Modern smartphones accumulate a huge amount of temporary files, app cache and system debris, which over time leads to a noticeable decrease in performance. If your Xiaomi started to run slower, glitch or you just plan to sell the device, the only effective solution is a complete memory cleanup.
The reset procedure, known as Hard Reset or Factory Reset, is a radical but often necessary step to restore stability to the MIUI or HyperOS operating system. It is important to understand that after all actions on the device are completed, there will be no trace of your presence: contacts, photos, correspondence and installed programs will disappear, which is why preparation should be approached with the most responsible attitude.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the options available to return to factory settings, from standard system settings to using the Recovery engineering menu, how to prepare properly, what nuances exist for different models, and how to avoid blocking a Google or Mi Account after cleaning.
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
Before you initiate the process of erasure, you need to perform a number of critical actions, ignoring which can lead to loss of access to the device or permanent loss of valuable files. The first and most important step is to back up all important data. You can use the built-in Mi Cloud, Google services or third-party tools to save contacts, SMS and media files to an external drive or computer.
The second key is the account, and today's Android security systems are very much connected to user accounts, and if you just reset the device without untethering the device from the account, the next time you activate it, the system will require you to enter a password from the previous owner, which is an anti-theft measure that can turn the phone into a brick for a new user if you forget the login details.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure that the battery is at least 50-60%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can damage system partitions and inability to boot the operating system.
It is also worth checking whether external devices are connected. If the smartphone has an SD card installed, it is better to remove it before the procedure, so as not to accidentally format or lose the data stored on it. In addition, it is recommended to turn off the lock screen (pin code, pattern lock), although in most modern versions of MIUI, the system will request confirmation before cleaning.
☑️ Checklist before resetting
Method 1: Reset via the standard settings menu
The safest and easiest method available to every user is to use a standard operating system interface, which is suitable for situations where the phone is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and you have access to the desktop. The algorithm may vary slightly depending on the firmware version, but the general logic remains the same for all Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO devices.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll down to the bottom. Find the About phone section. Inside this menu, find a item that is usually called "Settings Reset" or "Factory Settings." In some versions of the shell, it can be hidden in a submenu or have a separate icon. After you click, you will see a warning that all data will be deleted.
The system will offer several cleaning options, most commonly available options are "Erase everything" and "Reset" (without deleting files, but with the system settings back). We are interested in a full reset. When choosing this option, the phone can request the entry of a screen unlock code or password from the Mi Account to confirm the identity of the owner, this is protection against accidental or malicious reset by unauthorized persons.
- 📱 Go to the Settings menu → The phone. → Resetting settings.
- 🗑️ Select the option to erase all data for complete cleanup.
- 🔒 Enter the unlock password of the screen or account to confirm.
- ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed and the device to automatically restart.
Once confirmed, the phone will restart and the formatting process will begin. The Android or Mi logo can be displayed on the screen, as well as the progress bar. The duration of the procedure depends on the amount of internal memory and the number of files, but usually takes from 5 to 15 minutes. Upon completion, you will see a screen of the initial setting, as when you first turn on a new smartphone.
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If you have two-factor authentication enabled on your Mi Account, make sure that you have a SIM-The card associated with the number is active, as the confirmation code may be required during the detachment process.
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
There are different situations: a smartphone may not respond to touch, hang on the logo or have a damaged interface that does not allow you to enter the settings. In such cases, recovery mode, or Recovery Mode, comes to the rescue. This is a low-level environment built into the device's memory that allows you to control the system bypassing the main Android interface.
To enter this mode, Xiaomi devices typically use a combination of physical buttons. Most often, you need to press both the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, while continuing to keep the volume. When the Recovery menu appears, all control is carried out by the volume buttons (up/down) and the power button (select/confirm).
In the Recovery menu, the interface can be presented in English or Chinese. You need to find an item containing the words Wipe Data or Factory Reset. In the new versions of Recovery from Xiaomi, the interface has become more friendly and graphical. Choose a cleanup point, then confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data or a similar command. The system will warn about the risks - confirm by choosing Confirm.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen may not work. Use volume buttons to navigate the menu and the on button to select items. Be careful not to select "Wipe" EMMC", If it is, it can erase the sections needed to run the modem.
