How to make a complete reset to factory settings on Xiaomi Redmi

Modern Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones have a powerful MIUI operating system or a new HyperOS that can accumulate software debris over time, which leads to slowdowns, sudden reboots or application errors. Often the only effective solution to restore the performance of the device is a full reset to factory settings, known as Hard Reset.

The return procedure deletes all user data, including photos, contacts, installed applications and logins, which is why before starting any manipulations, you need to clearly understand the consequences and prepare correctly. In this guide, we will discuss all available methods of resetting, from the standard menu to using the Recovery engineering mode.

Don’t panic if your phone is slow. A well-designed system cleanup can give your gadget a second life, giving it a speed comparable to when you bought it. Below are proven methods to help you safely perform this operation on any Redmi model.

Preparing the smartphone for a complete data reset

Before you start active actions to clean up memory, it is critical to back up. Factory Reset irretrievably destroys information, and it will be impossible to restore it with standard means after the process is completed. Make sure your contacts are synced to your Google account or saved to your Google account. SIM-map.

Be sure to check the battery level. The process of formatting the system partition and reinstalling components can take anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. If the device turns off at the most inopportune time, this can cause damage to the bootloader or a reboot cycle.

• 📱 Charge the battery to minimum. 60-70% Or connect the phone to a power source.
• ☁️ Backup your data in the Google Drive cloud or through the built-in “Mi Cloud” app».
• 🔑 Remember the password from your Google account and Mi Account, as after the reset, the system will require them to confirm the rights of the owner.
• 💾 Transfer important photos and videos to your computer or external drive via USB-cable.

⚠️ Note: If you don’t know the password from the Google account that was linked to the phone, don’t reset without first uncoupling the device in Google’s security settings, otherwise the protection will work. FRP (Factory Reset Protection).

It is also recommended to remove the MicroSD card if installed. Although modern versions of MIUI usually ask if external memory should be formatted, physically extracting the card ensures that your personal files on it are not affected by an accidental error.

Method 1: Reset via the standard settings menu

The safest and easiest method available to every user is to use the built-in functionality of the system, which is suitable for those cases when you have access to the desktop and the menu of the smartphone. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of Android and the shell MIUI, but the logic of action remains the same.

To start, open the Settings app and scroll to the bottom of the list. Find About Phone or Advanced Settings. Newer versions of firmware often hide the feature in the Security and Security or Advanced section. You need to find an option that contains the words Reset or Recover.

Once you select "Erase All Data," the system will alert you to the consequences, and if the device has a lock password, you will need to enter it to confirm the operation, a protective measure to prevent the deletion of data by an attacker who gained access to the unlocked phone.

• 📂 Go to Settings. → The phone. → Resetting settings.
• 🗑️ Select the option “Erase all data).
• 🔒 Enter the screen unlock password or pattern lock.
• ⏳ Wait for the automatic reboot and start the cleaning process.

Once confirmed, the phone will restart and the Redmi logo or cleaning animation may appear on the screen.Do not touch the device at this point.The system will delete the user partition /data on its own and return the system files to their original state.

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If you have two-factor authentication enabled, make sure you have access to a phone number or backup code, as accounts may need to be reverified after a reset.

Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode

If the smartphone doesn't turn on, it's stuck on the logo, or the touch screen doesn't respond to touch, the standard method won't work, and in these cases, it uses Recovery Mode, a special diagnostic interface that is stitched into the device's memory regardless of the main operating system.

To enter this mode, you need to use a combination of physical buttons. On most Xiaomi and Redmi models, this is the simultaneous pressing of the volume button and the power button. It is important to observe the timing: the buttons must be held until the brand logo appears, and then release the power button, while continuing to keep the volume.

In the Recovery menu, you can control volume (up/down) and power button (select). The default interface language can be Chinese or English. You need to find Wipe Data. Some versions of the menu will first need to select the language (English) to make the interface clear.

• 🔌 Turn off the smartphone completely and disconnect the charging cable.
• 🔘 Press the Volume button+ and feeding at the same time.
• 📟 When the Mi logo appears, release the power, but keep the volume until the menu appears.
• ✅ Select Wipe Data → Wipe All Data → Confirm.

⚠️ Warning: In Recovery mode, the touch screen is not working. All actions are performed by mechanical buttons on the device body.

Once the confirmation is selected, the formatting process will begin, and unlike resetting via menus, this method is more aggressive and ensures that partitions are cleared even if the system is damaged, and when completed, the Data wiped successfully message will appear on the screen.

Comparison of discharge methods and their features

Users often wonder if there is a difference between resetting through settings and recovery. Technically, both methods lead to the same result: deleting user data. However, there are nuances regarding the depth of cleaning and the state requirements of the system.

It tries to close all processes and applications correctly before cleaning, which reduces the risk of logical errors in the file system. Recovery mode operates at a lower level and ignores the state of running processes, which makes it indispensable for critical failures.

The table below compares the key characteristics of both methods to help you choose the best option for your situation.

There's also a third, more sophisticated method, which is flashing through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool, which allows you not only to reset your data, but also to completely reinstall your operating system. But for the average user who wants to just clean the phone, the first two are the most useful.

The problem of Google and Mi accounts after resetting

One of the most common problems that users face after Hard Reset is activation blocking.This is not a virus or a breakdown, but a built-in FRP (Factory Reset Protection) security system developed by Google to protect against theft.

If you add a Google account before you reset your phone, the first time you set up after you clean it, you'll need to enter the password from that account, and you won't be able to log in without the right data, and you'll see a Mi Account when you've enabled Find Device.

To avoid blocking, it is strongly recommended that you unblock accounts before resetting via the settings menu. For Google, this is done by deleting your account in the Passwords and Security section → Accounts. For Xiaomi, you need to log out of the Mi Cloud in the settings.

• 🔓 Remove your Google account from your phone settings in advance.
• 🚫 Turn off the “Find Device” function in the Mi Account settings.
• 💡 If you forget your password, restore it through your computer before resetting.
• 📞 When buying a used phone, request a reset with you or check the exit from accounts.

If the phone was purchased by hand and it has someone else’s account, the only way to unlock it is by contacting the previous owner. FRP bypassing through third-party services is often temporary and may violate the terms of use of the software.

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The most common reason for blocking after a reset is a forgotten password from a Google account that has been synced to the device.

Initial data setup and recovery

Once the reset process is successfully completed, the phone will reboot and greet you with a language selection screen, which is no different from setting up a new device you bought in a store, and you will have to choose a language, connect to Wi-Fi, and log in to your accounts.

The system will offer to restore data from the backup. If you used Google One or Mi Cloud, you can return contacts, call history and list of installed applications with a single click, photos and files will be restored automatically in the background.

Take your time to install all applications at once. Give the system 10-15 minutes after the desktop to complete the background indexing and configuration of services, which will help avoid unnecessary load on the processor and prevent possible heating.

It is recommended to check for system updates immediately after activation. Often the factory firmware from which the phone came or on which the backup was made contains vulnerabilities that have been patched in newer versions of MIUI or HyperOS.

Possible problems and solutions

Although the procedure is simple, there can be some unexpected situations, such as a phone getting stuck on a Mi or Redmi logo (called bootloop), most often indicating that system files are damaged or the recording process is interrupted.

If the phone warms up and discharges quickly after reset, it's normal in the first hours of operation, the system optimizes applications and rebuilds databases, but if the problem persists for more than a day, you may need to reset or flash it again.

In rare cases, the device may require activation through the manufacturer's servers but not have access to the network. SIM-Mobile Internet cards or other Wi-Fi connections, and activation server problems are usually solved by waiting.