Modern Xiaomi smartphones, which are based on the shells MIUI or HyperOS, are complex computing systems that can accumulate software errors over time. Users often face slowdowns, unexpected reboots or conflicts after updating the operating system. In such situations, the most effective solution is to completely return the device to its original state, which allows you to eliminate software failures and clean up memory from garbage.
The reset procedure, known as Hard Reset or Factory Reset, removes all user information, including contacts, photos, installed apps and system settings. This is a radical measure, but sometimes the only possible way to restore the stability of the gadget. It is important to understand that once the process is complete, it will be almost impossible to return deleted data without a pre-created backup, so this step must be approached consciously.
In this article, we will discuss all the available methods for returning Xiaomi to factory parameters. You will learn how to reset through the standard settings menu, how to use Recovery mode if the system does not boot, and what to do in difficult cases with blocked access. We will also touch on the security issues of Mi Account and Google account, which can become an obstacle if the procedure is not performed correctly.
Preparing the smartphone for a complete data reset
Before any manipulation of system files begins, a number of preparatory steps must be taken, and ignoring this step can lead to the loss of important information or locking the device with security mechanisms. The first step should always be to create a full backup of all relevant data to an external medium or to the cloud.
Make sure your Xiaomi battery is at least 50-60%, the process of formatting internal memory is energy intensive, and suddenly turning off the smartphone in the middle of the operation can damage the system partitions. If the device has a removable microSD memory card, it is better to remove it before the procedure, so as not to accidentally format its contents.
⚠️ Attention: Deleting your Mi Account before reset is a critical step. If you reset without leaving your account, the next time you activate your phone, you will need to enter your password. If you forget your password, the device will turn into a blocked brick.
You should also check your Google account binding beforehand. Once reset, FRP (Factory Reset Protection) protection will work, which will require you to enter the login and password from the Google account that was the main one on the device before the cleanup.
The safest and easiest method available to every Xiaomi owner is to use the built-in functionality of the operating system, which is suitable for situations where the smartphone is turned on, the screen responds to touch, and you have access to the main menu. The algorithm of actions may vary slightly depending on the version of MIUI or HyperOS, but the overall logic remains the same.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll down the list. You need to find a section that is usually called About Phone or Advanced Settings. Newer versions of the shell often hide the reset item in the Additional menu and then select Recovery and Reset.
Once you go to the desired partition, the system will offer two options: “Reset” and “Erase all data.” Choose to erase all data, since a normal reset can only affect system parameters without affecting user files. Before the final confirmation, the system will warn you several times about the irreversibility of actions and ask for a password to unlock the screen.
- 📱 Open the Settings. → The phone.
- 🗑️ Select Resetting or Recovery and Reset.
- 🔒 Click the button to erase all data and enter the password.
- ⏳ Wait for the process to be completed and the automatic reboot.
Once confirmed, the system will start the cleaning process. The screen may go out, the Mi or Redmi logo will appear, and then the download animation will appear. The entire process takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of memory filled. Do not interrupt the process and do not try to turn off the phone with buttons until the screen of the initial setting appears.
What to do if the “Erase All Data” button is inactive?
