How to return Xiaomi phone to factory settings: the complete guide

Situations when you need to completely clear the memory of a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO smartphone occur quite often, this can be due to selling the device, transferring it to another family member or the need to fix software failures that are not solved by a normal reboot, in which case the only effective solution is Hard Reset, which returns the system to its original state.

The factory reset procedure affects all memory areas by removing personal photos, contacts, installed apps and account settings, and it is important to understand that once the process is complete, it will be almost impossible to recover data without prior backup, so this step should be approached with awareness and preparation.

In this article, we will discuss in detail all available methods of resetting, from the standard settings menu to the Recovery mode. You will learn how to properly prepare the gadget, what nuances the MIUI or HyperOS operating system has, and what to do if the device is locked or not turned on.

Preparation of the device for complete reset

Before you start radical actions, you need to perform a number of preparatory activities. Ignoring this stage can lead to loss of important information or locking the device with the protective mechanisms of Google and Xiaomi. First of all, make sure that the battery charge is at least 50-60%, as the formatting process can take from 5 to 20 minutes depending on the memory capacity.

The next critical step is to back up your data. You can use Mi Cloud cloud service or local storage on your computer via a computer. USB-Also, be sure to check the linked accounts, as after the reset, the system will require authorization in the previous profile to confirm ownership rights.

• 📱 Charge your smartphone to at least half the battery capacity.
• ☁️ Backup your contacts and photos in Mi Cloud or Google Photos.
• 🔑 Remember or write down passwords from your Google account and Mi Account.
• 📲 Extract. SIM-MicroSD card and memory card before the procedure.

Special attention should be paid to the function of FRP (Factory Reset Protection).If you do not know the password from the Google account that was synced with the phone, after a reset, the device can lock, requiring the data of the previous owner. Make sure that you have access to these accounts.

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Before reset, take screenshots of important Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings, as after cleaning, you will have to re-enter passwords from networks and pair devices.

Method 1: Reset via the system settings menu

The safest and easiest method available to every user is to use the built-in functionality of the operating system, which is suitable for cases where the phone is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and you have access to the desktop. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS, but the logic of actions remains the same.

To start, open the Settings app and scroll to the bottom of the list. You need to find a section that is usually called About Phone or Advanced Settings. Newer versions of firmware often put the reset item in the category of Additional or System Apps and Updates.

Once you have accessed the desired section, select Reset or Erase All Data, and the system will issue a warning that all files will be deleted, and if the device has a screen unlock password, you will be asked to enter it to confirm the operation, a security measure that prevents accidental or unauthorized reset.

⚠️ Attention: After pressing the confirmation button, the process becomes irreversible.

The final step is to automatically reboot the device, the smartphone will turn off, the Redmi logo or POCO will appear, and the process of cleaning the memory partitions will begin. Do not touch the control buttons at this point, so as not to disrupt the system scripts.

Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode

If the operating system is not booting, the phone is stuck on the logo or the touch screen is not responding, the forced reset method through Recovery Recovery mode is used, which works at the low-level software level and does not require access to the Android desktop.

To enter recovery mode, you need to turn the device off completely. Then press the Volume Up and the Power button at the same time. Hold them until the brand logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume key.

In the menu that opens, you can navigate with volume buttons (up and down), and you can select a point with a power button. In some versions of Recovery, you can control the touchscreen. You can find the Wipe Data item and select the Wipe All Data option.

Recovery Menu Options:


1. Reboot




2. Wipe Data




3. Connect with MIAssistant

The system will request confirmation of action, often requiring you to select Confirm or enter a digital code if installed. Once the cleanup is completed successfully, select Reboot to restart normally. The first run may take longer than usual.

Comparison of data dumping methods

The choice between software reset via settings and hardware reset via Recovery depends on the current situation with the device, both methods result in the same result – a complete cleanup of the user partition, but have different requirements and risks.

The software method is more convenient, as it allows you to automatically create a backup before cleaning and does not require remembering button combinations. However, it is useless if the system “falls” or the phone goes into an endless restart (bootloop).

Remote reset via the Mi Cloud or Google Find My Device cloud service is a third option that is useful in the event of a phone loss or theft.To do so, the device must be connected to the internet, but this method is less reliable if an attacker quickly extracts the device. SIM-map.

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Use Recovery Mode only if standard login to settings is not possible due to software errors.

Mi and Google account issue after reset

Today’s Xiaomi smartphones are equipped with a powerful security system that activates after a data reset, an anti-theft mechanism that requires you to enter a password from an account that was synced to the device before formatting, both the Mi Account profile and the Google account.

If you forget your password, you won't be able to activate your phone and get to your desktop. The device will display the activation lock screen. So before the procedure, it's highly recommended that you either log out of all accounts in the settings, or make sure you remember the login details.

⚠️ Note: Recovery resets do not remove the binding of accounts on the manufacturer's servers. the authorization requirement will remain active until the correct data is entered.

In case of buying a used phone, be sure to demand from the previous owner a complete exit from the accounts and detachment of the device through the i.mi.com website. Otherwise, you risk getting a “brick”, which cannot be used legally.

If you forget your Mi Account password, restore it through the site before the reset procedure begins.This will take a few minutes, but save you from serious activation problems. For Google accounts, the recovery procedure is also standard and available from any other device.

Possible errors and their solution

Unforeseen situations may occur during the reset process, such as the phone may freeze during the boot phase or an update error message, often due to damage to system files or lack of free space for temporary operation files.

If the device restarts indefinitely after reset, try clearing the Dalvik Cache partition cache via Recovery (Wipe Cache). It can also help to flash the device through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility, but this requires more technical knowledge.

• 🔄 Infinite Reboot: Press the power button on 10-15 second-on-seconds.
• ❌ Formatting error: Check the integrity of the system partition, you may need to flash it.
• 🔋 Quick discharge after reset: the system needs time (up to 2 hours) to optimize applications and background processes.

In rare cases, a reset will not remove the malware if the virus has penetrated the system partition, then a simple Hard Reset will not help, and a complete firmware will be required to clean all partitions, including Internal Storage.