Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, are complex computing systems that can accumulate software errors over time. Users often face situations when the device begins to work unstable: sudden reboots appear, applications stop responding to commands, and the interface responds with a noticeable delay. In such cases, the most effective solution is a complete return to the original state, which allows you to clean the system partition from debris and conflicts.
The procedure, popularly known as hard reset or factory reset, removes all user information, returning the gadget to the “out of the box” state, not only when selling the device to a new owner, but also before installing a global firmware or after a failed system update. It is important to understand that this process is irreversible without a pre-created backup, so it needs to be approached consciously and preparedly.
In this article, we will take a look at all the ways you can perform a reset, from the standard settings menu to advanced methods through Recovery mode. You will learn how to properly prepare your Redmi, Poco or Mi for this procedure to avoid losing important contacts, photos and passwords. We will also discuss the nuances of working with your Google account and Mi Account, blocking which can be an unpleasant surprise after a reboot.
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
Before you initiate a cleanup process, it is critical to do a set of preparatory steps to secure your data and ensure that the operation is completed successfully.The first step should always be to back up all important information. You can use the built-in Mi Cloud, Google One services or third-party applications to save contacts, SMS messages, call history and media files.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Special attention should be paid to battery charge. The process of formatting the system partition can take from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the amount of memory, and a sudden power outage at this point can damage the bootloader. Make sure that the battery level is at least 50-60% before starting any manipulations. If the device has a removable battery, it is better to remove the SD memory card so that it does not format with the internal memory.
You also need to untie your bank cards and two-factor authentication. Once reset, the phone will be perceived by the bank security system as a new device, which will require re-identification. If you plan to sell a smartphone, be sure to log out of all accounts, especially Google and Mi Account, so that the new owner does not face an activation lock.
⚠️ Note: If the device has Find My Device enabled, the system will require you to enter a password from your Google or Mi Account account immediately after reset.
Reset via the standard MIUI settings menu
The safest and easiest way to get Xiaomi back to factory status is to use the built-in functionality of the operating system, which is suitable for all models whose screen responds to touch and the settings menu is available. To begin, open the Settings app and scroll down to the bottom of the About Phone section.
In the menu that opens, you will need to find the option “Reset” (sometimes it is in the submenu “Advanced settings”, depending on the version of MIUI). The system will offer two options: “Reset” (without deleting data) and “Erase all data”.
What exactly is removed when discharged?
After pressing the "Erase All Data" button, the system will ask you to confirm the action, you may need to enter a pattern lock or a screen unlock pin. Then the preparation process will begin, which will take a few seconds, after which the phone will restart and begin formatting. Do not interrupt this process, even if the screen goes out or the device appears to be hanging.
Using Recovery Mode for Resetting
If the smartphone doesn't boot, freezes on the logo, or the touch screen doesn't respond to commands, the only way out is to use Recovery mode, a low-level environment built into the device's memory that allows you to perform administrative tasks regardless of the state of the main operating system, and to enter this mode you need to turn off the device completely.
Press both the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi or Poco logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume up until the Recovery menu appears. In some models, the navigation is done with the volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is made with the power button, in others with the sensor if it works.
Select a language (usually English and Chinese) from the menu, then look for Wipe Data. Within this section, the Wipe All Data option will be available. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm. The system will warn you about data loss again, which is a standard security procedure.
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Recovery mode is the only way to reset your phone if it doesn’t turn on or hangs on the screensaver, as this mode works independently of the main Android system.
Once the process is completed successfully, the message “Data wiped successfully” will appear on the screen. Select Reboot and then Reboot to System. The first start after such a reset can last longer than usual (up to 5-10 minutes), as the system takes time to index files and adjust the basic parameters.
Resetting forgotten password and locks
Often users are looking for a way to reset settings to unlock the device, forgetting the pattern lock or pin code. In modern versions of Android and MIUI, a simple reboot via Recovery does not remove the screen lock without losing data, and the reset itself requires confirmation if the device was previously tied to an account.
If you forget your lock screen password, the Recovery method (described above) works, but it will delete all data. However, if your phone has been turned on the Internet and Google account, after reset, the device will request a password from this account (FRP protection - Factory Reset Protection), which is almost impossible to circumvent this protection by legal methods without a password, since this level of protection against theft.
- 🔑 To reset the screen password through Recovery, the data will be completely destroyed.
- 🔒 Protecting Google FRP requires you to enter a password from the account that was on the device before the reset.
- 📱 On the old versions. MIUI (before 10-11) Sometimes service code resets have worked, but now it’s a closed vulnerability.
There is also a service reset function through a computer, but it requires pre-debugging over USB and installing special drivers, which can be difficult for the average user. In most cases, if you do not remember the password from either the screen or the Google account, the device turns into a “brick” in terms of access to data, although technically it is good.
⚠️ Attention: Attempts to reset FRP Blocking with third-party software (Bypass tools) can lead to the final lock of the motherboard or the installation of malware.
Remote reset via Google Find My Device
In a situation where your smartphone is lost or stolen, but it has Internet and geolocation enabled, you can perform a remote factory reset, which will erase all personal data so that it does not fall into the wrong hands, even if you do not have physical access to the device.
To do this, you need to log in from any other device (computer or tablet) to google.com/android/find and log in under the same account that was used on the lost Xiaomi. In the service interface, select the desired device from the list (if there are more) and click on the "Erase Device" button.
The command will be sent to the phone. Once the device connects to the network, it will automatically format. It's important to note that after this procedure, you will no longer be able to track the location of the phone, since communication with Google servers will be severed. This is an extreme measure that should be used only if there is no hope of returning the gadget.
Typical errors and problems after resetting
After performing the “how to flip to factory” procedure, users may encounter a number of typical situations that are not a breakdown, such as the phone can warm up in the first 30-60 minutes of operation, which is normal behavior, since the system indexes files in the background, updates applications and configures services.
Another common problem is that the battery runs out quickly on day one, and the energy-saving algorithms need to relearn your usage habits, give the device a couple of charge-discharge cycles, and the situation stabilizes, and if the phone continues to warm or discharge after 2-3 days, it may be a hardware problem or a system file corruption problem.
| Symptoms. | Probable cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Phone's warming up. | Background indexation and updates | Wait for 1-2 hours of active work |
| No network/internet | APN settings have gone wrong | Reset the access point settings or restart |
| Requires an account | FRP (Google/Mi) protection | Enter the password from the account that was on the device |
| Cyclical reboot | Firmware or memory error | Flashing through the computer (Mi Flash) |
In rare cases, a “bootloop” may occur after a reset, where the phone constantly displays the logo and shuts down again, indicating damage to the system partition or hardware memory failure, which requires flashing the device using a computer and the Mi Flash Tool utility.
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If the phone is slow after reset, don’t rush to install all the apps at once, install only the essentials and monitor the system for a day to identify the culprit of the brakes.