Owners of smartphones Xiaomi, Redmi and Poco sooner or later face the need to completely clean the device. The reasons can be different: from the banal sale of the gadget to a new owner to critical errors in the operation of the MIUI or HyperOS operating system. Sometimes the phone begins to work incorrectly after a failed update, and the only way out is a radical measure - a return to the original state.
The reset process, known as Hard Reset, removes all user information, including contacts, photos, installed apps and account settings. This action returns the software to the state it was in when it left the factory assembly line. It is important to understand that the procedure is irreversible, and it will be impossible to restore deleted files without prior backup.
In this guide, we will take a look at all the available ways to perform a reset, from standard system settings to advanced methods through Recovery Mode. We will also focus on important security nuances, such as unlocking a Google account and Mi Account, without knowing the passwords from which the device can turn into a “brick” for an unauthorized user.
Preparing the smartphone for a complete reset
Before taking decisive action, a number of preparatory steps must be taken. Ignoring this stage can lead to the loss of valuable data or locking the device with security systems. The first and most important step is to create a full backup. In the Xiaomi ecosystem, you can use the built-in Mi Cloud or third-party services such as Google Drive to do this.
Make sure that the battery is at least 50-60%. The process of formatting system partitions and reinstalling components requires stable power. If the phone turns off at the time of writing system files, it can damage the bootloader, which requires complex recovery through the computer. SIM-Cards if you plan to use the number to confirm.
⚠️ Warning: If the phone has a lock screen (pattern lock, PIN-code or password, remember it. Once reset, the system will require you to enter this data to confirm ownership of the device within the function. FRP (Factory Reset Protection).
Special attention should be paid to the account Mi Account. In modern versions of firmware, binding to the manufacturer's account is a mandatory security measure. If you reset your phone without leaving the account beforehand, the device will request the username and password of the owner when you first activate it. Without them, it will be extremely difficult to unlock the gadget, often you need to contact the service center with purchase checks.
☑️ Checklist before reset
Method 1: Classic reset via system settings
The safest and easiest method for most users is done directly through the operating system interface, which is available if the phone turns on, the screen responds to touch, and you know the password to log in to the menu. The algorithm for 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 through the list to About. In some versions of the shell, the option you want is placed in a separate menu, "Additional" or "Extended Settings." Find the "Reset" or "Factory Settings" section, and the system will alert you that all data will be deleted.
You will then need to confirm the action. You will be asked to enter the screen unlock password or the Mi Account password. This is protection against accidental deletion of data by children or unauthorized persons. Once confirmed, the phone will restart and the cleaning process will begin, which can take from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the size of the drive.
- 📱 Go to Settings. → About the telephone or Additional.
- 🗑️ Select Reset Settings (Erase all data).
- 🔒 Enter the screen lock password to confirm.
- ⏳ Wait for the process to end and automatic reboot.
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Before resetting through the settings, it is recommended to remove the microSD memory card so as not to accidentally format it if the system offers such a choice.
Method 2: Reset via Recovery Mode (if the phone doesn't boot)
If the operating system is damaged, the phone freezes on the logo or does not respond to touch screen commands, the Recovery menu reset method is used. This is a low-level mode built into the device memory regardless of the state of the main OS.
Turn off your smartphone completely. Then simultaneously press the Volume Up and Power button. Hold them until the Mi or Poco logo appears, and then you can release the power button while you keep the volume up. A menu with a few points in English will appear on the screen.
Navigation in this menu is done with volume buttons (up/down), and the choice of item is made by a short press of the power button. You need to find the Wipe Data item and select it. In the next menu, select Wipe All Data. The system will again request confirmation — select Confirm. After cleaning, select Reboot to restart.
| Action. | Navigation buttons | Selection button |
|---|---|---|
| Move upwards | Volume Up (+) | - |
| Moving down | Volume Down (-) | - |
| Confirmation | - | Power (Power) |
| Getting out of the regime | - | Food (holding 10 seconds) |
What to do if the Recovery menu doesn’t appear?
Method 3: Remote reset via Google Find My Device
In situations where you can't access the phone's menu, but the device is on, connected to the Internet, and has a Google account activated, you can reset remotely. This method is also useful if you have forgotten the unlock password and can't log in.
You need to go to android.com/find and log in to the same Google account that is linked to the problem device, and the system will try to locate the phone, and if the device is connected, the card will be tagged, and the "Erase Device" option will be available in the management menu.
Once you press the button, you start the remote formatting process, and the phone gets a command, resets all the data, and reboots, and it's important to note that after that, you'll still have Google Protection (FRP) on your phone, and you'll need to enter the email and password of the account that was cleared to log in.
- 🌐 Go to the site. android.com/find from any device.
- 🔑 Sign in to your Google account.
- 📍 Select the right smartphone from the list of devices.
- 🧹 Click the “Clean the Device” button and confirm the action.
⚠️ Note: Remote reset is only possible if the phone is on and has an active connection to the mobile Internet or Wi-Fi. If the device (offline), the command will be executed on the first time it is online.
Account Problem: Mi Account and Google FRP
Xiaomi's modern smartphones are equipped with a serious theft protection system. Xiaomi's Find Device feature and Google's FRP create a barrier to unauthorized use of the device after a reset. If you're dumping a phone for sale, it's critical to delete accounts before the procedure begins.
When you turn on a cleaned phone, the system checks if your account has been previously synced. If so, it will require authorization. In the case of Mi Account, it is officially impossible to unlock the phone without a password, you will need a purchase check and a support request to remove the server lock. With Google, the situation is similar: you need to log in to an account that was synced before the reset.
If you buy a used phone and you see a password request from the previous owner when you turn on, it means that the seller has not performed the correct reset procedure. In this case, contact the seller to obtain data or return the device. Bypassing these locks by third-party methods often leads to unstable system operation.
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Proper Sequence for Sale: Exit from Mi Account → Exit from Google Account → Reset via Settings. This ensures that the new owner does not encounter locks.
Possible problems and solutions
The reset process usually goes smoothly, but there can be complications sometimes. For example, the phone can get stuck on the Mi or Android logo. If it lasts more than 20 minutes, try to perform a forced reboot by holding the power button for 10-15 seconds. If the problem is not solved, you may need to flash the device through your computer using the Mi Flash Tool utility.
Another common problem is the bootloop cycle, where the phone is constantly turned on and off, which can indicate damage to system files or hardware conflict, and in such cases, resetting through Recovery often helps, but if it is not effective, it can be a hardware malfunction, such as memory or battery problems.
Users also sometimes experience a touchscreen or Wi-Fi failure after a reset, which is a rare software failure that is often solved by upgrading to the latest available version or resetting completely again, and if the problem persists, the service center will probably need to intervene.
- 🔄 Cyclical Reboot: Try Resetting via Recovery.
- 🔋 Phone turns off during reset: check battery and charging cable.
- 📡 Network does not work after reset: check the settings APN Or reset the network settings.
⚠️ Warning: Do not interrupt the reset process, even if it seems to be suspended. Interrupting the data record can lead to complete loss of functionality of the software.