The MIUI operating system installed on Xiaomi smartphones is known for its functionality, but over time, even the fastest device can start to work unstable. Accumulation of temporary files, errors after unsuccessful updates or conflicts of installed applications often lead to the fact that the interface begins to slow down and the battery runs out faster than usual. In such situations, the most effective solution is a complete data reset, which returns the device to the state “out of the box”.
Memory and settings cleanups don’t require much technical knowledge, but they do carry some risk of loss of information. Before you do this, you need to be clear about the difference between simply deleting applications and deep formatting the system partition. Returning to factory settings is a radical measure that removes absolutely all user data, including contacts, photos, instant messengers and logins from accounts.
In this guide, we will look at all the available ways to perform this operation, from the standard settings menu to using the Recovery engineering mode. You will learn how to properly prepare your gadget for the procedure, what actions you absolutely cannot perform in the process and how to avoid blocking your Google or Mi Account after a reboot. Careful study of the instructions will help you avoid common errors and successfully resuscitate your device.
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
The first and most critical step is to back up all important information. Because the formatting process destroys data without the ability to recover through standard means, ignoring this step can lead to irretrievable lost family photos or work documents. Modern cloud services allow contacts and calendar to be synchronized automatically, but multimedia often requires manual copying to a computer or external drive.
The second important aspect is battery charge. The process of resetting and subsequent initial setup can take a considerable time, especially if you have the latest version of MIUI installed with many background processes. It is recommended to charge the smartphone to a minimum of 60-70% to avoid a sudden power outage at the most critical moment, which can lead to damage to system files.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure you remember the password from your Google and Mi Account. Once reset, the security system will require authorization from accounts that were previously associated with the device.
It's also worth turning off Find Device in the security settings beforehand if you plan to transfer the gadget to another owner, which will save the new user from having to ask permission to activate from you. For those who do the reset for themselves, this is less relevant, but knowing passwords remains a prerequisite.
- 📱 Back up your contacts to your Google account or export them to your file.vcf
- 📸 Transfer photos and videos to your computer, cloud or SD-map (if not formatted)
- 🔋 Charge your smartphone battery to at least 60% to ensure the process is complete.
- 🔑 Write down or remember passwords from Google and Mi Accounts
☑️ Ready to dump
Reset via the MIUI settings menu
The safest and easiest way to get Xiaomi back to factory settings is to use the system’s built-in menu.This method is suitable for cases where the device is stable, the screen responds to touch, and you can seamlessly navigate through the interface. The algorithm of actions may vary slightly depending on the version of the MIUI shell (12, 13, 14 or HyperOS), but the general logic remains the same for all models, whether it is a budget Redmi or flagship Xiaomi.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll down to the bottom. You're interested in the About Phone or Advanced Settings section, which usually hides system features. Newer firmware versions often put the reset option in a separate "Additional" menu or available immediately in the general settings list. Select the "Reset" or "Delete all data" option.
The system will alert you that all files will be deleted.This stage often requires you to enter a pattern lock or digital pin code set to lock the screen.This is a protective measure to prevent accidental or unauthorized reset by unauthorized persons. Once confirmed, the phone will restart and start the cleanup process, which can take 5 to 15 minutes.
💡
If you have a phone installed SIM-It is better to remove the card before reset, to avoid accidental removal of contacts stored on the SIM card, although modern smartphones usually store them in the cloud.
It is important not to interrupt the process even if the screen is turned off or the device appears to be getting stuck. Progress indicator may not always be displayed, but the background formatting processes continue to work. Forced reboot at this point can lead to damage to the bootloader or cyclic restart (bootloop).
Hard Reset via Recovery Mode
Sometimes the smartphone stops responding to touch, freezes on the logo when it is turned on, or goes into an endless reboot. In such cases, the standard menu is not available, and the only way out is to use Recovery Mode Recovery Mode. This low-level interface loads independently of the main operating system and allows you to perform a deep memory cleanup.
To enter this mode, you need to turn the device off completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume down. In a few seconds, the main Recovery menu will open, where the control is carried out by the volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is confirmed by the power button.
From the menu that opens, select Wipe Data. The system can request confirmation by selecting Wipe All Data and confirming the action with the Confirm button. This action will format the user partition completely. Once the process is complete, select Back to Main Menu, and then Reboot -> Reboot to System to reboot.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen usually doesn't work. All navigation is done with mechanical volume and on buttons. Don't try to poke at the screen.
What happens if the Recovery Mode does not open?
Comparison of discharge methods: table
The choice of method depends on the current state of your device and the goals you are pursuing. Understanding the differences between a software reset via menu and hardware through Recovery will help avoid unnecessary actions and potential risks. Below is a detailed comparison of these two approaches.
| Characteristics | Reset via Settings | Reset via Recovery |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | A working interface is required | It works even with the brick. |
| Difficulty | Minimum (for beginners) | Medium (requires accuracy) |
| Deletion of data | Complete (user data) | Complete (including system cache) |
| Risk of error | Low. | Medium (human factor) |
As you can see from the table, the method through the settings menu is more user friendly, but powerless in case of critical system failures. Recovery Mode is a more powerful tool that allows you to resuscitate the device even in severe cases, but requires caution when navigating.
💡
Use the settings menu for routine cleaning or selling your phone, and leave Recovery Mode as an emergency method for broken devices.
Remote reset via Google service
If your phone is lost or stolen and physical access is not possible, the only way to protect your data is by remotely resetting.Google Find My Device allows you to erase all the contents of your smartphone remotely, provided the device is on and has access to the Internet (mobile or Wi-Fi).
To do this, you must go to android.com/find from any other device using the same Google account that was active on the lost smartphone. From the list of devices, select the desired Xiaomi model and select the option “Clean the device” from the action menu, the system will request confirmation and warn about the consequences.
Once you receive the command, the phone will try to reset, and if the device was offline at that point, the command will automatically run as soon as it appears on the network, and it should be noted that after this procedure, you will no longer be able to track the location of the phone, since the connection with the account will be severed.
- 🌐 Go to Google Find My Device from a computer or other phone
- 🔐 Log in to an account linked to a lost device
- 📱 Select the desired device from the list and click “Clean the device»
- ✅ Confirm the action, knowing that tracking after that will become impossible
Possible problems after discharge and their solution
Even with strict adherence to the instructions, users may encounter unforeseen difficulties, and one of the most common problems is what is called FRP-blocking (Factory Reset Protection), if before the reset was not performed logging out of the Google account, the system will require you to enter a password from it at the first setting, this is protection against theft, and it is impossible to circumvent it by legal means without a password.
Another common problem is long initial boot times, after formatting, it takes time for the system to optimize applications and check files, the Download screen can hang for 5 to 20 minutes, and don't panic or try to reboot the phone during this period, as this can damage the file system. Just be patient.
If the phone goes into a cyclic restart (bootloop) after reset, this may indicate damage to the system partition or the presence of broken sectors in memory. In such cases, it is often only helpful to flash the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility and official firmware. USB-port when connected to a PC.
⚠️ Note: If after resetting the phone requires activation, but you do not remember the password from Mi Account, you can only restore access through the official recovery form on the site i.mi.com.
In some cases, especially on older models, you can experience a quick battery drain in the first hours of use after a reset. This is normal: background processes index files and update applications. Let the device run for 1-2 hours in quiet mode, plugging it into charging so that the system stabilizes.