When a Xiaomi smartphone stops responding to commands or requires a password you have forgotten, it can come up unexpectedly, in which case the only surefire solution is a hard reboot known as Hard Reset, a process that returns the device to factory settings, erasing all user data and settings.
Many users are afraid to perform these operations because of the risk of losing important information or the fear of “killing” the phone, but if you follow a clear algorithm of actions, the procedure is safe and effective, in this article we will discuss in detail all available reset methods for devices based on MIUI and HyperOS.
You will learn how to prepare your gadget for a procedure, what hidden button combinations exist, and what to do if the system doesn’t boot at all, and understanding these processes will help you solve most software errors yourself without going to a service center.
Preparation of the device for complete reset
Before you take drastic measures, you need to make sure you understand the consequences of your actions. Hard Reset permanently deletes all photos, contacts, messages and installed applications from the internal memory of the device. If you have the opportunity to unlock the screen and log in, be sure to back up the data.
Synchronizing with a Google account or Xiaomi Cloud service will save important numbers and notes, and it will not be superfluous to transfer media files to a computer or external drive, since after reset, the internal storage will be completely cleared.
The second critical step is to charge the battery: the process of formatting memory partitions and reinstalling system files can take 10 to 30 minutes. If the device turns off in the middle of the procedure, it can damage the bootloader or create a “brick”.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure the battery level is at least 60-70% before any manipulation of system partitions.
It's also worth turning off. SIM-While modern versions of Android typically require confirmation before formatting external memory, physical card extraction ensures that your personal files are not affected by an erroneous action.
☑️ Preparation for Hard Reset
Reset via the settings menu (Soft Reset)
The safest and easiest way to get Xiaomi’s smartphone back to factory status is available directly from the operating system, a method recommended for all users who have access to the desktop and settings menu, and eliminates the risk of accidentally pressing wrong button combinations.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll down to the bottom. You are interested in About Phone or Advanced Settings, depending on the version of the MIUI shell. Next, you need to find the section responsible for recovery.
- 📱 Go to the "About the Phone" menu» → «Resetting settings».
- 🗑️ Select the option “Erase all data).
- 🔒 Enter the screen unlock password or pattern lock to confirm.
- ✅ Click the “Reset Settings” button and wait for the reboot.
Once confirmed, the system will alert you that all data will be deleted, which is the last line of protection against random action, and once you press the final button, the device will reboot, and the cleaning process will begin, which can visually look like a freeze — the Mi logo or progress bar can be displayed on the screen.
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If the phone is tied to the Mi-account, after reset, you will need to enter the login and password from it to unlock (protection against theft).
Hard Reset with Recovery Mode (Recovery Mode)
If the operating system is not booting, freezes on the logo or the touch screen does not respond to touch, you will have to use Recovery Mode. This is a special diagnostic mode built into Android firmware that allows you to perform low-level operations with the device.
To get into this menu on most Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO models, you need to turn off the smartphone completely. Then you need to press the Volume Up and Power button simultaneously. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, while continuing to keep the volume.
In the recovery menu, you can use volume buttons (up/down) to navigate, and the power button to select a point. Some touch-enabled models in Recovery can use touch screens. You need to find Wipe Data.
⚠️ Warning: In Recovery mode, the touch screen may not work. Use physical volume buttons to move the cursor.
Once you have selected Wipe Data, the system will offer two options: Wipe All Data (full reset) and Reset Settings (reset only settings). For a full Hard Reset, choose the first option. The system will request confirmation again, often requiring you to press the confirmation button several times or type in the word "yes".
What happens if Recovery does not open?
Resetting a forgotten password via Fastboot and PC
In cases where you have forgotten your pattern lock or password and you cannot log in to Recovery or are blocked, you can use the tools for your PC. However, it is worth noting that modern versions of Android security greatly limit the ability to reset your password without losing data.
One method involves entering Fastboot mode, which means connecting the device to the computer by holding down the Volume Down button, and showing a picture of a hare repairing an android labeled FASTBOOT.
Next, you need to use the command line and ADB/Fastboot utilities on your computer. If the phone has previously been debugging over USB, you can try to send a reset command. However, if debugging has been turned off (the standard situation), this method will not work for unlocking without losing data.
Deleting a password often requires flashing the device, a more complex procedure that requires an unlocked bootloader. If the bootloader is locked, official methods only involve a complete reset through Recovery, described above, which will also delete all data.
| Method | Access to the OS is required | Data security | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through Settings. | Yes. | No (removed) | Low. |
| Recovery Mode | No. | No (removed) | Medium |
| Fastboot + ADB | No. | Only with a backup. | Tall. |
| Mi Cloud (remotely) | No (we need the internet) | No (removed) | Medium |
Remote reset via Mi Cloud
If the phone is lost or stolen, but the Internet has been turned on and the Mi Account has been activated, you can reset remotely, which is also an effective way to do this if the device is stuck but still has access to the network.
Go to i.mi.com from any other device (computer or tablet), log in with the same account used on the problem smartphone, and search the “Find Device” section of the cloud interface.
In your list of gadgets, select the phone you want, and among the actions you can do is either clear or Wipe Device, and if you press that button, you'll send a command to your phone, and when you first connect to the network, it'll do a complete data reset.
This method also helps bypass screen locking, since once cleaned, the device will require a password from the Mi Account when turned on.This is a standard FRP (Factory Reset Protection) measure to prevent the use of stolen phones.
Decision and typical errors
During the reset process, users often encounter situations that may seem critical but are not. For example, long delays on the Mi or Android logo after a reset are normal, the system optimizes applications and creates new configuration files.
The first boot after Hard Reset can take up to 10-15 minutes. Do not try to restart the phone or remove the battery at this time, as this can damage the file system. If the screen burns for more than 20 minutes unchanged, it is worth checking the functionality of the buttons.
Another common problem is cyclic reboot: If the phone is constantly restarting immediately after the logo appears, the system partition may be damaged or there is not enough space to install updates, in which case you may need to flash it through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.
⚠️ Warning: If after a reset, the phone requires a code from the previous Google account, it's not a bug, but a security feature. Enter the account details that were synced before the reset.
Users may also encounter a message saying “Device is locked” when trying to log into Recovery or Fastboot, meaning that the device bootloader is blocked by the manufacturer, which is not a hindrance for normal reset operations, but limits the installation of custom firmware.
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A long first boot after a reset (up to 15 minutes) is a normal system optimization process that does not require user intervention.