How to do a factory reset on a Xiaomi, Redmi or POCO phone

No matter what smartphone you use, over time it begins to slow down, glitch, does not launch certain applications, automatically closes processes, and so on. One option to solve problems like these and in many other cases is to reset your phone to factory settings. Unlike regular Android smartphones, on devices from Xiaomi and its sub-brands Redmi and POCO, the launch and use of the so-called “hard reset” function is different due to the specifications of the proprietary MIUI shell. Well, we’ll tell you about all the nuances and methods of returning factory settings on different lines of devices.

Method number 1 - standard reset

Go to Settings > Advanced > Backup and reset > Reset settings

In the menu that opens, you can clear all data from the SD card and Mi account. We are interested in the “Reset settings” button, click on it.

If a pattern key is set on your smartphone, you will need to enter it. After this, the factory settings will be restored.

Method number 2 - Hard Reset

Here you need to do the following:

1. Turn off the gadget
2. Simultaneously press and hold the Volume Up + On/Off
3. We wait for the logo to appear and release the buttons - we get to the Recovery and select English
4. Click the “Wipe & Reset” icon
5. Next, go to the “Wipe User Data” item and confirm deleting the data by clicking “Yes”
6. Reboot

Important! Please note that when resetting, all data from the gadget will be deleted, so save valuable information to your computer in advance.

If something went wrong

After resetting the settings, the Android may no longer turn on. There are many reasons for this, and you need to check all possible options. The first thing you need to do is connect the device to the charging cable and see if the battery will charge. If the factory settings were reset through the phone menu, and not a special code or system flashing, then you can dial a reset code on it, after entering which, all data stored in the gadget’s memory will be lost, but at the same time, the device will turn on.

The main reason why the phone may stop working after resetting the settings is a failure in the operating system. Its appearance can be caused by the installation of unverified applications from unprotected sources. Perhaps there was an unsuccessful update of the operating system when, during its installation, the phone accidentally turned off or its battery ran out.

If the device continues to not respond, it may need to be re-flashed. Thanks to it, all software failures will be removed from the device’s memory and the user will receive a clean system. This procedure should be carried out independently only if the user has special skills. Otherwise, you will need to contact specialists to fix the problem.

Those who are planning to perform a factory reset should keep some rules in mind:

• Before you reset, you need to prepare the charger. If the battery runs out while the process is starting, serious damage to the software may occur. It is better to fully charge your phone before starting a factory reset, especially if charging is via the USB connector on your computer or laptop. These devices are unable to provide proper charging.
• Since resetting the settings deletes all data, the user must take care of their safety by copying the information to cloud storage, a memory card or computer.
• For those who are resetting for the first time, it is better to follow the instructions offered by the device manufacturer. This approach will avoid difficulties with performing the operation and the loss of important contacts.
• If your device's battery behaves strangely, quickly wastes energy, or doesn't charge well, it's best to postpone resetting until you buy a new battery.

In modern devices, problems may remain even after a complete system reset to the factory state. To avoid malfunctions, you need to follow the general rules. If the reset does not help, you should not try to repair the device yourself. The best way to solve the problem is to contact a good service center, where specialists will help you fix everything.

Vyacheslav

For several years he worked in mobile phone stores of two large operators. I understand tariffs well and see all the pitfalls. I love gadgets, especially Android ones.

Ask a Question

Question to the expert

What should you do before starting a factory reset?

It is always important to remember that when resetting, all the user's personal files will be deleted from the phone. To avoid losing valuable information, you should prepare for the procedure in advance - make a backup using a functionality or program. It is recommended to transfer photos, videos, and documents to your computer. You can synchronize with one of your accounts (for example, Google) and then proceed to reset the settings.

Is it true that your device may have factory reset protection?

Yes, some devices enable factory reset protection by default. This means that the user will be required to enter the name and password for their Google account, even after a full reset. If the user does not have such data, the phone may remain locked and access to it will be denied. This is intended to reduce phone theft, since even after resetting the settings, attackers can gain access to personal data. To avoid such protection, you must go to the “Settings - Accounts” menu and delete your Google account before performing a factory reset.

How often do you need to do a factory reset?

The phone collects a lot of different “garbage”, caches various user activity files, and all this accumulates on the device. Many people don’t even notice this and when the phone starts to slow down or “glitch”, they try to clean the phone, but do not achieve the desired result. In this case, resetting the settings to factory settings may help. It is recommended to carry out the procedure in the following cases: • a lot of garbage has accumulated on the phone; • there are malicious applications, advertising and other things that are completely unnecessary on a smartphone; • device autonomy is lost; • various files or contacts appear on the phone independently, without the user’s knowledge; • for the sake of preventive measures. Experts recommend resetting settings once every 3-4 months. It all depends on how actively the device is used and how quickly it becomes clogged.

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Reset Xiaomi Redmi settings: methods and instructions

Many users of phones of any brand have heard about the so-called factory reset on the phone. Some are in no hurry to figure out why and what it is needed for, while others have found many advantages to resetting the settings and do not neglect this procedure. What is this and is it really necessary to reset your phone?

Resetting settings on Xiaomi is returning the phone to its original state as a “just purchased” gadget. After it you receive an empty updated smartphone.

Option #2: Through remote access

Let's say that you do not have the opportunity to enter the smartphone menu or it has a pattern or password set at the entrance. Or maybe it was stolen and you need to delete the information urgently. In this case, remote access through the Google service will help.

In Xiaomi, as in other Android smartphones, accounts are linked to the Google service, which allows you to control certain functions on the phone. For example, a user can send a command to enable a ringer to hear the phone ring, enable a lock to prevent attackers from doing anything, or clear all data from the system. We are interested in the last point.

