Modern smartphones accumulate a huge number of temporary files, app cache and system errors that over time begin to noticeably slow down the device. If your Xiaomi Mi 5s is slower, freezes at the most inopportune moment or you just plan to sell the gadget, the most effective solution is a complete return to the original state. This procedure completely clears the internal memory by deleting all your personal data, photos, contacts and installed programs.
The process of restoring factory settings on Xiaomi Android devices is called Hard Reset or Factory Reset. Although the operation seems difficult for beginners, it actually takes only a few minutes and requires minimal technical knowledge.
In this article, we’ll take a look at all the options available for resetting your Mi 5s, including options via the system menu, Recovery’s engineering menu, and even your computer. You’ll learn about the critical Google and Mi Account protection nuances that can lock your device after cleaning.
Preparation of the device before resetting settings
Before you start cleaning, you need to do a series of preparatory steps to secure your data and ensure that the operation is completed successfully. Backup is the most important step, since after reset, it will be almost impossible to recover deleted files without a backup. Use built-in MIUI tools or cloud services to save contacts, messages and call history.
Make sure the battery is charged at least 50-60%, Since a sudden power outage during system partition formatting can damage the firmware and turn the phone into a "brick." SIM-MicroSD card and memory card, if installed so as not to accidentally format external media along with the phone's internal memory.
⚠️ Warning: After resetting the phone will require you to enter a password from Google account (FRP Security) or Mi-account that was synced to the device before, make sure you remember the username and password, otherwise unlocking the smartphone will be extremely difficult.
Be sure to check for important files in download and recorder folders that are often forgotten to be copied to your computer. If you use two-factor authentication for any services, prepare backup codes in advance or make sure you have access to your phone number to receive SMS.
Method 1: Classic reset via MIUI settings
The easiest and most secure way to return to factory settings is available directly from the operating system, which is suitable for those users who have access to the smartphone menu and do not lock the pattern lock input screen. First, open the Settings app on the home screen or in the notification curtain.
Next, you need to find the Advanced Settings section (in some versions of firmware it may simply be called "Additional"). Scroll down the list and select Restore and Reset. Here you will find the Reset option, which initiates the cleanup process. The system will warn you that all data will be deleted.
- 📱 Click on the Reset button (or Clear All Data) at the bottom of the screen.
- 🔐 Enter the screen unlock password, if installed, to confirm the operation.
- ⏳ Wait until the process is complete, the phone will automatically restart and start installing a clean system.
- ✅ After the reboot, you will see a welcome screen, as when you first turn on a new device.
It's important to note that depending on the version of MIUI, the interface may vary slightly, but the logic of the action remains the same. If you have a global version of the firmware installed, items may be called slightly differently, such as "Backup & reset." Either way, look for parts related to recovery or reset.
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Before resetting through the settings, take screenshots of important Wi-Fi network configurations and email settings to quickly restore internet access after cleaning.
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
If the smartphone is not turned on, stuck on the logo or you forgot the unlock password, the standard method through the menu will not work. In this case, you need to use Recovery Mode, which is built into the memory of the device regardless of the state of the operating system.
Press both the Volume Up and Power button at the same time, hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume down until the Recovery menu appears. This menu is controlled by volume buttons (up/down), and the power button selects the item.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touchscreen does not work! All actions are performed only with mechanical buttons on the body of the smartphone.
In the menu that opens, select English (if available), or immediately look for Wipe Data. Inside this section, select Wipe All Data and confirm the action by selecting Confirm. The system will start formatting partitions, which can take from 5 to 15 minutes.
☑️ Checklist before Hard Reset
Method 3: Reset via Mi Cloud (remote method)
There is also the option to reset the Xiaomi Mi 5s remotely if the device is connected to the Internet and synced with the Xiaomi cloud is enabled.This method is useful in the event of a loss of your phone or if you can’t physically interact with the screen but have access to your account.
Log in using your Mi Account, which is tied to the problem device. In the cloud service interface, find the Find Device section. After selecting your Mi 5s from the list of available gadgets, you will be offered several management options.
Select Erase. Once the command is confirmed, once the phone is online (even if the screen is locked), it will receive a full reset signal. This is an effective way to protect personal data when lost, but it requires an active Internet connection on the target device.
Solving problems: FRP lock and Mi Account
Once you have successfully completed the reset, you may encounter an activation screen where the system will require you to enter credentials, such as Google’s FRP (Factory Reset Protection) security mechanisms and similar protection from Xiaomi, where if the phone was linked to an account, you cannot log in without a password.
The table below shows the main scenarios of blocking and ways to solve them:
| Type of lockdown | Cause of the occurrence | Required data | Status of decision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google FRP | Reset buttons without leaving the account | Email and Google Password | I'll be sure. |
| Mi Account | Device search activated | Login and password Mi Cloud | I'll be sure. |
| Screen password | Forgotten pattern lock | Unlocking code | Resetting. |
| Bootloader (Bootloader) | Trying to flash the flash | Permission from Xiaomi | Hardly. |
If you bought a phone with your hands and encountered someone else's account, the only legal way to unlock it is to contact the previous owner, and bypassing these protections by software methods is often illegal and can lead to permanent software failure.
What to do if I forget my Mi Account password?
Primary adjustment after reset
Once the device has restarted, the initial configuration phase begins: select your language, connect to the Wi-Fi network to activate services, check for updates and prompt you to restore data from a backup if you previously created it through Mi Cloud or Google Drive.
Set up a date, time, and security settings such as a fingerprint or facial recognition if the Mi 5s model supports these features in your firmware version. Don't rush to install all apps at once - it's best to do this gradually, observing the behavior of the system to identify possible conflicts.
It is recommended to go to About Phone and check the MIUI version immediately after setting up. Often after reset, you need to update system components to the current version to eliminate security vulnerabilities and improve stability.
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After the first turn on, the phone can run slower than usual for 15-20 minutes while the background services index files and optimize the system - this is normal behavior.