operation. Sooner or later, each user faces a situation where the gadget begins to work unstable, freeze or consume battery power faster than usual, in which case a complete data reset becomes the only effective way to bring the device back to life without buying a new device.
The return procedure removes all user files, applications and changed system settings, restoring the software to the state in which it was in at the time of purchase. It is a radical but often necessary solution to eliminate software conflicts, viruses or prepare a gadget for sale. It is important to understand that Hard Reset is an irreversible operation that requires prior preparation and careful study of the instructions.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways to perform a reset, from the standard operating system tools to resuscitation methods through Recovery mode. You will learn how to properly prepare the device, what nuances exist for different versions of the firmware and how to avoid locking your account after cleaning the memory. Follow the recommendations carefully to ensure that the procedure is successful.
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
Before you initiate the cleanup process, it is critical to perform a series of preparatory actions that will protect your personal data and prevent possible hardware failures. The most important task is to back up all important information, since after the procedure is completed, it will be impossible to restore deleted files using standard methods. Photos, contacts, correspondence and documents must be stored on external media or in cloud storage.
Special attention should be paid to Mi Account and Google account. Xiaomi security system has built-in protection against theft, which can lock the device after reset, if you do not remember passwords from the associated accounts. Untie Mi Account in the settings before reset to avoid blocking activation (FRP Lock). If you forget the password, unlocking will require contacting the service center with checks for purchase.
The process of formatting the memory partition and reinstalling system files can take 10 to 30 minutes, and a sudden power outage at this point can damage the bootloader or lose some of the system files. It is recommended to charge the smartphone to a level of at least 60-70% or leave it connected to the original charger.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Don’t forget to remove the microSD card and SIM-Although modern versions of Android do not normally format an external drive when reset, the risk of accidentally deleting data or damaging the card's file system still persists.
Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (staff method)
The easiest and most secure way to get back to factory settings is directly from the operating system interface, which is suitable for most situations where the smartphone is turned on, the screen is responsive to touch, and the settings menu is stable. MIUI provides a convenient toolkit for memory management and reset, hidden in the depths of system options.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll down to the About Phone section, which is where the basic device information and software management tools are concentrated. Depending on the shell version, the reset button may be right in this menu or require you to go to the Reset subsection.
- 📱 Click on the “Resettings” item at the bottom of the About Phone menu screen».
- 🗑️ Select the “Erase All Data” option that initiates the full formatting process.
- 🔒 Enter the screen unlock password, PIN-a code or pattern lock to verify your identity.
- ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed, which can take a few minutes, after which the phone will restart.
Some firmware versions may have slightly different paths: Settings → Advanced Settings → Recovery and Reset. If you use HyperOS, the logic has remained the same, but the menu visualization has become more minimalist. The system will warn you several times that all data will be deleted, requiring confirmations. This is done to prevent accidental clicks.
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Before clicking the final Reset button, check again that all important photos and documents have been copied to your computer or to the Google Photos cloud.
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
If the operating system is damaged, the phone goes into an endless bootloop or does not respond to touch input, the only way out is to use Recovery mode. This is a special diagnostic mode recorded in a separate memory partition that allows you to control the device at a low level, bypassing the main operating system, entering this mode by a combination of physical buttons.
To log into Recovery on Xiaomi devices, you need to turn off your smartphone completely. Then press both the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume key until the main recover menu appears.
| Action in Recovery | Control button | Description of function |
|---|---|---|
| Up/down movement | Volume +/- | Navigation by menu items |
| Confirmation of choice | Power (Power) | Activation of the selected point |
| Wipe Data | Choices in the menu | Data cleanup menu |
| Reboot | Choices in the menu | Rebooting the device |
Once you log in, select Wipe Data, then confirm Wipe All Data. The system will request confirmation again by pressing Confirm. The cleaning process will start, the progress of which will be displayed as a percentage. Upon completion, the message "Data wiped successfully" will appear, after which you will select Reboot → Reboot to System. The first on-line after such a reset will be long, sometimes up to 5-10 minutes.
What to do if you recover in Chinese?
Remote reset via Google Find My Device
There's a scenario where you can't access your phone's menu and the buttons don't respond, but the device is on and connected to the Internet, for example, if the sensor is completely out of order but there's an image on the screen, and you can use Google's remote control service, which is also true if you forgot your pattern lock, but the phone is linked to your account.
You'll need a different smartphone or computer for this method. Go to android.com/find and log in to the same Google account that was used on the locked Xiaomi device. If the phone is online and geolocated, you'll see it on the map. From the side menu, select the "Erase Device" option.
⚠️ Note: This method only works if the phone is on the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network) and geolocation is active. If the device is offline, the command will be executed automatically as soon as it appears on the network.
Once confirmed, the operation will start to be remotely reset, the phone will receive a command to format the user partition and reboot, all data will be destroyed, including photos, contacts and installed applications. This method also helps to bypass the lock screen, although after the reset, you will need to enter a password from the Google account to confirm ownership (FRP protection).
What to do if your phone requires a post-reset account (FRP)
Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is a layer of security that is built into Android to prevent stolen devices from being used. If you reset your phone via Recovery or remotely but didn't log out of your Google account beforehand, the first setup will require you to enter a password from your last synced account, and without that password, you won't be able to use your phone.
If you have recently changed your password, wait 24 hours before trying to sign in, as this is a Google security requirement. In case you bought the phone with your hands and the previous owner did not untie the device, you will have to contact it to unlock or provide a check for the purchase to the service center.
The situation with Mi Account is similar, and if Find Device is activated, you'll need to reset your Mi Account password, and you can't ignore that, because the phone is locked at the welcome stage, and it's anti-theft, and you can't get around it legally without a password.
⚠️ Warning: Never buy used Xiaomi phones unless the seller resets your account and logs out of all accounts. Otherwise, you risk getting a brick tied to someone else's account.
Typical Problems and Their Solutions After Hard Reset
Once you get back to the factory settings, you may encounter a number of behaviors that are normal but often worrying, and understanding these processes will help you avoid panic and missteps, especially when it comes to operating time and speed.
Right after the first turn on, the system performs application optimization and file background indexing, during which time Xiaomi can warm up noticeably and the battery discharge faster than usual. This is a normal calibration process. Let the phone lie on charge quietly for about an hour after the first boot, so that the background processes are completed.
- 🐌 Slow work: In the first 30-60 It can slow down for minutes. It's background optimization.
- 🔋 Fast discharge: The system is relearning how to use the battery, the statistics will be collected in a couple of days.
- 📡 Network problems: Sometimes you need to reconfigure access points APN your operator.
If the phone stopped seeing after the reset SIM-card or not connected to Wi-Fi, try resetting the network settings. → Connection and sharing → Resetting Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth.This won't delete your personal files, but will return network settings to factory values, which often solves problems with communication modules.
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The first few charge-discharge cycles after reset are critical to the proper operation of the battery calibration algorithms. Try not to interrupt charging to 100%.