Many users are faced with a situation where Xiaomi smartphone starts to work unstable, slows down or requires a complete clean before selling. the phrase “stas ai as just Xiaomi” in search engines is often associated with the desire to quickly and painlessly return the device to its original state, as if it just came out of the box. The MIUI operating system or the new HyperOS has many functions, but sometimes they cause software failures that are treated only with radical measures.
Factory remediation is not just about removing photos and contacts, it's about cleaning the system partition deeply. Properly done, it eliminates errors accumulated over the years of use, and even removes a forgotten pattern lock. In this article, we'll take a look at all the nuances so you can reset safely and efficiently, saving important data where possible.
Before you start taking action, you need to understand the difference between a software reset via menus and hardware reset via recovery. Hard Reset is often confused with a conventional application removal, but the consequences of these actions are completely different. If you are looking for a way to "easy" to solve a problem, first try the less radical methods, which we will discuss below.
Preparation of the device before complete reset
The factory-backsetting process is irreversible for user data, so preparation is a critical step. If you just reset your phone without making a backup, you lose all your photos, messaging and app settings. Mi Account and Google account must be synced so that contacts and calendar can be restored automatically.
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Before reset, be sure to remove the microSD memory card and SIM-map to avoid accidental formatting of external media or loss of contacts from old simki.
Make sure the battery is at least 50-60%.The process of cleaning and reinstalling system files can take time, and if the device turns off in the middle, it will damage the bootloader.It's also worth turning off the "Find Device" feature in the security settings if you plan to sell the phone so that the new owner doesn't face lockdown.
Backups can be created in a number of ways, and the choice depends on your preferences. Cloud storage is convenient for contacts and notes, and for heavy files like videos, you should use a computer or an external USB pile. Don't neglect to check for backup, since it is almost impossible to recover deleted data without a backup.
- 📸 Backup the gallery in Google Photos or on your computer.
- 💬 Export your correspondence history from WhatsApp and Telegram to the cloud.
- 🔑 Write down or remember passwords from important accounts, as after reset, you will need to re-enter them.
Soft reset: cache cleanup and optimization
Before you decide on a full Hard Reset, you should try the "soft" cleaning option. Often the phrase "how simple" refers to eliminating small glitches without losing personal data. Android on the shell of MIUI tends to accumulate temporary files that can slow down the interface. Clearing the cache of individual applications or the entire system through the developer menu can solve the problem.
To start, go to the storage settings and use the built-in cleaner, it will find unnecessary installation files, remnants of deleted programs and a bloated cache. If the phone continues to slow down, you can try resetting the network or display settings without affecting the system partition with user data, which often helps with problems with Wi-Fi or screen calibration.
Dalvik's hidden cache cleanup
Another method is to use developer mode, and if you activate it, you can turn off animations or limit background processes, and that's not a complete reset, but it often gives the second gadget a second life without having to reinstall the operating system, and if those measures don't work, then we move on to more serious steps.
- ⚙️ Go to Settings. → Advanced settings → For developers for fine-tuning.
- 🗑️ Use the “Security” app for deep garbage cleaning.
- 🔄 Try resetting the display and font settings in the special features menu.
Reset via the settings menu (Soft Reset)
The easiest and safest way to get Xiaomi back to factory is to use a built-in menu, which is suitable for most situations where the phone turns on and reacts to touch. You don't need a computer or special buttons, just find the right item on the menu, which is ideal for those who are looking for an answer to the question "as simple" and without risks.
The algorithm is standard for all modern models. Find the About Phone or Advanced Settings section where the "Reset" item is hidden. The system will warn you that all data will be deleted. If you have completed the training described in the first section, feel free to confirm the action. The phone will restart and begin the cleaning process.
☑️ Reset algorithm through settings
It's important to note that after this reset, the device can take a long time to boot when it first turns on. This is normal, because the system optimizes applications and checks files. Don't try to interrupt this process even if the screen is on longer than usual. The processor is active at this time, and the phone may heat up.
| Parameter | Description | Risk of data loss |
|---|---|---|
| Resetting settings | Return of system parameters to the original | Tall (removes everything) |
| Clearing the cache | Deletion of temporary files | No. |
| Resetting the network | Removing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth passwords | Low (communication settings only) |
| Dictionary reset | Clearing the history of text input | Low. |
Hard Reset via Recovery Mode
If the phone doesn't turn on, it's stuck on the logo, or the screen doesn't respond to touch, you can't reset the menu as a standard, and this is where Recovery comes in. It's a special boot mode built into the firmware that allows you to control the system at a low level, and you can log in with a combination of physical buttons.
To get into the recovery menu, turn off the phone completely. Then press the volume button and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the Mi logo appears, then release the power, but keep the volume down. You will see a menu with several items in English or Chinese. The navigation is done with the volume buttons, and the choice is with the power button.
⚠️ Attention: In the Recovery menu, the touch screen is not working. Be careful when selecting items so that you don't accidentally erase the wrong thing.
You need to select Wipe Data, then Wipe All Data, and confirm the action (usually you need to click "Confirm" or enter the code if it is displayed). Once you complete the process, select Reboot -> Reboot to System. The phone will launch as new. This method is effective even in case of serious software failures.
- 🔌 Connect your phone to the charger before the procedure begins.
- 🔘 Use the volume button up to navigate up and down to navigate down (different ways on different versions of Recovery).
- ✅ Confirmation of choice is usually done with a short press of the power button.
Removal of a forgotten password or pattern lock
Often users are looking for ways to reset because they have forgotten the screen unlock password, which is unpleasant but solvable. If you have internet enabled and synced with a Google account or Mi Account, there is a chance to unlock the device remotely via find.my.com or Google Find My Device. However, if these services have not been configured, only a full reset remains.
Resetting a password through Recovery (described above) will remove the pattern lock along with all the data.It is the only solution for modern versions of Android with data encryption. Attempting to find a password can lead to a temporary lock of the device for an hour or a day. Recovery is the only guaranteed way to return access to the phone with a forgotten password if remote unlocking is impossible.
And it's worth mentioning FRP, which is that once you reset and turn it on, you're going to have to type in the Google account that you had on it before, which is anti-theft protection, and if you don't remember the password, unlocking it is going to be a very difficult task, requiring you to go to the service or have a lot of hard work with the firmware.
Solving problems after system reset
Once the phone has reset and turned on, you may notice that it's slower than expected or discharges quickly. This is normal for the first hours of operation. The system is busy with background file indexing and app updates. The battery can warm up and the charge consumption is high. Let the device lie on a charge with Wi-Fi on for about an hour.
If the problems persist for a long time, a broken firmware version may have been installed or a hardware-level failure may have occurred, in which case you may need to flash through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility. Also check if there are background applications that cause conflict installed.
⚠️ Attention: If the phone is cyclically restarted after resetting and cannot boot to the home screen, the firmware is likely damaged.
Take your time to install all the applications at once. Start with a basic set and monitor the behavior of the system. This will help identify the culprit of the brakes if the problem is not the reset itself. Clean installation is the best way to diagnose software errors.
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The first 24 hours after reset is the system's adaptation period. Don't infer speed before that.