How to make a general reset on a Xiaomi phone

Modern Xiaomi smartphones, running on the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS, are powerful computing complexes that can accumulate software debris over time. The accumulation of temporary files, conflicts after system updates or just the desire to sell the device require a clean sheet. It is in these situations that users wonder how to make a general reset on a Xiaomi phone to return the gadget to its original speed and responsiveness.

A complete cleanup procedure known as Hard Reset or Factory Reset is a radical but often the only true solution to many software problems: It completely erases user information, returning the device to the state in which it left the assembly line of the plant. Understanding the right steps is critical, as an error can lead to the loss of important photos or contacts.

In this article, we will take a look at all the available ways to return to factory parameters, learn how to prepare for the procedure, what methods exist for different situations (including forgotten password) and how to avoid typical errors. Remember that after performing a reset, it will be impossible to restore deleted data without prior backup.

Preparing the device for complete data cleanup

Before you go into action, make sure the device is ready for the procedure. Ignoring the preparatory stage can lead to the phone becoming a brick or you lose access to important accounts. The first step should always be to back up all the relevant information.

Use the built-in Mi Cloud or third-party services like Google Drive to save contacts, photos and notes, and manually copy important documents to your computer or external drive through a computer or external drive. USB-Don't rely on randomness, because the formatting process is irreversible.

The second critical point is the Mi Account, which is a security feature that Xiaomi has, which is a theft protection feature, and if you don't log out or know your password before you reset, you'll need to log in to the previous owner, and without that, it's going to be very difficult to unlock the device.

Make sure the battery level is at least 50-60%. The process of formatting the system partition and reinstalling components can take time, and a sudden power outage at this point can damage the bootloader. Connect the smartphone to the charger if possible.

Standard reset via the system settings menu

The safest and most recommended way to return Xiaomi to factory settings is to use the standard interface of the operating system, which is suitable for most users who have access to the phone menu and do not have critical errors in the operation of the sensor or display.

To start, open the Settings app. Depending on the shell version (MIUI 12, 13, 14 or HyperOS), the interface may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the section that deals with the general settings of the device.

The algorithm of actions is as follows:

• 📱 Go to About Phone (usually at the top of the settings list).
• 🗑️ Find the option “Reset settings” or “Erase all data».
• 🔒 The system will ask you to enter your current screen unlock password or pattern lock to confirm your identity.
• ✅ Click the Reset button or the “Erase all data” button and confirm the action in the pop-up window.

Once confirmed, the phone will alert you that all data will be deleted, taking 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of internal memory and the speed of the drive, and the device will reboot, and you will see the screen of the initial settings, as when you first turn on a new smartphone.

Hard Reset via Recovery Mode (buttons)

So there are different situations: the phone might freeze, the sensor might stop responding, or the device might lock right after it's turned on, and in those cases, Recovery mode comes to the rescue, and it's a special diagnostic environment that's stitched into the phone's memory, regardless of the main operating system.

To get into the recovery menu, you need to do a certain sequence of actions with the physical buttons. It is important to do them quickly and clearly. First, turn off your smartphone completely. If it does not respond to a long press of the power button, try to pinch Volume + and Power simultaneously before vibration.

When the screen goes out and the phone is turned off:

• 🔘 Press the Volume Up button (Loudness)+) and the power button at the same time.
• ⚡ Hold both buttons until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume up.
• 📋 When the Main Menu (Recovery) menu appears, release all buttons, and the volume buttons (up/down) control it, and the power button selects it.

In the menu that appears, select Wipe Data, then confirm the choice of Wipe All Data. The system will ask for confirmation again — select Confirm. After completing the process, which can take several minutes, select Back to Main Menu, and then Reboot —> Reboot to System.

⚠️ Warning: In Recovery mode, the touch screen is not working. Navigation is done exclusively with volume buttons. If you accidentally chose the wrong item, don't panic - just don't confirm the action with the power button until you return to the desired menu item.

Reset via service menu (USSD code)

There is an alternative, more hidden method to initiate a reset using the Android engineering menu, which is useful if the standard settings menu is not working properly or is not available, but be extremely careful, since the engineering menu contains many parameters, changing which can disrupt the radio module.

To start the procedure, open the Phone app and enter a special code. Xiaomi devices often run a universal Android code for resetting, but it can be blocked by the manufacturer in new firmware versions.

Try entering the following combination:

##7780##

If the code is active, the system will prompt you to confirm the reset, and if nothing happens after entering the code or an error message appears, then the manufacturer has blocked this access method in your version of MIUI. In this case, return to using the settings menu or Recovery mode.

It is important to understand the difference between codes. Some combinations can only reset network or application settings, but not personal files. The code above is intended for general reset, but its functionality depends on the specific model and regional version of the firmware.

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If ##7780### doesn’t work, try entering ##34971539## is a software update menu that sometimes contains hidden reset options, but be extremely careful not to click on it too much.

Removing the forgotten screen lock password

One of the most common reasons users search for reset information is a forgotten pattern lock, PIN-Unfortunately, modern versions of Android and HyperOS have greatly improved security, so you can't just reset your password without losing your data.

If you forget your password, the only working way to access your device is through a full Hard Reset mode (described above).This action will delete all data, including the forgotten password. Alternative methods, such as entering data through a Google account, on new versions of Android (starting with 5.0 and above), do not work much or require pre-setting, which the user often forgets.

The process looks like this:

1. Turn off your smartphone.
2. Go to Recovery mode (Loudness+ and Nutrition).
3. Run Wipe Data -> Wipe All Data.
4. After the reboot, the phone will require you to enter a password from Mi Account or Google Account that was synced to the device before locking.

This is a security measure against theft, and if you don't remember the password of the account that the phone is attached to, you can't officially unlock it, and there are hardware reprogramming service centers, but it's a paid service and it's not always a guaranteed service.

⚠️ Warning: After the screen lock password is reset, the system may require you to wait 15 minutes to 24 hours before retrying the credentials. This is brute-force password protection. Don't try to reset the phone during this period, the timer may reset.

Solving problems after reset and FAQ

Once the device has restarted and you’ve been through the initial setup, you may feel like the phone is running slower than it did immediately after purchase, which is normal: it takes 30 minutes to a few hours for the system to optimize applications and index files in the background.

During this period, you can increase battery consumption and heat the case. Don't panic and try to reset the settings again. Let the smartphone lie on charging with the screen on (you can leave the desktop open) so that the background processes are completed.

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The first hours after reset are critical for calibrating the battery and optimizing the system. Don't load the phone with heavy games immediately after turning on.

Below is a table that helps diagnose the condition of the device after the procedure:

Often users wonder if you can interrupt the reset process, but you should not do this, because if you turn off your phone while formatting memory partitions, the file system will be damaged and the device will stop booting, requiring a complex recovery via the PC.