Modern Xiaomi smartphones running on the shell of MIUI or the new HyperOS are complex computing devices that can accumulate software errors over time. Users often face situations when the gadget starts to work unstable, quickly discharged or blocked by a forgotten pattern lock.
The reset process doesn’t always require deep technical knowledge, but it does require care and preparation. Complete cleanup means you’ll lose contacts, photos, installed apps and settings if you don’t back up in advance. It’s important to understand the difference between simply deleting files and deep partitioning that occurs when you choose the Wipe Data option.
In this guide, we will look at all the available ways to restore your device, from standard menus to recovery. We will also look at the nuances of working with a Mi Account, which can become an obstacle after a reboot, if you do not turn it off in advance.
Preparing the device for a complete data reset
Before any manipulation of system files begins, a number of critical actions must be performed. Ignoring the preparatory stage can lead to the loss of valuable information or the inability to activate the phone after the procedure. Backup is the first and most important step that should not be missed.
Make sure the battery is at least 50-60%, the process of formatting memory and reinstalling system components is energy intensive, if the device turns off when system files are written, this can cause damage to the bootloader or the emergence of a “brick” – a state where the phone stops responding to commands.
☑️ Checklist before reset
You also need to turn off the device protection if you plan to sell the gadget or transfer it to another user. In modern versions of Xiaomi firmware, the anti-theft feature is active. If you just reset the settings without leaving your account, the new owner will not be able to activate the phone without your password.
Check for important files in the cloud. Often users forget that the sync may not have gone through due to Internet problems. Recheck the Google Photos and Mi Cloud folders to make sure your photos are saved.
Reset via the settings menu (standard method)
The safest and easiest way to get your phone back to factory status is from the operating system, which is suitable for most users who want to clean the device of garbage or prepare it for sale, and does not require a connection to a computer.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll to the bottom of the list. Find the About Phone or Advanced Settings section, depending on the version of your MIUI shell. Newer versions of the interface often put the reset point in the Additional category.
Select Reset option. The system will offer you two options: Reset all settings (without deleting personal files) and Erase all data (full reset), and we need the second option for complete cleanup.
What is the difference between types of discharge?
Once you select the deletion point, the system will request confirmation of the action, as it is an irreversible operation. You will need to enter the screen unlock pin or pattern lock. If you have account protection enabled, you may need a password from Mi Account or Google Account.
Press the confirmation button, and the process begins. The phone will reboot, the Mi or Xiaomi logo will appear, and the progress scale will appear. Do not touch the device at this point, even if it seems that the process is stalled.
Using Recovery Mode for Resetting
If the operating system doesn't boot, the phone goes into a cyclical reboot, or you forget the unlock password, you'll have to use Recovery Mode. It's a low-level environment built into the device's memory that allows you to manage system partitions bypassing the main OS.
To enter this mode, turn off your smartphone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the logo appears, then release the power button, continuing to keep the volume up until a menu with several items appears in English or Chinese.
Navigation in the Recovery menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is confirmed by the power button. In some models, the screen may support touch control, but you should not rely on this.
⚠️ Warning: Recovery mode does not allow backup. All deletion actions are performed instantly and without the possibility of recovery by standard means.
Then select Wipe All Data and confirm the action. The system may ask you for consent several times, requiring you to press Confirm. Once the cleanup is complete, select Reboot to start the phone again. The first run can take up to 10 minutes.
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If the Recovery menu is in Chinese, don't panic. The button positions are usually the same as the English version. Look for the characters corresponding to the "Erase" button (often the second one on top) and "Confirm."
Delete the forgotten password through Find Device
In situations where access to the phone is limited to a forgotten password, but the device is connected to the Internet, you can use the remote management service from Xiaomi. This method requires that the device be pre-signed to Mi Account and enabled the function “Find the device”.
Go from your computer or other smartphone to the official Mi Cloud website, log in to the same account you used on your locked phone, and select your device from the list of available gadgets in the interface.
Find Device Clear (or Erase Device) when you send this command, the phone will receive a signal to perform a complete reset, which will delete all data along with the lock passwords, but leave the account protection active.
| Parameter | Requirement | The result |
|---|---|---|
| Internet | Demanded (Wi-Fi or mobile data) | The command is performed remotely |
| Mi Account. | You need to know the login and password | The phone will be unlocked but will require entry. |
| Battery | The device must be switched on | The data will be deleted completely. |
| SIM-map | Not required if you have Wi-Fi. | Reset will occur at the first connection |
This method is especially useful if you can’t log into the Recovery menu because of specific locks, or if the phone responds to touches but doesn’t let you in, but it’s powerless if the device is turned off or in flight mode.
Features of reset on different versions of MIUI and HyperOS
Xiaomi shells are constantly updated, and the location of features can change. In versions of MIUI 12 and 13, the path to reset often lies through the Additional menu. Users of older versions can find the desired option immediately in the Advanced Settings section.
With HyperOS, the company redesigned the menu structure to make it more logical, but unusual for power users. Now the reset point is often hidden in the depths of the About Phone section, where you need to click several times on the OS version or find a separate tab Factory Settings.
It is important to note that on global versions of firmware (Global ROM) the process is standard, while on Chinese versions (China ROM) some items may be called differently or require confirmation via SMS.
If the system is not performing properly after the update, sometimes it helps to clean the cache instead of completely resetting. However, if you decide to format, make sure that the downloaded version of the firmware corresponds to the region of your device to avoid problems with communication frequencies.
Solving problems after resetting settings
Once the phone has rebooted and greeted you with the language selection screen, the initial setup phase begins, the most common problem is requiring you to enter a password from a Google or Mi Account that was previously synced, which is the FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection mechanism.
If the phone requires a password you don't remember, it's going to be extremely difficult to restore access without going to the service center with the purchase documents. So always log out before selling or resetting. Entering the wrong password several times can temporarily block the ability to log in.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to unlock FRP This can lead to the final lockdown of the device or the installation of malware.
Another common problem is a long initial boot, after a reset, the system takes time to optimize applications and adjust background processes. If the phone is hanging on the logo for more than 15-20 minutes, try forcibly rebooting it by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds.
It's also worth checking the sensor and display, and sometimes after a deep reset, you need to recalibrate the screen, and you can use special codes in the menu of calls or apps from Google Play, but usually the system is calibrated automatically in the background.
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A successful reset solves 90% of software errors, but requires passwords from accounts to be activated.