How to make a reset to factory settings on Android Xiaomi: the complete guide

Modern Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI or HyperOS shells are complex computing systems that can accumulate software errors over time. Interface slowdowns, spontaneous reboots, or a forgotten pattern lock are typical scenarios where a user needs a radical solution. Complete cleaning of internal memory and returning to the original state of software is often the only effective way to reanimate a device without going to a service center.

The reset process, known as Hard Reset, deletes all user data, including contacts, photos, installed apps and system settings.This action is irreversible, so it should be approached with full responsibility and understanding of the consequences. In this guide, we will detail all available recovery methods, from the standard settings menu to using the hidden engineering Recovery mode.

Regardless of your device model, whether it’s a budget Redmi or a flagship Xiaomi, the principles of the procedure remain similar, although the visual design of the menu may differ.We will look at the nuances of working with different versions of Android and the specific security requirements of the Google and Mi Account account, which can lock the device after a reset, if you do not follow certain rules of preparation.

Preparation of the device for complete reset

Before you initiate the erasure process, it is critical to perform a series of preparatory steps that will secure your personal information and ensure the successful completion of the operation. Backup is the first and most important step, since it is almost impossible to recover deleted files without a pre-created copy. Use the built-in MIUI tools to save data to the Mi Cloud cloud or to an external drive.

Make sure the battery is at least 50-60%, and ideally the device should be connected to the charger during the process. interruption of the reset due to battery discharge can damage the system partitions and turn the smartphone into a “brick”, requiring complex recovery through the computer.

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Before resetting, be sure to remove SIM-microSD card and memory card, if installed, to avoid accidental formatting of external media or loss of contacts.

You also need to remember or write down the logins and passwords from Google and Mi Accounts. Once reset, Android security will require authorization from the account that was the last on the device, as part of Factory Reset Protection (FRP).

• 📱 Make a full backup of contacts, photos and important documents.
• 🔋 Connect your smartphone to the charger or make sure you charge more than 60%.
• 🔑 Write down passwords from your Google account and Mi Account for activation.
• 💾 Remove the memory card and SIM-pre-registration.

Method 1: Reset via the system settings menu

The safest and easiest method available if you remember the screen unlock password and have access to the desktop is recommended for routine reset or sale of the device, as it correctly closes all system processes before cleaning.

To start, open the Settings app and find the About Phone or Advanced Settings section, depending on your firmware version. In newer versions of HyperOS, the path can look like Settings → About Phone → Reset, whereas in classic MIUI, this is often in the Additionals section.

After you go to the reset menu, the system will suggest you choose the type of cleaning. Most often, the options are "Erase all data" (full reset) and "Reset settings" (without deleting files, but with the system settings back). To completely delete the information, choose the first option and confirm the action with a few clicks.

⚠️ Note: If the device has Find Device enabled, the system will require you to enter the Mi Account password before starting a reset. This is a theft protection that cannot be circumvented by simply pressing buttons.

The process takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of internal memory and the number of files. Once completed, the smartphone will automatically restart, and you will see the screen of the initial setting, as when you first turn on a new gadget.

Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode

If the device doesn’t turn on, hangs on the logo, or you forget the unlock password, the only option is to use Recovery Mode Recovery Mode, which works at the low-level software level and does not require access to the operating system.

To enter Recovery mode on the device turned off, you need to press the button combination. On most Xiaomi and Redmi models, this is the simultaneous pressing of the Volume Up and Power buttons. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released while keeping the volume still.

In the Recovery menu, the volume buttons (up/down) control the choice, and the power button confirms the choice. The interface can be in English or Chinese, so it is important to navigate by the location of the items.

• 🔽 Select Wipe Data (Data Cleanup).
• 🔽 Select Wipe All Data (Erase All Data).
• ✅ Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
• 🔄 Once complete, select Back to Main Menu and then Reboot.

Once you execute the Wipe All Data command, the system will warn you that all data will be deleted, agree with that, and the formatting process will begin. Don't interrupt the process, even if it seems to be hanging.

Method 3: Resetting with service code

There is a lesser-known but effective method of resetting through an engineering menu available through a standard dialer, which only works if the touchscreen is functioning correctly and you can get on the call screen.

Enter the special code ##7780##. On some devices with newer Android security versions, this code may not work or require additional confirmation via SMS. If the code is active, a reset warning will appear on the screen.

This is actually similar to resetting through settings, but it allows you to skip long paths in the menu, but it won't help if the device is locked with a pattern lock, because you need an unlocked screen to enter the code.

Google FRP and Mi Account

One of the biggest challenges users face after a reset is blocking activation.Factory Reset Protection (FRP) is designed to protect the owner's data in the event of a device being stolen.If you've done Hard Reset but haven't deleted accounts beforehand, the phone will require you to enter a password from the last synchronized Google account.

A similar situation occurs with Mi Account. If the “Find the device” function was active, a reset without first logging out of the account will lead to a request for a password from Mi ID. Without this data, it will be extremely difficult to activate the smartphone, and in some cases impossible without contacting the service with a purchase check.

To avoid blocking, always manually delete your accounts before resetting. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync, select Google and Mi Account, and click Delete Account or Sign Out. Only then can you safely clean up the data.

⚠️ Warning: When buying a used Xiaomi phone, be sure to check if the previous owner is out of all accounts. Having someone else's Mi Account after a reset makes the device useless for the new owner.

What to do after resetting settings

After the successful reboot and initial setup of the language and Wi-Fi, the recovery process will begin. If you backed up your Mi Cloud or Google Drive, the system will prompt you to restore the applications and settings from it.

It is recommended not to install all applications at once, but to do it gradually, observing the stability of the system. In the first 30-60 minutes after reset, Android conducts file indexing and application optimization, which can cause housing heating and increased battery consumption - this is normal behavior.

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The first hours after a reset, the system is more intense than usual due to background optimization – do not panic if the phone warms or discharges quickly on the first day.

Make sure to check for system updates. Often the issues that led to the need to reset are solved in new firmware versions released by the manufacturer. → The phone. → Version. MIUI/HyperOS and press the update check button.

• 📲 Sign in to your Google account to sync your contacts.
• 🔐 Install a reliable method of locking the screen (PIN, print).
• 🔄 Check and install available system updates.
• 📥 Manually install the necessary banking applications and messengers.

Frequent questions and troubleshooting

Even with the instructions clearly followed, there can be unusual situations: users often wonder if it is possible to interrupt the reset, what to do during a cyclic reboot and what to do if the phone does not respond to buttons.