Modern Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones are powered by a MIUI or HyperOS shell that can accumulate software errors, cache and system debris over time, often resulting in performance declines, sudden reboots or network connectivity problems, and users are looking for ways to make a reset on Xiaomi to return the device to its original speed and stability.
The Full Reset procedure, or Hard Reset, removes all user data, applications and settings, returning the gadget to the "out of the box" state. It is an effective method of solving software failures, but it requires careful preparation. It is important to understand the difference between simply removing applications and deep formatting the system, so that important information is not lost irretrievably.
In this article, we will take a look at all the options available for resetting: through the standard menu, through the Recovery Engineering Menu, and remotely through your Mi Account. You will learn how to properly prepare your device to avoid being blocked by a Google or Mi Account, and what steps you need to take to successfully complete the procedure.
Preparation of the device for complete reset
Before we start taking drastic measures, we need to take a number of critical actions: backing up data is the first and most important step; resetting will destroy photos, contacts, correspondence and installed applications; use the built-in Mi Cloud app or third-party services to save important information.
The second key is charging the battery, which can take 5 to 20 minutes to format a data partition, depending on the amount of memory you have, and if the battery sits down at that point, you risk damaging the file system, charging the device to at least 60 percent, or better, 100 percent.
⚠️ Note: Before resetting, be sure to remove SIM-microSD card and memory card, if installed. MIUI rarely SD-maps, the risk of data loss on external media when formatting internal memory still exists.
It’s also worth checking the account binding, and if you’re planning to sell your phone or transfer it to another person, you need to untie your Mi Account and your Google account, otherwise the new owner will face a lock on the activation, and the phone will become a useless brick.
☑️ Preparation for discharge
Method 1: Reset via system settings (Soft Reset)
The safest and easiest method that anyone can use is to use a regular settings menu, which is a good way to do it if the phone is turned on, the screen is touch-sensitive, and you can get into the main menu, and it's ideal for selling the device or eliminating small software bugs.
To start, go to Settings. Depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, the path may vary slightly. Usually you need to find "About phone" or "Advanced settings." You can enter "Reset" in the settings search menu to find the desired partition faster.
Once you log into the factory reset menu, the system will offer two options: Reset (saving files) and Erase all data (full reset). The system will warn about the consequences several times and ask you to enter the unlock password of the screen or PIN-code.
- 📱 Open the settings and go to the "About the phone" section".
- 🗑️ Click on the button "Reset settings" or "Erase all data".
- 🔒 Enter the screen lock password to confirm identity.
- ⏳ Wait for the process to end and the device to automatically restart.
Once rebooted, the phone will begin its initial setup as if you just bought it from a store, which ensures that all system partitions are cleaned correctly without risking damage to the bootloader.
What to do if the phone asks for a password after resetting?
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
If the smartphone is not turned on, stuck on the logo or the touch screen does not respond, you need to use Recovery mode. This method allows you to make a reset on Xiaomi even when the operating system is broken, logging into this mode is a combination of physical buttons.
Turn the device off completely. Then press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume up until the Recovery menu appears.
In this menu, the sensor is not working, the navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data item. In new versions of Recovery, you may need to select the Wipe All Data item, and then confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
⚠️ Note: In Recovery mode, navigation may not be obvious. If you select the wrong item (e.g. Reboot), just repeat the login procedure.
Once confirmed, the system will warn you that all data will be deleted, agree with this, and the formatting process will begin. Upon completion, the screen will show the words "Data wiped successfully." Select Reboot to reboot in normal mode.
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Using Recovery Mode is the only way to reset your phone if it doesn’t load to your desktop or hovers on the Mi logo.
Method 3: Remote reset via Mi Cloud
There is a scenario where the phone is lost or stolen, but it has the "Find the device" feature enabled, in which case you can make a reset on Xiaomi remotely through the web interface of the cloud service, which will help protect personal data from unauthorized persons.
To do this, go to the official i.mi.com website from any other device (computer or phone), log in with the same Mi Account that was entered on the lost smartphone, and select your device from the list of available devices in the interface.
In the device management menu, select Wipe Data. A command will be sent to the phone as soon as it connects to the Internet (via mobile network or Wi-Fi). Once you receive the command, the device will automatically clean and restart.
- 🌐 Visit i.mi.com from any browser.
- 🔑 Sign in to the Mi Account linked to the phone.
- 📍 Select the device in the list "Find the device".
- 🧹 Click the "Erase Data" button for remote reset.
This method also activates FRP protection. Even after a reset, the phone will require you to enter a password from your Mi Account the next time you activate it, making it useless for attackers.
Problem Solving: Account Block and Errors
A common problem after a reset is requiring you to enter a password from your Google or Mi Account. This is FRP (Factory Reset Protection) security mechanism. If you forget your password, it can take time to restore access through the process of restoring an account on the Google site.
Sometimes the reset process can be interrupted or frozen. If the phone hangs on the logo for a long time after the reset (more than 15-20 minutes), the system partition may be damaged, in such cases, you may need to flash the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.
Users may also encounter a “failed to reset” error, which often happens if a third-party superuser (Root) or modified bootloader is installed on the device, in which case the standard reset may not work correctly and will require cleaning through the Fastboot.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Requires a Google Password | FRP protection | Enter the account information that was on the phone |
| Hanging on the logo. | System Error / Broken Files | Repeat Hard Reset or Re-flash |
| No resetting settings. | Possession of Root Rights | Remove Root or use Fastboot |
| Cyclical reboot | Software update failure | Enter Recovery and Wipe Data |
What to do after resetting settings
After successfully completing the procedure and initial setup, it is important to properly organize the device. Don’t rush to install all the applications at once. Start by updating the system through Settings → About the phone to install the latest security patches.
Restore your data from a backup. If you've used Mi Cloud or Google Drive, the system will offer you to restore contacts, notes and app lists. Photos and documents are better copied manually or through the cloud to avoid synchronization errors.
You should also check the application permissions. After resetting, all privacy settings go back to factory settings. Go through the installed software list and make sure they don't have too much access to the microphone, camera or geolocation.
⚠️ Warning: Do not install applications from unknown sources immediately after a reset. First set up the basic protection and make sure that the antivirus (such as the built-in security scanner Xiaomi) works correctly.
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After reset, give the phone 15-20 minutes at rest on a desktop with Wi-Fi enabled. The system will perform background optimization of applications and indexing files, which will improve autonomy.