Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on the MIUI shell or the new HyperOS, are complex computing systems. Over time, they accumulate software errors, application cache and system debris, which can lead to reduced performance or unpredictable bugs. In such situations, users often look for a way to return the device to a factory state, and it is hard reset (Hard Reset) is the most radical, but also the most effective solution to the problem.
The complete reset procedure removes all user information, including contacts, photos, installed apps and accounts, returning the phone to the “out of the box” state. This action is irreversible without prior backup, so it should be resorted to only after careful preparation. However, if your Xiaomi Redmi or Poco stopped responding to commands, blocked or works incorrectly even after a reboot, this method becomes the only way to revive the gadget without contacting the service center.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the ways you can reset, from the standard settings menu, to the Recovery mode with physical buttons, to the computer, and we will discuss the important nuances of protecting your Google and Mi Account so that you don’t get locked after you reboot.
Preparation of the device for complete reset
Before you start taking action, you have to realize that Hard Reset is completely destroying the data in the user's memory partition. If you just want to speed up the phone, maybe a less radical cache cleanup will help, but if you do, the first step is to synchronize the important data with the cloud or transfer it to the computer.
Special attention should be paid to accounts. Android security has built-in Factory Reset Protection (FRP).If you reset without first deleting your Google or Mi Account account from your phone settings, the next time you activate, the device will require you to enter a password from the last synchronized account.
⚠️ Note: If you forget your Google or Mi password after a reset, unlocking your phone will be extremely difficult, and in some cases impossible without a purchase check.
Make sure the battery is at least 50-60%.The data partition formatting process can take 5 to 15 minutes, and a sudden power outage at this point can damage system files and turn the smartphone into a "brick."
☑️ Checklist before reset
It is also recommended to remove the microSD card if installed. Although modern versions of MIUI usually ask whether to format internal memory or external memory, the risk of accidentally removing important files from the flash drive is too great.
Method 1: Reset via the Settings Menu (Soft Reset)
The safest and easiest method that anyone can use is to use the built-in functionality of the operating system, which is suitable for when the phone is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and you can get into the main menu, and it minimizes the risk of errors, because the interface is fully visualized.
To start, open the Settings app (cog icon). Depending on the firmware version (MIUI 12, 13, 14 or HyperOS), the path to the desired item may vary slightly, but the logic remains the same. You need to find the section responsible for the general system parameters.
In the new versions of the shell, the algorithm of actions is as follows:
- 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone.
- 📱 Find Resetting (usually at the bottom of the list).
- 📱 Click the button to erase all data at the bottom of the screen.
The system will warn you that all data will be deleted if the device has a screen unlock password or PIN-The code, the system, requires you to enter it to confirm the operation, which is an additional security measure to prevent accidental or unauthorized discharge.
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If you can’t remember the password from the lock screen, this method won’t work – go to reset via Recovery using the buttons.
Once confirmed, the phone will restart and the formatting process will begin.The screen may display the Xiaomi logo or download animation.Do not touch the device until the screen of the initial setup appears, which can take up to 10 minutes.
Method 2: Hard Recovery Mode (buttons)
If the smartphone doesn't turn on, freezes on the logo or the touch screen stops responding, the only option is to use Recovery mode, a special diagnostic mode built into the device's memory that allows you to control the system at a low level, and log in with a combination of physical buttons.
To enter recovery mode on most Xiaomi and Poco models, the following steps must be taken:
- Turn off your smartphone completely. If it freezes, press the power button 10-15 seconds before vibration and shutdown.
- Press the Volume Up (+) button and the Power button at the same time.
- Hold both buttons until the Mi or Android logo appears, then release the power button while continuing to keep the volume.
⚠️ Note: Some models may (rarely) require charging cable connection during Recovery entry if the battery is discharged below a certain level.
Once you log in, you'll see a menu with English text, with volume buttons (up/down) and power buttons to select a location. Some versions of Recovery (especially global firmware) have touchscreen controls.
You need to find Wipe Data or Clear Data. In this menu, select the Wipe All Data option. The system will ask for confirmation again, select Confirm. After completing the process, which will appear as a percentage of execution, click Back to Main Menu, and then Reboot → Reboot to System.
What to do if the Recovery menu is in Chinese?
Method 3: Reset via Xiaomi (Find Device)
There is another method that allows you to perform remote hard reset if you have access to the Internet from another device (computer or other phone) and you remember data from your Mi Account. This method is useful if the phone is lost but still online, or if you want to clear the data remotely.
You can go to the official i.mi.com website and log in to your account. From the service menu, select Find Device. If your smartphone is connected to the network, you'll see it on the map.
The action list for the device you select will be the "Erase" button, which triggers a full reset command. The phone will receive a signal, reboot and delete all data, and is also effective at bypassing a forgotten pattern lock, but as mentioned earlier, will require you to enter a password from your account the next time you activate it.
| Resetting method | Access to the menu is required | Risk of error | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through Settings. | Yeah (screen working) | Low. | Easy. |
| Recovery (buttons) | No (buttons only) | Medium. | Middle-Average |
| Remotely (website) | We need the Internet. | Low. | Easy. |
Possible problems and solutions
Despite the simplicity of the procedure, Xiaomi users may face a number of challenges, and one of the most common problems is the endless reboot after a reset. If the phone is stuck on the logo for more than 15-20 minutes, the system partition may have been damaged or the update interrupted.
In this case, you may need to flash the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool or Xiaomi utility. ADB/Fastboot Tools.This is a more complex procedure, requiring drivers and sometimes an unlocked bootloader (Bootloader).
Another common situation is the post-reset activation requirement (FRP Lock), which is protection against theft, as I said, and if you bought your phone from your hands and the previous owner didn't untie your account, you'll have to contact them or submit checks to the service center, and it's almost impossible to get around this protection software on new versions of Android.
⚠️ Warning: Do not try to repeatedly enter incorrect passwords when activated, this may lead to a temporary locking of the device on the timer or a complete blocking of the Google account.
Also worth mentioning is the issue with Mi Cloud. If Find Device has been enabled, the phone will require a password from the Mi Account even after full formatting. Deleting the account via Settings → Mi Account → Sign out before reset removes this lock.
Initial setup after Hard Reset
After you successfully complete the procedure and first download, you will see a welcome screen with a choice of language, which is called the original setup wizard, and it is important to be careful not to activate randomly unnecessary functions or miss the data recovery from the backup.
The system will offer to connect to a Wi-Fi network. This is necessary to activate the device and check the lock status of FRP. If you have previously made a backup in Google Drive or Mi Cloud, the system will offer to restore applications and settings from it.
This is followed by a suggestion to set up a fingerprint or face to unlock, recommended immediately for ease of use, and at the end of the process, the system may suggest that you turn on ads in system applications or send usage data, which can be safely disabled for privacy reasons.
Once you have completed the setup, you will have a clean system that works as fast as the day you bought it, and the absence of old garbage, cache, and conflicting applications should have a positive impact on the autonomy and speed of the interface.