Xiaomi smartphones that run on the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS can eventually start to run slower, accumulating system debris and errors in the application registry. Often the only effective solution to return the device to its original speed and stability is to completely clean the memory. This procedure removes all user data, returning the software to a state identical to the state immediately after purchase in the store.
Hard Reset may be required not only when performance is down, but also when you forget your pattern lock, screen unlock password, or Google account, and a reset is mandatory before selling your gadget so that the new owner doesn’t have access to your personal information, photos, and correspondence. It’s important to understand that this process is irreversible, so it needs to be approached with awareness and preparation.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods for returning to factory settings, from the standard settings menu to using the Recovery Engineered Mode. You will learn how to properly prepare the device to avoid losing important contacts, and what to do if the phone has stopped responding to touch. Follow the instructions carefully to avoid data loss.
Preparation of the device before discharge
The first and most critical step is to back up all of your critical data, because the full reset process destroys your internal storage, including photos, videos, music and documents, and needs to be moved to an external medium or cloud storage, and Mi Account and Google account holders can use the built-in sync features to save contacts, calendars and notes.
Be sure to check the battery level. The data partition formatting process can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on the memory capacity and processor model. If the device turns off in the middle of the procedure, there is a high risk of file system damage, which can turn the smartphone into a "brick." The minimum recommended charge is 50%, but it is better to connect the charger to the network.
☑️ Checklist for preparation for discharge
Don’t forget to remove the microSD card and SIM-The card before the operation, although modern versions of Android and MIUI try not to affect external drives during reset, the risk of accidental formatting or damage to the data on the card still exists. SIM-Cards will prevent accidental calls or traffic consumption during system restart.
⚠️ Warning: If your phone has two-factor authorization or account protection enabled, make sure you remember passwords. Once reset, the device will require you to enter your Google or Mi Account account that was previously linked. FRP (Factory Reset Protection).
Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (standard method)
The safest and easiest way to return factory settings is to use the built-in menu of the system, which is suitable for all properly working Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell (MIUI 12, 13, 14 or HyperOS), but the logic of actions remains the same.
To start, open the Settings app and find the About section. In some versions of the firmware, the desired item may be in the Advanced Settings or Advanced category. This is where the button that triggers the cleanup mechanism is located. By clicking on it, the system will suggest you choose the type of reset: delete all files or only reset without deleting data (the latter option is less common and does not work on all models).
Where exactly to look for the reset button in different versions of MIUI?
Once you select the "Erase All Data" option, the system will show you a list of what will be deleted, you will need to enter the screen unlock password or PIN to verify your identity, this is protection against accidental reset by unauthorized persons, and after confirmation, the preparation process will begin, which will take several minutes, after which the phone will restart and begin formatting.
It's important not to interrupt this process. The screen can go out and light up, the device can vibrate several times, which is normal behavior. System files are rewritten, so any interference can lead to a boot error.
⚠️ Note: If your phone is blocked by a ransomware virus or a malicious application that prevents you from entering the settings menu, this method will not work.
Method 2: Hardware reset via Recovery Mode
If the smartphone is not turned on, stuck on the logo or not responding to touching the screen, the only option is to use Recovery Mode, which loads independently of the main operating system, allowing you to perform low-level memory operations.
The login procedure can vary depending on the model. On most modern Xiaomi smartphones, you need to turn the device off completely, then press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume button until the Recovery menu appears.
In the menu, you can navigate with volume buttons (up/down), and the power button confirms the choice. In some models with touch control, you can use touch in Recovery mode. You need to select Wipe Data, then Wipe All Data, and confirm the action by selecting Confirm. After you complete the process, select Reboot to restart.
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If the Recovery menu doesn’t appear with the standard button combination, try connecting the phone to your computer via a switched-off button. USB-And then you can hold the button combination, and on some models, it's a prerequisite for you to go into recovery mode.
There is also the option of logging in via ADB command line if the phone has previously been enabled debugging over USB. Connecting the device to the PC, you can send an adb reboot recovery command, which automatically puts the gadget in the desired mode. However, this method requires pre-configuration and the presence of drivers on the computer.
Comparison of discharge methods and their features
Understanding the differences between software and hardware resets helps you choose the right tool for a particular situation. Although the end result is the same — a clean system, the ways to achieve and the risks may differ. Below is a table comparing the main characteristics of the methods.
| Characteristics | Through Settings (Soft Reset) | Through Recovery (Hard Reset) | Through ADB/Fastboot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability | Access to the system is required | It works even with a non-working screen. | Requires USB debugging enabled |
| Security of data | High (systemic control) | Medium (interrupt risk) | Low (requires skills) |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Tall. |
| Implementation time | 15-20 minutes. | 10-15 minutes. | 5-10 minutes |
Software resets through settings often perform additional data integrity checks before deletion, making it more reliable for regular users. Hardware reset via Recovery acts more aggressively and forcefully, which is useful for software failures that block menu entry. ADB Preferred for advanced users and developers.
The choice of method also depends on the state of the touchscreen. If the sensor has stopped responding partially or completely, using volume buttons in Recovery mode becomes the only viable option.
What to do after resetting: the initial setting
Once the procedure is completed, the phone will restart and greet you with a language selection screen, as it was when you first turned on, which is called the Initial Setup, where you have to choose an interface language, connect to a Wi-Fi network, and log into your Google account, and that's when the system checks for FRP locks.
If you plan to recover data from a backup, do so immediately after you connect to the Internet. The system will suggest restoring apps, settings and media from the cloud. This process can take a considerable time, so it is recommended to leave the phone on charge and not interrupt the connection to Wi-Fi.
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The first 30 minutes after a reset, the phone may be slower than usual, because the background services index files and update applications, give the system time to bounce back, don't panic, and don't reset the device again.
Be sure to check for system updates. Since you’ve rolled back to the factory version of the software, it’s likely Xiaomi’s servers already have more recent security patches and bug fixes. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI/HyperOS version and click “Check Updates.”
Possible problems and solutions
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, users may encounter a number of difficulties, and one of the most common problems is endless restart (bootloop) after reset, which may indicate damage to the system partition or incompatibility of the custom firmware installed earlier, in which cases it is often possible to re-enter Recovery and select Wipe All Data again, or flash the device through the computer.
Another common issue is requiring a password from a Google account that a user does not remember, which is a security mechanism that is virtually impossible to circumvent by legal means, and the only option is to use the procedure to restore access to a Google account through a browser on another device.
- 📱 The phone can't see. SIM-map: after reset, sometimes the network settings are lost. Try manually selecting the operator in the mobile network menu or updating the configuration. APN.
- 🔋 Fast battery discharge: In the first days after a reset, the system actively learns the user's habits and indexes the files. 2-3 day-of-use.
- 📶 Network absence: if the network icons are missing after reset, check if the phone was locked to a specific operator.
⚠️ Note: If the phone says “Device is corrupted” after reset or cannot boot the operating system, this may indicate an unlocked bootloader when trying to run the official firmware, or vice versa. In such situations, you need to flash through the Mi Flash Tool utility.