Redmi: Full reset to factory settings

Xiaomi’s Redmi line of smartphones are famous for their performance and functionality, but over time, even the most powerful devices can encounter software errors. Users often notice slowdowns, sudden reboots or problems with launching applications.

A reset procedure known as Hard Reset allows the device’s internal memory to be completely cleared of user data, settings, and installed programs, which returns the software to the state in which the phone was immediately after leaving the assembly line.

Before you start taking action, you need to understand the importance of preparation. Recovery completely deletes all personal files, including photos, contacts and correspondence in messengers. So the first and most critical step should always be to create a backup of important information to an external medium or to the cloud.

Preparation of the device for the cleaning procedure

The initial stage requires careful attention to detail, as the success of the entire process depends on preparation. First of all, make sure that the battery level is at least 50-60%.

You then need to unplug your Google account and Mi Account, and if you don't, after you reboot, your smartphone might ask for a password from an account you might have forgotten, and it's a theft protection mechanism, and it's going to be very difficult to get around it without the owner's data.

It’s also worth removing the MicroSD card if installed. Although modern versions of MIUI and HyperOS typically require confirmation to erase the external drive, physical extraction of the card ensures that your archives and media files are safe.

⚠️ Note: If your phone has two-factor authentication installed, make sure you have access to your phone number or backup codes, as SIM-The card can be removed from the device during the preparation process.

Reset method through system settings menu

The safest and easiest way to get Redmi back to factory settings is to use the built-in functionality of the operating system, which is suitable for cases when the device is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and the menu is stable.

To start, open the Settings app and scroll to the bottom of the list. Find the About Phone section and click on it. In the menu that opens, select Settings Reset, which is usually located at the bottom of the list.

The system will offer several options. You need to "Erase all data (reset to factory settings)" After pressing, the phone will show a list of what will be deleted. Confirm the action by entering a pattern lock or unlock pin.

• 📱 Go to Settings. → The phone.
• 🗑️ Select the option Reset settings.
• ✅ Click Erase all data and confirm the action.
• 🔋 Wait for the automatic reboot of the device.

The process takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of information accumulated, and the screen can go out and light up several times, which is normal for the system to format memory partitions.

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Before resetting via the settings menu, turn off the internet, which will prevent new data from being synchronized or files from being deleted from the cloud when the procedure starts.

Using Recovery Mode for Resetting

If the smartphone doesn’t boot, freezes on the logo or menu doesn’t respond to touch, the only way out is to use Recovery Mode, a method that works at the low-level software level, bypassing the main operating system.

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.

In the Recovery menu, you can control volume buttons (up/down for navigation) and power buttons (to confirm your choice). The interface language can be English or Chinese. Find Wipe Data and press the power button.

Once you have selected Wipe Data, the system will ask you to confirm the action by selecting Wipe All Data. Confirm again. Once you have completed the process, select Reboot to restart your phone.

Reset via service codes and ADB

For advanced users, there are alternative methods to return factory settings, one of which is using an engineering menu through a set of special codes. However, on modern versions of Android and MIUI shells, many codes are blocked by the manufacturer for security reasons.

Try typing in the Phone app code ##7780##. If the firmware allows, the reset menu will open. If nothing happens or the code appears as plain text, this method is irrelevant for your model.

A more reliable way for experts to do this is to use USB debugging and a computer, and to do this, the USB debugging function should be activated in the Developer section, and then a command is sent to the PC via the ADB console to reset.

adb reboot recovery

This command will automatically put the connected smartphone into recovery mode, where you can clean it, which is convenient if the volume buttons on the device are faulty or go down.

⚠️ Attention: Use ADB-commands require drivers installed and minimal command line knowledge, and a mistake in team syntax can lead to unpredictable results.

Deletion of Mi Account and Protection against Blocking

One of the most common problems after a reset is blocking activation, and Xiaomi's security system ties the device to the owner's account, so if you don't log out before you reset, the phone will require you to enter the password from it when you first boot it.

To avoid blocking, go to the settings, look for Accounts and Sync or Mi Account. Click on your profile and select Log Out. The system will request a password — enter it for confirmation.

It is also recommended to delete your Google account. Go to Settings → Accounts and Sync → Google, select your address and click “Delete Account” to ensure that no confirmation request is made after the reset.

• 🔓 Open the Settings. → Mi Account.
• 🚪 Press the exit button at the bottom of the screen.
• 🔑 Enter a password to confirm exit.
• 🗑️ Repeat the procedure for your Google account.

If the phone was bought by hand and the previous owner did not untie the device, it is almost impossible to unlock it by legal means, in which case you will need to contact the service center with a check for the purchase.

Actions after discharge has been completed

After successfully completing the procedure and first download, you will see a welcome screen similar to the one you had when you bought a new phone: Choose a language, connect to the Wi-Fi network to activate.

The system will offer to restore data from the backup, and if you used the Mi Cloud or Google Drive cloud, you can get your contacts back, your call history back, and your installed app list back, and that will speed up the setup process.

Be sure to check for system updates right away. Once reset, the phone may run on the older firmware version, while the manufacturer has already released security and stability improvements patches.

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The first start after reset can last longer than usual (up to 10 minutes). Do not panic or reboot the device forcibly, the system conducts initial optimization of applications.

During the first hours of use, the smartphone can get a little warmer, because the background processes index files and adjust the system, usually after a day, the situation stabilizes.

Possible problems and solutions

Sometimes, after a reset, users find the phone booting endlessly or hanging on the logo, most often due to damage to system files or a failed upgrade before reset.

In this situation, re-enter Recovery mode and select Wipe Data will help. If this does not help, you will need to flash the device through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.

Another common problem is that the touchscreen doesn't respond to the first touch, and after deep cleaning, the screen calibration can get lost, and this is usually fixed after a few minutes of use or after installing updates.