Modern smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO work on the basis of a complex Android operating system with a shell MIUI or HyperOS. Over time, even the most powerful gadget can start to work slower, freeze or give out errors in the work of applications.
In such situations, Hard Reset comes to the rescue, which is a complete factory cleanup of the device’s memory, which removes all user data, including contacts, photos, passwords and settings, returning the phone to the “out of the box” state, and it requires care, since it will be impossible to restore deleted files without prior backup.
There are two main ways to perform a hard reset: through the standard settings menu if the phone turns on and responds to touches, and through a special Recovery menu if the system is not booted or locked. The choice of method depends on the current technical condition of your device and the availability of the interface.
Before any manipulations begin, it is critical to back up all important data, you can use the Mi Cloud service, Google account or built-in Security app to save information to an external medium, and ignoring this step will lead to the permanent loss of personal files.
Preparation of the device for complete reset
The preparation process takes longer than the reset procedure itself, but it depends on the success of the operation. The first thing to make sure that the battery is at least 50-60%.
The second important step is delinking accounts, and if your device has Mi Account or Google FRP protection enabled, once it's reset, the phone will require you to enter a password from those accounts to activate it, and if you don't remember the password, you'll be permanently blocked from accessing the device.
Recommended to remove memory cards SD and SIM-The cards before the procedure, although the current versions MIUI It is usually asked whether the internal memory should be formatted or SD-card, physical extraction of the media will eliminate the risk of accidental removal of important files from the flash drive.
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Take screenshots of important settings or take a screen picture QR-codes for quick authorization in applications after reset.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure you know the password from your Mi Account. Once reset, the security system will require it to be entered, and without it, the phone will remain locked.
Method 1: Reset via the Settings Menu (Soft Reset)
This is a good way to go for devices that are functioning normally but require cleaning, and it's the safest and easiest way for the average user, so you need to go to the main menu and find the Settings section.
The path may vary slightly depending on the version of the shell, and in most cases, you need to select About phone, then click Reset or Erase all data, and the system will alert you to the consequences and request a password to unlock the screen.
Once confirmed, the phone will restart and begin the cleaning process, which can take 5 to 15 minutes. Do not touch the device at this time, so as not to interrupt the system scripts.
☑️ Checklist before resetting
It's important to note that this method doesn't always delete data deeply.It's enough for regular users, but if you're planning to sell a phone, it's better to use deeper cleaning techniques or encryption before resetting.
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
If the phone is not turning on, is stuck on the logo or is not responding to the sensor, Recovery mode is used. To enter it, you need to turn off the device completely. Then press the Volume Up button and the Power button at the same time.
Hold the buttons until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume up. In a few seconds, the Main Menu menu will open, which is controlled by the volume buttons and the power button will select.
In the list, select Wipe Data. In the next menu, you will need to confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data. The system will again warn about the risks, then you will need to select Confirm.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
After finishing the cleanup, which appears as a progress bar, select Back to Main Menu, then Reboot -> Reboot to System. The first run after the reset will last longer than usual - up to 10 minutes.
Resetting forgotten password and locks
A common reason for resorting to a hard reset is a forgotten pattern lock or pin. The Recovery method bypasses screen locks, but does not remove account protection, an important distinction that many users forget.
If the phone had Internet and sync enabled, the data could be saved in the cloud, and after resetting and re-authorizing to Google or Mi Account, some of the information (contacts, notes, calendar) will be restored automatically.
However, if a device has been stolen or found, such a reset will not help unlock it for use.Factory Reset Protection (FRP) mechanism reliably protects against unauthorized access, requiring the original username and password of the owner.
| Parameter | Through Settings. | Through Recovery. | Through PC (ADB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Low. | Medium | Tall. |
| I need access to the menu. | Yes. | No. | Partially. |
| Deletion of all data | Yes. | Yes. | Yes. |
| Risk of error | Minimum | Low. | High-pitched |
Using ADB for Advanced Users
For professionals, there is a USB debugging and computer reset method, which requires the installation of ADB drivers and the availability of debugging enabled in the developer menu before problems occur.
Once you connect your phone to your PC, you need to enter the command adb devices to check the connection, and if the device is displayed, you can execute a complete clean command.
adb reboot recoveryThis command will automatically restart the smartphone to recovery mode, where you can perform standard wiping data actions. This is convenient if the volume buttons on the device are faulty or crash.
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Using ADB requires a developer preset, so the method is not suitable for an emergency reset on an already locked phone.
Possible problems and solutions
After a reset, users often experience a long first load, the screen can burn for up to 10-15 minutes, which is normal behavior as the system optimizes applications and reassembles cache.
If the phone is stuck in a bootloop, the system partition may be damaged, in which case a simple reset is not enough – you will need to flash the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.
It is also possible that after reset, the phone requires Wi-Fi to activate but does not connect to the network. Try to distribute the Internet from another phone, as some old security protocols may conflict with the router.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone says "Device is locked" after the reset and does not allow it to boot, then the bootloader lock is activated.