1. And so, you need to go to the remote access page https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager, log in to the site using the account that is used on your phone and click on the “Clear” tab.
2. As soon as your smartphone gains access to the Internet, all data from it will be automatically deleted, and the attackers will not even have time to come to their senses. But the completion time of the procedure largely depends on the amount of information.

Why do you need to reset Xiaomi to factory settings?

Every person who uses one or another smartphone often experiences a decrease in the phone’s performance, which can occur for various reasons: quite a long period of use, outdated firmware, settings failure, etc.

Resetting the settings or the so-called Xiaomi Hard Reset helps restore the phone and eliminate any problems that arise when using it through a complete update.

A settings reset is also used when replacing the firmware with a new one or when selling a phone, in order to provide the new owner with sufficient space for his data and protect his own.

It happens that the smartphone freezes while loading the logo, and the only emergency way to “revive” it is to reset the Xiaomi Mi settings by calling a special Main Menu.

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Discussion: there is 1 comment

1. Marina:
   07/23/2020 at 18:40

   Your article helped me. I bought a new phone. In the store, of course, it was already turned on initially. So it was important for me to reset. Thank you for warning us several times about the loss of all important data. Even with a new phone, I was a little worried whether this process was safe for me! Thank you!

   Answer

Advantages and disadvantages

Resetting settings can be both a very useful and slightly frustrating process for the user.

• You receive the phone as if you had just purchased it;
• Increases battery life;
• The phone's memory is freed up.

• All media files are deleted from the device’s memory: photos, contacts, notes, music, documents, reports on the use of certain programs, applications, call histories, etc.;
• After the reboot, you will need to log in to your mi account again, since the account information in the Xiaomi system will also be deleted, which can cause difficulties for someone who does not remember the information associated with the account.

How to save all data from your phone

If important information remains in the memory of your device (contacts, SMS, photos, videos), then there are the following options for saving it:

• synchronization with Google;
• using the DropBox service;
• backup via Titanium Backup program;
• transferring data to a personal computer.

Alternatively, the data can be saved not to the phone’s memory, but to a flash card, but this method is suitable for transferring photo and video files.

Why do you need to reset Xiaomi to factory settings?

The need to return the phone to factory settings arises in the following cases:

1. When the performance of the OS decreases. The smartphone begins to work incorrectly due to prolonged use, outdated firmware, and the appearance of viruses. A hard reset allows you to restore your phone's functionality by completely updating the software.
2. When installing new firmware or selling a smartphone. This gives the new owner the opportunity to download their own applications and data and protects the information of the previous user.
3. When the device freezes during the boot phase. By resetting the settings using a special menu, the user returns the gadget to functionality.

Preparing your device for a factory reset

Before resetting the settings, perform the following steps:

1. Create backup copies of files. This can be done using cloud storage.
2. Transfer the necessary objects to a memory card or computer.
3. They save information to third-party media and delete account passwords. If you do not disable the need to enter a code, the combination of characters will have to be specified at each stage of the reboot. After the reset, the system will not allow you to use the phone by typing the old password.

Option No. 3: Through the Mi Cloud service

This is a complete alternative to the service from Google and Apple, where you can manage your devices.

Xiaomi has developed its own cloud service that allows you to carry out various operations with your phone, including deleting all content from it at a distance.

Attention! It is assumed that the “Find my phone” option was previously activated. If it is disabled by default, then you will not be able to use this method!

So, here's what you need to do:

1. Go to the official website of the Mi Cloud service via the link https://i.mi.com/ and enter your username and password, log in to your account;
2. Go to the “Devices” section, find your mobile phone, track it on the map and click the “Format device” button;
3. Once the data is deleted, you can reboot the device and enjoy comfortable and stable operation of your smartphone. Again, remote control is only possible when the phone is connected to the Internet!

Basic methods

You can format your phone either using the boot menu or using third-party applications.

Using the settings menu

This method is used if the gadget remains in working order and there are no significant failures. Find the settings menu shortcut on the smartphone screen. In the window that opens, select the “Advanced” tab and go to the “Reset” section.

Check the box next to the data clearing item and confirm the action. Sometimes the system asks for a password for your Mi account. After entering the code, Xiaomi Redmi returns to factory settings.

TWRP recovery or stock recovery

Resetting settings through stock recovery is a lengthy and complicated procedure. It is used when the smartphone freezes and the screen does not respond to touches.

How to quickly delete all contacts from Xiaomi address book

All telephone contacts are stored in the application of the same name on Xiaomi, it is convenient, you can carry out many operations with them, make corrections, create your own ringtone for each subscriber or make additional notes. All these operations are carried out in an obvious way in the contact card, but what if you have several hundred similar records and need to delete them?

The easiest way is to go into the card of each of the contacts and delete them one by one, but this will take a lot of time, cause inconvenience, and will deprive some of their peace of mind.

Don't worry, there is a way to quickly clear all contacts on Xiaomi, below I will show you how to do it.

Enter the Contacts , where you will see a list of all subscribers. On any of them, press and hold until a pop-up menu appears. In this menu, click on “Select” .

You will find yourself in the list editing menu, now next to each entry you will see an empty circle, if you touch it, it will be marked.
This way you can quickly go through the list and mark those contacts that need to be deleted. But there is a way to select all the entries at once: in the upper right corner, click on the “Three check marks” , all contacts will be selected, all you have to do is click on the “Delete” and they will instantly disappear from Xiaomi’s memory. Return to content

Advantages and disadvantages of resetting to factory settings

Disadvantages of restoring factory settings include:

1. Disappearance of all files stored in memory. Contacts, call logs, short messages, and all third-party programs will be deleted.
2. The need to re-login to all accounts. Your account information will be deleted. A person who has not saved his login and password to a third-party device will have to set everything up again.

The benefits of a reboot are a complete software update, increased battery life, and free memory space.