Xiaomi and Redmi smartphone owners often face the need to clean up the device completely, whether it’s because they sell the gadget, transfer it to another user, or want to fix system errors accumulated over a long period of operation.
This procedure is not always obvious, especially if the device is locked or unstable. In this article, we will discuss in detail all ways to return MIUI to factory condition, including methods for locked screens and recovery from failed firmware experiments. Remember that before starting any action, it is critical to back up important data, since it is almost impossible to recover deleted files without a backup.
We're going to look at not only the standard menu paths, but also more complex scenarios that require hardware buttons. Understanding these processes will help you avoid common errors and save time. Let's start by preparing your device for radical changes.
Preparing the device for complete cleansing
Before you start the reset process, you need to perform a number of preparatory steps. Ignoring this step can lead to the loss of important information or lock the device with a Google account or Mi Account. First of all, check the battery power: the level should be at least 40-50% so that the phone does not turn off at the most inopportune time.
Be sure to unplug all important accounts if possible, including Mi Account and Google Account, and if you reset your phone without logging out, FRP (Factory Reset Protection) will lock your device the next time you turn on, requiring a password from the last account you used.
Backup your contacts, photos, messages and documents, and you can do this through cloud services or by copying the data to your computer. SD-card, if installed, to avoid accidental formatting of external media along with internal memory.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Make sure you remember the pattern lock, PIN-The code or password that was used to unlock the screen. MIUI After reset, the system can request proof of identity in this way to unlock the encrypted storage.
Method 1: Reset via system settings (standard method)
The easiest and safest way to get Redmi back to factory is to use the built-in settings menu, which is suitable for cases where you know the unlock password and have access to the desktop, and it ensures that data is deleted correctly and that partitions are overwritten.
To start, go to the Settings menu. Find the About Phone section (usually at the top of the list). Inside this section, look for Reset or Delete All Data. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic remains the same.
Click on the Delete All Data button, the system will alert you that all files will be deleted, if the device has a password or a pattern lock, you will be asked to enter it to confirm the operation, and the cleanup process will begin after confirmation, which can take from 5 to 15 minutes.
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If you have two-factor authentication enabled on your Mi Account, make sure you have a phone on hand to receive your phone. SMS-code, although resetting through settings is rarely required.
It is important to note that this method also removes data from internal memory, but does not affect files on the memory card unless you tick the appropriate box (some versions of the interface have this option separately).
Method 2: Recovery Mode (hardware method)
If you can't access the settings menu because of a freeze or a forgotten password, Recovery mode is used, which is run by a combination of physical buttons before the operating system boots, and is a more "rough" but effective tool.
Turn off the smartphone completely. Then press the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time. Keep them pressed until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume up until the Recovery menu appears.
Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to select Wipe Data, then Wipe All Data. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm. After cleaning, select Reboot to reboot.
⚠️ Attention: In new versions MIUI (especially global and EEA) After resetting via Recovery, you may need to enter a password from Mi Account that was synced to the device earlier.
Sometimes the Recovery menu can be in English even if the phone has been Russified. Don't be afraid of it, the main thing is to clearly follow the sequence of Wipe Data -> Wipe All Data. Mistaking other items, such as Connect with MIAssistant, will not lead to reset, but will not harm the system.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
Comparison of discharge methods and their features
Users often wonder if there is a difference between resetting via menus and recovery. Technically, both methods lead to the same result - cleaning the /data partition. However, there are nuances in the behavior of the security system and the processing of some system logs.
Below is a table that will help you choose the right method for your situation, and it reflects the key differences in process and device requirements.
| Characteristics | Through Settings. | Through Recovery. | Through Fastboot (PC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to the menu | Required. | Not required | Not required |
| Deleting Mi Account | Automatically (on exit) | Remains (password needed) | Complete removal (Clean All) |
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Tall. |
| Risk of error | Minimum | Low. | Medium (PC needed) |
As you can see from the table, the Fastboot method (used in flashing) is the most radical, as it cleans absolutely all partitions, including cache and user data, often bypassing some checks, but requiring an unlocked bootloader for complete cleaning.
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For a regular phone sale, a reset via Settings is enough, but if you forget the screen password, the only option is Recovery Mode.
Account Problem: Mi Account and Google FRP
One of the most common problems after a reset is FRP (Factory Reset Protection), an Android security mechanism that prevents the use of a stolen device, and if a Google account is added to a phone, the device will require that the password be entered from that account after the reset.
The same is true of Xiaomi's ecosystem, where Find Device is tightly integrated into the system, and if you didn't log out of your Mi Account before resetting via Recovery, the phone will lock when you first connect to Wi-Fi and require authorization, and without a password, you won't be able to use the device.
- 🔒 Google FRP: Requires the entry of email and Google password synced before reset.
- 🔒 Mi Account Lock: Locks your device if the Device Search function is enabled".
- 🔒 Screen Password: Newer versions of Android may require an old unlock password to confirm ownership.
- 🔒 SIM-Map: Sometimes the system asks to insert SIM-the card that was previously used to confirm SMS.
The only legal way to get around these restrictions is to recall passwords or restore access to accounts through a restoration procedure on a Google or Xiaomi site.Using third-party services to bypass FRP is often temporary and may not be secure.
Problem Solving: Cyclical Reset and Errors
Sometimes, after trying to reset, the phone gets into what's called Bootloop, which is an endless reboot, which can happen if the process is interrupted, system files are damaged, or there is not enough space for temporary operation files, in which case standard downloading is impossible.
If the device is stuck on the logo, try re-entering Recovery mode and resetting again. If that doesn't work, you'll need to flash the device through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility, a more complex procedure that requires drivers and a firmware file.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the flashing or reset process by turning off the cable USB Or by removing the battery (if it is not removable), this can damage the bootloader, and then the phone becomes a brick".
If you have code errors (e.g., Error 7 or similar when updating), it is best to reset completely through Recovery with formatting all partitions (Wipe All Data), not just user data. This will clear the Dalvik cache and system cache, which often solves compatibility issues.
If the phone gets hot during reset, that's OK. The process of overwriting the memory and encryption/decryption sectors puts a strain on the processor. However, if the heat is extreme and the phone turns off, let it cool before you try again.
Actions after reset: initial setup
Once you have successfully completed the procedure and rebooted, you will see a welcome screen similar to the one you had when you bought a new smartphone: Choose a language, connect to a Wi-Fi network, at which point the system may suggest that you recover data from the cloud.
Be careful with restoring from a Google or Mi Cloud backup.If you've been resetting your phone due to viruses or system errors, restoring old apps and settings can bring the problem back, better set up the phone as new and install apps manually.
Make sure to update the system immediately after you set up. Go to Settings → About Phone → MIUI version and check for updates. This will close security vulnerabilities and ensure that the restored system works.
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After resetting within the first hour, the phone can run slower than usual, because the system is busy with background optimization of applications and indexing files. Give the device time.