How to make factory settings on Xiaomi: The Complete Guide

Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on the shells MIUI or the new HyperOS, are complex computing systems that can accumulate software errors over time. Users often face situations when the device starts to work unstable, slow down or refuse to run applications correctly. In such cases, the most effective solution is a complete return to the original state, which allows you to eliminate software conflicts and clean up system debris.

Known as Hard Reset, the procedure removes all user information, including contacts, photos, installed programs and accounts, a critical step before selling or transferring a gadget to another person, as it guarantees complete confidentiality of your personal data.

In this guide, we will take a look at all the available reset methods, from the standard Android operating system to advanced methods through the Recovery engineering menu. We will look at the nuances of working with different versions of firmware and tell you how to avoid common mistakes that can turn a phone into a “brick.”

Preparing the device for a complete data reset

Before you initiate a deletion process, it is essential to complete a set of preparatory steps that will secure your data and ensure the success of the operation. Ignoring these steps can result in the loss of important files or locking the device with Google and Xiaomi security systems. The first and most important step is to back up all valuable information.

Use MIUI's built-in tools to save data to the cloud or to an external medium. It's also worth checking the status of accounts, because once reset, the system can request confirmation of the owner. If you forget passwords, it will be extremely difficult to unlock the phone, and in some cases impossible without going to the service center with purchase checks.

⚠️ Attention: Removal of memory card SD Before resetting is a must if you don't want it formatted along with the phone's internal memory.In some firmware versions, the system offers a choice, but the risk of error is always there.

Be sure to check the battery charge level.The process of formatting memory partitions requires stable power, and if the phone shuts down at a critical moment, it can damage system files.The recommended charge level is at least 50-60%, although it is better to connect the device to the charger throughout the procedure, if technically possible.

Reset via the operating system settings menu

The easiest and safest way to get Xiaomi back to factory is to use a built-in settings menu, which is ideal in situations where the phone is turned on, the screen is touch-sensitive, and you have full access to the interface, and it doesn't require any special knowledge or connection to the computer, making it accessible to anyone.

To start, open the Settings app and find the About Phone section. Depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS, the path may be slightly different, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the Reset or Erase All Data item. The system will alert you to the consequences once again, requiring confirmation of actions.

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If you have a pattern lock installed or PIN-The code, the system will ask you to enter it before you start resetting it, and it's a measure of protection against unauthorized access to the owner's data.

Once confirmed, the phone will restart and begin the clean-up process, which can take anywhere from a few minutes to fifteen minutes, depending on the amount of information accumulated and the memory speed, during which time the MI logo or progress animation can be displayed on the screen, interrupting this process is strictly forbidden.

There is also an alternative way through advanced settings. In some firmware versions, the full deletion function is on the Settings path → Advanced Settings → Restore and Reset. Here you can choose the option “Reset” (saving files) or “Erase all data” (full Factory Reset).

Use Recovery Mode for Hard Reset

If the operating system doesn't boot, the phone freezes on the logo or the touch screen stops responding, the only way out is to use Recovery mode, 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.

To get into the recovery menu, turn off your smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the volume button and the power button. Hold them until the MI logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume. In a few seconds, the main Recovery menu opens.

Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up and down), and the choice of item is confirmed by the power button. However, new versions of Recovery often have touch control support, which makes it much easier to do so, you need to choose a language (usually available in English and Chinese), and then find the Wipe Data item.

Once you select the Wipe Data, the system will require final confirmation, often prompting you to choose Wipe All Data. This is irreversible. After completing the cleaning process, which will take a few seconds, select Reboot to restart in normal mode. The phone will be on longer than usual, as the system will recreate the necessary files.

Reset via computer and Xiaomi utilities

For advanced users or in cases where a software failure is serious, you may need to use a computer. the official utility Mi PC Suite (or its analogues) allows you to control the device and perform a reset if the phone is at least partially recognized by the system.

A more reliable tool is the Xiaomi ADB/Fastboot Tools platform, which requires debugging over USB. To do this, in the About Phone section, you need to click on the build number several times to activate the Developer Menu. Then, in the advanced settings, turn on the USB debugging option.

By connecting your phone to your PC, you can use ADB commands to initiate a reset. Open the command line on your computer and type a command to reboot to recovery mode or immediately start the process of wiping. Example of commands to log in to recovery: adb reboot recovery. This avoids tinkering with physical buttons if they are faulty.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-Introducing the wrong command can lead to the removal of the wrong partitions or the disruption of the bootloader.

There is also a method of resetting through a Xiaomi service account, but it is available to a limited number of people and requires special equipment. For the average user, the computer + ADB bundle is the limit of the software impact without opening the case. Make sure that the PC has the current Qualcomm or MediaTek drivers, depending on the processor of your smartphone.

Solving Mi and Google Account Problems (FRP)

One of the most common problems after resetting settings on Xiaomi is blocking activation.Factory Reset Protection (FRP) security system and Mi Account protection are designed to protect against theft. If you reset your phone without first logging out of accounts, the device will require you to enter the password from the last used Google account or Mi Account when you first download it.

It's not a bug or a virus, it's a regular security feature. If you remember your data, just enter it and the phone unlocks. Problems arise if you forget your password or bought your phone with your hands and the previous owner didn't untie the device. If you forget your password, use the recovery procedure through Google or Xiaomi.

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Always log out of your Google and Mi Account before selling or dropping your phone, which will save the new owner from activation issues and confirm that the device is not listed as stolen.

If the phone was linked to a Mi Account with Find Device enabled, it will lock even after flashing until the password is entered. You can remotely unblock it via i.mi.com cloud service if you have access to the Internet and another device, otherwise you will need to contact the service center with purchase documents.

Frequent errors and ways to fix them

In the process of resetting, users often face unforeseen situations, such as the phone may freeze on the MI logo after cleaning. If it lasts more than 15-20 minutes, the system partition may be damaged, in which case re-entering Recovery and trying to reset again, or flashing the device through the computer helps.

Another common error is the cyclic reboot, which is that the device is constantly shut down and turned on, often solved by holding the power button for a forced reboot for a long time (about 15 seconds), and if the cycle is not interrupted, you will probably need to intervene with the file system via Fastboot.

Sometimes, after a reset, the sensor or network stops working, and this can be due to a conflict of versions of the software. In such cases, the only right solution is to completely reflash the device with clean official firmware downloaded from the official developer's website. Resetting does not always correct deep errors in the system files, it only deletes user data.