How to Reset to Factory Settings in Xiaomi Phone: The Complete Guide

Xiaomi smartphones running MIUI shells or the new HyperOS are famous for their functionality and flexibility. However, over time, even the most powerful device can start to work unstable: freezes, space disappears, and the battery lasts barely half a day. In such situations, users often look for a way, like in the Xiaomi phone reset to factory settings to return the gadget to its original speed and cleanliness of the system.

The full reset procedure, or Hard Reset, is a radical but often the only effective solution to software problems: it removes all user information, returning the software to its state immediately after purchase, and it is important to understand that this process is irreversible without first copying the data, so it needs to be approached with awareness and preparation.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all the stages of preparing and conducting a reset with various methods, you will learn how to secure your contacts and photos, how to enter recovery mode if the screen does not respond, and what to do if the device requests a password from the Mi Account after rebooting.

Preparing the device for a complete data reset

Before you start the cleanup process, you need to do a number of critical things. Backup is the first and most important step. Reset will delete absolutely everything: contacts, SMS, call history, installed applications and their data, as well as all files in internal memory, including photos and downloads.

Use the built-in backup tools. Go to the settings section, select About Phone or Advanced Settings, and then find the Backup and Restore menu, and it's recommended that you save a copy not only to the cloud, but also to an external medium or computer to have guaranteed access to data in any situation.

⚠️ Warning: Make sure the battery is at least 50-60%. If the phone turns off due to discharge during the reset process, it can damage system partitions and turn the device into a “brick».

You should also check your Google account status and Mi Account. Once reset, Android security (FRP) will require you to enter a login and password from an account that was previously synced with your device, and if you forget this information, it will be extremely difficult, and sometimes impossible, to unlock your phone without contacting the service.

Method One: Reset via system settings menu

This is the easiest and safest way to go if your phone is turned on and your touch screen responds to commands, a method that is suitable for most users who want to simply clean or sell your device. First, open the Settings app on the home screen or in the notification curtain.

The next step may be slightly different depending on the firmware version. In current versions of MIUI 14 and HyperOS, the path usually looks like this: go to About Phone, then select Reset. In older versions, this item may be in the Advanced Settings menu or immediately in the main list of options called Additional.

On the reset screen, you'll see a warning that all data will be deleted. The system will offer the option "Clear all data." Press this button. If the phone has a pattern lock installed on it, PIN-If you have a code or password, the system will ask you to enter it to verify the identity of the owner, and then you enter it, and you start a process of preparation, which can take a few minutes.

It is important to note that in some regions or some firmware versions, you may need to enter a password from your Mi Account before you start the procedure, which is a measure of protection against theft. If you do not remember the password, restore it through i.mi.com before you start resetting, and once confirmed, the phone will automatically restart and start the formatting process, which will take 5 to 15 minutes.

Hard Reset with Recovery Mode

If the smartphone is not turning on, the logo is getting stuck or the touch screen is no longer responding, the Recovery Mode method is used, which works at the low-level software level and does not require access to the operating system.

Press both the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi or Xiaomi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume down until the Recovery menu appears. This menu is navigated by volume buttons (up/down), and the power button selects the item.

From the menu that opens, select the language (usually English and Chinese). Then go to Wipe Data. From the next menu, select Wipe All Data. The system will ask for confirmation, select Confirm. After you complete the process, click Back to Main Menu, then Reboot and Reboot to System.

⚠️ Warning: In Recovery mode, the touchscreen is not working, it is controlled exclusively by mechanical volume and on buttons. Do not press points whose value you do not know, especially those related to connecting to a PC (Connect with MIAssistant), unless you plan to flash it back.

Resetting a forgotten pattern lock or password

Often users look for reset information when they forget the screen unlock password. Unfortunately, in modern versions of Android and MIUI, Recovery resets don't always remove screen locks because of data encryption.

The same procedure is described above by Hard Reset via Recovery, and once reset, the phone will start as a new one, and if the device was tied to a Mi Account and the Find Device feature is enabled, when activated, it will require you to enter a password from that account, without which you will not be able to use the phone.

There is also a remote way through Google Find My Device or Xiaomi Cloud, where if the phone has internet and geolocation enabled, you can go to the relevant website from your computer, select your device and select the "Erase Device" command, which initiates a remote reset.

Possible problems and solutions

Once reset, users may experience a number of common problems, including endless bootloop or logo getting stuck, which may indicate system file damage or a failed update, which may require reflashing the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool.

Another common problem is that you need to enter a password from your previous Google account, which is an FRP security mechanism. You can only legally circumvent it by remembering the data. When you buy a used phone, always make sure that the seller logs out of all your accounts with you. If you forget your password, use Google's restore procedure.

💡

If the phone warms up and discharges quickly in the first hours, it's normal. The system indexes the files and adjusts the background processes. Let the device lie on charging for 1-2 hours without active use.

There may also be increased battery consumption on the first day, because the system re-downloads and updates all applications, synchronizes contacts and photos. Full battery stabilization usually occurs in 2-3 cycles of full charge and discharge after reset. Don't panic if the first days of autonomy will be lower than expected.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

💡

Resetting to factory settings is a powerful means of resuscitating a smartphone, but it requires mandatory prior backup of important data.