Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones face the need to return the device to its original state sooner or later, which may be required when selling a gadget, selling it, critical system errors, or simply to radically speed up the operation of the device. The complete data cleanup procedure known as Hard Reset is a powerful tool, but requires careful approach.
Before we take any drastic action, we need to understand that this process permanently removes all user information, and that photos, contacts, messages and installed applications will be destroyed without the possibility of recovery by standard methods, which is why preparation is crucial to the success of the operation.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the available reset options, from the standard MIUI or HyperOS shell features to the recovery menu for cases when the system is not booting, you will learn about the nuances of working with a Mi and Google account, and how to avoid locking the device after cleaning.
Preparation of the device for complete reset
The most critical step is to back up your data, and even if you're planning to sell your phone, you may need some files in the future, and use the built-in Security app or the cloud to store important information.
Make sure the battery is at least 50-60%, the process of formatting internal memory is energy intensive, and suddenly turning off the smartphone at this point can damage the system partitions, and also check for a stable Wi-Fi connection if you plan to sync the data before resetting.
⚠️ Note: Before resetting, be sure to remove SIM-microSD card and memory card, if installed, will prevent accidental deletion of personal files and avoid problems with identification of the number on the first download.
It's important to untie accounts. If the phone has Find Device activated, the system will require you to enter the password from the last Mi Account you used, and without that, it will become a brick for the new owner.
- 📱 Back up your contacts to your Google account or export them to a.vcf file.
- ☁️ Check synchronization with Mi Cloud or Google Photos.
- 🔑 Remember the passwords from Google and Mi accounts, they may be needed for authorization.
- 🔋 Charge your smartphone to at least 60% for safe treatment.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Reset via system settings (staff method)
The safest and easiest way to get Xiaomi back to factory is to use the built-in menu functionality, which is suitable for all current models, including the Redmi Note series and Mi flagships.
To start, open the Settings app and scroll to the bottom of the list. Find About Phone. In the menu that opens, look for the Reset button, which is usually located at the bottom of the screen.
The system will offer two options: Erase all data (full reset) or Reset Wi-Fi and mobile settings. You need the first option. After pressing, the phone will ask you to enter a pattern lock or a lock PIN to confirm the identity of the owner.
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If you have two-factor authorization enabled on your Mi Account, make sure you have access to a phone number or backup email, as the system can request a confirmation code when untieing the device.
Once confirmed, the preparation process will begin. The smartphone will warn you that all data will be deleted. Press the red Reset button and wait for the reboot. The process can take from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the amount of memory filled.
Hard Reset via Recovery Mode
If the operating system does not boot, freezes on the logo or the touch screen does not respond, you will have to use the Recovery Mode. This method works at the level of low-level software and does not require access to the menu of the smartphone.
Turn the device off completely. Then press the Volume Up 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 up until the Recovery menu appears.
This menu doesn't have a touch screen, it's a volume button (up/down) navigation, and the power button selects the item, and you have to find the Wipe Data item and select it.
⚠️ Note: Wipe Data can be called differently on the Recovery menu depending on the firmware version (Global or China). Be careful not to choose Wipe All Data if you want to save some partitions, although full erasure is usually chosen for a complete reset.
Then select Wipe All Data and confirm the action by selecting Confirm. The system will start formatting. Upon completion, the message Data wiped successfully will appear. Click Back to Main Menu, then Reboot and Reboot to System.
What happens if Recovery does not open?
Comparison of data dumping methods
The choice of reset method depends on the current state of your device, and below is a table that will help determine the optimal method for your situation, given the availability of the interface and the availability of superuser rights.
| Parameter | Through Settings. | Recovery Mode | Through the Mi Account. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to the menu | Required. | Not required | Internet access is required |
| Keeping a backup copy | Recommended manually | Impossible. | Automatically (cloud) |
| Risk of error | Minimum | Medium (human factor) | Depends on the link. |
| Implementation time | 10-15 minutes. | 5-10 minutes | Depends on the speed of the network. |
The settings menu is preferred for ordinary users, as the interface is friendly and contains hints. Recovery method is more versatile, but requires careful navigation with physical buttons.
Remote reset via the Mi Cloud site is useful in cases of theft or loss of the device, but it requires that the phone be turned on and connected to the Internet, otherwise the command will only be executed after the gadget appears on the network.
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For the average safest user, the path is a standard reset via the settings menu, as it automatically checks for critical errors before starting the process.
Problems with Google and Mi accounts after resetting
Xiaomi smartphones today are heavily protected, and once reset to factory settings, FRP (Factory Reset Protection) is activated, a mechanism to prevent the stolen phone from being used.
When you first boot, the system will require you to enter a password from a Google account that was synced to the device before the reset, and if you don't remember the password, you won't be able to access the phone without complex firmware manipulations.
Similar to Mi. If Find Device is enabled, the phone locks before you enter the correct password, which is designed to protect the owner's data, but often becomes a problem when buying used equipment or forgetfulness.
- 🔒 FRP Blocking requires entering the last used Google account.
- 📡 Mi Accounts are sometimes required to be unlocked SMS-proof-of-number.
- 🛡️ Bypassing these protections in legal ways without passwords is almost impossible.
- ⚠️ When buying a used phone, always demand a full reset in front of you in the presence of the seller.
Frequent mistakes and ways to solve them
During the reset process, users often face typical problems, such as the phone can hang on the Mi or Android logo, which is usually a temporary phenomenon associated with optimizing applications after a clean installation.
If the wait is longer than 20 minutes, try to perform a forced reboot by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds. If the problem recurs, the system partition may be damaged, and you will need to flash it through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.
Another common error is the message “Failure to reset” which often happens if the device has Root rights or a Bootloader changed, in which case the standard procedure may not work and you will have to use Fastboot mode.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone is constantly bootlooping after resetting, don't panic. Try logging in to Recovery and resetting again. If that doesn't work, you'll probably need to flash the device again.
Also worth mentioning is the touchscreen issue after upgrading to HyperOS or new MIUI versions. Sometimes calibration gets confused, and then you might want to type a special code into the ##6484## call menu to check the hardware, but that's a topic for a separate conversation.