Once the cleanup is complete, the bottom corner of the screen will read "Data wiped successfully." Press the return button or select Reboot, then Reboot to System. The first download after a Recovery reset always takes longer than usual, as the system takes time to recreate system files and cache. Don't panic if the phone "hangs" on the logo for up to 10 minutes - this is normal behavior.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
Method 3: Remote reset via Google and Mi Cloud
If a device is lost, stolen, or simply out of reach, but it has the Internet on and geolocation is active, it can be reset remotely. It is a powerful tool that allows not only to clear the data, but also to lock the device. Two basic services are available for owners of the Xiaomi ecosystem for this purpose.
The first option is Google Find My Device. Go to google.com/android/find from any computer or other smartphone, log in to the Google account that was the primary nanodevice. The system will try to locate the phone. From the control menu, select the "Clean the Device" option. The command will be sent, and once the phone is online, it will erase all the data.
The second option is the Mi Cloud (i.mi.com) service, which is often more effective for Xiaomi devices because it works at a deeper level of integration with the MIUI shell. Log in your Mi-acca, select the device in the list and click "Clean the device." This method also allows you to leave a message on the screen or play back a sound if the phone is lost at home.
| Parameter | Google Find My Device | Mi Cloud (Xiaomi) |
|---|---|---|
| Required account | Google Account | Mi Account |
| Internet dependency | High (needed online) | High (needed online) |
| Blocking activation | FRP (Google Lock) | Mi Account Lock |
| Additional functions | Sound, Blocking. | Sound, Disappearance Mode, Backup |
Both methods require that the device be turned on the Internet, and if the phone is turned off or in flight mode, the command will be executed automatically the moment you first connect to the network, which ensures that even with a delay, the data will remain inaccessible to outsiders.
Account blocking (FRP and Mi Account)
One of the most common problems users face after a reset is asking for a password from an account when they first activate, which is not a bug or a virus, but a regular Android security feature called Factory Reset Protection (FRP), which aims to prevent the stolen phone from being used even after a complete flashing.
If you reset your phone but you didn't log out of your Google account or Mi Account in advance, the system will require you to enter the password when you start from the account that was synced to the device before the reset, without that data, you can't activate your smartphone, so that thieves can't just reset and sell the phone as new.
If you forget your password, you will have to go through the procedure of restoring access through Google or Xiaomi sites using a linked mail or phone number, but if the phone was bought from your hands and the previous owner did not untie the device, contacting it will be extremely difficult, and in some cases the device will become unusable.
- 🔐 FRP Blocks the device when changing the account after resetting.
- 📧 Access can only be restored via email or phone.
- 🚫 Bypassing the lock by official methods without a password is impossible.
So rule number one: Before any reset, always log out of all accounts in your phone settings. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync, select Google and Mi Account, and click Delete Account or Sign Out. Only then can you safely clear the memory.
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Signing out before reset is the only way to ensure you avoid FRP in the future.
Data recovery and initial setup
Once you successfully complete the reset and reboot, you'll see a welcome screen. Choose a language, connect to the Wi-Fi network. The system will check for updates and suggest you restore data from the backup. If you've used Mi Cloud or Google services, the process will go automatically: contacts, notes, call history and app list will be downloaded to the device.
For users who have made a local backup to a computer or memory card, the recovery process will take a little longer, and you will need to re-install the MIUI Backup app (if it does not recover itself) and start the import process from the backup file, and it is important not to interrupt this process to avoid corruption of the contact database.
Once the baseline data is restored, it is recommended to immediately check the main modules: the camera, speakers, microphone and sensor, and if after resetting and recovery, a performance or error problem persists, this may indicate a hardware malfunction that can no longer be solved by software methods, in which case you should contact the service center.
⚠️ Warning: Don't install all applications at once in the first minutes after reset. 15-20 minutes to stabilize background processes and index files, otherwise the phone can heat up and slow down.
Now your Xiaomi is clean, like the day you bought it. Regularly rebooting and periodically cleaning your cache will help keep it in that state for longer. Remember, a full reset is a powerful tool that is worth using as needed, but not as a daily habit.