How to make a general reset on Android Xiaomi: the complete guide

Modern Xiaomi smartphones, running on the operating system Android with the shell MIUI or HyperOS, are complex computing devices that accumulate during operation a huge amount of temporary files and system errors. The periodic need to return the gadget to the state of “out of the box” arises for many users who are faced with a slowdown of the interface, software failures or the desire to sell the device. Understanding how to properly initiate this process is a basic skill for any owner of this brand equipment, which allows you to avoid expensive visits to the service center.

Factory Reset, known as Factory Reset, completely removes user data, including contacts, photos, installed apps and account logins. The most critical moment before you start is to create a full backup of all important data, since it will be impossible to recover deleted information without a backup after a reset. In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods for performing this operation, from the standard settings menu to using the engineering mode.

There are several scenarios where Wipe Data is not just a desirable action, but a necessary action to restore the device to work, sometimes the system is blocked so much that standard login to the menu becomes impossible, and then alternative methods come to the rescue. Below we will look at each of them, paying special attention to the precautions and technical nuances of various versions of firmware.

Preparing the smartphone for complete data cleanup

Before you get into action, make sure your device is ready for the procedure and the risks of losing critical information are minimized. The first step should always be to synchronize data with the Mi Cloud or Google Drive cloud service, which will allow you to quickly restore contacts, notes and calendar in the future, and check for accounts that can lock the phone after a reset due to the theft protection feature.

Particular attention should be paid to battery power, as the process of formatting internal memory and reinstallation of system files can take from 10 to 30 minutes. If at this point the device turns off due to discharge, there is a high risk of damage to the file system and turning the smartphone into a “brick”, it is recommended to connect the charger to the network even if the indicator shows a full charge.

It is also important to know that after resetting the phone will require entering the password or pattern lock that was used before this procedure, as well as the password from the Google account if protection was turned on. Forgotten passwords can become a serious problem, so it is better to remember or restore them in advance through the computer. Ignoring this step can lead to a situation where the phone is technically sound, but it is impossible to access it.

Standard reset via the system settings menu

The safest and most understandable way for the average user to return Xiaomi to factory state is to use the built-in Android system interface. This method is suitable for cases where the smartphone is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and the settings menu is available for navigation. The algorithm of actions may vary slightly depending on the version of the MIUI shell, but the general logic remains unchanged.

To start, you need to open the Settings app and scroll through the list to About Phone or Advanced Settings, where the functionality is usually hidden. In newer versions of HyperOS, the path can look like Settings → About Phone → Reset, whereas in older versions of MIUI, this is often in the “Additional” or “Extended Settings” section. In the menu you open, you need to select the “Erase all data” option.

• 🔒 The system will ask you to enter the password unlock the screen to confirm the identity of the owner.
• ⏳ A warning will appear that all data will be deleted and a countdown (usually 10 seconds) will begin).
• 🔄 Once confirmed, the phone will restart and begin the cleaning process, which can take a few minutes.

During the operation, the Mi logo or Android with a progress indicator can be displayed on the screen, interrupting this process is strongly discouraged, as this can violate the integrity of the system partitions. Once completed, the phone will automatically restart and start as a new one, suggesting you choose a language and connect to Wi-Fi.

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If you plan to transfer your phone to another person, do not log into your accounts after the reset so as not to leave traces of your activity in the system cache.

Reset Xiaomi via Recovery Mode (Recovery Mode)

If the Android operating system is unstable, it's stuck on the logo, or the touch screen is not responsive to commands, the standard way through the settings becomes unavailable, and in such cases, the recovery mode, or Recovery Mode, which runs at a low level before the main system boots, is a powerful tool that allows you to run Wipe Data even on a "dead" device.

To enter this mode, you need to turn off the smartphone completely, and then pinch a certain combination of buttons. On most Xiaomi and Redmi models, this is the simultaneous pressing of the Volume Up and Power buttons. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to keep the volume until the Recovery menu appears.

The recovery mode interface may vary: on some models, it is controlled by a sensor, on others by volume buttons to move up/down and a power button to confirm the selection. You need to find the Wipe Data item and select the Wipe All Data subitem. The system will request confirmation again, often requiring you to select Confirm and wait for the process to end.

Once the cleanup is completed successfully, the system will suggest going back to the main menu (Back to Main Menu) and selecting a reboot (Reboot → Reboot to System). The first boot after such a reset always takes longer than usual, sometimes up to 5-10 minutes, as the system optimizes applications and checks the integrity of files. Don't panic if the phone is hanging on the logo for a long time - this is normal behavior.

Remote reset via Google Find My Device

In a situation where a smartphone is lost or stolen but has internet and geolocation enabled, physical access to the device buttons is not possible. For such cases, Google has provided a remote control tool that allows not only location tracking, but also triggers a complete data reset to protect sensitive information, a method that is effective as long as the device remains online.

To use this feature, you need to go from any other device (computer or phone) to the site android.com/find and log in to the same Google account that was used on the lost Xiaomi. In the service interface, select the desired device from the list and click on the option “Erase Device” (Erase Device), the system will warn about the consequences, then send a command to the smartphone.

It is important to understand that once you perform a remote reset, the device will no longer transmit its location and it will be impossible to track it, and this method does not remove the protection of Google Account (FRP), so the next time you try to turn on the phone will still require you to enter a password from the owner’s account, which is an important security element.

Resetting via computer using ADB

For advanced users with access to a computer and basic command line skills, there is a method of resetting over the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) debugging. This method is especially useful if the touch screen is partially not working, but the system is booting, or if you need to automate the process on many devices.

The first condition for a successful operation is the pre-installed USB Debugging feature in the Developer menu. If this option was activated before problems arose, you can connect the phone to your computer with a cable and enter a command in the terminal. If debugging has been turned off, this method, alas, will not work without access to the screen.

adb reboot recovery

Once the command is executed, the phone will go into recovery mode, where you can continue cleaning with the buttons, or, if access permissions allow, execute the formatting command directly. However, most often, ADB is used to log into Recovery when the volume buttons are faulty. In some cases, if you have root rights, you can command the full vipe directly from the command line.

⚠️ Attention: Use of teams ADB Incorrect commands can lead to the wrong partitions being deleted or the bootloader being disrupted. Make sure you connect to the target device if there are multiple of them.

Solving Problems: FRP Lock and Reset Errors

One of the most common problems after a reset is activating FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection, a security mechanism that requires you to enter a password from a Google account synced to the device before the reset. If you forget your password or bought your phone from hand and can't contact the seller to untie your account, the phone will turn into a useless piece of plastic.

Sometimes the reset process can be interrupted or terminated by an error if there are problems with memory sectors or system files during formatting. In such cases, the phone may enter a cyclic reboot. The solution is often to re-enter Recovery and try to run Wipe Data again, sometimes formatting the cache partition before the main cleanup helps.

• 🚫 The “failed to reset” error often indicates damage to the system partition.
• 🔐 Requesting a password after reset is a standard anti-theft behavior, not a mistake.
• 💡 If the phone is more on the logo 20 For a minute, try to forcefully reboot it by pressing the power button on 10-15 seconds.

In case standard methods don’t work and the phone continues to malfunction, you may need to completely flash the device using the Mi Flash Tool utility on your computer, a more complex procedure that requires an unlocked bootloader or an authorized account, and it goes beyond simply resetting settings.

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FRP blocking is not a virus or a bug, but a Google security mechanism that cannot be circumvented by a simple reset without the account owner’s password.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)