Owners of Xiaomi smartphones and the Redmi line often face the need to return the device to a factory state, this may be necessary when selling a gadget, after a failed installation of programs or critical failures in the operation of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system. The process of cleaning up memory and parameters is not as difficult as it seems at first glance, but requires attention to detail.
There are several proven methods to get the phone back to its original factory settings. The choice of the particular method depends on whether the device has access to the desktop and settings menu, or whether the system is completely locked and does not respond to commands. In any case, a full reset will delete all user information, so it is important to prepare in advance.
In this article, we will discuss each step of the procedure, pay attention to the nuances of deleting accounts and consider the actions in case the touch screen stopped responding. Properly following the instructions will help avoid problems with blocking activation and keep your device working.
Preparation of the device for complete reset
Before we start taking radical steps, we need to do a series of preparatory steps, and backing up data is the most important step that we can't ignore, and once you press the factory reset confirmation button, all photos, contacts, instant messaging and apps you've installed will be permanently lost.
Use the built-in MIUI tools to create a backup to the Xiaomi Cloud or external drive. You can also use Google One to save contacts and calendar. Make sure you remember passwords from your accounts, as they will be needed to log in after cleaning.
- 🔋 Charge the smartphone battery to at least 50-60%, So that the process is not interrupted due to battery discharge.
- 📱 Extract. SIM-microSD card and memory card, unless you plan to format them with your phone.
- 🔐 Untie your bank cards and exit the apps with important data if possible.
⚠️ Warning: If you are selling a phone, be sure to delete your Google and Mi Account before resetting, otherwise the new owner will not be able to activate the device.
Check for important files in hidden folders or voice recorders that are often forgotten to copy. Once the procedure is complete, it will be impossible to restore them with standard means. Make sure you save all the necessary data to an external storage.
☑️ Preparation for discharge
Reset via the system settings menu
The easiest and safest way to get Xiaomi Redmi back to factory status is to use the operating system’s regular menu, which is suitable for most users whose devices are stable and responsive to touch.
To start, open the Settings app on the home screen. Depending on the firmware version (MIUI 12, 13, 14 or the new HyperOS), the interface may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same. Find the section that deals with the general settings of the device.
In older versions of the shell, the path looks like this: Advanced Settings → Restore and Reset. Newer interfaces often use the structure: About Phone → Reset. Click on Delete All Data or Reset at the bottom of the screen.
The system will alert you that all files will be deleted. If you have made a backup, feel free to confirm the action. The phone may request a screen unlock password or a pattern lock to confirm the identity of the owner.
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Before resetting via the settings menu, turn off the Internet if you are afraid of accidental synchronization of excess data, although with a complete reset, this is no longer so critical.
Using Recovery Mode for Resetting
If the smartphone is not loading, is stuck on the logo or touch screen does not respond, Recovery mode is used. This is a special diagnostic interface built into the device's memory, which allows you to control the system bypassing the main menu, and login is done by a combination of physical buttons.
Turn off the smartphone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, then release the power button, continuing to keep the volume up until the Recovery menu appears. The navigation is done with the volume buttons, and the choice is made with the power button.
From the menu that opens, select the language (if available) or go straight to Wipe Data. Confirm the choice with the power button. Then the system can request confirmation by suggesting that you select Wipe All Data. Be careful, there is no option to cancel the action.
What to do if the Recovery menu is in Chinese?
Once confirmed, the formatting process will begin. The screen will display the progress bar. When the operation is completed, the message Data wiped successfully will appear. Press Back to Main Menu, and then Reboot → Reboot to System. The phone will restart, and the initial setup will begin.
Deleting Google Account and Protecting FRP
One of the most important security measures in Android is FRP (Factory Reset Protection), which links the device to the Google account that was last added to the system, and if you just reset with buttons, the phone will require you to enter the password from that account when you first activate it.
This is protection against theft: if an attacker steals a phone and tries to reset it, they can't use it without the owner's data, but if you sell your phone or give it away for repair, you need to log out beforehand so that you don't cause problems for yourself or the new owner.
To delete the account before resetting:
- 📲 Go to Settings. → Accounts and synchronization (or simply Accounts).
- 🔍 Select your Google account (mail address) from the list).
- ❌ Click Delete Account or Log Out at the bottom of the screen.
The same procedure is recommended for Mi Account, and go to the Mi Account settings and click Out, which will disable the Device Search feature, which can also lock the phone after a reset, ignoring this step will lead to an activation screen where, without a password, the device will become a brick.
| Action. | The risk of blocking | The Necessity of the Internet |
|---|---|---|
| Reset via the menu with deletion of accounts | No. | Not required |
| Reset via Recovery (buttons) | High (FRP) | Required for activation |
| Resetting via computer (ADB) | High (FRP) | Required for activation |
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Deleting your Google account before resetting is the only guaranteed way to avoid blocking FRP when selling a device.
Reset via computer and ADB commands
For advanced users, or when the sensor doesn't work at all and the volume buttons are faulty, there's a computer reset method, which requires installing ADB drivers and Platform-tools on a PC, which requires the inclusion of USB debugging in the Developer Menu.
Connect your smartphone to your computer through USB-Open the command line or terminal in the tool folder ADB. Enter a command to check the connection:
adb devicesIf a device with device status appears on the list, the connection is established. To perform the reset, type in the command:
adb reboot recoveryThe phone will reboot to Recovery mode. You can then use commands to directly format, although more often this method is used specifically to enter recovery mode when the buttons are not working.
adb shell recovery --wipe_data⚠️ Attention: Use ADB An error in syntax or the use of the wrong commands can lead to unstable system operation or loss of a loader partition.
This is a good way to control the process from the computer keyboard, but it doesn't bypass FRP protection. If the phone has a Google account logged in, the system will still need to confirm it when it's turned on after being reset via ADB.
Solving problems after discharge
After performing the Hard Reset procedure, users may experience a number of typical situations: Understanding what is normal and what is wrong will help avoid unnecessary panic. The first download after a reset always lasts longer than usual, sometimes up to 10-15 minutes.
If the phone is stuck on the Mi or Android logo and doesn't respond for more than 20 minutes, you may have a failure when you write system files, in which case you try to force the device to restart by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds, and if that doesn't work, you'll have to repeat the reset procedure through Recovery.
A common problem is requiring a password from a Mi Account or Google that the user has forgotten about, in which case you can only restore access through the password recovery procedure on the manufacturer's official website or Google, bypassing these security mechanisms is illegal and often leads to complete inoperability of the device.
- 🔄 Bootloop may indicate damage to the system partition, require flashing.
- 📉 Fast battery discharge in the first hours after reset is normal, the system indexes files and adjusts backgrounds.
- 📡 The lack of network may be due to settings APN, which must be re-entered or automatically obtained by the operator.
In rare cases, especially on custom firmware or after a failed update, the phone may not see. SIM-Check if it works. SIM If the problem is in the smartphone, you may need to reset your network settings or reflash the stock software.