Xiaomi Redmi’s mobile devices are famous for their performance and functionality, but over time, even the fastest smartphone can start to run slower. Accumulation of temporary files, errors in the operation of applications or failures after updating the firmware can all require radical measures. MIUI.
The reset procedure completely deletes all user data, so it should be resorted to only after careful preparation. In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to return to factory state, from standard operating system tools to recovery methods through the Recovery menu.
It is important to understand that there are different scenarios: when you remember the unlock password and when access to the system is lost. Each case requires a personal approach and a certain sequence of actions. We will consider the nuances of working with a Google account and Mi Account, since ignoring these aspects can lead to locking the device with security mechanisms.
Preparing a smartphone before performing a reset
Before you start cleaning up your memory, you have to do a number of critical things. Data backup is the first and most important step that you can't ignore. Once you've done it, it's almost impossible to recover deleted files without a pre-created copy, because the internal storage will be completely reformatted.
Make sure the battery is at least 50-60%. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can damage system files and turn the phone into a brick. If the device supports fast charging, connect it to the original power supply while you prepare the files.
- 📸 Sync photos and videos with Google Photos or Mi Cloud cloud storage.
- 📞 Export your contacts to your Google account, not just your memory SIM-card.
- 💾 Save important documents and downloads to an external cloud or computer.
- 🔑 Write down passwords from important apps as they will be reset.
☑️ Checklist for preparation for discharge
Special attention should be paid to accounts. Modern versions of Android and the MIUI shell have protection against theft. If you do not log out before resetting, the system will require the password from the last Google account used when you first activate, this is done to protect the owner's data in the event of a loss of the device.
⚠️ Note: If you forget the password from a Google account that was active on your phone before the reset, it will be extremely difficult to unlock the device.
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Before reset, check if your phone is tied to Mi Account.If so, make sure you remember the password, otherwise the phone may lock up after rebooting.
Method 1: Reset via the standard settings menu
The safest and easiest method available if you can unlock the screen and log in, ideal for preparing your smartphone for sale or fixing software bugs that don't require deep intervention, and the interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI, but the logic remains the same.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll down to the bottom. You're interested in the About Phone section. Inside it, you'll need to find "Settings Reset" or "Factory Settings." In some firmware versions, this item may be in the "Additional" section.
The system will offer two options: Reset (saves files) and Erase all data. We need the second option, and after choosing, the system will again warn about the consequences and request confirmation of the action, as well as enter the unlock password or pattern lock.
The cleaning process will take anywhere from a few minutes to ten to fifteen minutes, depending on the amount of information accumulated and the speed of the built-in drive. The device can reboot several times, the screen can go out and light up - this is normal behavior, indicating the formatting of memory partitions.
| Parameter | Description of action | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|
| Resetting settings | Returns the system parameters to default | Minimum (Photos and contacts are saved) |
| Erase all data | Full formatting of the user section | 100% (all items, including apps, removed) |
| Clearing the cache | Delete temporary application files | Not present (appendix data in whole) |
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The use of the settings menu is the most gentle method that correctly closes all processes before deleting data, reducing the risk of file system errors.
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
If your smartphone doesn't turn on, you're stuck on your logo, or you've forgotten your unlock password, you'll have to use the Recovery Mode, a deeper method that allows you to perform Hard Reset even when your operating system is broken, and you can access this menu at the hardware level.
To enter recovery mode, turn the device off completely. Then simultaneously press the volume button and the power button. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume until the menu appears.
Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data item. In some versions of Recovery, you may need to confirm the action by selecting the Confirm item or entering a special code that will appear on the screen.
What to do if the Recovery menu is in Chinese?
Once the cleaning process is complete, the system will automatically restart, the first boot after Hard Reset can last longer than usual - up to 5-7 minutes. Don't panic if the phone hangs on the logo for a long time, this is the initialization of a clean system.
⚠️ Attention: In new versions MIUI To enter the data reset mode via Recovery, you may need to connect to a Wi-Fi network and enter a password from Mi Account, which was previously synced with the device.
Method 3: Resetting via computer (ADB Command)
For advanced users who have access to a computer and an installed ADB (Android Debug Bridge) toolkit, there is a remote reset method, which requires that the phone previously have the option “Debug over USB” enabled. If the phone is turned on and determined by the computer, but the sensor does not respond, this method will be a salvation.
Connect your smartphone to your PC through USB-Open the command line or terminal in the tool folder ADB. Make sure the device is visible in the system by entering a connection check command.
adb devicesIf a device with device status appears on the list, you can send a command to reset, and this command forcibly puts the phone into recovery mode and initiates a data cleanup.
adb reboot recoveryOnce rebooted to Recovery mode, if the menu does not require additional confirmations, the reset can be automatically reset, or you need to select the Wipe Data item with volume buttons, as described in the previous section. This method is effective, but requires pre-configuration of the environment on the computer.
- 💻 Install the drivers. ADB computer.
- 🔌 Use quality. USB-cable (preferably original).
- 🔐 Make sure that the phone is allowed to debug USB.
- ⚡ Do not disconnect the cable until the process is complete.
Problem Solving: Mi Account and Google FRP
The most common problem after a reset is activation blocking, which is the FRP (Factory Reset Protection) security mechanism that is embedded in Android, and the similar Mi Cloud protection from Xiaomi, where if a phone is stolen and dropped, the new owner will not be able to use it without the accounts of the previous owner.
When you first set up after reset, the system will ask for a password from the Google account that was synced to the device before the reset. Similarly, if you enabled a search for a Xiaomi device, you will need a password from Mi Account. Without this data, the phone will remain locked.
Can I bypass Google FRP protection?
If you buy a phone with your hands and you encounter such a lock, the only way out is to contact the seller to get your account details or return the device.
| Type of lockdown | Cause of occurrence | Method of unlocking |
|---|---|---|
| Google FRP | Reset without logging out of Google account | Entering a password from Google Mail |
| Mi Account Lock | Search for Xiaomi device activated | Entering a password from Mi Account |
| Screen locking | Forgotten pattern lock/PIN | Reset via Recovery (data will be lost) |
Primary adjustment after complete reset
Once you've successfully completed the procedure and passed the welcome screens, you'll see a clean desktop. Now it's time to recover your data. When you connect to Wi-Fi, the system will prompt you to restore backup from the Google or Mi Cloud cloud, if you've created it before.
It is recommended not to install all applications in a package at once, but rather to download them gradually, checking the stability of the system, which will help to identify a possible conflicting application if the problems with the phone were caused by the software.
Be sure to check for system updates in the About Phone section. After a reset, the device may still have an old firmware version that contains bugs that developers have already fixed in newer versions. Installing the current version of the software immediately after a reset guarantees maximum security and stability.
⚠️ Note: Do not log in to banking apps and instant messengers immediately until you make sure that the date and time on the device are set correctly.
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The first 30 minutes after reset, devote to updating the system and installing only the most necessary applications to assess the purity of the OS.