How to make a hard reset on Xiaomi’s phone: the complete guide

Situations where Xiaomi's smartphone is unstable are extremely frustrating for any owner: the screen can go out, apps fly out, and the system freezes dead. In such cases, the most effective solution is often a full factory reset, which in the technical environment is called a hard reset, which returns the device to its original state by removing all user data and settings.

You have to understand that Hard Reset is a radical measure that affects all parts of your memory. If you're looking for a way to make a hard reset on your phone, other optimization methods are no longer helpful. It's important to approach the procedure responsibly, because it's impossible to return deleted photos, contacts and correspondence after that without prior backup.

In this article, we will take a closer look at all the ways you can get your system back to its original state, learn about the differences between a normal reset and a deep clean through the engineering menu, and explore the nuances of working with security accounts that can lock a device after a reboot.

Preparing the device for a complete data reset

Before you start the active cleaning phase, it is critical to perform a number of preparatory steps. Ignoring this stage can lead to loss of important information or problems with activation of the phone after rebooting.

Use the built-in MIUI tools or Google cloud services to save contacts, calendar and notes. Photos and videos are better copied manually to your computer or uploaded to cloud storage. Make sure you remember the password from your Mi Account and Google account, as security will require you to enter them after reset.

Charge the battery to at least 60-70%. The process of formatting memory and reinstalling system files is energy-intensive. If the battery runs down at a critical moment, the phone can turn into a brick and stop turning on.

⚠️ Note: If the device has enabled the “Find Device” function, be sure to unplug the Mi Account before resetting, if possible. Otherwise, after rebooting, the phone will require you to enter a password from an account that was synced earlier.

It is also worth removing the memory card. SD and SIM-This will prevent the data from being accidentally deleted from the external drive and protect the contacts if they are stored on the SIM card.

Method 1: Reset via the system settings menu

The most secure and simple method available to the user is to use the standard operating system interface, which is suitable when the phone is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and you can freely navigate the menu. The algorithm for actions may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS.

To start, go to the main menu and select the Settings icon. Scroll down to the bottom and find About. That's where the basic system management tools are hidden. In the window that opens, you need to find the Settings Reset button.

The system will offer several options. You are interested in "Erase all data" item, when you click on it, the device will warn you that all information will be destroyed. If you are ready, click "Next" and enter a pattern lock or a pin to unlock the screen.

Once confirmed, the phone will restart and the cleaning process will begin.The screen may display the Xiaomi logo or progress indicator.Do not touch the device until the desktop is fully loaded.

⚠️ Note: Reset process via menu can take from 5 to 15 minutes.Do not try to speed it up with the press of buttons, this can cause an error in the file system.

Method 2: Hard Recovery Mode

If the smartphone is not booting, stuck on the logo or the touch screen does not respond, Recovery mode is used. This is a deep level of the system that allows you to control the device even when the main OS is not working.

Turn off your smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the volume button and the power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then you can release the power button while still holding the volume. In a few seconds, the Recovery menu will open.

This mode is controlled by volume buttons (up/down) to move to points and a power button to select. Find Wipe Data and confirm the selection. Next, select Wipe All Data and confirm the action by selecting Confirm.

Once the cleanup is complete, select Back to Main Menu, then Reboot and Reboot to System.The phone will reboot in its clean state.

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Using Recovery Mode is the only way to reset your phone if it doesn’t boot to your desktop or has a “broken” sensor.

Delete your Google account (FRP Lock)

One of the biggest problems after a hard reset is FRP (Factory Reset Protection), which is an Android security mechanism that prevents the stolen phone from being used, and if a Google account is entered on the device before the reset, the system will require the password to be entered from it after the reboot.

Many users forget login details, which makes the phone useless. To avoid locking, be sure to log out of all accounts before performing a hard reset. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync, select Google and click Delete Account.

The same procedure is done with your Mi Account, so if you can't remember your password, restore it through your browser on your computer before resetting, and ignoring this step will make it difficult to unlock through service centers.

In some cases, if the phone was bought with hands, the previous owner might not untie the device, in which case a standard reset will not help bypass the protection, you will need to contact the seller or use specialized software.

Solving problems: the phone does not turn on after resetting

Sometimes, after the procedure is complete, the phone can hang on the logo for a long time or go into a cyclical reboot, which can mean damage to the system partition or a failure in the recording process. First of all, try to perform a forced reboot by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds.

If the device reacts but the system doesn't load, you may need to flash it back, using Fastboot mode and a computer with the Mi Flash Tool utility, but it's a more complex procedure, requiring the original firmware file for a particular model.

If the phone just takes a long time to boot up after the first time it resets (10-20 minutes), that's fine. The system optimizes applications and creates new configuration files. On older models with mechanical buttons, this process can take even longer.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone is heated and does not leave the reboot cycle for more than 30 minutes, one of the memory sectors may be damaged.

For diagnostics, you can try logging into Recovery and select Safe Mode (if available in your version) to check if a third-party app that has not been removed is causing a crash.

Differences between data resetting and complete cleanup

Xiaomi's recovery menu often features two similar items: "Reset settings" and "Erase all data." Users are often confused about their purpose. A routine reset only returns system configurations to factory settings, but can save some user files in certain sections.

Wipe All Data formats the data and cache sections, removing everything from photos, music, installed apps and their cache, and this is the option recommended when selling a phone or transferring it to another person.

Technically, a complete cleanup also recreates the file table, making it extremely difficult for third-party software to recover data, though not impossible for intelligence professionals.

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If you're planning to sell your phone, don't set it up after you reset it, just turn it off. The new owner will go through the initial setup.

Choose a cleaning method depending on your goal. To eliminate software errors, the first option is often enough, and to prepare for sale, only the second one is enough.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)