Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on the shells MIUI or the new HyperOS, are complex computing systems that can accumulate software errors over time. Users often face a situation when the device starts to work unstable, slow down or consume battery power faster than usual, in which case the only effective solution is a complete return to the original state of the system.
The reset procedure, also known as Hard Reset, completely removes all user data, including contacts, photos, installed apps and account settings, a radical but often necessary step before selling a gadget, transferring it to another owner, or to fix deep software glitches that cannot be fixed by a conventional reboot.
Before you start taking action, it is critical to recognize the irreversibility of the process. Unless you back up the data in advance, it will be impossible to recover information after the operation is completed even with the help of specialized software. Below we will discuss in detail all the available methods for returning the device to the state “out of the box”.
Preparatory phase and data retention
Any manipulation of system partitions should only be started after careful preparation. The first and most important step is to create a full backup of all important information. In Xiaomi smartphones, you can use the built-in Mi Cloud, which allows you to synchronize contacts, messages, notes and even placement of icons on the desktop.
To save multimedia files, such as high-resolution photos and videos, it is most convenient to connect the device to the computer via a computer. USB-cable DCIM The alternative is to use third-party cloud storage, such as Google Drive or Yandex.Disk, which automatically download media files when connected to Wi-Fi.
⚠️ Warning: Make sure the battery is at least 60% battery power before starting the reset procedure. interruption of the process due to battery discharge can damage system files and inability to boot the operating system.
You also need to untie your accounts, especially if you plan to transfer your phone to another person, and this applies not only to your Mi Account, but also to your Google account, and if the phone is linked to your account, it will request the username and password of the previous owner, which is a standard measure of protection against theft, after the reset.
- 📱 Make a backup through Settings → Advanced settings → Recovery and discharge.
- ☁️ Check the synchic status in the Settings menu → Mi Account.
- 🔋 Connect your smartphone to the charger during the operation.
- 🔓 Write down or remember passwords from your accounts for later authorization.
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Before resetting, remove the microSD memory card and SIM-card, so as not to accidentally format external drives or lose contacts stored on the SIM.
Standard reset via the settings menu
The safest and easiest way to get Xiaomi back to factory settings is to use the standard operating system interface, which is suitable for most situations when the device is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and you have access to the main menu. The algorithm for actions may vary slightly depending on the version of the MIUI shell or HyperOS.
First, you need to open the Settings app and scroll down to the bottom. You're interested in a section that might be called About Phone, Advanced Settings, or Additional. In newer firmware versions, the reset item is often placed in a separate Security and Security menu or remains in the About Phone section of the control button group.
Once you select the Reset option, the system will offer several options, and we are interested in the option "Erase all data", and when you press this button, the device will request confirmation of the action, often requiring input. PIN-It's a screen unlock code or a pattern lock, and it's a protection against accidental deletion by children or by strangers.
| Action. | The path to the menu (MIUI 12-14) | Path to the menu (HyperOS) |
|---|---|---|
| Main menu | Settings → About the phone | Settings → About the phone |
| Selection of discharge type | Resetting settings → Erase all data | Resetting settings → Erase all data |
| Confirmation | Entering a password → Timer 10 seconds | Entering a password → Timer 10 seconds |
| Finals. | Waiting for a reset | Waiting for a reset |
Once confirmed, the system will trigger a countdown timer (usually 5 or 10 seconds) so that the user has a last chance to cancel the operation. Upon expiration of time, the phone will restart and the formatting process will begin, which can take from 5 to 15 minutes.
☑️ Checklist before resetting via menu
Hard Reset via Recovery Mode
If the smartphone doesn’t turn on, freezes on the logo or the touch screen stops responding to commands, 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 deep system operations.
To enter this mode, you need to turn off the device completely. Then you need to press the key combination: usually a volume button ("Loud +") and a power button. Hold them until the Mi or Xiaomi logo appears, after which the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume button until the Recovery menu appears.
⚠️ Attention: In Recovery mode, the touch screen may not work. Navigation on the menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is confirmed by the power button.
In the menu that opens, which often has a black background and text of different colors, you need to find the Wipe Data item. After selecting this item, a submenu will open where you need to confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data. The system will warn about the consequences once again and require confirmation, usually through Confirm or OK.
The reset process in this mode is faster than through the settings, as no interface animations are displayed. Once successful, the screen will display the words “Data wiped successfully” and the device will prompt you to return to the main menu (Back to Main Menu) or reboot (Reboot).
What to do if you recover in Chinese?
Resetting a forgotten password through Mi Account
A special case is when the user has forgotten the pattern lock or screen unlock password, but the device has activated the Find Device function and is connected to the Internet, in which case a full reset can be initiated remotely via the Mi Account web interface.
To do this, go from your computer or other smartphone to the official website of the i.mi.com cloud service. Log in using the same Mi Account that was entered on the locked device. After successfully logging in to your personal account, select the Find Device section.
From the list of available gadgets, select your locked smartphone. The map will show its location (if geolocation is enabled), and the control panel will appear at the bottom. Among the actions available is the "Erase device" button. Pressing this button will send a command to forced reset.
- 💻 Go to the site. https://i.mi.com/ browser-wise.
- 🔑 Enter the username and password from the Mi Account tied to the phone.
- 📱 Select the desired device from the list in the service interface.
- 🗑️ Click the “Clean” button for remote memory formatting.
It's important to understand that after this procedure, the phone will still need to enter a password from your Mi Account when you first download it, and this is an Activation Lock protection mechanism that prevents the use of stolen devices, and without knowing the password from your account, you can't unlock your phone.
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Remote reset via Mi Account only works when the smartphone is actively connected to the Wi-Fi network or mobile Internet. If the device is offline, the command will be executed automatically as soon as it appears on the network.
Solving problems after reset (Bootloop and errors)
After the Hard Reset procedure, the device must boot as new, but in rare cases complications can occur, and one of the most common is a bootloop, which is the endless reboot of the phone on the manufacturer's logo, which can indicate damage to system partitions or conflict of residual files.
If your smartphone is stuck on the logo for more than 15-20 minutes, try to perform a forced reboot by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds.If this does not help, you will need to re-enter Recovery Mode and perform the Wipe Data procedure again, making sure that the process has passed to the end.
A more serious problem may be requiring the activation of a previous Google account (FRP Lock) if the reset was incorrectly performed or interrupted, in which case the Android security system blocks access to the device, requiring proof of ownership through the input of mail and passwords that were previously used.
⚠️ Note: If after a reset, the phone requires an account that you do not know (for example, if the phone is bought with your hands), it is almost impossible to legally unlock it without the data of the previous owner. FRP It is a complex procedure that requires specific knowledge.
Also, the first download after a full reset always takes longer than usual, the system recreates the file structure, checks the integrity of system applications and performs initial optimization, which can take up to 10 minutes, and interrupting it is not recommended at this time.