Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco smartphones periodically face the need to completely clean the device, whether it is due to selling the gadget, transferring it to another user or wanting to return the system to its original speed after long use. Hard Reset is a radical, but often the only sure way to solve software errors and conflicts.
The deletion procedure requires care, because once it is complete, you will get a clean phone that will leave no photos, contacts, or installed applications. It is important to understand the difference between simply deleting files and fully formatting memory partitions. In this article, we will discuss all the methods available, from the standard menu to using the Recovery engineering console.
Before you start taking action, you need to be aware of the irreversibility of the process. If you just want to speed up the system, maybe less radical optimization methods will help you. However, if the goal is to return the device to the state out of the box, this will be your main guide. We will look at the nuances of working with the MIUI shell and the new HyperOS.
Preparing the device for full formatting
The first and most critical step is to back up the data, and once the reset function is activated, it will be impossible to recover the information in standard ways, and users often forget to synchronize hidden folders or messenger data that are not automatically stored in the cloud.
Make sure the battery is at least 50-60% charged. Interrupting the formatting process due to battery discharge can damage system files and turn your smartphone into a brick. Also check for free space in the Mi Cloud or on your computer to transfer media files.
Special attention should be paid to the Mi Account and Google account, if you do not untie the accounts before reset, after turning on the phone will require you to enter a password from them (FRP protection), without this data, you will not be able to log in, which will make the device useless for the new owner.
⚠️ Warning: If you do not remember the password from the linked Mi Account, be sure to restore access through the site before the reset begins. otherwise the device will remain locked forever.
For reliability, it is recommended to remove SIM-MicroSD card and memory card before the procedure, although the system usually asks if you need to format an external card, physical extraction ensures that your data is safe on it.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Method 1: Reset via the standard settings menu
This is the safest and most recommended method for most users when access to the system is not blocked, it allows you to correctly complete all background processes and start the cleaning procedure without risking damage to the bootloader. MIUI or hyperos.
To get started, go to the main menu and select Settings. scroll down to About Phone. In some versions of the firmware, this item may be simply called About, and that's where the basic system management tools are hidden.
In the menu that opens, find the Reset button (usually located at the bottom of the list). The system will offer two options: Reset all settings (returns the settings to the original settings, but saves the files) and Erase all data (full reset). We need the second option. Click on it and confirm the action by entering a graphical key or a password to unlock the screen.
- 📱 Press Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings.
- 🗑️ Select the option to erase all data for complete deletion.
- 🔒 Enter the screen unlock password to confirm.
- ⏳ Wait for the process to end and automatic reboot.
Once confirmed, the phone will restart, and the Xiaomi logo with a progress indicator may appear on the screen, which takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of internal memory.
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If you have two-factor authentication enabled on your Mi Account, make sure that SIM-The card with the phone number is on hand to receive the confirmation code after the reset.
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
Recovery mode is necessary in cases where the smartphone does not boot, hovers on the logo or the touch screen does not respond to commands, this method works at the level of low-level software and does not require access to the system interface.
To enter recovery mode, turn off the device. Then press the key combination: usually the Volume Up button and the Power button. Hold them simultaneously until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, while continuing to keep the volume.
In the Recovery menu, you can control the volume buttons (moving up/down) and the power button (select). Find Wipe Data and press the power. In the next menu, select Wipe All Data. The system will ask you to confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
⚠️ Warning: In Recovery mode, the touch screen is not working. Use volume buttons to navigate through menu items so you don't press too much.
Once the cleanup is complete, the message will appear “Data wiped successfully.” Press the return button or select Reboot → Reboot to System. The first system start after such a reset will last longer than usual, since the file tables are first set up.
What to do if you recover in Chinese?
Comparison of discharge methods and their features
Users often wonder if there is a difference between resetting via menus and recovery. Technically, both methods lead to the same result - deleting the user partition /data. However, there are nuances that affect the choice of method.
Resetting through the settings menu is more “soft” because the system itself closes active applications and services before formatting begins, which reduces the risk of logical errors in the file system, and the Recovery method is more aggressive and forced, making it indispensable for software failures.
There is also a third, lesser-known method, which is to use ADB commands from a computer, which requires drivers, USB debugging mode enabled, and basic command-line knowledge, which is only suitable for advanced users.
| Parameter | Through Settings. | Through Recovery. | Through ADB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to OS is required | Yes. | No. | Yeah (debugging) |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Tall. |
| Risk of error | Minimum | Low. | Medium. |
| Speed. | Standard. | Fast. | Depends on the PC. |
Choose a method based on the current state of your device, if the phone is stable, there is no point in taking risks and using Recovery, and if the system is lying down, you will have no choice.
The problem of Google and Mi accounts after resetting
Modern smartphones are equipped with a powerful security system FRP (Factory Reset Protection), which is designed to protect the owner’s data in the event of a device being stolen, if a Google account or Mi Account was entered on the phone, after a reset, the system will require authorization in them.
This means that knowing the lock screen password is not enough, you need credentials that were synced to the device before the reset, and if you bought the phone with your hands and the previous owner didn't log out, it's going to be extremely difficult or impossible to activate it legally.
To unplug a device before selling, it is not enough to simply reset your settings. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync (or Users and Accounts), select the appropriate account and click Delete Account. Only then you can do Hard Reset.
- 🔐 FRP Blocks the device when changing the account after resetting.
- 📧 You need to remember the email and password from Google/Mi.
- 🗑️ Before selling, delete accounts from settings manually.
- 📶 Internet (Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi) may be required to activate SIM).
Ignoring this rule is the most common reason for contacting service centers with a request to “unlock” a phone that is actually serviceable, but protected by the owner.
Solving problems in discharge
Although the procedure is simple, sometimes the process can go wrong, such as a phone that freezes during the booting phase or restarts indefinitely (bootloop), often due to damage to system files or lack of space for temporary operation files.
If the phone doesn't turn on for more than 15-20 minutes after reset, try to perform a forced reboot by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds. In rare cases, you may need to flash the device through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.
Another problem is “the gathering»IMEI This is very rare in a standard reset, but it's possible in a Recovery partition error. SIM-Maps in the engineering menu or contact a specialist.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone cycles to restart after reset, it may indicate a physical power button malfunction or flash memory damage, rather than a software failure.
It is important to distinguish between a software reset and a full firmware downgrade. Setting reset does not roll back the Android or MIUI version. If you upgraded and want to go back, just cleaning up the data won't be enough - you'll need a complete firmware reflash.
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Resetting does not remove the operating system version. To roll back to an older version of Android or MIUI requires a complete firmware reflash of the device.