How to Reset Xiaomi Redmi Phone: The Complete Guide

Many users are faced with a situation where the smartphone starts to work slowly, freezes or simply requires transfer to a new owner. At this point, the question arises how to reset the Xiaomi Redmi phone to return it to factory condition and clear all personal information. The procedure of a complete reset, or so-called Hard Reset, is a radical, but often the only effective solution to software failures.

Modern devices in the Redmi and Xiaomi line are based on the MIUI shell (or HyperOS in new models), which has its own data protection features. Simply removing files through the menu does not guarantee complete cleaning of the system from hidden caches and traces of application activity. Deep cleaning is necessary to correct errors after unsuccessful updates or before selling a gadget.

It is important to understand that this process is irreversible, that all your photos, contacts, messaging and installed applications will be destroyed without the possibility of recovery by standard means, so before any manipulations, it is critical to back up the data on the cloud server or computer.

Preparing the device for a complete data reset

Before you start the erasure process, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps to protect you from losing important information. Ignoring this stage can lead to the fact that you lose access to accounts or important documents forever. Make sure that the battery is at least 50-60%, as a sudden shutdown during the formatting process can damage system partitions.

The first step is to back up your built-in Mi Cloud or Google Drive cloud. Go to settings, select "Mi Account" and check if your contacts, notes and voice recorder are synced. DCIM computer USB-cable.

Pay special attention to two-factor authentication and linked accounts. If you plan to sell a phone, be sure to untie the device from the Mi Account, otherwise the new owner will not be able to activate it due to the Mi Lock protection system. SIM-microSD card and memory card so that you don’t accidentally format an external drive.

Method 1: Classic reset via the settings menu

The safest and easiest method is available to every user if the smartphone screen responds to touch and you remember the unlock password. This method allows you to clear the internal memory while preserving the integrity of system files. First, open the Settings app on the home screen or in the notification curtain.

In the list that opens, find the About Phone section, which is usually at the bottom of the list. Scroll down to Reset and click on it. The system will offer two options: "Erase all data" or "Reset settings." We're interested in the first option that completely cleans the device.

The security system will ask you to enter your current screen unlock password or pattern lock to confirm the identity of the owner. Once you enter the correct code, a warning will appear that all data will be deleted. Press the red button "Reset settings" and wait for the reboot.

⚠️ Note: After restarting, the erasure process can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. Do not try to turn on the screen or press the power button at this time, so as not to interrupt the formatting process.

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Before resetting via the settings menu, turn off the internet if you are afraid that the phone will lock on Mi Account immediately after the reboot, although this is not necessary for a complete cleanup.

Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode

If the smartphone doesn't turn on, freezes on the logo, or the screen doesn't respond to touch, the only way out is to use Recovery mode, which works at the low-level firmware level and doesn't require access to the Android operating system. To get into this menu, the device must be completely turned off.

Press both the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo or the Recovery menu appears on the screen. Depending on the firmware version, the control can be carried out by volume buttons (up/down) and a confirmation power button, or touchscreen interface.

Select the language (usually English or Chinese) from the menu, then go to "Wipe Data" and "Wipe All Data" will be available. Confirm the action by selecting "Confirm" and the system will warn you of the risks, and then the cleanup process will begin.

Method 3: Delete the forgotten password (Hard Reset)

The situation where the user forgets the pattern lock or digital pin code is one of the most common. In this case, a standard reset through the settings is impossible, since the system requires confirmation. The only solution is a forced reset, which is also performed through Recovery, but with an important nuance.

Modern versions of Android and MIUI have protection against theft, and once you reset your password through Recovery, the phone will require you to enter a password from a Google account or Mi Account that was previously synced to the device when it first boots up, which is a security measure that is extremely difficult to get around without knowing the data.

Sign in to Recovery in the way described in the second section (Loud Up + Power). Select "Wipe Data" -> "Wipe All Data." Once the process is complete, the phone will reboot. Be prepared to enter the username and password from the account that was used on this phone before locking.

There is a myth that triple tapping the power button helps reset the password, but on current Redmi Note and Xiaomi models it is a function of calling emergency services or SOS, not a reset. Real hard reset is only possible through a combination of buttons when the device is off.

⚠️ Note: If you don't remember the password from the Google account to which the phone was linked, it can take several days to restore access through the Google account recovery procedure.

Method 4: Cleaning up with Find My Device

If your phone is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or mobile network) but you can’t unlock the screen, you can use remote control. Google’s Find My Device service allows you not only to track your location, but also to initiate a complete data reset remotely.

You'll need a computer or other smartphone to do this. Go to google.com/android/find and log in to the same account you used on the blocked Redmi. From the list of devices, select the one you want and click on the "Erase Device" button.

The command will be sent to the phone. Once the device is online, it will automatically start the formatting process, which is convenient because it does not require physical access to the volume buttons, but requires the Internet on the locked gadget.

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Remote reset via Google only works if the phone is geolocated and has an active Internet connection.

Solution: Mi Account and activation blocking

After a successful reset, especially if the Recovery method was used, the system may require a reauthorization.This is a normal Mi Cloud Lock security reaction that activates if no logout was made before the reset.

If you’ve reset your phone for sale, be sure to log in to your Mi Account on another device or through your browser, go to the device section and click “Delete” or “Untie” this will remove the activation lock and the new owner will be able to set the phone up as new.

In some cases, especially on the cross-stitched versions (Global in Chinese), you may have login errors, make sure the date and time are set correctly, and check the stability of the Internet connection, sometimes waiting for 24 hours without turning on the phone helps.

• 📱 Activation error: Occurs if Mi servers are unavailable or your account is blocked for suspicious activity.
• 🔒 Forgotten password Mi: Recovery is possible only through email or phone number associated with the account when registering.
• 🌐 Regional restrictions: Some Mi Account features may not work if the region in your phone and account settings is very different.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)