Many smartphone owners will sooner or later face the need to return the device to its original state, which may be required when selling the gadget, transferring it to another user or to eliminate serious software errors that interfere with the normal operation of the system.In the Android operating system installed on Xiaomi smartphones, this procedure is called factory reset or Hard Reset.
The process of deleting user data on Xiaomi has its own features related to the shell of MIUI or HyperOS. It is important to understand that after the procedure is completed, it will be impossible to restore deleted photos, contacts and messages without prior backup, which is why this operation should be approached as responsibly as possible and carefully study all the stages of preparation.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the ways you can get your system back to factory, how to properly prepare your device, what are the reset methods available through the settings menu and Recovery Engineering menu, and how to avoid blocking your Google or Mi Account after you restart.
Preparation for a full data reset on Xiaomi
Before any manipulation of system files, a number of preparatory steps must be taken, and ignoring this step can lead to loss of important information or temporary locking of the device by security mechanisms. First of all, make sure that the battery level is at least 50-60%.
The process of formatting internal memory is energy intensive and can take from 10 to 40 minutes depending on the storage capacity.If the device turns off in the middle of the process, it can damage the bootloader or file system. SIM-microSD card and memory card, if installed, to avoid random formatting of external media.
The most critical step is to back up. The MIUI shell has a powerful backup tool built in that not only saves contacts and messages, but also folder structure, alarm clock settings, and even the location of icons on your desktop. Go to Settings → About Phone → Backup or use the Security app.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Be sure to check the account binding. If the device is activated anti-theft, after the reset, the system will require you to enter the username and password from the Google or Mi Account that was used earlier. If you forget this data, it will be extremely difficult to unlock the phone, sometimes you need to contact the service center with a check for a purchase.
Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (Standard Method)
The safest and easiest way to get Xiaomi back to factory status is to use a regular operating system interface, a method that is suitable for most users whose phones function normally and have access to a desktop, and does not require special knowledge or a computer connection.
To start, open the main menu and find the gear icon that handles the settings. Depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, the path to the desired function may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the section that deals with the general system settings.
In the newer versions of the firmware, the algorithm of actions is as follows: go to Settings → About Phone → Reset. In older versions of Android, the path can go through the menu Advanced Settings → Restore and Reset. In the window that opens, you will see the button “Erase all data”.
💡
Before pressing the reset button in the settings menu, the system may ask you to enter a pattern lock or screen unlock pin to confirm the identity of the owner.
When you press the button, the system will issue a warning that all data will be deleted, and you will be asked to enter the password from your Mi Account to confirm the operation, a security measure to prevent someone else's device from being accidentally reset, and after you enter the password, the preparation process will begin, and the phone will restart.
It is important to note that if the device has enabled the “Find Device” function, resetting through the settings menu may not be possible without first disabling this option in the Xiaomi account settings, in which case the system will prompt you to click on the link to the browser to authorize and disable protection.
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode (If the phone is not turned on)
If the smartphone is frozen, does not respond to touch or cannot boot the operating system, the Recovery Mode method is used, which is deeper and allows you to clear the memory even in case of critical Android errors.
The Recovery login procedure on Xiaomi devices has its own peculiarities: First, turn off your smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the volume button and the power button. Hold them until the Mi or Xiaomi logo appears, then release the power button, but continue to hold the volume button until the Recovery menu appears.
In Recovery mode, the touch screen usually doesn't work. Navigation through the menu is done using physical volume buttons (up and down), and the choice of item is confirmed by a short press of the power button. You need to select Wipe Data, then Wipe All Data and confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
⚠️ Note: When resetting via Recovery, files in internal storage may not be deleted if the option "Keep User Data" is selected. For complete deletion, choose "Wipe All Data", but remember that this will affect all personal files.
After the cleaning process is completed, which can take a few minutes, the log will show the words "Data wiped successfully." At which point you need to select Back to Main Menu, then Reboot → Reboot to System. The phone will start as new, and the initial setup will begin.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
Resetting network settings and connection parameters
It's not always necessary to delete all the data from the phone. Often, problems with mobile Internet, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth can be solved with a less radical method, resetting the network settings, which does not affect personal files, photos or installed applications, but returns the connection parameters to their original values.
This feature is especially useful when the smartphone stops seeing the available networks, can not connect to the router or constantly loses the signal. Unlike a complete reset, you do not need to enter passwords from accounts, and the process takes only a few seconds.
To do this, go to Settings → Connection & Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth. At the bottom of the screen, you will see a Reset button. The system will warn you that stored Wi-Fi networks, paired Bluetooth devices and mobile network settings will be removed.
| Parameter | Full reset (Hard Reset) | Resetting network settings |
|---|---|---|
| Photo and video deletion | Yes. | No. |
| Deletion of applications | Yes. | No. |
| Wi-Fi passwords | Removed | Removed |
| Contacts and SMS | Removed | Preserve. |
| Implementation time | 10-40 minutes. | 5-10 seconds |
Use network resets as the first step in diagnosing communication problems, a secure operation that often resolves driver conflicts or errors in network protocol configurations without the risk of losing personal information.
Solving problems: phone locked after reset
Once the reset and reboot procedure is successfully completed, the device may require authorization, a standard theft protection introduced by Google and Xiaomi, and if the phone was linked to an account, the system will require the same username and password used before the reset.
The most common problem is a forgotten password from a Google account, in which case you can try to restore access through any other computer or smartphone by going to the Google Account website. If you forget the Mi Account password, you can restore it through i.mi.com, but only if you have a phone number or backup email.
⚠️ Attention: Attempts to bypass protection FRP (Factory Reset Protection) with the help of third-party programs can lead to the final locking of the device or the installation of malware. Use only official methods of access restoration. If the device was bought with hands and the previous owner did not untie the account, it will not be possible to unlock it by legal means. In this situation, you will need to contact the seller or, in extreme cases, provide a check of purchase to an authorized service center to prove ownership. Sometimes waiting helps. After several unsuccessful attempts to enter a password, the system may temporarily block the ability to enter. In this case, leave your phone connected to Wi-Fi (if it remembers the network) or mobile Internet for 24 hours, then try to enter the data again. 💡Protection FRP It works even after flashing the phone, because the account binding is stored on Google and Xiaomi servers, not just in the device's memory (FAQ) Will the Android version reset or MIUI No, factory reset doesn't roll back the operating system version. If you upgrade to Android 13 or MIUI 14, the reset will be the same version, and the rollback to the older version requires a complete flashing through the computer. SD-When you reset your phone, the internal memory is cleared, but the external memory card is usually left intact. However, when you reset it through Recovery, the formatting option sometimes appears. SD-So, before the procedure, it's better to remove the card. How long does it take to reset the data on Xiaomi? Time depends on the amount of internal memory and the number of files. On current models with 128 GB or more, the process can take from 15 to 40 minutes. Do not interrupt the process even if the screen goes out or the phone seems to be getting stuck. What if the phone is getting stuck on the Mi logo after reset? If waiting more than 20 minutes does not help, try forcibly restart the device by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds. If the problem recurs, perhaps the system files are damaged, and you will need to flash it through the Mi Flash Tool.