How to make a full reboot of Xiaomi: from simple to complete

Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, which run on the shell of MIUI or HyperOS, are known for their stability, but even they sometimes require user intervention. Situations where the device freezes, stops responding to touch or starts to work incorrectly after installing applications are familiar to many owners.

A full reboot is a versatile tool that can range from a simple system update to a deep reset of all data. Understanding the difference between Soft Reset, Hard Reset and Recovery Mode reset is critical, as the wrong method choice can lead to loss of personal information. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the existing ways to resuscitate your gadget.

Before we start to take radical measures, we need to assess the extent of the problem, if the phone is just dumb, a normal reboot will help, if the device does not turn on or the password is forgotten, more complex manipulations will be required, and it is important to act consistently so as not to aggravate the situation with the software.

Difference Between a Regular Reset and a Full Reset

Many users confuse the notion that turning off and turning on your phone is tantamount to resetting. This is a dangerous misconception. A conventional reboot only updates RAM and closes the background processes without affecting your files. A full reboot, or Factory Reset, returns the device to the "out of the box" state, removing all user data.

Hard Reset is justified in cases of serious system errors, preparation of the device for sale or removal of viruses that cannot be eliminated by antivirus. Unlike a simple shutdown, this process affects the parts of internal memory where contacts, photos and installed applications are stored.

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Before performing a complete reset, be sure to remove SIM-microSD card and memory card, if installed, to avoid accidental data damage on them.

It's worth noting that after a deep reset, the system can boot longer than usual, which is normal behavior, since Android performs application optimization and system file integrity checks, and interrupting this process can damage the bootloader.

Forced reboot when getting stuck (Soft Reset)

If the screen of Xiaomi’s smartphone is gone, but the device is still vibrating, or the interface is completely locked and unresponsive, a forced reboot is required – a method that is data-safe and similar to retrieving the battery in older phone models, and helps shake up the system when software processes stop responding.

To do this, you don't have to look for buttons on the menu, because the hardware method works even when the interface is completely locked. You'll need to press the power button. Some models, depending on the version of MIUI, may require a combination of buttons. You need to hold them for a long time, about 10-15 seconds, until the brand logo appears.

If standard power button retention doesn't work, try Volume Down + Power. This is a rare scenario, but on some global firmware versions it can be active as an alternative reboot method. The main thing is not to panic and hold the buttons stable, not letting them go at the first vibration.

⚠️ Warning: If the phone freezes again after a forced reboot after a few minutes, the problem may be a faulty application or a critical system error.

Reset to factory settings via smartphone menu

The easiest and safest way to complete a complete reboot with deletion is to use the built-in settings menu, which is suitable if you remember the unlock password and have access to your desktop, and is ideal for preparing your phone for sale or transfer to another user, as it ensures that all personal traces are removed.

To start, go to the settings section. The path may vary slightly depending on the shell version, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the item that is responsible for the general parameters of the system. In new versions of HyperOS, the interface may have changed, but the keywords remain the same.

Find and select About Phone. Next, scroll down to Reset. Here, the system will offer two options: reset only settings (without deleting photos and music) and delete all data completely. Choose the second option for complete cleanup.

The system will ask you to confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or password, as well as a code from a Google or Mi Account account if protection is enabled, a security measure to prevent data theft in the event of a loss of the device, and the deletion process will begin after confirmation, which will take from 5 to 10 minutes.

Full Reboot with Recovery Mode

If the phone doesn't turn on, freezes on the logo, or you forget the unlock password, the only way out is Recovery Mode. It's a special diagnostic mode built into the device's memory that allows you to control the system at a low level. The interface here is minimalist and controlled by volume buttons.

To enter this mode, turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously. Hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume down until the Recovery menu appears. The interface language can be English or Chinese.

In the menu, you can navigate with volume buttons (up/down), and the power button selects the item. You need to find Wipe Data. In new versions of Recovery, you may need to select Wipe All Data, and then confirm the action by selecting Confirm.

⚠️ After resetting via Recovery on modern versions of Android (9 and above) will work protection FRP. To activate the phone, you will need to enter a login and password from a Google account that was synchronized with the device earlier.

The formatting process can take some time. Once completed, the message "Data wiped successfully" will appear on the screen. Select Reboot, then Reboot to System. The phone will restart and start the initial setup as new.

Using Fastboot and Computer to Reset

For advanced users, there is a method of resetting through Fastboot mode, which is often used when Recovery is unavailable or damaged, USB-cables and installed drivers ADB/Fastboot. This is the most “hard” method of interfering with the system.

To log into the Fastboot on the phone turned off, press Volume Down and Power. The screen will show an image of a hare repairing an android, or the words FASTBOOT. Connect the device to a PC. If the drivers are installed correctly, the computer will recognize the device.

fastboot erase userdata


fastboot erase cache




fastboot reboot

Entering these commands into the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux) will completely clear the partitions with user data and cache. The fastboot reboot command initiates a reboot. Be extremely careful: a command error can lead to a "brick" of the device if you erase the system partitions.

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Fastboot mode is primarily designed to flash the device, not to simply reset. Use it only if other methods don't work.

Solving Typical Problems After Rebooting

Once you've done a full reboot, you might have questions, and users often have to enter a Google account that was previously synced, and that's anti-theft protection, and you can't get around it legally without the owner's data.

Another problem is the long first download, if the phone is hanging on the logo more than that. 15-20 In the minutes, the reset process may have been incorrect or the system file may have been damaged, in which case it may be necessary to flash the device through the Mi Flash Tool.

• 📱 Cyclical Reboot: If the phone is constantly rebooting itself, try logging into Recovery and selecting “Wipe Cache” (if available) or reflashing the device.
• 🔋 Fast discharge: After the first activation, the system indexes the files. 1-2 The battery can run out faster than usual, that’s normal.
• 📶 Network problems: Make sure that the access point settings are correctly set after the reset (APN) Your mobile phone or your mobile phone may not work.

If nothing helps and the phone is unstable even after a complete reset, there is a high probability of hardware failure, it can be a memory degradation or a problem with the power controller, which requires contacting the service center.