Many Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphone users are faced with the need to return the device to its original state, whether it’s due to a sale, a desire to improve performance, or critical errors in the system. The factory-backed procedure known as Factory Reset completely removes user data, returning the software to the “out of the box” state.
In this article, we will take a look at all the available methods in detail, from standard reset via the settings menu to forced recovery via Recovery Mode. You will learn how to properly prepare the device so as not to lose important contacts and photos, as well as how to act if the phone is locked or not turned on.
You have to understand that resetting is a radical problem-solving technique, and it affects all the memory areas that are intended for the user, so before you start any manipulation, it is important to assess the risks and make sure that alternative troubleshooting methods, such as cleaning the cache or removing problematic applications, have already been tried and failed.
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
Before you start cleaning, you need to do a number of preparatory steps, and ignoring this step can lead to the irretrievable loss of important information or locking the device security mechanisms Google and Xiaomi.
Use the built-in MIUI or HyperOS tools to save data. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup and Restore. Select objects to save: contacts, messages, call log and system settings. After you create a copy, transfer the backup file to your computer or to cloud storage.
- 📸 Backup photos and videos to Google Photos or your computer.
- 🔑 Make sure you remember the password from your Google account and Mi Account linked to your device.
- 🔋 Charge the battery of the smartphone to a minimum 60-70%, so that the process does not stop.
☑️ Preparation for discharge
Special attention should be paid to accounts. FRP (Factory Reset Protection) locks the device after a reset if you did not log out of your Google account. To avoid activation problems, go to Settings → Accounts and Sync and delete all added accounts, especially Google and Mi.
💡
Before reset, remove the microSD card, if installed, to prevent random formatting of external media and keep the media files intact.
Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (standard method)
The safest and easiest way to get Xiaomi back to factory settings is to use a regular menu, which is suitable for working devices that are not locked in a forgotten password, and ensures that all system processes are completed correctly before cleaning.
Open the settings menu and find the About Phone section. At the bottom of the screen will be a Reset button (or "Erase All Data"). The system will warn you that all files will be deleted. In some firmware versions, the path may differ: Settings → Advanced Settings → Recover and Reset.
When you press the reset button, the system can request the input of the pattern lock, PIN-This is a security measure to prevent accidental or unauthorized data dumping by unauthorized persons, and once confirmed, a preparation process will begin, which will take several minutes.
It is important to note that the reset menu often includes the option “Erase internal memory” or “Erase all files.” If you plan to transfer the phone to another person, this option must be activated. If you just fix the software failure and want to save personal files (although this is risky), you can try to choose the option without completely cleaning the media, but for guaranteed results it is better to delete everything.
Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone is not turned on)
If the Android operating system is not booting, it is stuck on the logo or the touch screen is not responding, the Recovery Mode is used. It is a low-level environment that allows you to control the device bypassing the main system, and enter this mode with a combination of physical buttons.
Turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, then release the power button while still holding the volume. In a few seconds, the Recovery menu will appear with a black background and yellow/blue lines.
What to do if you recover in Chinese?
Navigate the menu with volume buttons (up/down), and select the item with the power button. You need to find Wipe Data. After choosing, the system can offer several options: Wipe All Data (erase everything) or Reset Settings (set only). To return to the factory state, choose Wipe All Data.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen often doesn't work. It's only mechanically controlled. Don't click randomly to avoid triggering unwanted processes, such as connecting to Mi Server to reset your password (Connect with MiAssistant), unless you have that goal.
Method 3: Hard Reset through the Engineering Menu (for advanced)
Another method that is often confused with a conventional reset is to log into the engineering menu through code. However, it is worth clarifying immediately: the classic Hard Reset on modern Xiaomi smartphones is executed through Recovery, described above. Codes like ##7780## on new versions of MIUI often do not work or are redirected to the standard reset menu.
However, knowing the codes can be useful for diagnosis, and entering the code ##6484## (or #4636##) opens up an engineering menu or testing menu, so you can't run the formatting directly, but you can check the battery, sensor, and other components to see if you should reset or have a hardware problem at all.
If your phone is stuck and doesn't respond to buttons, you can try a forced reboot, which in some cases (rarely) can trigger a recovery menu. To do this, press the power button for 10-15 seconds. If the device vibrates and reboots, the problem is solved. If not, the volume combination is mandatory.
| Method | Difficulty | Risk of data loss | Access to the system is required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through Settings. | Low. | 100% (when selecting the option) | Yes. |
| Recovery Mode | Medium | 100% | No. |
| Mi Flash Tool (PC) | Tall. | 100% | No (Fastboot needed) |
| Engineering codes | Low. | 0% (diagnosis only) | Partially. |
💡
The most versatile and reliable method for any situation (including a forgotten password) is to reset via Recovery Mode using physical buttons.
Typical errors and problems after resetting
After the cleaning procedure is completed and the first download is completed, users may encounter a number of specific situations, understanding their nature will help to avoid panic, the first download after Factory Reset always lasts longer than usual - from 5 to 15 minutes, which is normal, since the system optimizes applications and checks the integrity of files.
One of the most common problems is requiring you to activate your Google Account, and if you're not logged out before you reset, the security system will require you to enter the username and password that you used on that device before, which is anti-theft protection, and without that data, it's almost impossible to unlock your phone without contacting the service with a check for a purchase.
- 🔄 Cyclical reboot: If the phone is constantly restarting, it may be a system partition or an interrupted update.
- 🔒 Mi Account Block: Similar to Google, if Find Device was enabled, you will need a password from your Xiaomi account.
- 📉 Fast discharge: In the first hours after a reset, the system re-indexes files, which can temporarily increase battery consumption.
⚠️ Note: If after resetting the phone writes “Device locked” when trying to boot, it means that the bootloader is locked, but you are trying to download the modified firmware. If downloading is not possible, you will need to unlock the bootloader through Xiaomi servers.
Also worth mentioning is the problem of data encryption: on modern versions of Android, data is encrypted, encryption keys are destroyed after reset, making it impossible to recover data without a backup even in laboratories, which guarantees confidentiality, but emphasizes the importance of backup.