Xiaomi Redmi smartphones are famous for their performance and availability, but over time, even the most powerful device can experience software failures. Users often notice that the gadget starts to work slower, applications fly out for no reason, or, worse, the screen is blocked by a forgotten pattern lock.
This procedure completely cleans the phone's internal memory by removing all user data, cache, settings and installed apps. It's important to understand that once the process is complete, the device will look like you just pulled it out of the box in the store.A hard reset is necessary not only to solve performance problems, but also before selling the gadget so that your personal data does not fall into the wrong hands.
In this guide, we will go into detail all the available ways to perform this operation. We will look at the standard method through system settings that are suitable for most cases, as well as more complex options through the Recovery menu using physical buttons. Also pay attention to the situation when access to the menu is blocked, and the smartphone requires unlocking the account. MIUI.
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
Before taking decisive action, there are a number of preparatory steps to follow, and ignoring this step can lead to the permanent loss of important photos, contacts and documents, and backing up is the only way to preserve valuable information, since it will be impossible to recover it with standard methods after resetting.
First of all, check the battery power. The process of formatting memory and reinstalling system files is energy-consuming. If the battery runs out at a critical moment, it can damage the system partition and turn the phone into a brick. It is desirable that the charge level is at least 60-70% before the procedure.
- 📸 Back up photos and videos by transferring them to your computer or Google Photos cloud storage.
- 📞 Sync your contacts with your Google account or export them to.vcf.
- 🔑 Remember or write down the usernames and passwords from your Mi Account and Google account that were linked to your device.
- 📱 Remove the memory card. SD and SIM-map to avoid accidental formatting of external media.
⚠️ Note: If the phone has Find Device enabled, the system will require you to enter the Mi Account password after reset. Without this data, you will not be able to activate the smartphone.
It's also worth turning off the lock screen if you're planning to reset through settings, although full-time Vipe via Recovery doesn't always require that, but it simplifies the process. Make sure you understand the difference between a simple restart and Factory Reset. The first just updates RAM, the second wipes everything clean.
Method 1: Reset via MIUI settings (standard method)
The safest and easiest way to get Xiaomi Redmi back to factory is to use the built-in settings menu, which is ideal if the phone turns on, the screen responds to touch, and you have access to the system. The algorithm for actions may vary slightly depending on the version of the MIUI shell, but the overall logic remains the same.
To start, open the main menu and find the Settings icon. Scroll down to the About Phone section. This is where the basic system management tools are concentrated. You'll need to find the Settings Reset or Factory Settings item. In some firmware versions, it may be hidden inside the Additional submenu.
After going to the reset menu, the system will offer two options: Reset (without deleting files) and Erase all data. We are interested in the second option. By clicking on the "Erase all data" button, you will receive the final warning. The system will remind you of the consequences and ask you to confirm the action by entering a graphical key or a password to unlock the screen.
What happens after you press the “Erase Everything” button?
Once confirmed, the phone will automatically reboot. The MI logo and progress indicator will appear on the screen. Data and cache partitions will be formatted at this point. The process can take 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of information accumulated. Do not touch the device at this time.> Once completed, the phone will reboot and launch as a new one, requiring the initial language and Wi-Fi setting. It is important to note that if the device is enabled with Find Device protection, then immediately after booting, an activation lock screen will appear. This is a security mechanism that prevents the use of stolen phones. Enter the account data that was the main on this device before the reset. Method 2: Recovery does not come to the Recovery pillarm, Recovery does not respond to the Recovery pillars, or Recovery Recovery Recovery. This is a special diagnostic mode built into the device's memory regardless of the state of the main operating system. It is entered by a combination of physical buttons. To log into Recovery on most Redmi models, you need to perform the following sequence: turn off the device completely. Then press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold both buttons until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, while maintaining volume. The Recovery menu is controlled by volume buttons (up/down) to move around the points and you need to find the power button in this Wipe mode. The action of the button / element Description Navigation up Vol. + Raise the selection to the item above Navigation down Vol - Delete the selection to the item below Power Confirmation Select or confirm the action Cancel / Back Back (if any) Back a step back Inside the Wipe Data menu, select the option Wipe All Data. The system will request confirmation, usually a Confirm item. Once the cleaning process is complete, the Data wiped successfully message will appear on the screen. Select Back to Main Menu, then Reboot -> Reboot to System to reboot.Reset forgotten password and account lock One of the most common reasons users search for Hard Reset information is a forgotten pattern lock or pin code.Unfortunately, modern versions of Android and shells MIUI Designed with maximum safety in mind. Resetting via Recovery will indeed remove the screen lock password, but it does not guarantee instant access to the system.After forced reset and first boot, the smartphone activates the protection protocol. FRP (Factory Reset Protection means that the device will require you to enter a Google account that was synced to the phone before locking.If you don't remember the password from the Google account, it will be extremely difficult to access the device without contacting the service center with a check of purchase. 🔒 Forgotten pattern lock is deleted by a complete data reset. 📧 Google Account Remains Mandatory for Activation After Reset. ☁️ Mi Account can also block your device when search is enabled. 🛡️ Go around FRP Legally without the owner’s passwords is almost impossible. ⚠️ Attention: There are paid services and programs for bypassing FRP, But they carry risks, and you can lock the bootloader permanently, or you can infect the device with malware, and the best way to do that is to remember your credentials. If the phone was bought with your hands and it has someone else’s account on it, the only correct way is to contact the previous owner to remotely untie the device through the Xiaomi or Google cloud service. Attempts to hack could lead to smartphone motherboard being locked at server level. 📊 What problem did you face?The phone freezes and does not turn on Forgot the password from the screen Sell the phone and want to clear the data Delete important photos and want to return the solution to typical problems after reset Sometimes after the completion of the Hard Reset procedure, users are faced with unexpected situations. For example, a phone can hang on the Mi logo for a long time. This is normal, as the system takes time to optimize applications and configure internal databases. The first download can last up to 10-15 minutes. Another common problem is endless restart (bootloop). If the smartphone is constantly turned off and on again, it may be damaged system partition or interrupted data recording during reset. In this case, it may be necessary to flash the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility. It is also worth considering that after reset, the battery autonomy may temporarily decrease. The system is retrained to energy saving algorithms, background indexing processes are intensive. Usually after 2-3 days of active use, Xiaomi Redmi begins to hold the new situation. 💡If the phone is on the logo more than 20 For a minute, try to force reboot it by pressing the power button on 10-15 If that doesn't work, you need to flash it. Frequently asked questions (FAQ) Will photos be deleted from the memory card in Hard Reset? By default, Hard Reset affects only the internal memory of the device. However, to avoid accidental data loss, we strongly advise that you remove the card. SD Some of the reset menus have a checkmark "Clean up" before the procedure begins. SD-It's a map that you have to take off. Can you interrupt the reset if it's been delayed? It's not recommended to interrupt the formatting process if the progress indicator is moving. A power interrupt or restart at this point can damage the partition table, making it impossible to boot the system. Will Android or MIUI reset after Hard Reset? No, Hard Reset doesn't roll back the operating system. If you had MIUI 14 on Android 13 before reset, the same version will remain after reset. The rollback requires a full firmware reflash through your computer. What if your phone asks for a password from a Mi Account that I don't remember? You need to restore access to your account through the official id.mi.com website. If you can't recover, and your phone will only help you contact a Xiaomi authorized service center with a box and a receipt of ownership.