Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones sooner or later face the need to return the device to its original state, this may be required when selling a gadget, fixing critical system errors, or simply to start from scratch after years of use. The Hard Reset process completely removes all user information, so it requires careful preparation and understanding of all the steps.
In this article, we will discuss in detail all the available ways to completely reset MIUI and HyperOS. You will learn how to properly prepare the device, what are the nuances for different versions of the firmware and what to do if the phone is locked or not turned on.
Preparation of the device before complete reset
Before you start cleaning, you need to make sure that all important files are saved. Factory reset permanently deletes contacts, photos, instant messengers and installed applications. Backup is the only way to protect yourself from losing valuable information. It is recommended to use cloud services or transfer files to your computer.
Special attention should be paid to the Mi Account and Google Account. If you do not log out before resetting, after turning on the phone will require passwords from them (a function of protection against theft), forgotten password can turn a smartphone into a “brick”, access to which is extremely difficult to restore without a purchase check.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Another critical point is battery power. The formatting process can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on the amount of memory. Interrupting the reset process due to battery discharge can damage the system partition and not boot the OS. Connect the device to the charger or make sure that the charge level is at least 60%.
It's also worth checking if debugging over USB is enabled if you plan to use advanced ADB reset methods, although it's rarely required for a standard user.
Method 1: Reset via the settings menu (standard method)
The safest and easiest way to get Xiaomi back to factory is to use the built-in menu of the system.This method is suitable for devices that normally turn on and respond to touching the screen. The interface may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or the new HyperOS, but the logic remains the same.
To start, go to the settings section. Find About phone. Depending on the shell version, the reset button can be located right at the bottom of the screen or hidden in the optional menu. In newer firmware versions, the path often looks like Settings → About phone → Reset.
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If you can’t find the reset point, use the Settings search: type the word “reset” or “reset” in the search bar at the top of the Settings screen.
Once you select "Erase All Data," the system will take you through several confirmation steps, and you'll need to enter a screen unlock password or a pattern lock, which is a security measure so that an attacker can't drop the phone if it gets into his hands.
It is important to understand the difference between Clear All Data and Reset. The first option deletes everything, the second option can save media files, but reset system settings.
| Action. | The result | Risks. |
|---|---|---|
| Reset via Settings | Complete data deletion, resetting settings | Minimum if the battery is charged |
| Reset via Recovery | Deep cleaning, bypassing screen locks | Average, the risk of error when pressing buttons |
| Reset via Mi Cloud | Remote reset in case of loss of phone | Requires Internet enabled on the device |
| Reset via ADB | Professional PC reset | High, requires code skills |
Once confirmed, the phone will restart and the cleaning process will begin. The screen may display the Xiaomi logo or Android. Don't press any buttons at this point. Wait for the welcome screen to appear, you can start setting the device as new.
Method 2: Hard Reset with Recovery Mode
If your smartphone is stuck, doesn't respond to touch, or you forget your unlock password, the only way out is to recover the device at the hardware level, bypassing the operating system, and a combination of physical buttons is used to enter this mode.
Turn the device off completely. Then press the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power button, but keep the volume up until the Recovery menu appears.
⚠️ Attention: In the Recovery menu, the touch screen does not work! Navigation is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is with the power button.
From the menu that opens, select a language (usually English and Chinese). If you choose English, go to Wipe Data. Then the system can suggest you choose a type of cleaning. To reset completely, choose Wipe All Data. Confirm the action by selecting Confirm.
It'll take a while. Once you've completed it, you'll see a message that says, "Data wiped successfully." Click Back to Main Menu, then Reboot and Reboot to System. The device will restart in its clean state.
It is worth noting that on some global firmware versions, Recovery may be blocked or simplified, in which case you may need to use the Chinese version of the firmware or unlock the bootloader, although the standard Recovery should always work.
Remote reset via Mi Cloud
If your phone is lost or stolen, you can't physically access it, but if you have the Internet on your device and you have Find the Device enabled, you can reset remotely, and that will help protect your personal data from prying eyes.
To do this, go to the official i.mi.com website from any other device (computer or phone), log in with the same Mi Account that was linked to the lost smartphone. From the cloud service interface, select Find Device.
What to do if the phone is turned off?
The map will show the location of the gadget (if it is online). In the list of available actions, select "Wipe", the system will warn that all data will be deleted. Once confirmed, the command will go to the device. Remember that after that you will not be able to track the location of the phone through the service.
This method is also useful if you sold your phone but forgot to log out and the new owner asks you to unlock the device remotely, but it is best to always log out before handing over the device.
Common mistakes and ways to solve them
The reset process doesn't always go smoothly, users can experience errors ranging from logo getting stuck to activation requirements, and understanding the nature of these errors helps solve the problem quickly without going to a service center.
One of the common problems is Bootloop, and the phone is constantly rebooting without ever reaching the desktop, and it often helps to log in to Recovery Mode and reset again, and if that doesn't work, it may be that the system partition is damaged and you need to flash it again.
⚠️ Warning: If after a reset, the phone requires you to enter a password from Mi Account that you don't remember, it's anti-theft protection.
Another common situation is the message “Failed to reset” or “Formatting error” which may indicate damage to internal memory or the presence of system files that cannot be deleted due to file system errors, in which case you may need to connect to a PC and use the Mi Flash Tool utility.
Also, users often confuse resetting network settings and a full reset. Network settings reset (Settings → Connection and Sharing → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile networks and Bluetooth) does not delete your photos or applications, it only returns network settings to their original values.
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The main cause of errors in resetting is interruption of the process or low battery power. Always monitor the energy level of the device.