Modern smartphones in the Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO line have a complex MIUI operating system or a new HyperOS that can accumulate software errors over time. Users often face a situation where the device starts to work slowly, applications fly out for no apparent reason, and the battery runs out faster than usual. In such cases, the most effective solution is a full return to factory parameters, which allows you to eliminate accumulated software debris.
Hard Reset removes all user data, restoring the original state of the gadget, and this action must be done with caution, saving important information to external media or to cloud storage. Below we will discuss in detail all available reset methods, as well as answer questions about how to prepare the device for this procedure and what to do if the phone has stopped responding to commands.
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
Before you start the cleanup process, you need to make sure that all critical files are saved. Reset permanently deletes photos, contacts, messaging history and installed apps. It is recommended to use the built-in Mi Cloud feature or third-party services, such as Google Drive, to create a backup. Particular attention should be paid to two-factor authentication: if you do not have access to the phone number associated with the account, restoring access to banking applications can be difficult.
It is also important to check the battery level: interruption of the reset process due to battery discharge can damage the system partitions and the inability to boot the operating system, the optimal charge is at least 60-70%, which ensures the successful completion of all stages of the formatting.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Don’t forget to unplug your device from your Google account if you plan to transfer your phone to another owner. Otherwise, FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection will work, and the new user will not be able to activate the smartphone without your password.
Reset via the system settings menu
The easiest and safest way to get your phone back to factory is to use a standard operating system interface, which is suitable for when the device is turned on, the screen is touch-sensitive, and you have access to the main menu. The algorithm for actions may vary slightly depending on the version of the MIUI or HyperOS firmware, but the overall logic remains the same for all models.
To start, open the Settings app and find the About Phone section. In some versions of the shell, the Reset item is placed in a separate menu Additional or Advanced Settings. You will need to select the Reset option, after which the system will warn about the consequences of this action. By clicking the Delete all data button, you confirm your consent to the deletion of all personal information.
⚠️ Note: If the device has a screen unlock password or PIN-the code, the system will require you to enter it to confirm the operation, make sure you remember the combination, otherwise access to the reset function will be blocked.
Once confirmed, the phone will automatically restart and start the cleaning process. The screen may go out and light up several times, and the progress bar will show the execution rate. Do not try to interrupt this process or turn off the device, as this can lead to a software failure.
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If you can’t find the reset item in the menu, use the Settings search: type the word “reset” into the search bar at the top of the Settings screen.
Use Recovery Mode for Hard Reset
Situations where the smartphone does not load, freezes on the logo or does not respond to touching the screen require the use of Recovery mode. This is a special diagnostic interface built into the device memory that allows you to perform system operations regardless of the state of the main operating system, which is entered into this mode by a combination of physical buttons when the device is turned off.
To get into the recovery menu, turn off your smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the Volume Up and Power button. Hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, then the power button can be released by continuing to hold the volume button. When the Main Menu appears, the volume buttons (up/down) are controlled and confirmed by the power button.
What to do if the Recovery menu doesn’t appear?
In the menu that opens, select Wipe Data and then Wipe All Data. The system will request confirmation again by selecting Confirm. Once cleaned, select Back to Main Menu and then Reboot -> Reboot to System.
| Action in Recovery | Description of function | Impact on data |
|---|---|---|
| Reboot | Normal system reboot | Data is retained |
| Wipe Data | Complete cleaning of the user section | All data is deleted |
| Connect with MIAssistant | Connection mode to PC for firmware | Data is retained |
| Safe Mode | Downloading with disabled third-party applications | Data is retained |
Remote reset via Google Find My Device
If a device is lost or stolen and physical access is not possible, the only way to protect data is remote reset. Google Find My Device allows you to erase all information from your phone via a web interface, provided that the device is on and has access to the Internet, a last resort, after which the location of the phone will be impossible to track.
To perform the operation, you need to go to the service site from any other device, log in to the same Google account that was used on the nanophone. From the list of devices, select the desired model and click on the Clear Device command, the system will warn you of irreversibility of action.
Once you receive the command, the phone will try to reset, and if the device was offline at the time of the command, the operation will be performed as soon as it appears on the network. It is important to understand that this method does not remove the protection of the Mi Account, so you will still need logins and passwords to reactivate.
Typical problems after resetting settings
Once you have completed Hard Reset, you may encounter a number of system behaviors, and first of all, it can take you much longer than usual to download it, from 5 to 15 minutes, and it’s a normal process to optimize applications and create system caches, so be patient and don’t try to reboot your phone forcefully.
Another common problem is increased battery consumption in the first 24-48 hours: the operating system indexes files in the background, updates widgets and synchronizes contacts, and MIUI also re-checks all installed applications for updates and compatibility.
⚠️ Note: If the phone is constantly restarted (bootloop) after resetting or is warming up to a simple one, this may indicate hardware malfunction or damage to the system partition in previous firmware experiments.
It’s also worth considering that some Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings may reset to factory values, and in rare cases, it’s necessary to re-accept the user agreements of Google and Xiaomi services before all the features of the device become available.
Recovery of Mi Account and FRP Protection
Android security and HyperOS shell are closely linked to user accounts. Once you reset your settings when you first activate your phone, you will need to enter a password from your Google account that was synced to your device before it was cleaned, a theft protection known as FRP (Factory Reset Protection).
The same is true for Mi Account protection, where if you didn't log out of your Mi Account before resetting through the settings menu, the phone will require you to enter a password for activation, and without that data, you won't be able to use the phone, even if you're the legitimate owner.
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Forgetting about passwords from Google and Mi accounts is the main reason why the phone turns into a brick after a reset.
If you forget your password, the recovery process must be done through the official websites of service manufacturers. Using third-party programs to bypass FRP often leads to unstable device operation and potential vulnerabilities in the security of personal data.