If the button is inactive, check if the Find Device option is enabled. In some versions of MIUI, you must pre-disable this feature in the Mi Account settings or log out completely. Also, the button may not be available if the phone has corporate software installed or device administrator profiles installed.> Method 2: Recovery mode (if the phone is not turned on) If the operating system is damaged, the phone goes into an endless restart (bootloop) or does not respond to touching the screen, the standard method through the menu becomes unavailable. In this case, the device button comes to the emergency control at the built-in mode. You can hold them until the Mi logo appears, then the power button can be released, continuing to hold the volume. The screen will display a menu with several points, which is controlled by the volume buttons (up/down), and the choice is by the power button. In the Recovery menu, find the Wipe Data item and select it. The system can offer two options: "Wipe All Data" (full clean) and "Reset Security" (reset only security settings). To fully return to the factory settings, select Safe All Data. Confirm the action, select the Wipe Data Data Delayer's Control over the Wid Data Control Mode. Select Reboot to restart the device. The first start after a reset via Recovery can last longer than usual — until 10 minutes, as the system recreates the necessary configuration files. 3: Fastboot Mode is primarily designed to flash the device through the computer, but it also allows you to clean up memory partitions. This method is more complicated and requires a PC, installed driver. ADB/Fastboot cable USB. You should only use it if other methods don't work. To put Xiaomi into Fastboot mode, press the volume button and the power button on the device that is turned off, and the image of a rabbit repairing an android will appear on the screen, labeled Fastboot. Connect your smartphone to your computer. On the computer, open the command line (Terminal or CMD) toolbox ADB. Enter the command to check the connection: fastboot devices If the device appears in the list, you can execute the cleaning command: fastboot erase userdata This command forcibly formats the partition with user data. After completing the command, enter fastboot reboot to restart. ⚠️ Note: Using Fastboot commands requires extreme caution: A mistake in the command, such as formatting the system partition instead of the user partition, can lead to complete failure of the phone, which can only be restored in the service center. This method is often used by enthusiasts who unlocked the bootloader and installed custom firmware. For the average user who has encountered lags, this method is redundant and potentially dangerous. Modern security systems Android and MIUI are equipped with powerful mechanisms to protect against theft. After performing the procedure Hard Reset, the first time you turn on the phone will necessarily ask for proof of identity. This is not a bug or bug, but the normal operation of the anti-thief function. If before the reset on the phone was entered Mi Account, the system will require you to enter the password from it, this is done so that the attacker who stole the phone can not just reset it and use it as a new one. Similarly, Google FRP protection works: you will need to log into a Google account that was synchronized with the Mi Account, if you have accessed from the device, or you can restore the password from the other device using the i. The situation is similar with Google account recovery through standard procedure on Google website. If the phone was bought with hands and the previous owner did not log out of the account, it will not be legally possible to unlock it without his participation. 🔑 Enter the password from the Mi Account if requested. 📧 Enter the login and password from Google account when requesting FRP. 🌐 Make sure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi to check your data. 🚫 Don’t try to bypass the security by flashing without unlocking the bootloader.It’s important to note that resetting via Recovery or Fastboot doesn’t remove the binding of accounts on the company’s servers. The binding disappears only after successful authorization on the reset device or through the Find Device function on the site if the phone is online. Data recovery and initial setup After successfully completing the reset and passing the welcome screens, you will see a clean desktop. Now it's time to get your data back. If you've used the Mi Cloud or Google One sync feature, it's automatic. When you connect to Wi-Fi and log in to your account, contacts, notes and calendar will download themselves, and apps can be restored through the Google Play store or GetApps. Google Play has a feature that automatically installs previously used apps, and photos and videos will return if sync with Google Photos or Mi Cloud has been enabled. A local backup made through the built-in Explorer or Mi Backup application can be restored by finding the corresponding file in memory or on the backup. SD-Don't rush to install all the applications at once. 15-20 It's a little bit hot, it's normal, it's file indexing and database optimization. MIUI And HyperOS actively rebuilds the file structure after the reset, and you should check for system updates right away. → About the phone and click on the version MIUI. Installing the current version of the software can fix the bugs that may have prompted you to reset (FAQ) Will the information be deleted from SIM-No, a standard reset via menu or Recovery only affects the internal memory of the device. SIM-The card, and the files on the microSD card will remain intact. However, to avoid accidental errors, the memory card should be removed before the procedure. How long does the Hard Reset process take? The formatting procedure itself takes from 2 to 10 minutes, depending on the amount of memory and the speed of its operation. However, the first system start after reset can last up to 15 minutes. Don't panic if the phone hangs on the logo for a long time. Can you reset the phone if the screen is broken? If the sensor is partially working, you can try connecting it. USB-mouse-over OTG. If the screen doesn't show the image at all, but the phone responds to buttons, you can try resetting via Recovery. In complex cases, you need to connect to a PC and use debugging. USB, If it was on before, will the phone reset? IMEI No, Factory Reset doesn't affect the operator. IMEI-Device code and does not remove the operator lock (Sim-lock), this data is stored in secure areas that are not affected by the standard procedure for cleaning user data.