The situation when Xiaomi smartphone stops responding to touch or is blocked by a forgotten pattern lock is familiar to many users. In such cases, the standard settings menu becomes unavailable, and the only way out is forced reset through hardware buttons. This method, often called “hard reset”, allows you to return the device to a factory state by removing all user data and system errors.
Recovery Mode reset is a powerful tool, but it requires care, as all files on the internal drive will be permanently deleted. It is important to understand the difference between simply restarting and fully formatting the data partition. In this article, we will discuss the algorithm for actions for models with shells MIUI and HyperOS, and also discuss the nuances of working with a Mi Account.
Before you start taking action, make sure you are aware of the consequences: Recovery removes photos, contacts and apps, but does not remove Mi Account lock if Find Device was active.So knowing your account password is critical to successfully completing the procedure.
Preparation of the device for forced discharge
The first step before any manipulation of the system partition should be to check the battery charge. The process of formatting and reinstalling system files can take from 5 to 15 minutes, and a sudden power outage at this point can damage the bootloader. The optimal charge level is considered to be above 60%, which ensures stable operation of the processor during peak loads.
If you have physical access to the smartphone menu and you are just planning to clear the device for sale, try to back up the data. However, if the phone does not turn on or hangs on the logo, this step will have to be skipped. Owners of devices with a microSD card are advised to remove it before starting the procedure, so as not to accidentally format an external drive.
⚠️ Note: Make sure that the cable is USB not connected to your computer when you enter recovery mode unless you use special PC tools. ADB Change the priority of the load.
Also, remember the login details for your Google account and Mi Account. Once reset, FRP (Factory Reset Protection) security will require authorization under the same user that was the main one before the reset, which is a theft protection that can't be circumvented by simple formatting.
☑️ Ready for Hard Reset
Algorithm of entering Recovery mode on Xiaomi
The engineering recovery menu on Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones is logged in with a combination of physical buttons when the device is off. The standard sequence of actions is universal for most models released in the past 5 years, including the Mi, Redmi Note and Poco series.
Turn off your smartphone completely. If the screen is not going off or the device is hanging, press the power button for 10-15 seconds to force the switch off. Once the screen is out, press both the Volume Up and Power button at the same time. Hold both keys until the Mi or Redmi logo appears, after which the power button can be released while continuing to hold Volume Up.
- 📱 Volume Up + Power is the standard combination for Main Menu (Recovery).
- 🔌 Power + Volume Down – Combination for entering Fastboot mode (used for firmware via PC).
- 🔄 Volume Up + Volume Down + Power – sometimes used to enter the mode EDL on some old models.
The menu should appear on the screen with a black or gray background and a few points. Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is with the power button. If you are on the Fastboot menu (where the android hare is drawn), just hold the power button for about 10 seconds to reboot and try to log in again to Recovery.
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If the Recovery menu doesn’t appear, try connecting the phone turned off to the charger or computer via a phone. USB-This is a good thing for models with a deep battery.
Instructions: Wipe Data and reset settings
Once you successfully log in to the Main Menu, you'll see a list of options. You'll need to find the Wipe Data item. Move through the list using the volume reduction key, because the default cursor is often on the first point. Pressing the power button confirms the choice.
In the next menu, the system will offer two options: Wipe All Data (full reset) and Reboot (reboot). Choose the first option. The MIUI/HyperOS security system will ask you to confirm the action, as this is an irreversible operation. You will need to select Confirm and press the power button again.
The formatting process will take some time. The screen may display a progress bar or a command log, at which point you should not interrupt the process, remove the battery (if it is not removable) or restart the phone. Once completed, you will see the message Data wiped successfully.
| Item | Function | The outcome of action |
|---|---|---|
| Reboot | System restart | Regular exit from Recovery unchanged |
| Wipe Data | Deletion of data | Switching to the menu of selection of the type of reset |
| Wipe All Data | Total reset | Formatting the /data and /cache partition |
| Connect with MIAssistant | Assistant mode | Connect to a PC for reset via Mi Flash |
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The final step should always be to select the Reboot -> Reboot to System item that will run a clean operating system.
Solving problems: Forgotten password and locks
Often users are looking for a way to reset the phone with buttons precisely because of the forgotten PIN-The Wipe Data method does delete the file with the access keys, allowing you to log in, but after downloading, you will encounter a welcome screen where you will need to enter a password from a Google account that was previously synced.
If the device has enabled Mi Cloud and Find the Device, then after connecting to Wi-Fi, the phone will request a password from Mi Account. This is a serious level of protection. If you do not remember the password from the Mi Account, you can only restore access through the official website id.mi.com using the attached phone number or email.
⚠️ Warning: Attempts to repeatedly misenter a password after reset may temporarily block the ability to sign in.Use only accurate account details.
There is a myth that resetting buttons helps to get around FRP-On modern versions of Android (10, 11, 12, 13, 14), this does not work without the use of specialized software and vulnerabilities. Hardware reset only cleanses data, but does not cancel the binding of the device to the owner on the manufacturer's servers.
What if your phone asks for a password from your old account?
Differences in reset on different versions of MIUI and HyperOS
Recovery interfaces may vary slightly depending on the firmware version and region. On Global ROMs, menus are often entirely in English. On Chinese versions (China ROM) or older MIUI builds, some items may be in Chinese, making navigation difficult for the untrained user.
In the HyperOS shell, which replaces MIUI, the Recovery menu structure remains the same, but the visual style and fonts have changed. The buttons have not changed: volume navigation, power choice, but be careful with the Connect with MIAssistant option, which in new versions requires on-screen confirmation (if available) or specific drivers.
- 🌍 Global Version – menu in English, standard set of functions.
- 🇨🇳 China Version – menus can be in Chinese, require translator or knowledge of characters.
- 🆕 HyperOS – Recovery design, improved system integrity check.
If you own a Chinese version of a smartphone, be guided by the order of items. Wipe Data is usually second or third on the list. For those who are not confident in their abilities, there is a risk of choosing the wrong item, so you should use the help of an image translator on a friend's smartphone.
Frequent errors and ways to fix them
One common problem is “cyclical reboot” after reset: If the phone is constantly rebooting, the logo and going out, perhaps the system partition is damaged or the update is interrupted. In this case, a simple reset is not enough – you will need to flash through the computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.
Another mistake is trying to reset a phone that is less than 15% charged, and in the formatting process, the power consumption increases, and the device can shut down midway through the process, which causes the file system to fail, and if it does, the phone may not turn on at all, only reacting to the charging or PC connection.
⚠️ Warning: Do not attempt to reset with buttons if there are cracks on the screen that block the sensor or buttons. Mechanical damage to the volume buttons will make logging into Recovery impossible.
Users also often confuse Fastboot and Recovery mode «FASTBOOT» And the image of the hare, you can't do the data reset. You have to hold the power button. 10-15 seconds until the phone vibrates and turns off, then try to log in to Recovery again.