Users often wonder how to unload Xiaomi when the smartphone is unstable, the password is forgotten, or the device is being prepared for sale. Hard Reset is a radical but effective measure to return the gadget to its original state.
However, before you make the decision to do so, you need to understand the difference between a regular reset and Wipe Data in Recovery mode. Mistakes can lead to a device locking through Mi Account if proper security measures are not taken. In this article, we will detail all the ways to clean a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO phone and how to avoid activation problems.
It is important to note that the process is irreversible. If you do not have backup photos, contacts and documents, their recovery after the procedure will be impossible. Cloud synchronization Mi Cloud or Google Photos should be done before any manipulation of the device memory. Next, we will look at step-by-step algorithms for different situations.
Preparation of the device before discharge
The first and most critical step is to save important information. Even if the phone is working properly, a full reset will destroy the contents of internal memory. It is recommended to back up through Settings → About Phone → Backup and Restore. It is also worth checking the sync status with your Google account.
The second important aspect is battery power. The formatting process can take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes depending on the amount of memory. If the device turns off at that point, the file system may be damaged. Make sure the charge is at least 50-60%, or better plug the charger in.
⚠️ WARNING: If you plan to sell your phone or give it to another person, be sure to pull it out. SIM-microSD card and memory card before the procedure, which will protect your personal data from outsiders.
The third step is account usage, so that the new owner can use the phone without any problems or after a reset, you need a password from Mi Account and Google account, and if you forget this data, the device can be blocked by FRP (Factory Reset Protection).
- 🔋 Charge your smartphone to at least 60% or connect to the network.
- 💾 Backup your contacts, photos and files to the cloud or PC.
- 🔑 Remember the passwords from Mi Account and Google.
- 📤 Extract. SIM-flashcard.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Method 1: Reset via the Settings Menu (Soft Reset)
The easiest and safest method to unload Xiaomi is available directly from the operating system MIUI or HyperOS. It is suitable for most users who have access to the interface. Go to Settings, then select About Phone (in some versions Advanced Settings).
In the menu that opens, find the option Reset or Erase all data. The system will warn you of the consequences: all files, photos, installed applications and Wi-Fi settings will be deleted. Press Reset and enter a pattern lock or PIN-screen lock code to confirm.
Once confirmed, the cleaning process will begin. The phone can reboot several times, the MI or Xiaomi logo and progress scale will be displayed on the screen. Don't interrupt this process. Once completed, the device will turn on as new, suggesting you choose a language and connect to the network.
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Before resetting through settings, disable the Find Device feature in your Mi Account profile if you don't remember the password from it, which will help avoid blocking activation.
This is preferable because the system will properly close all processes and clear the cache, but if the phone freezes or the interface doesn't respond, you'll have to use deeper recovery methods.
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
If the screen doesn't respond to touch, or if the system doesn't boot, how do you throw Xiaomi? Recovery Mode comes in. You need to turn off your smartphone completely to enter it, then simultaneously press the Volume Up button and the Power button.
Hold the buttons until the MI logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume down. Recovery menu opens, where the control is done by the volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is by the power button. Select the language (usually English or Chinese), then go to Wipe Data.
In the next menu, select Wipe All Data and confirm the action by selecting Confirm. The system will again warn you about deleting the data. After cleaning, click Back to Main Menu, then Reboot → Reboot to System.
What to do if the Recovery menu does not open?
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen is not working; navigation is done only with physical volume and power buttons.
This is more "hard" because it forcibly formats partitions of memory, and it is effective in software failures when the phone goes into a cyclic restloop.
Method 3: Reset via Fastboot and PC
For advanced users who want to be sure of a complete cleanup or are preparing to reflash, there is a Fastboot mode. How to throw Xiaomi through this mode? Turn off your phone and press the Volume Down and Power buttons at the same time, and an image of a hare repairing an android will appear on the screen and the inscription FASTBOOT will appear.
Connect the device to a computer with installed Xiaomi utility ADB/Fastboot Tools, or Mi Flash Tool, you can send a command to clean up the data in the debugging tools (ADB) It looks like:
fastboot erase userdataThis command removes the partition with user data. Be extremely careful: executing the command fastboot erase boot or other system partitions unnecessarily can lead to the device failure ("brick").
Using a PC gives you more control, but requires drivers and basic command line knowledge. It is better for the average user to limit the first two methods, unless there are specific problems with the bootloader.
Mi Account Problem and Activation Block
One of the main problems after a reset is the request for a Mi Account. Xiaomi security system links the device to the owner's account. If you reset the phone but did not untie the account in advance, you will need to enter a password when you first set up.
This is anti-theft protection. If you forget your password, you can only restore access through the official id.mi.com website or support service by providing a check to purchase the device, and attempts to circumvent this protection by illegal means can lead to a complete lockdown of the device.
To avoid problems, go to Settings → Mi Account and click Out before resetting. Also turn off Find Device. Only then can the reset be safely performed.
| Action. | We need the Internet. | The risk of blocking | Data security |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reset via Settings | No. | Low (if logged out) | Removed |
| Reset via Recovery | No. | High (request for Mi password) | Removed |
| Reset via Fastboot | Yes (PC) | Medium. | Removed |
| Second entry to the system | Yes. | Password-free locking | Data is recovered from the cloud |
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Unbinding the Mi Account before resetting is the only guaranteed way to avoid problems with activating the device by the new owner.
Delete your Google account (FRP Lock)
Like Mi Account, all Android devices have FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection, and if a Google account is added to the phone, the system will require you to reset the password, which is designed to protect data in the event of theft.
How to uninstall Xiaomi without asking Google? The only legal way is to know your password. If you're selling a phone, make sure you log out of all Google accounts in the settings (Settings → Accounts & Sync → Google).
If a phone is bought by hand and has someone else’s account on it, you can legally unlock it only by contacting the previous owner. Resetting does not remove the account’s binding on Google servers, so a password request will inevitably arise.
- 🔒 FRP locks the device after resetting without password.
- 📧 You need to log in to the same Google account “unt” that was before the reset.
- 🚫 Withdrawal FRP The scaling often requires re-shooting.
⚠️ Warning: Buying a used Xiaomi phone without checking the exit from the Mi Account and Google Account is a huge risk.You can get a useless piece of plastic if the previous owner did not untie the device.