Xiaomi’s mobile devices running the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS are known for their stability, but even they sometimes require radical interventions. Users often look for a way to make a reset on Xiaomi when the smartphone starts to work incorrectly, freezes, or before selling it, you need to completely clear personal data. Resetting to factory settings is an effective method that returns the gadget to the state “out of the box” by removing all user files, accounts and installed applications.
Factory resetting can be required in a variety of situations, from the banal desire to “refresh” the system after long use to the need to unlock a forgotten pattern lock. It is important to understand that a complete reset irreversibly destroys information in internal memory, so before starting any action, it is critical to back up important data. In this article, we will discuss all the available methods, from a simple settings menu to advanced tools like Recovery Mode.
Preparation of the device for complete reset
Before you start the cleanup process, you need to do a series of preparatory steps to avoid losing critical information or locking your device. Backup is the first and most important step.You can use the built-in MIUI tools to save contacts, messages and call history on Google Drive or locally in memory, which you then need to retrieve.
It is also worth checking the battery level. The data partition formatting process can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on the memory capacity, and a sudden power outage at this point can damage the file system. If power is lost during the data partition formatting, the device may stop booting and require a flashing through the computer.
Don't forget to unplug your accounts. If your phone has Google Find My Device or Mi Account protection on it, when you reset it can ask for a password to prove ownership, which is an anti-theft mechanism, and it's very difficult to get around without a password.
- 🔋 Charge your smartphone to a minimum 60-70%, store up.
- ☁️ Backup your contacts and photos to the cloud or PC.
- 🔑 Remember the passwords from your Google account and Mi Account.
- 📱 Extract. SIM-MicroSD card and memory card before the procedure.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Method 1: Reset via the Android settings menu
The easiest and most secure way to make a reset on Xiaomi is directly through the operating system interface, which is suitable for most users who have access to the smartphone menu and do not lock the screen. The algorithm for actions may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14) or HyperOS, but the overall logic remains the same.
You need to go to Settings, then find About Phone. At the bottom of the screen or in the three-point menu (depending on the firmware version), there will be an option to Reset or Factory Reset. The system will alert you that all data will be deleted, and ask you to enter the screen unlock code or password from the Mi Account for confirmation.
Once confirmed, the preparation process will begin, which will take a few minutes, then the device will restart and begin cleaning. Don't interrupt this process even if the screen goes out or the phone appears to be getting stuck. Wait for the language selection welcome screen to appear.
⚠️ Note: If encryption is enabled on the phone, the deletion process may take longer as the system will erase the encryption keys.
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
If the smartphone doesn’t turn on, freezes on the logo, or you forget the pattern lock, the only way out is to use a recovery mode known as Recovery Mode.It’s a low-level menu built into the device’s memory that allows you to control the system bypassing the main Android interface.
Turn the device off completely. Then press the Volume + and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi or Xiaomi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume until the Recovery menu appears. Some models, such as the Xiaomi Redmi Note series, may require a charging cable connection.
The menu uses volume buttons (up/down) and the power button to confirm the choice. You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data. There are several options inside: Wipe All Data and Reset Options. Choose a full cleanup. The system can ask for confirmation several times, requiring you to choose Confirm or OK.
- 🔘 Hold the volume up. + Power before vibration.
- 📉 Use volume buttons to navigate the Recovery menu.
- ✅ Select the Wipe Data option -> Wipe All Data.
- 🔄 Wait for the words Data wiped successfully and select Reboot.
What to do if you recover in Chinese?
Comparison of data dumping methods
Different recovery methods have their own characteristics, benefits and applications, and understanding the differences will help you choose the most suitable option for your particular situation.
| Parameter | Through Settings. | Recovery Mode | Fastboot + PC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability | Access to the menu is required | It works even when blocked. | Requires PC and cable |
| Difficulty | Low (automatically) | Medium (needs accuracy) | High (drivers needed) |
| Deletion of data | Complete. | Complete. | Complete (or firmware) |
| Risk of error | Minimum | Medium. | High in skill. |
As the table shows, for the average user who just wants to clean the phone before selling or fix minor software glitches, resetting through settings remains the best choice.Recovery Mode is a "heavy artillery" tool for cases where the system does not boot.Using Fastboot mode from a computer is only advisable in complex cases requiring flashing.
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Use the settings menu if your phone is working properly. Go to Recovery only if the screen is unresponsive or the device is getting stuck.
Solving the Problem: What to Do After Resetting
Once the procedure is successfully completed and booted for the first time, the device may behave unusually for a user accustomed to an app-filled smartphone, the system will appear “empty,” and the battery may run out faster than usual in the first hours.
If after a reset, the phone requires you to enter a password from a Google account that you don’t remember, you will face protection. FRP (Factory Reset Protection. This is an anti-theft mechanism, and the only way to get around it legally is to restore access to your Google account on another device. FRP through third-party utilities often result in a complete locking of the device.
In the event that after the reset there is a system stopped error or the phone goes into a cyclic restart (bootloop), system files may be damaged or the failure occurred during the formatting process, in this situation, you may need to completely flash the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone warms up and discharges quickly for more than 24 hours, try another full reset.Sometimes the first pass doesn't clear the cache of system applications correctly.
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After reset, don’t install all the apps at once, turn them on one at a time during the first day to identify the possible “culprit” of brakes or overheating.