Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face the need to completely clean the device of user data. This can be caused by selling the gadget, transferring it to another family member, or trying to fix system errors that cannot be corrected by conventional methods. Regardless of the cause, the Hard Reset procedure is a powerful tool that returns the software to its original state.
However, before any manipulations begin, it is critical to understand that a complete reset irreversibly removes all information from internal memory.Photos, contacts, correspondence in messengers and installed applications will be destroyed without the possibility of recovery by standard Android tools.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the ways you can get your system back to factory settings, learn about the differences between a regular menu reset and deep formatting via Recovery mode, and understand how to get around Google and Mi Account protection.
Preparing the smartphone for a complete data reset
The first and most important step is to back up the information. MIUI HyperOS allows you to save contacts, call logs and even place icons on your desktop in the cloud or on the Internet. SD-To do this, go to the Settings section. → The phone. → Reservation and rehabilitation.
Special attention should be paid to multimedia files. Photos and videos are not always saved in the standard backup system, so they are better to manually copy to your computer or upload to the cloud storage, for example, Google Photos or Yandex.Disk. Make sure that the sync is complete.
The process of formatting internal memory and reinstalling system files can take from 5 to 20 minutes depending on the amount of data. If the device turns off in the middle of the procedure, there is a high risk of damage to the file system.
⚠️ Note: Do not start the reset procedure if the battery level is below 50%.Sudden power outage during data partition formatting may cause the operating system to not load in the future.
The final step is to untie accounts. Although the data is deleted when resetting through the menu, in some cases Factory Reset Protection (FRP) may request a password from the last used Google account after the reboot. To avoid access problems, it is better to log out of all profiles in advance.
Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (standard method)
The safest and easiest method available to every user is to use the built-in functionality of the system. It does not require a computer or special skills. Go to the Settings menu and find Advanced Settings (or just scroll down in new versions of HyperOS).
Next, select Recovery and Reset. Here you will be offered several options, but we are interested in Resetting. The system will again warn about the consequences and show a list of data that will be deleted.
After pressing the Reset button, the device will request confirmation in the form of entering a pattern lock, PIN-A code or password that is set on a lock screen is a security measure to prevent unauthorized or accidental resetting by unauthorized persons.
- 📱 Click on the “Reset Settings” button in the dialog window that appears.
- 🔄 The smartphone will automatically restart and start the cleaning process.
- ⏳ The screen may go out and light up several times – this is normal behavior.
- ✅ When you’re done, you’ll see a welcome screen, like when you first turn on a new phone.
This method is ideal for situations where you plan (continue to use) the device yourself or sell it, and the system is stable, it ensures that user profiles are correctly deleted and all system parameters return to default values.
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
If the smartphone is not turned on, the logo or settings menu is not available due to software errors, Recovery mode is used. This is a special diagnostic interface that is loaded before the main operating system starts. To log in on most Xiaomi models, you need to turn off the phone and pinch the Volume Up and Power key combination.
Hold the buttons until the Mi or Android logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume up. You will see a menu with black or gray background and English text. Navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and selecting the item with a short press of the power button.
You need to find Wipe Data, and then you select the submenu where you want to select Wipe All Data, and you want to confirm the action by selecting Confirm, and you start the formatting process, and you show your progress as a percentage.
What to do if the Recovery menu is in Chinese?
If you see characters instead of English text, it means that you have a Chinese version of the firmware installed (CN ROM). So in this case, you can use icons or item numbers, and Wipe Data is usually second or third on the list, and you can be very careful when you pick items at random.> It is important to note that this method is more “rough” and deletes everything, including cache and temporary files that could have caused a system conflict. → Reboot to System for Reboot. ⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen does not work. Only physical volume and power buttons can be controlled. Don't panic if the screen does not respond to touch. Unlock Google and Mi accounts Modern smartphones are equipped with serious mechanisms to protect against theft. Function FRP (Factory Reset Protection) links the device to a Google account, and the Xiaomi ecosystem uses Mi Account. If you reset your phone without first logging out of your accounts, the system will require you to enter a password from them when you first set up. In the case of a Google account, if you forget your password, it can take time to restore access and require a trusted device or phone number. Without entering the correct data, you can’t use your smartphone — it will remain locked on the activation screen. Similar to Mi Account, if Find Device was active, the server will check the lock status when you connect to the Internet. So before selling or resetting, make sure to do the following: Open Settings → Mi Account. Click Log out or Delete account. Enter the password to confirm. Make sure that the status of the device in the web version of the account is marked as remote or inactive. Comparison of reset methods: which to choose? The choice of method depends on the current state of your device and the goals you are pursuing. Regular resetting through the settings is suitable for routine cleaning before selling or gift. It is less stressful for the file system and is softer. Recovery mode is necessary in emergency cases: when blocking the interface, a virus infection that prevents you from entering the menu, or in preparation for flashing the device through the computer. Below is a table to help determine the method. Criterion through Settings through Recovery through Mi PC Suite Menu Access No Required (partially) Difficulty Low Average High System Cache Removal Partial Full Error Risk Minimum Average High It is worth mentioning the possibility of resetting via Find Device on i.mi.com. This allows you to remotely erase data from the phone if it is lost but is online, but this is an extreme measure, since after it the device will also request the owner's account. 📊 What method of resetting you used?Through the settings menu Through Recovery (buttons)Remotely through the site Until you reset Possible problems and their solution Sometimes the reset process may not go according to plan. One common problem is a “bootloop” when the phone constantly shows the logo and reboots. This may indicate that system files are damaged or there is not enough space for temporary operations, and in this situation, re-entering Recovery mode and selecting Wipe All Data again will help, if this does not help, you will need to flash the device using your computer and the Mi Flash Tool utility. Another problem is the message "failed to reset" or freeze during the cleaning phase, if the phone is stuck on the logo more than a few times. 15-20 For a minute, try to forcefully restart it by holding the power button around 10-15 seconds. ⚠️ Warning: If after a reset, the phone requires an activation lock that you don't remember and you don't own the device, it's practically impossible to legally unlock it. FRP Users may also experience a network that is lost or Wi-Fi is not working after a reset. This is often solved by waiting (the system configures drivers) or updating the software through the About phone menu. 💡Main conclusion: If a standard reset doesn't solve a smartphone problem, it's likely to be a deeper cause, a system partition damage or hardware malfunction that requires firmware or repair. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Will the phone reset if it's locked with a pattern lock? Yes, if you use Recovery mode. FRP, After resetting, the phone will require you to enter a Google account that was synced before locking, without this password, you can't use the device. SD When you reset? In a standard reset through settings, you usually have a choice: clear the internal memory or format it. SD-Be careful when choosing a map. Recovery (Wipe Data) Resetting) SD-The card is usually left unaffected, but it's the safest solution to remove it before the procedure. How long does it take for the Hard Reset process? It usually takes 5 to 15 minutes, and it depends on the amount of internal memory and the number of files. The first download after a reset can take up to 10 minutes longer than usual, because the system optimizes applications. Can you recover data after a complete reset? Without professional equipment and special skills, it is almost impossible. Modern methods of data encryption in Android make the recovery of deleted information after the command Wipe Data inaccessible to the average user.