How to make a data reset on Xiaomi: all the methods and nuances

The Android operating system installed on Xiaomi devices can sometimes run unstable due to the accumulation of system debris or conflicts after an update. In such situations, the only effective solution is a complete return to factory settings, which cleans the internal memory and restores the original state of the software. Users often look for a way to reset data on Xiaomi to eliminate software errors or prepare the gadget for sale.

Hard Reset is a radical measure, so it should only be used when softer optimization methods have failed. It is important to understand that once all the actions are completed, the device will become “clean” as on the day of purchase from the store. All personal files, photos, contacts and installed applications will be permanently deleted unless you take care of saving them in advance.

In this guide, we will discuss in detail several ways to perform this procedure: through the standard settings menu, through Recovery mode and using the computer. We will also discuss the important nuances of working with a Google account and Mi Account, the blocking of which can be an unpleasant surprise for an inexperienced smartphone owner.

Preparation of the device for complete reset

Before you start taking action, you need to complete a series of preparatory operations that will secure your data and the process itself. Backup is the most important step, ignoring which can lead to the loss of valuable information forever. Use built-in MIUI tools or cloud services to save contacts, messages and call history.

Make sure that the battery is at least 50-60%, Since a sudden power outage during erasure of memory partitions can damage system files and "brick" the device. SIM-MicroSD card and memory card so that you don’t accidentally format an external drive along with the phone’s internal memory.

If you don’t know the password from your Google account, it’s best to restore it before the procedure begins, otherwise, FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection will work after the reset, and the phone will require the previous owner to enter data, without which it will be impossible to turn it on.

⚠️ Note: Removing the memory card before starting the procedure is critical, as some firmware versions may offer formatting all connected storages.

Reset via the system settings menu

The easiest and safest method for every user is to use the standard operating system interface, which is suitable if the smartphone is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and you can freely navigate the menu. First, go to the Settings section, which is usually indicated by the gear.

Then the action algorithm may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the general logic remains the same. You need to find the item responsible for the general parameters of the device. In newer versions of the shell, it is often called About Phone or is placed in a separate category Advanced Settings.

• 📱 Open the Settings menu and scroll down to About Phone».
• 🔄 Find and click on the button “Reset settings” or “Erase all data».
• 🗑️ Select the option “Erase all data” to delete the information completely.
• 🔒 Enter the screen unlock password or pattern lock to confirm identity.

Once confirmed, the system will alert you that all data will be deleted. If you are ready, click the confirmation button. The smartphone will restart, and the cleanup process will begin, which can take anywhere from a few minutes to ten to fifteen minutes depending on the amount of memory.

Hard Reset via Recovery Mode

If the smartphone is stuck, doesn't boot to the desktop, or the touch screen doesn't respond to commands, Recovery mode comes to the rescue. It's a special diagnostic mode built into the device's memory that allows you to control the system at a low level, and it is logged in by a combination of physical buttons when the phone is turned off.

For most Xiaomi and Redmi models, you need to press both the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then the power button can be released, while keeping the volume still. When a multi-language menu or Android logo with cable appears, the buttons can be released.

In the Recovery menu, you can navigate with volume buttons (up and down), and the power button confirms your choice. If you have a Chinese version of firmware, the menu can be in English or Chinese, you need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data.

Once you select a reset point, the system may request confirmation, often requiring you to press a button combination or select Confirm. The formatting process will start, the progress of which will be reported by the download scale.

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Using Recovery Mode is the only reliable way to reset your phone if it doesn’t boot or the touch screen doesn’t work completely.

Deleting your Mi and Google account before resetting

Modern security systems tightly tie the device to the owner's account. FRP (Factory Reset Protection) is designed to protect against theft: if you reset but don't log out, the phone locks when you first activate, which means that without entering the password from Google or Mi Account, which was on the phone before the reset, you can't use the device.

To avoid this situation, be sure to log out of all accounts through the settings menu before starting the Hard Reset procedure. Go to Accounts and Sync or Advanced Settings, select your profile and click “Login” or “Delete Account” This will break the device’s connection to the servers and deaktivate protection.

You should pay special attention to Google's Device Search feature, and even if you delete your account from the list, check if it's activated separately, and disable it so that the system doesn't perceive the reset as an attempt at unauthorized access.

Resetting a forgotten pattern lock

The situation where the user forgets the password, pin code or pattern lock is one of the most common reasons to search for reset instructions. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to get around the protection without losing data on modern versions of Android for security reasons.

If you have Google’s Find Device service enabled or Xiaomi’s Device Search enabled, you can remotely reset via a browser on your computer or other phone, by going to the relevant website, logging in to your account and selecting the “Clean Device” command.

Importantly, after such a reset, the phone will require a Wi-Fi connection and input of the account that was installed on it earlier, and if you do not remember the password from the account, it will be extremely difficult to restore access, and in some cases impossible without contacting support with purchase checks.

⚠️ Warning: Recovery password resets everything, including photos in your phone's memory, and if the photos aren't synced to the cloud, you can't restore them.

Possible problems and solutions

During or after a reset, users may encounter a number of difficulties, one of the common problems is the “reboot cycle”, where the phone is endlessly turned off and on. This may indicate damage to system files or a failed update, in which case a simple reset may not help, and you will need to flash the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.

Another common problem is that you don't have a network or Wi-Fi after a reset, often because you have reset your date and time settings, or you have a broken access point setting, and you have to check if the time is set right, because when the date is wrong, the security certificates don't work, and the Internet doesn't connect.

If the phone is slow after reset, give it time, and the MIUI system performs application optimization and file indexing in the background in the first 30-60 minutes after first turning on, during which time the device can warm up and consume the battery more actively than usual.

• 🔋 Phone discharges quickly: check background processes and update all apps via Google Play.
• 📶 Mobile network is not working: make sure SIM-The card is correct and correctly installed in the slot.
• ❌ Activation error: check the stability of the Internet connection and the correctness of entering the password from the account.

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After the first turn on, don't install all the applications at once. Give the system 15-20 minutes to stabilize the processes to avoid overheating and lag.

In rare cases, after a reset, you may need to re-authorize some banking applications or services with two-factor authentication. Make sure you have access to the phone number to which the confirmation SMS codes come.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)