How to reset settings on Xiaomi Redmi

Owners of Redmi and Poco smartphones periodically face situations where the device starts to work unstable, freeze or require cleaning before selling. MIUI or the new HyperOS accumulate system debris, which over time affects the performance of the gadget, in which case the most effective solution is a complete return to factory parameters.

Hard Reset removes all user data, including contacts, photos and installed apps, returning the phone to the “out of the box” state, a cardinal solution that often helps to eliminate software errors, get rid of viruses or unlock access to the system if you forget the pattern lock. However, before you start manipulating, you need to clearly understand what actions you are doing so that you do not lose important information irretrievably.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of resetting: through the standard settings menu, through the Recovery engineering menu and using the computer. You will learn how to properly prepare the device, what are hidden nuances for different versions of firmware and how to avoid common errors that can turn a smartphone into a “brick”.

Preparing the device for a complete data reset

Before you start the cleanup process, you need to do a number of preparatory steps to secure your data and ensure that the procedure is completed successfully. Ignoring this step can lead to loss of access to accounts or damage to the file system. Backup is the most important step that should not be missed.

⚠️ Warning: After resetting, it will be almost impossible to restore deleted photos and contacts without a previously created backup.

First, check the battery charge. The process of formatting memory partitions is energy intensive, and if the phone turns off in the middle, it can disrupt the structure of the system files. It is also important to unplug accounts, especially Google and Mi Account, so that after a reboot, FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection, which requires the previous owner to enter passwords, does not work.

You can use the built-in Mi Cloud or Google Drive to create a full copy of your data, go to your phone's settings, find the About Account or Sync section, and force the data update to save your contact list, your call history, SMS-note-book.

Pay special attention to media files. Photos, videos and documents are best copied to a computer through the computer. USB-cable or upload to a third-party cloud storage, such as Yandex.Disk or Dropbox. Be sure to also export your correspondence history from messengers such as WhatsApp or Telegram, as they are not always automatically synced.

After creating a backup, remove the memory card. SD and SIM-While modern versions of Android don’t usually affect external drives when reset, there is still a risk of accidentally formatting or damaging the partition table, and it will eliminate confusion about where new files are saved after a clean phone is turned on.

Method 1: Reset via the standard settings menu

The safest and easiest method available to every user is to use a standard operating system interface, which is suitable when the phone is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and you can freely navigate the menu. The algorithm for actions may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI (12, 13, 14) or HyperOS.

To start, open the Settings app (the gear icon). Scroll down the list and select About. In the menu that opens, find the Settings Reset button (sometimes under Advanced Settings or simply "Additional" if you have an older version of the shell).

The system will offer several cleanup options. You need to use the "Erase everything" option. When you click on it, the phone will warn you that all files, accounts and settings will be deleted. If the device has a screen unlock password, the system will require you to enter it to confirm the operation.

Once confirmed, the phone can request a password from the Mi Account to verify the owner's rights, a security measure to prevent unauthorized users from resetting the stolen device, enter the correct data, and the process will start automatically, the smartphone will reboot, the Redmi or Mi logo will appear, and a cleanup progress scale will appear.

It's important to understand that this method only deletes user data and settings, but does not affect the system partition deeply, as Hard Reset does through Recovery. However, for most cases, fixing software failures and preparing the phone for sale is quite enough, it is less risky and does not require knowledge of button combinations.

Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode

If the phone doesn't turn on, freezes on the logo, or the touch screen doesn't respond, the only way out is to use Recovery Mode, which allows you to perform a deep reset at the bootloader level, bypassing the operating system.

The order of action is to turn off the smartphone completely. If the device is getting stuck and not turning off in the standard way, press the power button 10-15 seconds before vibration and turning off the screen. Then simultaneously press the volume button ("Loudness +") and the power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to hold "Loudness +".

The Recovery menu will appear on the screen. Depending on the version, it may be in English or contain graphic elements, navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to select Wipe Data.

In the next menu, select Wipe All Data. The system will again warn you to delete the information. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm. The formatting process will begin, which will take from a few seconds to a couple of minutes.

Once you have successfully cleaned, select Reboot and then Reboot to System. The phone will restart and the initial setup will begin, as when you first turn on a new device, which is most effective for serious software failures.

Removal of a forgotten password or pattern lock

One of the common reasons users are looking for reset information is the forgotten screen lock password. Unfortunately, modern versions of Android and MIUI have a high level of protection, so it is impossible to reset the password without losing data.

But here, FRP (Factory Reset Protection) comes into effect, and if a Google account is linked to a phone, the device will require that you reset the email and password to verify ownership, and this is done to protect against theft, because the thief who stole the phone will not be able to use it even after flashing it.

⚠️ Note: If you do not remember the password of the Google account associated with the phone, access to the device after the reset will be blocked.

There's a myth that Recovery resets bypasses a password. It's not. Resets removes the screen lock password, but activates account verification. If you're the owner of the device, just restore access to your email. If the phone is bought by hand and the previous owner hasn't untie the account, it's going to be extremely difficult to legally unlock it.

In some cases, if the phone was recently connected to the Internet and the Find Device feature is enabled, you can try to remove the lock remotely via Google Find My Device or Xiaomi Cloud, you need to go to the service website from your computer, log in under the same account as your phone, and select the “Clean the Device” command.

Problem Solving: The phone is getting stuck or not turning on

When a Xiaomi smartphone stops responding to commands and hangs on the logo, it is often called a “bootloop.” There can be many reasons: a failed update, application conflict or damage to system files. In most cases, Hard Reset helps solve the problem.

If the phone is turning on but rebooting all the time, try to enter Safe Mode. When the logo appears, press the volume button. If the phone is stable in Safe Mode, it's a problem in a third-party app. Remove the recently installed programs and try resetting the settings through the menu.

In more complex cases, when the Recovery menu does not open or reset does not help, you may need to flash the device through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.This is a more complex procedure that requires unlocking the bootloader, which takes from 7 to 15 days of waiting after submitting an application in the Xiaomi service.

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If the phone warms up and discharges quickly after a reset, let it run for 1-2 hours, the system performs file indexing and optimization, which puts a strain on the processor, which is normal behavior in the first hours after cleaning.

If the phone falls or falls into the water, problems with turning on may be associated with damage to the plumes or contacts, in which case the software methods are powerless, and you will need the intervention of a service center to diagnose the hardware.

What to do after resetting: the initial setting

Once you have successfully completed the reset and reboot, you will see a welcome screen. Choose a language and connect to the Wi-Fi network. The system will immediately begin checking for updates and checking data with your Google account.

When you set up your account, enter the same account you used before (if you backup), which will automatically restore contacts, apps installed, and certain settings. Don’t rush to restore a full copy of the system if the reason for the reset was a work error – it is better to configure the phone as new, installing the applications selectively.

Be sure to update all system components through the Security app or in settings, which will ensure that you install the latest security patches and bug fixes, and then return the photos and documents from the backup to the place.

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Proper initial setup after reset helps avoid recurrence of errors: Do not install all applications at once, but observe the system in a “clean” form.

To improve performance, it is also recommended to disable unnecessary system services and advertising if they are enabled by default.In privacy settings, restrict applications to geolocation and microphone where this is not required.