Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones running MIUI shells or the new HyperOS are powerful computing devices, but even they are prone to software failures. Accumulation of system debris, conflicts after failed updates or malware infection can lead to a critical slowdown or complete interface failure, in which the only right solution is a complete reset to factory parameters.
The return to the original state procedure deletes all user data, including contacts, photos and installed applications, returning the device to the “out of the box” state. It is important to understand that Hard Reset is a radical measure that requires prior preparation and understanding of all risks. Misconduct can lead to locking the device through the Mi Account service if certain security conditions were not met.
In this guide, we will take a detailed look at all available reset methods: from the regular settings menu to the use of the Recovery engineering menu. You will learn how to properly prepare the gadget, what nuances the process of deleting data on different versions of the firmware has, and what to do if the phone has stopped responding to touch.
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
Before you take any drastic action, you need to follow a number of critical procedures that you can ignore, which can lead to loss of access to the device forever. The first step is to create a full backup of the data, because once the process is complete, it will not be possible to recover information in standard ways. Use Google cloud services or the built-in Mi Cloud app to synchronize contacts, calendar and notes.
Special attention should be paid to the Mi Account. If the Find Device feature is activated on the phone, the system will require you to enter a password from the account immediately after rebooting. The forgotten password from Mi Account after reset makes the phone unusable without contacting the service center with checks. It is recommended to temporarily untie the account in the settings or make sure you remember the login data.
You also need to charge the battery to at least 60-70%, the process of formatting the data partition and reinstalling system files is energy intensive. If the battery runs out at the critical moment of writing system files, the device can go into eternal boot (bootloop) or stop turning on altogether.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Remember to remove the microSD card if it is installed. Although modern versions of MIUI often offer a choice of whether to format an external drive, physically extracting the card ensures that your personal files on it are not destroyed by an erroneous action.
Method 1: Reset via system settings (Soft Reset)
The safest and easiest method available to every user is to use the regular settings menu, which is suitable for when the smartphone is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and you can freely navigate the interface. Go to the Settings menu, then select the About Phone section (in some versions of HyperOS it may be simply called About Device).
In the list that opens, find Reset or Erase all data. The system will warn you that all files, including music, photos and application data, will be deleted. If the device has a lock screen, you will need to enter a pattern lock or PIN to confirm the operation.
- 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings.
- 🗑️ Click the button to erase all data at the bottom of the screen.
- 🔒 Enter the screen unlock password to confirm.
- ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed and the automatic reboot.
Once confirmed, the system will begin the cleaning process. The smartphone can reboot several times, and the Android or Mi logo with a progress indicator can be displayed on the screen. Do not interrupt this process and do not try to turn off the device, even if it seems to be hanging, at which time the file system is deeply remarked.
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If you have two-factor authentication enabled, make sure you have access to a phone number or backup email, as after a reset, the system can request a confirmation code when you sign in to a Google account.
Method 2: Recovery Mode (Hard Reset)
If the phone is stuck on the logo, does not respond to touch or cyclically reboots, the only way out is to use Recovery Mode Recovery Mode. This method allows you to reset at the bootloader level, bypassing the operating system. To enter this mode, you need to completely turn off the device.
After turning it off, press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button while holding the volume key. A menu with a black background and a few lines of text, often in English or Chinese, should appear on the screen.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen does not work. Navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of point is confirmed by a short press of the power button.
In the menu list, find Wipe Data. After you select, you will see an additional menu where you need to confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data. The system will require final confirmation, usually the Confirm item. Once you have cleaned, select Back to Main Menu, and then Reboot → Reboot to System.
What to do if you recover in Chinese?
Method 3: Remote reset via Mi Cloud
There is a situation where access to the phone is completely lost: the device is stolen, lost or blocked by a forgotten password, but the Internet and Mi Account were activated on it, in which case you can use the cloud service for remote cleaning, and it is also an effective way to protect personal data from unauthorized persons.
To do this, you need to go to the official i.mi.com website from any other device (computer or tablet) and log in under the same Mi ID that was used on the locked smartphone. In the cloud service interface, select Find Device.
The map will show the location of the gadget (if it is online). In the list of available actions, select the option to Clear data. The command will be sent to the device, and once it connects to the network, the full formatting process will begin. After that, the phone will return to factory settings, but will remain tied to your account to protect against theft.
Comparison of discharge methods: characteristics table
The choice of the specific method depends on the current state of your device and the goals you are pursuing. Below is a comparison table that will help determine the best way.
| Characteristics | Through Settings. | Through Recovery. | Through the Mi Cloud |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to the menu is required | Yes. | No. | No. |
| We need the Internet. | Not necessarily. | No. | Yes (on the device) |
| Risk of error | Minimum | Medium. | Minimum |
| Speed of implementation | Quickly. | Middle-Average | Depends on the network. |
The method through settings is the most preferred method for scheduled maintenance or sale of the phone, as it ensures the correct completion of all system processes. The use of Recovery Mode is a tool of "heavy artillery" to restore performance after failures. Remote reset serves only security purposes.
Possible problems and ways to solve them
Even with strict follow-up, users may face unforeseen difficulties. One of the most common problems is activating FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection from Google. If after a reset, the phone requires you to enter a Google account that was synced earlier and you do not remember the password, unlocking is possible only through the restoration of access to Gmail.
Another common situation is a bootloop, where the phone restarts endlessly after being reset, which may indicate damage to the system partition or lack of space for temporary files when upgrading, in which cases it may be necessary to flash the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.
- 🔄 Infinite Reboot: Try logging back into Recovery and resetting again, holding the power button longer.
- 🔋 Shutting down during reset: Connect the original charger and leave the phone on 30-60 minutes without intervention.
- 🔒 Mi Account Password Forgotten: Restor access via id.mi.com before resetting.
⚠️ Note: If after the reset, a message appeared "Device is locked" (Device is locked) demanding to unlock the bootloader, this means that the integrity of the system files was violated or an informal modification was made.
It's important to distinguish between software errors and physical failures, and if the phone gets hot, makes extraneous sounds, or the screen has defects, resetting the system won't help, and then you need to diagnose the hardware in an authorized service center.
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90% of the problems after a reset are not due to the procedure itself, but to forgotten passwords from Google and Mi accounts. Always check the availability of login data before cleaning!
Initial adjustment after reset
Once you have successfully completed the procedure and rebooted, you will see a welcome screen similar to the one you saw when you first turned on your new smartphone: Choose a language, connect to a Wi-Fi network, and log in to your Google account, and automatically prompt you to restore data from a backup if you created it before.
At this stage, MIUI or HyperOS may require updating security components and system applications. It is recommended to agree to install updates to ensure stable operation and protection from vulnerabilities. The initial setup process can take from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the amount of data being recovered.
Don't rush to install all the applications at once. Let the system warm up in the background: index files, optimize databases, and adjust energy savings. The first half an hour to an hour after a reset, battery consumption can be higher than usual - this is normal operating system behavior.
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After reset, be sure to check the date and time settings, as well as synchronization. An incorrect date can lead to errors when connecting to secure sites and applications.